ROADTEST: 3 women, with different hair types, try esmi’s new haircare range.

Did you know that good hair starts with a healthy scalp? Yep, true story. 

Unfortunately, sometimes the scalp doesn't exactly cooperate. While I typically pride myself on having strong hair, it's been a labour of love to find the right products that work with my scalp instead of against it. 

So with that being said, when I found out esmi Skin Minerals, the Australian-owned, vegan and cruelty-free brand, had developed a specialised haircare line with a scalp-first approach, I knew I had to get my hands on a few bottles and try it for myself.

For years, esmi has been at the forefront of revolutionising the skincare game and now they've released five formulas that focus on giving our hair effective and long-lasting results (spoiler alert: they certainly did). 

The brand specifically researched and developed shampoo and conditioners with five unique blends to boost all the good bacteria on our heads and target all our hair concerns – including oily hair, dull hair, weak and brittle hair, dry hair and plain ol' hair that just needs some good TLC (read: hydration).

For the past six weeks, we've been putting esmi's new haircare range to the ultimate test. Here are our honest thoughts.

Shannen, esmi Strength Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

If there's one thing I strive for my hair to be, it's lush. Unfortunately, after years of getting it chemically straightened and putting some pretty harsh products on my scalp, we're currently on a bit of a journey. 

My careless methods in the past were exactly what pushed me to try the new esmi Strength Shampoo and Conditioner, because I needed a formula that worked to give my scalp the boost it really needs to grow. 

I was thankful for esmi's new hair range – as I've trialled products of theirs in the past and swiftly fallen on the hype train – but hair was an all-new ballpark for the brand and if I'm being honest, I was scared nothing could save my damaged 'do. 

To begin with, my hair was looking bland and worse for wear. To make matters worse, my scalp was beginning to itch and dandruff was starting to set in.

Thankfully, esmi came through. 

The Strength Shampoo and Conditioner, like the others in the range, is formulated with a special blend of probiotic lysates. This basically means the products have been specifically tailored to help with growth and to strengthen our lovely scalps. UV damage is real and up until I got this gorgeous formula on my head, my hair has been paying the ultimate price. 

From the scent to the packaging, I was obsessed right from the start. I care a lot about putting all the good stuff on my hair and skin – but when I saw that what I was putting on my head not only felt good but looked and smelt good too? Oh, I was hooked. 

With a green tea extract, the Strength Shampoo and Conditioner works to nourish the damaged scalp and promote healthy, strong growth in our hair follicles. 

Within the six weeks I trialled the goodies, I noticed my hair's natural curl pattern began to come back. My once curly hair that had been ruined by chemicals and heat had started to restore itself. 

Before and after. Image: Supplied.

The shampoo gave me a good deep cleanse while feeling nourished and the conditioner felt so creamy, I didn't want to wash it away.

The verdict? I feel good following my use of the esmi hair range. My hair started to shine again and I've noticed my scalp has stopped producing as much dead skin cells. Hallelujah!

Lisa, esmi Dry Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

Raise your hand if you have ever experienced that dry ‘crunchy’ feeling in your hair. Yep, me too.

Well, for someone like me – who has spent years bleaching her hair – this has unfortunately become a feeling I know all too well. I have spent the best part of the last two years trying to repair, replenish and rehydrate my hair which has been much more of a challenge than I thought. 

So, when I heard esmi had released a range of specially-formulated products for dry, frizzy hair, you know I HAD to give it a try to see if they lived up to the hype. 

Spoiler alert: They did! 

Let me start by saying that the team at esmi just get it. I have been using and LOVING other products from their skin range which of course made me excited to try the Dry Hair Shampoo and Conditioner. 

I have notoriously frizzy hair and most days it doesn't make it to lunchtime before the humidity, weather, or just about everything else, has gotten to it. 

So you can imagine my excitement when one of the first differences I experienced early on was just how much more manageable the frizz was. My hair was softer, shinier and significantly less frizzy — and my hair styling was lasting way longer! 

Before and after. Image: Supplied.

I have the dreamy formula to thank for this. Like the Strength variation, the probiotic lysates worked a treat on my scalp, while the jojoba, coconut and avocado oil blends of this formula deeply nourished and hydrated my hair, restoring that shine I'd been desperately missing. 

The shampoo has a light yet creamy consistency and lathers up so nicely, while the conditioner has a thicker, more buttery feel which is perfect for when you want to let it sit a little longer to soak up all the hydrating benefits. 

I have thick, long hair and I found that a little product goes a long way, and the smell of the product and of my hair has been absolutely divine. It smells like the cult favourite Tahaa candle (if you know, you know) and I am hooked. 

I am so impressed with the results I have seen in my hair over the last six weeks that I will absolutely be continuing to use these products in my routine. I also love that the esmi hair range is customisable, meaning you can mix and match products to target each individual hair concern.

Katie, esmi Oily Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

Hello everyone. My name is Katie, and I am a certified oily gal. 

Always have been. From the moment I went through puberty, I have had limp, pathetic, greasy hair that looks decent after I've washed it but 24 hours later I'm back to the same lacklustre situation and craving another wash. 

Even at nearly 30, my hair has stayed the same – same texture, same colour (as I've never dyed it), but luckily a slightly different style, as I finally got rid of the blunt cut bangs of my youth. 

So it's fair to say that I'm ready for a change, and the way I'm going to do that is by taking the new esmi Oily Hair Shampoo and Conditioner for a spin! This bottle is full of sulphate free goodness and promises to gently and deeply cleanse to balance oil production, remove debris and sweat build up – all without stripping a scalp's natural moisture barrier. Sound too good to be true? It did to me when I read it, so I was ready to put it to the test for six weeks.

Before I dive into the results, it's best to show you what I was working with at the beginning of this journey. Apologies to your eyes.

Before. Image: Supplied.

Pretty dire situation, right?

But onto something cuter: The esmi Oily Hair Shampoo and Conditioner. They come in these cute little rectangular bottles and are filled with the freshest smelling shampoo and conditioner I have ever sniffed! It's like a yummy aloe vera, minty, tea-tree scent, and the consistency isn't too runny, meaning I could really work the product in during the wash and feel it doing its thing to my hair and scalp. Plus the peppermint extract (which gives it the gorgeous smell) can be credited with rebalancing and enhancing the appearance of oily hair, improving overall scalp health.

After the first wash, my hair felt lighter and brighter – a welcome description! However, when day two hit, my hair slumped into its same sad state. But I wasn't going to give up that easily, so I kept on washing for six more weeks.

After. Image: Supplied.

And I am so glad that I did, because things just got better and better, and I was finally able to stretch out my hair-washing days.

The verdict? After the whole trial situation, my hair has definitely shaken off some of its oily tendencies and my whole head feels healthier, lighter and fresher than ever. What a win!

Shop Hair Care by esmi: the scientifically-researched formula supports hair health from the scalp, giving you effective, long-lasting results. 

Use code GOODHAIR for 20% off esmi Skin Minerals site wide! Offer valid until 28th February. Some exclusions apply.

Feature Image: Supplied.