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.

We sound like we have similar hair. If you have a flaky scalp then use anti-dandruff once per week. I then use L’Oréal the remainder of the time - the lilac one hyaluronic acid one or the red one for coloured hair (when I have highlights). Use t-gel once per month or so if needed as it’s harsh and stinks!

I’ve improved my hair by succumbing to the fact that to stop it looking lank I need to wash it more often, once every day or couple of days. I use a conditioner and a leave in conditioner spray like Aussie. Having highlights helps to stop it becoming oily. Although the best thing I’ve done for my hair condition is to get pregnant 😀 quite extreme though.

No you can’t put any old conditioner on your hair (eg rinse out) and leave it in. For me, I’ve used a few leave in conditioners currently using a L’Oréal Professionel one but of course it’s been continued so using a Revlon one in a red bottle. The leave in conditioner my hairdresser sold me is ok but I won’t use it on a weekly basis, I need something which if I do blow dry it it protects it. I also think there’s something in it if you use something protective on your hair like leave in conditioner then it protects it in colder harsher weather much as you can use a richer moisturiser for your face too.

Oh I also invested in one of these https://www.lookfantastic.com/tangle-teezer-the-scalp-exfoliator-and-massager-lavender-lite/12916367.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&affil=thgppc&kwds=&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000114615816&adtype=pla&product_id=12916367&gbraid=0AAAAAD-fXipOSftngkAvK16a_PvUI5Yc4&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0OGEmOa8gwMVVpaDBx1sVgrjEAQYASABEgIeLvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You use it when shampooing and it exfoliates your scalp to get flakes out

As you can see Op , from all these different people recommending all these different shampoos, there really isn't a 'best' one to use. I also think you can convince yourself that your hair feels different when it could be just how you've dried it, mine feels thicker when I rough dry it as opposed to properly blow drying it, or if I've not rinsed it thoroughly.

Another vote for Ultimate Blends.

What's far more important than your shampoo is your conditioner.

I love the OGX range, I use the argan oil one but there are different ones for all hair types.
I used to use expensive shampoos and conditioners (kerastase, redken, oribe) but I actually prefer the OGX, and I’ve also found that putting my hair mask on before conditioner works better for some reason.

Most shampoos irritate my skin. So I buy Aveda (usually Sap Moss) because it doesn't irritate my skin and give me a rash, and the company's ethics are reasonably good.

I was heartbroken when Tresemme discontinued their Botanics Coconut one. I use the conditioner only to co-wash and I’ve been using it for years. Even got box loads of it from Amazon but none to be found now. They have, however, now got a replacement one. It’s no longer called Botanics but it’s a very acceptable replacement. It’s silicone-free as far as I can make out. I do keep a bottle of shampoo do do the odd shampoo - maybe once a week. I’m assuming the replacement shampoo will also be a good fit for me. Sorry can’t vouch for it yet as haven’t bought any ( then it’s a rather useless recommendation actually 🙄) but it’s the next shampoo I’ll be buying. Not too pricey either.

My experience with Kerastase has been brilliant. I had slightly damaged hair with a tendency to break at the jawline. Switched to their shampoo for that hair type and my hairdresser actually noticed such a difference she asked if I had changed anything (I hadn't mentioned it). Maybe different products in the range are more effective than others, and of course everyone's hair is different.

I have thick, coarse coloured wavy hair. It can take a lot of heat and doesn't need to be washed every day (thankfully, becuase styling takes ages). I used to suffer from dandruff and itchy scalp and ended up on head and shoulders/ tGel roundabout until I realised my scalp needed moisture and the harsh shampoos have been stripping my scalp. I've switched to using dry hair shampoo and conditioner and it has transformed my scalp. I like loreal elvive dream lengths but recently my favourite is tigi bed head in the brown bottle, the toffee smell is divine.
It's definitely trial and error. My hair can take Pantene but I don't like Aussie.

I have been using this for years. My hairdresser recommended it. Fabulous. Not dried our or frizzy after using.

Shampoo just cleans the hair. It's not that complicated. I spend more time thinking about products I leave on my hair rather than one that is on for less than a minute before being rinsed off. I use Pantene or head and shoulders. Depends on how I feel and what I can reach.

completely disagree. love kerstase. try different every do often and keep going back to it. you also only need a tiny amount so it lasts ages. also its on offer every so often so pick it up on sale plus fab sets come out at Xmas
to test how long it last write the date you start using it in black marker and then you will see when empty how long it lasts

I got an offer with hello klean and i must admit my hair has been at its best. But its not cheap…

I use the cheap caffeine shampoo from Home Bargains , my hair has been amazing since using this . l also only wash my hair once a week , barely use any products on it or heat and take Biotin daily for my nails ,hair and skin.

Eco warrior shampoo bar, Gliss detangling spray. Never been more happy with my hair and it goes way longer between washes

I wish I could! My hair doesn't respond to most things, and even if I gave up on that my scalp dislikes almost everything!

@MaryHinges hair might be dead, but my scalp is not.

I listened to that sliced bread episode ages ago, and the basic gist I got that shampoo type doesn’t matter, as you rinse it off pretty quickly so it has no real effect on your hair. As others have said, your choice of conditioner does make a difference as it stays in your hair longer.

Shampoo is trial and error isn't it? I'm not sure what there is to research, you'll either like it or you won't

I wash my hair every single day with head and shoulders, which I'm sure some will consider a crime but it works for me! The best conditioner I have found is the Alberto Balsam coconut one, it's about £1 and easily as good as aussie 3 minute miracle

The only types which leave my hair (very staticky) at all manageable or soft are the Tresemme black and white bottles for moisture-rich shampoo/conditioner. Inexpensive too. I used to like Timotei but hard to find now.

Or you could ask your hairdresser which one they use on your hair, if you like the results.

Windle. Salon brand you can find online. I used to have to change my shampoo every few months due to build up and ended up with lank, dry and oily hair altogether. Have used this for 2 years now and swear by it. It’s expensive but comes in big bottles and has travel sizes you can try before you commit.

I like the Monday shampoo/ conditioner. It's cruelty free, and the bottle is nice with a pump dispenser which I find stops me wasting so much. It makes my l hair which is longish and a bit dry feel nice and easy to brush/style afterwards. Boots and Tesco sell it.

I can understand the difficulty making a decision - I am the same with even seemingly simple things. Here's my shampoo ideas -

Cheap but works well - Alberto balsam. Smells delicious too. I like apple.
Mid range - argon oil one which I get from home bargains. Brown / gold type packaging.
Splashing out! - Aussie. Smells amazing!
Head being a bit itchy - Faith in Nature. I like coconut or the lavender.

Hope that helps!

Because they’re paying her £££££££ to say so!!

I always go back to Pantene with conditioner. It seems to suit me and I wash my hair every day. I am 68 and have never coloured my hair