Freewill Haircare Review: Custom Ingredients, Custom Results?

Freewill Haircare claims to offer a range of products created to suit different hair needs. It features shampoos, conditioners, scalp support options, and styling aids.

Freewill Haircare also provides helpful tips and guidance to support your hair routine. The brand claims that its products could help detoxify your scalp, nourish your curls, repair damage, control frizz, and boost volume.

In this review, you will explore several key aspects of Freewill Haircare. We will also discuss the quality of ingredients used in the brand’s products, how the products perform, and the variety of options available. This review will also cover the advantages and possible drawbacks of Freewill Haircare to provide you with a detailed analysis of the brand.

About Freewill Haircare

As per its official site, Freewill Haircare takes a science-backed approach to hair wellness through a concept called “hair cycling.” Instead of using the same products repeatedly, Freewill encourages rotating between different product collections to address your hair’s changing needs at various stages. This approach ensures that your hair receives exactly what it requires over time, supporting every hair type with tailored care.

The brand claims that its offerings focus on plant-based haircare products that are vegan and cruelty-free. Its formulations avoid harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, synthetic fragrances, talc, and benzene.

Freewill also emphasizes eco-conscious packaging, opting for aerosol-free options. Their product range includes essentials like the Reset & Refresh Dry Shampoo, which absorbs excess oils and refreshes your hair without washing, and a Clarifying Detox Shampoo and Conditioner that removes buildup to promote scalp health. They also provide specialty collections designed for curls, color-treated hair, frizz control, and volume enhancement.

To help personalize your haircare experience, Freewill offers an interactive Hair Cycling Quiz. This quiz evaluates your hair type, concerns, and goals to recommend a tailored routine, guiding you on how to cycle products for optimal results effectively.

Freewill Haircare Best Selling Products

1. Reset & Refresh Dry Shampoo

   Reset & Refresh Dry Shampoo by Freewill may help absorb sweat, excess oil, and impurities, helping you maintain voluminous hair without the need for a full wash.

   The Reset & Refresh Dry Shampoo formula could help with oil absorption while providing hair and scalp nourishment. It features corn and tapioca starch, which work as natural mattifying agents, quickly absorbing sebum while adding lift and volume at the roots.

   The makers also added silica silylate and bentonite clay in Reset & Refresh Dry Shampoo, which might help enhance oil control, giving hair a clean, refreshed appearance. Rice protein in this shampoo might help strengthen your hair shaft and reduce breakage over time by forming a protective film around individual strands.

   Reset & Refresh Dry Shampoo also combines ginseng extract, known for its adaptogenic and antioxidant properties, which could support your scalp health by nourishing follicles and improving circulation. The addition of biotin and glycerin in this shampoo may help maintain moisture balance, leaving the hair soft, healthy-looking, and more manageable between washes.

   The makers advise that to use Reset & Refresh Dry Shampoo, simply spray the product directly onto dry roots, allow it to sit for up to three minutes to maximize absorption, and then brush through and style as usual.

2. Color Preserve Shampoo

   Freewill Haircare’s Color Preserve Shampoo may help protect and prolong the shine of color-treated hair while delivering essential nourishment. It is said to lock in color and prevent premature fading.

   As per the official website, Color Preserve Shampoo contains moisturizing and conditioning agents that can leave your hair soft, smooth, and manageable after every wash, supporting both aesthetic and structural hair health.

   Raspberry leaf extract in Color Preserve Shampoo might also help protect strands from environmental stressors and color degradation. This shampoo also features grape seed extract, which is rich in polyphenols and linoleic acid, that could help preserve hair color while delivering deep hydration and sealing the cuticle for enhanced shine.

   Ginger root oil in Color Preserve Shampoo adds further nourishment with its blend of vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals, helping to maintain scalp health and strengthen strands.

   The makers also include panthenol and glycerin in this shampoo to help boost moisture retention, while polyquaterniums and guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride enhance softness, manageability, and frizz control.

