Nova Hair Shampoo Review: My Honest Experience

I bought Nova Hair Dye Shampoo hoping for a convenient, natural way to cover my gray hair at home — and I won’t sugarcoat it: the results were disappointing.

With all the viral hype online, it seemed like an easy win.

A 3-in-1 formula that works as a shampoo, conditioner, and hair dye?

Sign me up. But after trying it myself, I can confidently say — you might want to think twice before clicking that “Buy Now” button.

Here’s exactly what happened when I used it, what went wrong, and why I won’t be repurchasing it.

Is Nova Hair Shampoo Really Worth the Price?

Let’s talk cost — because price plays a huge role when you’re shopping for home hair care.

At first glance, Nova Hair Shampoo seems fairly affordable, especially considering it claims to replace three products in one: a dye, a shampoo, and a conditioner. But once you actually use it, that “value” starts to fall apart.

For my medium-length hair, I had to use almost the entire bottle just to cover the roots and crown. That means for full-head coverage, you’ll need a new bottle for every application — which becomes expensive fast.

And if the results were long-lasting or salon-quality, maybe that’d be worth it. But in my case, the color faded in under two weeks, and the coverage was never complete to begin with.

The brand also doesn’t offer a satisfaction guarantee or a proper return policy. Once you’ve used it, you’re stuck with it — whether it works or not. That’s risky, especially for a product marketed toward people trying to avoid costly salon visits.

In the end, you may find yourself spending more to compensate for Nova’s shortcomings — whether that’s with touch-up kits, additional products, or even a trip to the salon to fix uneven color.

So is it worth the price? Not in my experience. You’re better off spending a bit more on something that actually works.

My Experience Using Nova Hair Shampoo

As someone in their mid-30s, I’ve started seeing grays creeping in around my temples and part line. Nothing too dramatic, but enough to make me self-conscious in photos and Zoom calls.

I didn’t want to spend time and money on frequent salon visits. So, when I came across Nova Hair Shampoo — especially after seeing positive content on TikTok — I figured it might be a good solution.

The product promised a lot: full gray coverage, natural ingredients like ginseng, no harsh chemicals, and easy application in 15–20 minutes. Sounded perfect, right?

Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

The first red flag? Application was far from easy. It didn’t spread through my medium-length straight hair easily. I had to really work it in, and even then, the distribution felt patchy.

It clumped in some areas and left others untouched. Not the effortless experience the marketing suggested.

I left it in for the full 20 minutes, hoping for maximum effect. When I rinsed it out, I noticed that while some gray was darker, it was nowhere near even.

I still had visible patches of gray, and my scalp was slightly stained — not ideal when you’re trying to look younger.

The worst part? I had to use almost the entire bottle for just one application, mainly focusing on my roots. For the price, that was frustrating. If you have longer or thicker hair, this likely won’t be economical at all.

To make matters worse, the shampoo did stain the skin around my hairline — despite being labeled as gentle and non-damaging. It took two days for the stains to fade.

After that first attempt, I waited three weeks as the product claimed the black color would last that long. But my grays were back in less than two weeks.

I’ve used other at-home color products before, and Nova simply didn’t live up to its promises.

Pros and Cons of Nova Hair Shampoo

Pros:

Natural Ingredients: The formula includes botanical components like ginseng extract, which is known to strengthen roots and improve shine.
3-in-1 Formula: Works as shampoo, conditioner, and dye, making it convenient in theory for quick routines.
Quick Application Time: Claims to color hair in just 15–20 minutes, faster than many traditional dyes.
Temporary Color Solution: Ideal for users wanting a non-permanent option that fades out gradually.
No Harsh Chemicals: Advertises itself as free of parabens and strong chemicals, potentially better for sensitive scalps.
At-Home Use: Designed for DIY hair dyeing without any salon visits, saving time.

Cons:

Hard to Apply: The product doesn’t spread easily, especially on medium to long hair, making application frustrating.
Uneven Results: Despite following directions carefully, the dye didn’t evenly cover my gray hairs.
Poor Value for Money: One bottle doesn’t provide multiple uses, especially if you have more than short hair.
Stains Skin: Even with careful application, it stained my scalp and hairline noticeably.
Short-Lasting Results: The promised 3–4 weeks of color didn’t hold — I saw regrowth in under 2 weeks.
Bottle Design Flaws: The pump is stiff and difficult to use, especially with wet, gloved hands.
Not Suitable for Long Hair: It might work for touch-ups or very short hair, but not for full-head coverage.
Mixed User Reviews: Many users (like me) found the product didn’t meet expectations — especially regarding ease of use.
No Refund Policy: Once opened, you’re stuck with the product — even if it doesn’t perform.
Doesn’t Work Well on Thick Hair: The texture makes it difficult to massage through thicker strands.

Maintenance Tips and Usage Table

How to Maintain Results and Use Nova Shampoo Correctly

Maintenance Tips	Explanation
Perform a Skin Patch Test	Always test the product on a small skin area before full use to avoid reactions.
Wear Gloves During Use	Prevent skin stains on hands and nails during application.
Use Petroleum Jelly	Apply around your hairline to reduce staining on the forehead or ears.
Work in Sections	Separate hair into small parts to ensure even distribution.
Use on Dry Hair	Shampoo tends to absorb better on dry or slightly damp hair.
Massage Thoroughly	Spend extra time working it into roots and ends — this avoids patchiness.
Don’t Overuse	Apply no more than once every 2–3 weeks to prevent product buildup.
Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo After	Maintain the color by avoiding harsh cleansers in follow-up washes.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place	Keep bottle sealed and away from sunlight to protect product integrity.
Rinse Thoroughly	Don’t leave any product residue — rinse until water runs clear.

