kerastase addict seeks...

[mollysmum82]

...cheaper highstreet brand :(

Ok I admit it - I have a habit, I am a true product snob. Kerastase for hair, Dermalogica and Liz Earle for skin, Benefit for make up. But after having a baby and giving up full time work I really can't justify all this any more.

Now my skin is shit (that's a whole other thread), so I'd really begrudge giving up the skincare and makeup but my hair is acceptable so I think that's where I'm going to have to make the chop (yikes!)

So can anyone (please anyone!) recommend some decent highstreet-priced products to replace my beloved kerastase? If it helps I have long, highlighted, straightish-but-prone-to-frizzish hair. I used to use Kerastase's colour shampoo and damage control conditioner and heat protection. Are there any cheaper brands that will live up to this?

Or should I ditch the baby and go back full time?

congratulations on your new arrival.
Have you tried the 'Aussie' range?I use the intensive conditioner and it is fantastic.

I second Aussie, it's great and smells lovely.

ooh I remember my pre child days of being able to afford that stuff... Now I use Charles Worthington Shampoo and Conditioner when I am feeling flush or its on 2-4-1, (the orange 1) or I stick it in the food shop when its DPs turn to pay. When I am poor its Aussie all the way

I get the litre bottles of Philip Kingsley from QVC. They last ages.

I swear by Kerastase too, and after a few years of using it feel like it's changed the quality of my hair and it's now much easier to manage. So I still use Kerastase maybe 1 wash in 5 but use cheaper stuff the rest of the time.

Blowdry/straighten less if you can get away with it?

I would recommend the John Frieda range, as it does work quite well. Or, L'Oreal Elvive ReNutrition Royal Jelly Shampoo - very good if you have dry hair/frizzy hair. I think it costs about £3 a bottle in Boots.

John Frieda Sheer Blond, bought on 3 for 2 offers at Boots usually.
Worth a try I think (I have same hair).

L'Oreal Elvive for highlighted hair is also quite good but i can't get a comb through mine after using it and end up pulling a fair bit out.

L'Oreal Full Restore 5 or their Royal Jelly range are both fabulous. I switched from Kerastase to these products - although I still use the Masque Intense once a week.

Yes Aussie 3 Minute reconstruction is great I always use this and it smells yummy :)

I would go for Aussie as well, shampoo for coloured hair and 3 minute miracle. Supadrug doing 2 for £6 just now

Aussie here, the one for coloured hair.

I'm surprised at the recommendations for Aussie. I used a bottle of it and got such bad dandruff as a result. I now have to permanently use Head and Shoulders as Aussie completely wrecked my hair!

I think aussie is one of the best high st brands but not a patch on 'luxury' brands. Buy in bulk instead from QVC. Cheap smells is a good site that sells top brand beauty and hair e.g.MOP, TIGI etc- I've bought from them and they are fine.

I've been dissapointed with Aussie but haven't tried it for years, I am in love with Fred Fekkai stuff now, I was a kerastase user before

cheap kms on cheapsmells -you have to search for what you want but there are bargains galore

L'Oreal Elvive is made by the same company as Kerastase, and many of their products are similar. I've been impressed by their deep conditioners and they do a wee bottle of shine serum (orange bottle) that makes my fine flyaway hair shiny and thick-looking.

Goldwell was recommended by an old hairdresser (who also used to recommend anything by L'Oreal).
It's brilliant if you can get hold of it Sally's or online, very light for fine hair but conditioning.

Oops Goldwell