   As per the makers, to use Color Preserve Shampoo, massage the shampoo into damp hair and scalp, work into a lather, then clean thoroughly and follow with conditioner. With a clean, color-protective base featuring surfactants like sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate and cocamidopropyl betaine, the shampoo effectively cleanses without stripping essential oils or damaging delicate color molecules.

3. Color Preserve Conditioner

   According to the official website, Color Preserve Conditioner may help maintain the depth and brilliance of color-treated hair while offering essential nourishment and hydration. Designed specifically for color-treated hair, this conditioner may support a soft, detangled finish, making daily maintenance both simple and effective.

   Color Preserve Conditioner features cetearyl alcohol and behentrimonium chloride, which may help provide deep moisturization and smoothing benefits. It also has glycerin and panthenol that work together to provide moisture to the hair shaft, reducing dryness and frizz, two common issues for chemically treated hair.

   Raspberry leaf extract in Color Preserve Conditioner adds antioxidant protection to fight oxidative damage, while grape seed extract locks in moisture and color by sealing the hair cuticle.

4. Clarifying Detox Shampoo

   Freewill Haircare claims that its Clarifying Detox Shampoo provides a gentle cleanse, offering lightweight hydration and a revitalizing experience for both scalp and strands. Formulated to target product buildup, excess oil, and environmental pollutants, it might help detoxify without stripping the hair of its natural moisture.

   As per the official website, Clarifying Detox Shampoo has botanical actives such as Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) leaf oil, which may help soothe your scalp while maintaining a refreshed, clean feel after every wash.

   Aloe vera, which is known for its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, in Clarifying Detox Shampoo could support scalp health by reducing irritation and dryness. The makers also added Tea tree oil to this shampoo, which works to clear blocked follicles and reduce dandruff-causing microbes.

   Scientifically backed cleansing agents like sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate and cocamidopropyl betaine in clarifying detox shampoo may help lift away impurities, while propylene glycol and sodium laureth-5 carboxylate could help maintain moisture and promote a smooth texture post-wash. The shampoo also includes conditioning and stabilizing agents such as citric acid and disodium EDTA to help keep the pH balance and boost the performance of active ingredients.

5. Clarifying Detox Conditioner

   The Clarifying Detox Conditioner by Freewill Haircare could provide hydration while helping to rebalance and rejuvenate your scalp and hair. It may help provide effective detangling and a smooth, residue-free finish.

   The makers added aloe barbadensis leaf juice and tea tree oil in Clarifying Detox Conditioner, which might help calm your scalp and reduce buildup while maintaining a healthy moisture balance. These natural components, known for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, work to soothe irritation and promote overall scalp wellness.

   Astrocaryum murumuru seed butter and Persea gratissima (Avocado) fruit butter in Clarifying Detox Conditioner could also offer deep conditioning without heaviness. These emollients are rich in fatty acids that help restore the lipid barrier of the hair shaft, leaving strands soft, manageable, and less prone to breakage.

   This conditioner also has charcoal powder, which might help enhance the detoxifying effect by drawing out impurities and environmental toxins, while mentha piperita (Peppermint) oil could provide a refreshing cooling sensation that could help revitalize your scalp.

6. Restorative Repair Shampoo

   Freewill Haircare features Restorative Repair Shampoo, which is formulated to restore dry, damaged, or chemically treated hair. Infused with keratin-enhancing and plant-derived ingredients, this shampoo gently cleanses while actively working to restore hair strength, shine, and manageability.

   Restorative Repair Shampoo has Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, which is a potent botanical ingredient known for its ability to fortify weakened strands and reduce breakage. It might help rebuild the protein structure from within by penetrating the hair shaft, promoting elasticity and resilience.

   The makers state that Restorative Repair Shampoo also combines zingiber officinale (Ginger) root oil and cymbopogon flexuosus oil, which are both rich in vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants. These ingredients may help replenish lost moisture, soothe your scalp, and enhance the vitality of the hair.

   The addition of panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) and glycerin in Restorative Repair Shampoo might offer lasting hydration by drawing moisture into the hair and sealing it in, which improves smoothness and softness.

