Shampoo One is Paul Mitchell's gentle everyday shampoo for all hair types, including coloured hair. Shampoo Two is a lemony clarifying shampoo for oily roots and styling build-up. Shampoo Three is the clarifying shampoo made for swimmers, used once or twice a week. If you're unsure, start with One.
Updated October 2026. Product facts checked against Paul Mitchell UK on 18 October 2026.
Three bottles, numbered one to three, and the numbers tell you nothing about what's inside. Here is how I explain the difference to clients at our basins in Bridlington.
Shampoo One, Two and Three at a glance
| Shampoo One | Shampoo Two | Shampoo Three | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Gentle, balanced everyday wash that keeps hair's natural moisture | Clarifies: lifts oil, styling product and everyday pollution | Clarifies: lifts chlorine and build-up after swimming |
| Paul Mitchell UK says it suits | All hair types, including coloured hair | Oily hair | All hair types |
| How often | Every day | Regularly, to keep an oily scalp in check | Once or twice a week, ideally after swimming |
| Scent | Creamy coconut with a hint of pineapple | Crisp lemon | Zesty pink grapefruit |
| Colour-safe | Yes | Yes | Not listed as colour-safe |
| Also | Vegan, paraben-free | Vegan, paraben-free, gluten-free | Vegan, paraben-free, gluten-free |
| Paul Mitchell range | Classic | Clarify | Clarify |
Product facts from Paul Mitchell's UK product pages, checked 18 October 2026.
Sizes and prices
| Shampoo | Size | Price | Price per 100 ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shampoo One | 75 ml | £8.95 | £11.93 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo One | 300 ml | £16.95 | £5.65 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo One | 500 ml | £22.95 | £4.59 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo One | 1 litre | £37.95 | £3.80 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo Two | 75 ml | £10.95 | £14.60 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo Two | 300 ml | £16.95 | £5.65 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo Two | 500 ml | £22.95 | £4.59 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo Two | 1 litre | £37.95 | £3.80 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo Three | 75 ml | £10.95 | £14.60 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo Three | 300 ml | £18.95 | £6.32 per 100 ml |
| Shampoo Three | 1 litre | £39.95 | £4.00 per 100 ml |
Prices are shown live from our shop and match paul-mitchell.co.uk. Shampoo Three isn't made in a 500 ml size.
Shampoo One: the gentle everyday wash
Paul Mitchell Shampoo One is one of the original Paul Mitchell formulas and sits in the Classic range. Paul Mitchell describes it as a balanced wash that removes impurities while keeping hair's natural moisture, and lists it for all hair types, including coloured hair. It lathers richly with mild coconut-derived ingredients, so hair is left clean and soft rather than squeaky.
It's the bottle I hand to anyone who isn't sure what they need. It suits fine, normal and thick hair alike, which makes the litre a sensible family bottle.
Shampoo Two: the clarifying wash for oily roots
Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two is in the Clarify range. It deep-cleans hair and scalp, lifting the oil, styling product and everyday pollution that leave hair dull and flat, without stripping moisture. Paul Mitchell UK lists it for oily hair and suggests using it regularly to keep an oily scalp in check. Hair is left squeaky-clean, shiny and full of body, and it's colour-safe.
This is the one for oily roots, gym-goers and anyone who uses plenty of mousse, dry shampoo or spray. Always follow it with a conditioner on the lengths.
Shampoo Three: the swimmer's shampoo
Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three is also in the Clarify range, and it's the one swimmers ask for. Paul Mitchell UK describes it as a deep cleanse for hair weighed down by oil and styling build-up, and as a popular swimming shampoo because it removes chlorine build-up after pool use. Paul Mitchell's US site adds that it removes the chlorine, iron and minerals that can give hair a greenish tint.
Paul Mitchell UK suggests using it once or twice a week, followed by a light conditioner. It isn't listed as colour-safe, so if your hair is coloured, ask your colourist first. My tip for pool days: rinse in clean water as soon as you get out, then wash with Shampoo Three at home. The 75 ml fits neatly in a swim bag.
How to choose: my teatime test
Look in the mirror at teatime on a day you've washed your hair.
- Roots still look fresh: Shampoo One.
- Roots look flat or greasy, or you use a lot of styling product: Shampoo Two.
- You swim regularly: use Shampoo Three after the pool once or twice a week, and One or Two the rest of the time.
