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.

I use Head and Shoulders shampoo bars. Last ages and leave my hair feeling lovely and soft. Plus they have knobbly bits to massage your scalp, which is really nice. Normal shampoo in a bottle gives me dermatitis on my hands but shampoo bars don’t cause any problems.

Just go for something where the label looks good 🤷‍♀️

Can highly recommend Wella Elements - it’s gentle, good for frequent washers (which you sound at 3x weekly, and is used in my hairdressers. I get it on Amazon pretty cheaply in comparison to the salon though, and it lasts well. It’s silicone and sulphate free, which works well for me as it doesn’t irritate or weigh my hair down and seems to keep it less greasy for longer.

if you’re looking more for boots type shampoo, Charles Worthington Everyday Gentle is also good - this is the one I keep in my gym bag, and is again sulphate free.

My hair is similar to yours. I like L'Oréal Clay Oily Roots Shampoo and Conditioner

I use lidls own brand coconut shampoo and conditioner. I've spent years buying expensive products and nowadays refuse to spend £5 or more just on shampoo when a £1.50 one does the same job

The Aussie ones had a change of formula and not in a good way. I've used an OGX one and it was ok.
I can't stand the smell of Pantene
Currently using a Tresemme conditioner and it doesn't seem to do anything other than make my hair take twice as long to dry

I use Kerastase solely now, my hair is in better condition
It is expensive but lasts ages as I only need a small amount compared to how much I was using in High Street shampoos.

I use the Blonde Absolu along with a volume and reinforcing product alternately.

My friend's hairdresser told her to never use Tressemme products, said they were awful for your hair.

if you have dandruff, I suggest t gel (the medicated version) - did wonders for my hair

I alternate it with kerastase bain satin 2 (you might use a different one). it's really good

I don't use conditioner... but I use the kerastase heat protection leave in moisturiser (I think its called lotion thermique?) before drying here

I've tried everything over the decades and supermarket own brand suits me just fine.
I'm actually embarrassed at how much I used to spend on hair products.

If you’re willing to spend some money, the best shampoo I have tried -by far- is Milkshake.

If you want cheaper, I have found Palmers to be quite a good brand.

You really are overthinking it! Shampoo never changed anyone's life or ruined it either.

The basic ingredients in all shampoo is the same whether you choose a cheap one or an expensive on. ie- water, sodium laureth sulphate or other similar surfactant, a bit of moisturiser in most cases, perfume and some other stuff that makes little difference to the performance of the product.

Sulphates are just cleansers, they don't ruin your hair, or make it fall out. You can choose a sulphate free shampoo if you wish which just has a soap based cleanser instead. So you choose- sulphate or soap? Whichever you feel you wish to use.

This is a serious case of analysis paralysis. Seriously most standard shampoos ie on the shelf are extremely similar. A lot of them made in same factory using same ingredients and put into different branded bottles. Pick any. There won’t be significant difference to your hair. If you’re wanting a deep treatment maybe pick up a hair mask or ask hairdresser if they can sell you an intensive salon bought one. Honestly save your mental energy for more important things.

@Howbizzare22 analysis paralysis is a brilliant term

We have hard water so I bought Hello Klean shampoo and I have found it really works. My head has stopped itching and my hair looks stronger. I thought it might be just a fad but it is working for me.

'Soaps for little suds' online is a very good company owned by one woman who knows about hair. Her products last for ages!

My favourite shampoo is currently faith in nature, orange and grapefruit shampoo and conditioner It is brilliant for dds greasy hair, but actually is really nice on my bleached hair too. My cousin got me onto it. I get big bottles of it in tkmaxx now

I have heard that Head & Shoulers shouldn’t be used frequently & Tresomme can be bad for your hair. I used it for years, but only realised when I’d stopped using it that yes, my hair was limp with it.

i do like Olaplex but it’s very expensive.

I have greasy hair & was sick of washing it every day.

I now use Paul Mitchell 2, (costs around £24 for a litre bottle) shampoo twice and now my hair will go 2, sometimes 3 days between washing.

I then use L’Oréal Elvive colour conditioner in the shower, followed by Colour Wow leave in conditioner. I found that one without the other is not enough, as my hair gets really knotty in the shower.

I always use Give Me Cosmetics hair products - they make my hair gorgeous and soft and smelling lovely - available online.

I just buy what's on offer.

Elvive, Aussie, sometimes John Freida.

I would get a decent deep conditioner to use sometimes though.

My friend once brought some sample bottles and got a gang of us to swop samples as she was so fed up of searching the perfect x ...it was actually great fun and a fab way to try different ones. Just a thought.

My hair is like yours. I use Aussie volume as shampoo and Sapmoss as conditioner. Occasionally I use Olaplex. My mum buys the sapmoss and olaplex for me as they're expensive! I also use John Frieda brunette moisturising conditioner if I don't have any sapmoss left.

I'd just try a few and see what works. What works for one doesn't for another so a bit of trial and error is needed.

Kerastase is also lovely.

I use the OGX Aragon oil shampoo and conditioner it makes me thick straight hair soft

I love Aussie shampoo I've tried so many products like you nothing special
But Aussies shampoo is amazing haven't tried anything else of that brand yet

My hair is naturally wavy and I like it to be as curly as possible.
Because of this I have done a lot of research on ingredients rather than specific products. Some of the things are equally valid for all hair.

The main thing being that hair needs a balance of protein and moisture if it is to look its best.
Products with silicone in build up on your hair and require sulphates to remove. Ideally, both should be avoided most of the time. However, often hair benefits from a sulphate wash occasionally (once a month ish). The rest of the time something more gentle is ideal. If you use products with silicone (or any ingredient ending in 'cone) then sulphates will be needed more.

My favourite - and cheap - shampoo and conditioner is from Aldi. The blue one which has protein. It really suits my hair. I know others really like their Aussie dupe shampoo and conditioner.

I use the Pureology hydrate shampoo and conditioner. It is a bit more expensive than high street shops but I do think it's worth it, makes my hair feel nice and moisturised. I also like the L'Oréal metal detox (great for dry hair and if you live in a hard water area)