I can't stare at another shelf staring at shampoo

[ivor]

Posting for traffic because I'm going crazy.

The shampoo I use is super cheap currently, generic own-brand supermarket anti-dandruff shampoo but my hair is not doing good right now.

For A MONTH I keep trying to change my shampoo. I get so overwhelmed with researching it because you get SO MANY conflicting answers (and just so many answers anyway).
I'm constantly going to Boots and just staring at the shelf trying to decide which and end up walking out in stress.

I've bought the Mielle shampoo (TikTok hype), but now I keep reading stuff online that it's made people's hair fall out!!!

Anyway, I am obviously being unreasonable getting stressed about shampoo, but can I please ask personal (non-commissioned) recommendations? My hair is all natural, slightly oily, more on the thick side, not colour/heat damaged but just lifeless and slightly thinning.

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Something like this

@QuestionableMouse I'm such a panicker - to ME, the worst that can happen is I wake up one morning and my hair has fell out overnight, or comes out in clumps when I wash it and I go bald, or my dandruff comes back with a vengeance and my hair is just covered like it used to be.

Anxiety I suppose

Another one coming to say Kerastase is great. I'd also endorse Aveda. Body shop is good. The supermarket herbal essence/pantene types will clean your hair, no question, but if you want more from a shampoo; shine, volume, detangling etc you need to spend on it.

The Olaplex Clarifying Shampoo works for me and a little goes a long way.

Same here , I sometimes use shower gel or body wash , I've also used expensive shampoos, the results are all the same.

My friend is a biologist and while her specialty isn't spiders, she said there may be some truth to the spider thing because two of the chemicals used mimic horny spider pheromones!

It’s got to be trial and error I think. I hate Pantene with a vengeance- it coats my hair and makes it really lank and weirdly also dry. My best friend loves it and has glorious hair.

Get a could have holiday size ones and try them out. None are going to make your hair fall out - there’s no way they possibly could.

Oh I totally get the anxiety! It took me way longer that I want to admit to use my IPL after I bought it. (it wasn't even months 😬🤣🤣🤣)

But if a common brand off the shelf in the UK was making people bald, it would have been all over the news and most likely withdrawn from sale.

Pick something you like the smell of and give it a try!

I think it's more about the sort of water you have in your area rather than the shampoo.

I’m the same. I just buy the cheapest one wherever I’m shopping.
I also use shower gel if I run out of shampoo. 🤷‍♀️

This is very true! Best shower I've ever had was in a premier inn in Hull - my hair and skin felt so soft afterwards and the water pressure was bloody amazing!

Pantene classic. It’s the only thing that consistently gives me shiny, bouncy hair.

I've been known to use face wash. The own brand ones I suggested are fine. The fancy £££ ones are usually crap.
Baby shampoo IME isn't particularly gentle.

I use apple cider shampoo, its sold in Boots but I can also get it locally in my tesco store. I used to have dandruff, but I found by going back to basics with that, and using an Aussie conditioner once a week, its never come back.
https://www.boots.com/OGX-Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Shampoo--10275294?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs_HeroCompare---_-PMax:+UK_Smart_Shopping_Toiletries&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA4smsBhAEEiwAO6DEjX0vRaWsryR4vgOxHvKYNJWUnzygQs-I_xp_8T3wB6uWojMeG_7KVxoCi28QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Is it just shampoo that makes you this anxious? Maybe time for some other help if even choosing a shampoo causes hours of dilemma?

Hair is like a fabric. For instance, you dry clean some clothes so they stay in good condition. Hair is the same, even though it's classed as dead. Too much colouring, heat, bad products, etc. can cause damage that results in breakage, frizz, or dryness.

Cheap shampoo can be too harsh and strip the hair of essential oils. If you colour your hair, this will fade the colour a lot quicker. For example, Head and Shoulders is great for stripping unwanted colour out of your hair. A more premium shampoo will contain more concentrated and targeted ingredients. They also are clinically tested as opposed to the cheaper shampoo, which, more often than not, is just consumer trialled.

@Farwell oh definitely, much deeper issues when you look, but I do need a shampoo change

@ImthatBoleyngirl , probably marketing/advertising BS IMO

Everyone's hair is different - if I used any old cheap one (and I'd love to) my hair would be like a ball of unkempt frizz with an itchy dry scalp.
I use La Roche Posay Dandruff shampoo and it works just right for my hair, I don't know why but it does.
Tried Ouai recently and it felt lovely at first but then my scalp got really itchy and horrible.
My hair is thick and curly and coloured and very dry - but the wrong sort of shampoo or conditioner can make it greasy 🤷🏻‍♀️

Because she gets paid to say it?

I use John Frieda or Aussie. I hate Tresemme.

I think they probably pay her?

Matrix is a good brand and not too expensive. My favourite is Redken though.

I would disagree. I use Olaplex, my hairdresser can’t believe the difference it’s made to my hair, I couldn’t get a comb/brush through it before and it’s in amazing condition now. Obviously it doesn’t work for everyone though.
Also, a bottle of shampoo lasts me 4 months because you need so little, so it’s around £6 a month.

Agree with PPs about Ultimate Blends. The honey one has been amazing for my hair, better than some expensive brands I've tried like Kerastase and Joico.

I use to love Aussie but they must have changed the formula as it leaves my hair like straw now.

Tigi Bedhead is great too and you can buy huge bottles on Amazon for reasonable prices.

Have you had a look at function of beauty? Game changer for my hair. They are more expensive that your supermarket but worth it in my opinion! They have a quiz you have take and it will formulate the product you need for your hair!