- Somewhere in between: start with One. The 75 ml bottles are an easy way to try two of them side by side.
Whichever you pick, technique matters as much as the bottle. Wet your hair properly, use about a 10p-sized amount, and massage your scalp for a full minute before you rinse. Most people give it ten seconds and wonder why their roots never feel clean.
One honest note: if your scalp is itchy, sore or flaking, or you're noticing hair loss, see your GP or a trichologist rather than switching shampoos. These are cosmetic shampoos, not treatments.
Not One, Two or Three? Other shampoos by hair type
- Oily roots, or a scalp that wants a fresh, deep clean: Tea Tree Special Shampoo, with tea tree, peppermint and lavender for a cool tingle. Paul Mitchell lists it as colour-safe.
- Dry, coarse or curly hair: Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo, or Awapuhi Wild Ginger HydraSoft Shampoo for dry, frizz-prone hair.
- Fine or flat hair: Extra Body Shampoo or Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo.
- Coloured hair: Color Protect Shampoo.
- Blonde hair turning brassy: Platinum Blonde Shampoo; for fragile, lightened blonde hair, Forever Blonde Shampoo.
Not sure which is yours? Email info@thecolor.uk and tell us about your hair.
What to pair them with
Paul Mitchell The Conditioner is the original Paul Mitchell leave-in. Comb a small amount through clean, damp hair and style as usual, with no need to rinse. It's the partner in our Original Duo with Shampoo One, our Shampoo Two Duo and our Shampoo Three Duo.
If your hair is medium to coarse, coloured, or knots as soon as you towel it, use Paul Mitchell The Detangler instead. It's a rich rinse-out conditioner that helps a comb glide through.
For an extra clarifying step after Shampoo Two or Three, Paul Mitchell suggests Foaming ACV Rinse once or twice a week: leave it on for one to three minutes, then rinse.
Litre bottles and regular deliveries
All three come in a 1 litre salon size, the lowest price per 100 ml in the table above. The Paul Mitchell Litre Bottle Pump screws on in place of the cap, and you'll find every big bottle in our 1 litre salon-size collection.
If you get through a bottle like clockwork, you can have Shampoo One, Two or Three in any size except the 75 ml on Subscribe & save: a delivery every 4, 6, 8 or 12 weeks with 15% off each delivery and free UK delivery, and you can skip a delivery or cancel any time.
Buying from The Color
We're The Color, a Paul Mitchell Signature Salon in Bridlington since 2006. Our stock comes from Sweet Squared, Paul Mitchell's UK distributor, and our prices match paul-mitchell.co.uk. Order by 2pm Monday to Friday and we usually dispatch the same day, with UK delivery in 1 to 3 working days. Delivery is free when your products come to £30 or more, otherwise it's £3.95, and click & collect from the salon is free. See our delivery information and returns policy (30 days on unopened products, with a free returns label).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Paul Mitchell Shampoo One, Two and Three?
Shampoo One is the gentle everyday wash for all hair types, including coloured hair. Shampoo Two is a clarifying shampoo for oily hair and styling build-up. Shampoo Three is a clarifying shampoo popular with swimmers because it lifts chlorine build-up, and Paul Mitchell UK suggests using it once or twice a week.
Which Paul Mitchell shampoo is best for oily hair?
Shampoo Two. Paul Mitchell UK lists it for oily hair and suggests regular use to keep an oily scalp in check. Follow it with a light conditioner on the lengths.
Is Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three colour-safe?
Paul Mitchell doesn't list Shampoo Three as colour-safe, while it does list Shampoo One and Shampoo Two. If your hair is coloured, use Shampoo Two for regular clarifying and ask your colourist before using Shampoo Three often.
Which Paul Mitchell shampoo is best for swimmers?
Shampoo Three. It's made to remove chlorine build-up after pool use. Rinse in clean water straight after swimming, wash with Shampoo Three once or twice a week, and condition well.
Do Shampoo One, Two and Three come in 1 litre?
Yes, all three come in 1 litre. Shampoo One and Two also come in 75 ml, 300 ml and 500 ml; Shampoo Three comes in 75 ml and 300 ml.
Mel Johnson
Owner of The Color, a Paul Mitchell Signature Salon at 55 Flamborough Road, Bridlington, YO15 2JH, with 35+ years in hairdressing.
Product facts checked against Paul Mitchell UK on 18 October 2026.
