Is expensive shampoo/conditioner a con?

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

So my hairdresser recommended Tigi products for my hair... which is fine, I know that they are trying to make a living. My hair does feel nice (but then it always does when I come out of the hairdressers!)

But is there actually any need to spend £10+ on shampoo or conditioner?

I need some convincing.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Im putting off washing my hair..... any hairdressers fancy weighing in?

[Truckingalong]

I'm not convinced. My hair is in a right frazzled mess at the mo, so I've been splashing out on the dear stuff, hoping for a miracle but I can't honestly say it feels any better than when I've used tresemme for instance.

[megletthesecond]

I'm testing this out at the moment. The Philip Kingsley conditioner seems to be pretty good. Only on day 3 though. I might go back to Monica on a bad hair day in a week .

[charlybs]

I always used to buy cheap shampoo and conditioner but since I swapped to John Frieda my hair is in much better condition. The conditioner especially makes the difference I think. I have thick curly hair and sometimes the tangles get ridiculous if it's not well conditioned.

[Nabootique]

I haven't tried a lot of expensive brands, but I do quite like the Living Proof ones that thicken. I think it is easier to find products without certain things, like silicones and sulphates, things that people want to avoid, in more expensive brands, which could make it worth it for some.

It probably depends on what your hair issues are. If I had dry hair I think I'd just do a weekly deep treatment with coconut oil, which would be very cheap. My issue is that my hair is very thin, fine and sparse, and good thickening products are hard to find. I've tried a lot that don't really do much.

[lurkingfromhome]

I think possibly if you have easy, manageable hair it doesn't make so much difference, but there is no way in the world I could use bog-standard products as I have such a thick, frizzy, unruly mop that it needs some serious product to keep it in good condition and under control. I agree that the conditioner and styling products are much more important, though, and I think you could get away with a cheaper shampoo if you had to.

I have to say, though, that I don't rate Tigi either, and wouldn't see it as a high-quality product (it's definitely overpriced for what it is and you see ad campaigns for it everywhere you look, which makes me think those prices are going into advertising and not into product development).

I use Redken and Kerastase, which are pricy but there are often 3 for 2 offers on lookfantastic and similar sites. I also really rate Philip Kingsley, and again M&S often has good discounts on their beauty range.

[Queenbean]

Tigi isn't really a premium brand and has got lots of artificial shit in it

The best thing to use is a sulfate free / organic shampoo, there are lots out there but Holland and Barrett does a honey one for a couple of quid which is lovely

[FlumptyDumpty]

I don't think Tigi is good at all -really strips my hair. Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil range, though, is absolutely brilliant. Very very noticeable how much better my hair is compared to cheaper brands. £18 a bottle..... Ouch!

[Queenbean]

But be warned, there is no lather! And you only need a penny size blob

[Nabootique]

You've reminded me about Holland and Barrett Queen. The Jason range is really nice for hair products that are without the sulphates/silicones and they're not expensive either. I've used the dandruff shampoo - you reminded me when you said "no lather"!

[FoxesOnSocks]

I'm off to Holland & Barrett (and hoping there isn't the standard mark up for Ireland and I find it's a tenner a bottle)

[leaveittothediva]

I use Raw Organic Coconut oil as a conditioner, and as a leave in treatment. And I'm using only organic shampoo also, no parables or sls in it. I've tried Kerestase, Bed Head, Redken, Goldwell, Moroccan Oil, and I can safely say that none of them made much of a difference to my hair,. I also use castor oil, which is good.

[CoolToned]

I use Jason organics. Best shampoo I've ever used. Stopped my falling hair too.

[atetoomanybiscuits]

Good old tea tree Alberto balsam at a pound a bottle is my favourite!

[PNGirl]

Do be aware that if you use a conditioner with silicones in (dimethicone for example) and a shampoo with no sulphates you will get buildup, so will need to use something sulphatey every few weeks to wash.

[leaveittothediva]

I'm just letting you know that Jason products have been given a bad press online for being fake organic. Just something you may want to look into.

[Tantpoke]

I use Tigi which I buy from TKMaxx in packs of 2 (shampoo and conditioner) they last for ages and have done wonders for my fine limp hair.

[myfriendnigel]

With my problem
Hair cheaper just doesn't work. Except for one neutrogena one which they discontinued :(.
The biggest difference making product I've found though is as a pp said,coconut oil left in overnight and shampooed (at least twice as it is hugely greasy) in the morning. Do it at least twice a week, hair is unrecognisable from what it was before.

[Crispsheets]

I love Aveda shampure. A lot of shampoos irritate my scalp, and I find a little goes a long way. I buy the big pump dispensers for about £30 and they last ages.

[PepsiPenguin]

Keratese products are my absolute favourite, super expensive but when I was using that regularly my hair was amazing! I have used aveda before too and that was not too bad.

Not convinced by Tigi to be honest really didn't get on with it at all.

[KatharinaRosalie]

There are some lucky people who can wash their hair with whatever, no difference. I'm not one of them and yes I can really see the difference. Also not a fan of Tigi though, Kerastase much better.

[DuggeesPoncho]

leaveittothediva Can you link the shampoo you use please? I've been looking to try a new paraben and sls free shampoo as I haven't yet found quite the right one for me.

[MERLYPUSSEDOFF]

Any recommendations for colour keeping. I have pink hair and it's still bleeding colour 5 weeks later.

[Kennington]

All expensive shampoos and conditioners are a con: look at the first 3-4 ingrediants which comprises 90 percent of the product. They are usually the same or similar.
The rest is fragrance and preservative and filler.

[Madbengalmum]

Kennington, you are incorrect. There are many expensive shampoos and conditioners that contain no preservatives,parabens or fillers and last longer than the cheaper brands too. And yes OP they do make your hair look better.