7. Restorative Repair Conditioner

   As per the official website, the Restorative Repair Conditioner may help revive dry, brittle, or chemically damaged hair with targeted nourishment and hydration. This formula blends science-backed actives with enriching botanicals to help restore softness, strength, and manageability to stressed hair.

   Argan Oil in Restorative Repair Conditioner is high in fatty acids and vitamin E, deeply conditions and locks in moisture. To ensure smooth detangling and a soft, salon-like finish, the conditioner contains hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, a conditioning polymer that reduces static and improves hair texture.

   The makers state that caprylyl glycol and propylene glycol in Restorative Repair Conditioner may provide moisture retention, while cetrimonium chloride works as a gentle conditioning agent to make hair more manageable without heaviness.

   Restorative Repair Conditioner also features additional functional ingredients like myristyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, and decyl oleate, which lend a creamy, emollient-rich base that coats each strand for improved softness.

8. Blonde Preserve Shampoo

   The Blonde Preserve Shampoo from Freewill could help maintain the brilliance and integrity of blonde hair, whether natural, highlighted, or color-treated. It may help enhance the shine and tone of your hair while delivering essential nourishment.

   As per the official website, Blonde Preserve Shampoo also has violet pigments (Ext. Violet 2), which play a crucial role in neutralizing unwanted yellow and brassy undertones. This color-balancing technology might help keep your blonde hues vibrant and salon-fresh between procedures.

   To support hair health, the Blonde Preserve Shampoo is infused with hydrolyzed vegetable protein, which strengthens hair structure, improves elasticity, and helps reduce breakage caused by coloring or heat styling. Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) adds a moisture boost, sealing the cuticle for smoother, shinier strands.

Freewill Haircare Advantages

1. Focuses On Hair Cycling Method

   Freewill offers a personalized, science-backed approach that encourages you to rotate between different products like the Clarifying Detox Shampoo, Restorative Repair Conditioner, and Blonde Preserve Shampoo, depending on your hair’s current condition and goals.

   You can manage diverse concerns such as buildup, damage repair, and color maintenance by following their hair cycling approach, which is based on hair health and can be changed with factors like seasonality, lifestyle, and environment.

   Scientific studies support that hair responds differently to various procedures depending on external factors such as UV exposure, humidity, and product residue accumulation. Rotating products prevent overuse of a single ingredient and reduce scalp irritation or buildup, a principle backed by dermatological research.

2. Customizable Bundles

   Freewill Haircare provides highly customizable product bundles, which offer a tailored haircare experience instead of just selling a particular product. You can begin your journey by taking a detailed hair routine quiz on the official website, which assesses hair type, texture, concerns, and goals. Based on this data, Freewill recommends specific products and bundles optimized for your unique hair profile. Personalized haircare routines have been shown to improve user satisfaction and treatment outcomes, as hair characteristics such as porosity, density, and curl pattern significantly influence how products perform.

   These bundles are designed for better customization, allowing you to adjust their product selection as your hair needs evolve due to changes in weather, lifestyle, or hair procedures. This ongoing personalization makes it easy for you to maintain an effective hair health routine without confusion or guesswork.

3. Multi-Channel Availability

   To ensure maximum convenience and accessibility, Freewill Haircare uses a multi-channel distribution strategy that meets customers wherever they prefer to shop. Their direct-to-consumer online store offers a seamless shopping experience, complete with detailed product information, personalized recommendations via the hair quiz, and easy purchasing options. This ensures customers receive authentic products alongside comprehensive brand support. The brand also partners with around 3000 Sally Beauty stores to make products available in physical retail locations nationwide. This retail presence allows customers to examine products firsthand and receive personalized guidance from trained beauty professionals, which builds trust and facilitates informed purchasing decisions.

Freewill Haircare Limitations

1. Ambiguous Sourcing and Certification

   Freewill’s claim of offering “clean” and “cruelty-free” haircare lacks supporting detail, making Ambiguous Sourcing and Certification a clear brand limitation. Nowhere on its packaging or website does the brand disclose verifiable certifications from third-party bodies like Leaping Bunny, PETA, EWG Verified, or COSMOS/Ecocert. Without these independent validations, terms like “safe,” “non-toxic,” or “clean” remain unregulated and purely marketing-driven, leaving consumers unable to confirm whether ingredient safety, environmental standards, or ethical practices are met.