These tips help get the best out of Nova Hair Shampoo — if you do decide to use it despite its flaws. But even with perfect technique, it’s hard to guarantee consistent results.

Who Should Avoid Nova Hair Shampoo?

This is a big one. Because while Nova may work for a select group of people, it’s definitely not for everyone.

If you have medium to long hair, this product likely won’t spread evenly. You’ll either end up using too much or getting patchy coverage.

People with thick hair will run into the same issue — it simply doesn’t distribute well through dense strands.

If you’ve never dyed your hair before or have sensitive skin, this might also not be the right pick.

Despite its “natural” label, it stained my scalp and forehead — and based on other reviews, that’s a common problem. Always do a patch test, but even that doesn’t guarantee a good outcome.

This shampoo is also not ideal for permanent color coverage. If you’re looking for long-lasting results or trying to cover stubborn grays, you’ll likely be disappointed with how fast the color fades.

Lastly, if customer service matters to you (and let’s be real, it should), avoid Nova. The lack of support and strict no-return policy makes it risky.

This is a product that may only suit people with very short hair, minimal gray, and low expectations — not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Comparing Nova Shampoo to Other Brands

Just for Men Control GX Shampoo

Performance: Control GX is a gradual gray-reducing shampoo for men, but many women use it too. Instead of instantly changing your hair color, it subtly darkens your grays with each wash.
Ease of Use: It spreads evenly, lathers like a regular shampoo, and doesn’t stain your skin or bathroom.
Coverage: Gray coverage is slow but even and natural-looking. After a week or so, most grays are noticeably darker.
Vs Nova: Nova promises full coverage in 20 minutes but often gives patchy results. GX takes longer but delivers smoother, gradual change — no mess, no staining.

L’Oréal Magic Root Cover Up & Root Rescue

Performance: These aren’t shampoos, but they’re popular for gray coverage at the roots. The spray covers grays instantly and washes out, while the Rescue product uses permanent color in a 10-minute root kit.
Ease of Use: Both are simple, fast, and designed for targeted application. No spreading struggles, no gloves needed for the spray.
Coverage: Excellent for roots and part lines. Rescue lasts 2–3 weeks, while the spray is a temporary cosmetic fix.
Vs Nova: Nova tries to be an all-in-one but fails in ease and accuracy. L’Oréal’s products are more reliable if you just want root coverage without staining or mess.

Clairol Natural Instincts

Performance: This semi-permanent dye contains coconut oil and aloe, is ammonia-free, and blends grays very naturally. It’s not a shampoo, but the conditioning formula is quite gentle.
Ease of Use: Takes about 20 minutes to apply, just like Nova, but the texture is creamy and spreads evenly.
Coverage: More effective gray blending than Nova, especially for long or medium hair.
Vs Nova: Both target at-home users, but Clairol’s product gives longer-lasting and more even results — with fewer complaints about staining.

Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash

Performance: Designed for fashion-forward colors (purples, silvers, reds), but also has toning and neutral options. Great if you’ve dyed your hair and want to maintain it between salon visits.
Ease of Use: Feels like using regular shampoo but deposits vibrant color gradually.
Coverage: Not for gray coverage, but for maintaining or refreshing dyed hair. However, it’s far more consistent in tone and spread.
Vs Nova: Nova is meant for gray coverage but can’t even deliver that cleanly. Colorwash is specialty-focused but far better in quality and pigment retention.

Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Anti-Age

Performance: This is a full permanent dye kit, not a shampoo, but it’s a top pick for covering grays with lasting results. It’s infused with keratin to strengthen hair.
Ease of Use: Takes a bit longer to apply than Nova (around 30 minutes total), but it’s manageable at home and gives even, rich color.
Coverage: Excellent. Covers stubborn grays fully and lasts 4–6 weeks with proper care.
Vs Nova: Nova is quicker but less reliable. Schwarzkopf’s kit is worth the time for those who want more than temporary fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often can I use Nova hair shampoo?

Nova recommends usage every 3–4 weeks. However, based on my experience, the color starts fading within 10–14 days, which may lead you to reapply more often than advised.

What are people saying about Nova hair?

Opinions are mixed. While some users say it worked well on short hair, many complain about staining, uneven coverage, poor value, and difficulty applying it evenly.

Do color depositing shampoos really work?

Yes, some do — but not all are created equal. The best ones deposit pigments gently and evenly without mess or harsh side effects. Nova’s results tend to be patchy and inconsistent, especially on medium to long hair.

Does Nova shampoo cover grey hair?

It covers some gray, but not fully or evenly. In my case, grays around the temples remained visible even after a full application. The coverage faded faster than claimed.

Final Thoughts

Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it.

It might look promising on social media and the packaging is convincing, but the real-world experience leaves a lot to be desired.

From difficult application to short-lived results, staining, and poor value — Nova Hair Shampoo just doesn’t hold up against better competitors.

If you have short hair and want a quick touch-up, maybe you’ll get some value. But for anyone with medium or long hair, or looking for reliable gray coverage, there are far better alternatives.

This product left me frustrated, stained, and still gray in parts. For a product meant to make you feel confident, that’s just not good enough.