'My hair was breaking faster than it was growing until I found this $7 supermarket shampoo.'

Mamamia's Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won't find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Em Vernem tries Garnier Fructis Hair Food Shampoo Pineapple.

Let me paint you a picture of my hair journey, because it's been a rollercoaster of bad decisions and even worse outcomes.

First, there was the bleaching phase which took place after a particularly soul-crushing breakup.

I made what can only be described as a cry for help disguised as a "bold choice"… I dyed my hair electric blue. Because nothing says "I'm doing fine!" like looking like a sad, washed-up mermaid.

Image: Supplied.

I also couldn't be bothered to maintain it, so after a few months, it faded into this indescribable yellow-green colour that made me look like I'd been swimming in a poorly-maintained public pool all summer. Algae chic, if you will.

Then came the desperate repair attempts. I've bought expensive masks that promised miracles but delivered disappointment. I've slathered multiple different oils on my head, and I've even considered the nuclear option: the big chop (don't worry, I haven't done it… yet).

The biggest problem I faced with my hair was actually cleaning it. Like properly cleaning it. No matter how much I scrub and lather, there are always oily patches.

While you're here, Em Vernem also tried the heatless mermaid hair hack (minus the blue dye) on the You Beauty podcast. Post continues below.

I'd wash my hair, thinking I'd done a thorough job, only to find random greasy sections that somehow dodged the shampoo. Sexy, right?

So I went to the other extreme and started using clarifying shampoos. Yes, they removed the oil, but they also removed every last drop of moisture my poor, damaged strands were desperately clinging to. My hair became so dry and brittle that I could practically hear it snap every time I ran a brush through it.

It was during one of my late-night "how to fix damaged hair without spending your life savings" Google sessions that I stumbled upon Garnier Fructis Hair Food Shampoo in Pineapple. For just $15 (now on sale for $6.50), it was claiming to be the answer to my prayers.

My new bestie. Image: Supplied.

What is Garnier Fructis Hair Food Shampoo Pineapple?

This shampoo is part of Garnier's Hair Food line, which is all about feeding your hair with natural ingredients. The Pineapple variant is specifically designed for damaged hair, promising to nourish and repair while still providing a thorough cleanse.

It has a bunch of natural origin ingredients and is vegan, and silicone-free. The formula features pineapple extract (shocking, I know) which is apparently rich in vitamins and enzymes that help strengthen hair.

Also, it smells like a tropical vacation in a bottle, which isn't a bad bonus when your hair has been giving "straw" instead of "silk" vibes.

How did I go?

The first time I used this shampoo, I noticed something different as I was massaging it into my scalp— It lathered nicely despite being silicone-free, and it felt like it was actually cleaning my hair without being aggressive about it.

After rinsing and drying my hair, I did my usual "oil patch inspection" — and found nothing. NOTHING. My entire head of hair was actually clean. Not just clean in some places and suspiciously greasy in others. Not squeaky clean to the point of feeling like straw. Just... normal clean.

After blow-drying, my hair started feeling silkier and smoother. The ends, which had been split city, were suddenly staying intact.

After about a month of use, I caught myself actually running my fingers through my hair, something I hadn't done voluntarily in ages because it would always end with my hand getting stuck in a knot, resulting in a very uncomfortable and awkward watch to whoever I was with.

The verdict.

For less than $7, this shampoo has done more for my damaged hair than products ten times its price.

I've since paired it with the matching conditioner (another $7 well spent), and the duo has become my hair holy grail.

Is it a miracle in a bottle? Well... no. My hair still shows signs of its unfortunate bleaching history. But it's now manageable, healthier, and actually growing instead of just breaking. For $7, that's more than I ever expected.

If you want more from Emily Vernem, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyvernem.

Feature image: Supplied.