   The brand also fails to provide clarity on ingredient origin, processing, or sustainability. For example, you are not told where botanical extracts like argan oil or keratin are sourced from, whether they’re organically grown, non-GMO, or pesticide-free. There’s no mention of supply chain transparency or testing protocols for heavy metals, microbial load, or pesticide residues, standards typically required for clean-label credibility.

2. Lacks Allergen Transparency

   Freewill Hair’s lack of transparent allergen warnings is a serious limitation, particularly for people with sensitive skin and known allergies. The brand uses a wide variety of ingredients in its Customized Shampoo and Conditioner, such as fragrance blends, essential oils, and botanical extracts. However, it does not provide any clear labeling or warnings about common allergens that may be present in these products.

   For instance, essential oils like lavender, citrus, and tea tree, commonly found in Freewill’s customized blends, are known to cause contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitive people. These are recognized allergens in dermatology research and are often flagged by other responsible hair care brands.

   Despite presenting itself as a personalized and clean brand, Freewill does not publish an allergen summary or offer dedicated allergen-free formulations. This oversight may lead to adverse reactions and decrease customer confidence, especially among people who are careful about ingredient safety.

Freewill Haircare Alternative Brands

1. Function of Beauty

   Function of Beauty claims to offer completely personalized haircare, skincare, and bodycare products tailored to your needs. You can start by taking an in-depth quiz covering your hair type, structure, scalp moisture level, and personal hair goals. Based on the responses, Function of Beauty formulates a custom blend, and you can even choose the fragrance, color, and name on the bottle.

   Their product range includes custom shampoos, conditioners, leave-in options, co-washes, hair serums, and masks. Beyond haircare, the brand has expanded into skincare and bodycare. Function of Beauty claims that all its formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free, using mostly naturally derived ingredients and dermatologist-tested formulations.

   In comparison, Freewill encourages rotating between products to meet changing hair needs over time. This approach helps address different concerns, such as buildup, frizz, damage, or color care, by recommending when and how to switch between products based on environmental, seasonal, and hair condition changes.

   Freewill’s product line includes collections like Scalp & Detox, Restorative Repair, Volume Boost, Smooth & Sleek, and care lines for curls, color-treated hair, and blondes. The brand claims that its products include a non-aerosol dry shampoo and an exfoliating scalp scrubber designed to promote both hair and scalp health. Freewill products are available online and at Sally Beauty stores, offering a guided yet flexible approach to haircare.

2. Prose

   Prose is a U.S.-based haircare brand known for its hyper-personalized, AI-driven product formulations. The brand stands out for its deep customization process, which evaluates over 85 factors through a comprehensive online consultation. This includes hair type, scalp condition, styling habits, diet, stress levels, and even environmental conditions such as local humidity and pollution. The result is a completely personalized formula tailored to your hair’s specific needs and goals. Prose offers a broad range of haircare products, including shampoos, conditioners, masks, and styling options, all free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. Freewill Hair is also a Certified B Corporation and prioritizes carbon neutrality, recyclable packaging, and ethically sourced ingredients.

   As per its official website, Prose offers a 30-day window from delivery to request a return or full refund. However, if you opt for a free formula adjustment first, you forfeit the option to return the product later. This encourages you to try an adjusted option before giving up on the brand.

   In contrast, Freewill takes a unique approach through the concept of hair cycling, a method that encourages rotating between different product types based on your hair’s changing needs. Instead of sticking to one static routine, Freewill promotes adapting your regimen over time using insights from a personalized quiz.

   Freewill collaborates with Sally Beauty to develop salon-grade products. It offers a diverse catalog of different categories such as Smooth & Sleek, Scalp & Detox, Volume Boost, Restorative Repair, Color Care, and Curls & Coils. The makers claim that their formulas are clean and exclude sulfates (SLS/SLES), parabens, and phthalates, aligning with modern clean beauty standards.

