8 Hair Products That Are *Even Better* Than Your Soon-To-Be Gone Shu Uemura Faves
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Friends, we have some news.
Salon professional haircare brand Shu Uemura is leaving Australia and New Zealand.
This means you'll no longer be able to purchase Shu Uemura shampoos, treatments and everything in between from AU and NZ retailers.
Condolences to our Shu Uemura fans here.
It sucks when your holy grail products are discontinued. (But also, stock up on Shu Uemura Art of Hair before it's gone for good.)
But in some positive news, we've gone and found you a bunch of hair products that might just be even better than your Shu Uemura favourites.
From a Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Mask alternative, to a cult hair oil that'll change the game, we've got you and your hair sorted.
Enjoy!
Shu Uemura Hair Alternatives.
1. VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Mask.
Love the Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Masque?
VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Mask 50ml will be your new best mate.
Not only does the mask's coconut and yuzu scent smell just as delicious as the fragranced Shu Uemura mask, but the formula works even harder for damaged hair.
VIRTUE's signature Alpha Keratin 60ku protein is able to bind directly to damaged areas of the hair, leaving it shinier, stronger and healthier.
With a 4.4 star rating out of 5, one AB customer describes this VIRTUE mask as being "one of the best hair masks I have ever used."
2. Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo.
Fans of the Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Shampoo will love how Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo 250ml combines luxury and performance.
The name kind of says it all, but Oribe's Gold Lust shampoo restores your hair to its shiniest, healthiest state, creating strong, silky hair in an instant.
Here's how one AB customer describes its magic:
"Wow... you are in for a real treat! Hardworking and luxurious. Worth every cent."
3. Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner.
Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner 200ml is the perfect alternative to the Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Conditioner.
The luxe formula delivers moisture, without weighing hair down, by smoothing each cuticle to undo the damage of time (and style).
Cypress, argan and maracuja oils hydrate and renew lacklustre, damaged hair, while shea butter and glycerin intensely hydrate and lock in moisture for long-lasting hydration.
AB customers say the rich conditioner is exxy, but a little goes a long way.
Pro tip: Leave it on for 5-10 minutes to turn your conditioner into a nourishing hair treatment.
4. Kérastase Elixir.
Trust us, if you love the Shu Uemura Essence Absolue, Kerastase Elixir Ultime hair oil 75ml will blow your mind.
One of the best-selling Kérastase products AND overall hair products on Adore Beauty, Kérastase Elixir needs no introduction.
Anecdotally, once you start using it, you can’t stop.
The oil feels luxurious on the hair, smells amazing (without being overpowering), and makes you feel like a million bucks.
But the proof is in the customer reviews.
With a 4.6-star rating on Adore Beauty and a whopping 527 reviews, 94% of our customers would recommended this product.
That truly speaks for itself.
5. Kérastase Nutritive 8hr Magic Night Serum.
Going to miss Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Overnight Serum once it's left AU & NZ for good?
deeply nourishes dehydrated hair in just 8 hours.
With a 4.6 star rating on Adore Beauty and 220+ reviews, its light, non-greasy texture won't weigh fine hair down, but is jam-packed enough to nourish thicker, coarser hair.
Plus, the fragrance has been carefully curated to assist you in getting a deeper, more relaxing sleep.
You can also use this during the day as a leave-in conditioner either on dry or towel-dried hair for some added hydration.
AB customer Jessie says, "I got this as a sample and it sat in my sample drawer for some time before I got around to trying it, I wish I tried it sooner!"
6. Mr. Smith Blond Shampoo.
Shu Uemura Yubi Blonde Neutralising Shampoo is great, but Mr. Smith Blond Shampoo might just be even better.
Not only is the packaging super chic, but Mr. Smith's blonde hair products use a gentle formula with a rich violet hue that gets rid of brassiness.
Rosemary, lavender and orange peel nourish, calm, cleanse and condition blonde locks, and leave hair smelling divine too.
Don't enjoy blonde shampoos? Give the Mr. Smith Blond 200ml treatment option a go after shampooing with your favourite shampoo.
7. Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo.
Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 180 customer reviews, Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo 250mL is a brilliant alternative to the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo.
Some scalp shampoos can be stripping or dry, but not this one!
Sachajuan's Scalp Shampoo contains piroctone olamine and climbazole to remove dry dandruff and itchiness.
But crucially, the chic-looking shampoo also adds intense shine.
AB customer Steph says, "My hair lovvveeees this product!!! It leaves it so shiny!!!"
8. Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo.
If you've gotten great results from the Shu Uemura Anti Dandruff Soothing Cleanser, add Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo 250ml to cart next.
This clarifying, deep cleansing shampoo addresses the causes of dandruff, while also relieving the look of symptoms.
If things are looking a bit flaky and oily up top, this one has your name on it.
Plus, the brand was founded and is run by trichologists (hair doctors), so you know it's legit.
Philip Kingsley himself even looked after Audrey Hepburn's hair!
Want more help finding the right haircare products for you? Take our hair quiz below!
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