   Freewill’s refund policy is also notably customer-centric. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can return the product within 60 days from the date of purchase. To initiate a return, you need to contact their support team with a brief explanation, after which they will guide you through the process. This extended return window offers a generous buffer for users to test and evaluate the products before deciding. Compared to Prose, Freewill provides a longer return period, although it lacks the option of formula adjustments.

How Did We Evaluate The Freewill Haircare?

1. Refund And Return Policy

   When assessing Freewill Haircare, we closely examined its refund policy to understand how customer-friendly and flexible the brand truly is. We noted that Freewill offers a 60-day return, which is quite generous compared to many personalized haircare brands. This extended period allows you enough time to test the products and decide if they meet your needs.

   We also looked at the conditions tied to returns, such as the requirement to send back products in their original packaging. While this ensures product integrity, it may pose challenges if you’ve already opened or partially used the items. The refund process takes between 10 to 14 business days to process the return, plus another 5 to 7 days for the refund to show in your account, meaning you should expect a wait of up to a month before the refund is fully completed.

   Another factor we considered was the clarity of the policy. Freewill doesn’t clearly state whether opened or used products qualify for returns, which is an important detail for personalized haircare purchases. Communication protocols are clear, with customer support available to assist throughout the return process, which adds a reassuring touch.

   In evaluating Freewill Haircare, we found their refund policy to be relatively accommodating but with room for improvement in transparency and flexibility around product usage and packaging requirements. This reflects the brand’s effort to balance customer satisfaction with maintaining product quality standards.

2. Value for Money

   We evaluated Freewill Haircare by analyzing its pricing and overall value for money, especially when compared to similar offerings in the market.

   Freewill Haircare’s Reset & Refresh Dry Shampoo is priced at $30 for just 0.7 ounces, which positions it as a premium product with a relatively high cost per ounce. This pricing reflects the brand’s emphasis on clean, plant-based ingredients and eco-friendly formulations. While these qualities add to its appeal, the high price means the product may not offer the best value purely based on volume.

   To put this into perspective, we compared Freewill’s pricing with custom shampoo options from other brands. Prose’s Custom Shampoo costs $35 for 8.5 ounces, which breaks down to about $4.10 per ounce. Although pricier than average shampoos, Prose adds value through its personalized formulations tailored to your hair’s needs and environment.

   In contrast, Function of Beauty’s Custom Shampoo is priced at $29 for 11 ounces or approximately $2.64 per ounce. This presents a more affordable option that still offers personalization, making it a good value option for people wanting custom products without paying a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any challenges I can face when switching to a personalized haircare routine like Freewill’s?
   Adjusting to Freewill’s personalized products can cause temporary changes in hair texture or oil levels as your scalp adapts. Patience is key since it may take a few weeks for the full benefits to become visible.
2. What are some signs that a haircare formula from Freewill might need adjustment?
   If you experience scalp irritation, unusual dryness, or excess oiliness while using Freewill products, it may be time to update your formula to match your evolving hair’s needs.
3. Can customized haircare options from Freewill replace professional salon treatments?
   Freewill’s personalized products may support daily hair health, but generally complement rather than replace salon treatments like deep conditioning or color care.

Conclusion

Freewill Haircare offers a personalized, science-informed approach that combines botanical extracts, antioxidants, and keratin alternatives. Its formulations use gentle surfactants to cleanse without stripping natural oils, while botanicals used in its products could support scalp health. It also features customizable product bundles based on a detailed hair profile quiz, allowing ongoing adjustment of your routine to suit evolving hair conditions.

However, Freewill’s premium pricing and the commitment required for the hair cycling routine may not suit everyone. The brand currently lacks third-party certifications to verify its “clean” and “cruelty-free” claims, and it does not provide clear allergen warnings, which can be important if you have sensitive skin or allergies.

Before considering Freewill Haircare, make sure to review the ingredient lists of its products carefully and perform a patch test. If you have specific scalp concerns or sensitivities, consulting a dermatologist is recommended.