can anyone recommend a good shampoo and conditioner?

[VenetiaLanyon]

I usually just use Pantenne, which my hairdresser openly sneers at, and have never used an expensive shampoo or conditioner - if I trade up, will it really make a difference?

I am mostly pretty happy with my hair anyway, and wash it every 3 days, although by day 3 it is really not looking so hot...could a better set of products change all that...?

I like L'Oreal Elvive (normally the one for coloured hair) and it doesnt leave my hair feeling greasy like Pantene did.

Thanks Seona, i'll give it a go. Any others?

I like the Aussie ones though the containers are a bit off-putting.

Depends on your hair type. I use Redken So Soft but I have thick curly hair.

What kind of hair have you got, is it thick, thin, curly, straight, how long? etc. Different hair needs different kinds of products.

Pantene will probably be loaded with silicones - most high street brands are - which makes your hair appear soft and silky by giving it a coating. However, this coating locks out moisture as well as locking it in, and lots of silicone can eventually make hair appear dull from product build up and actually quite dry after a while - the fake gloss is just masking the real condition of your hair, iyswim.

I like Aveda and Philip Kingsley, which are ruinously expensive but you only need a tiny amount so they don't work out as expensive as you think. They really do make a difference.

I have shoulder length, straight / slightly wavy hair; it's decently thick, but not too thick.

HepHep, am now convinced I have fake gloss - arrgh...

Anypoint, what difference do they make? Don't mind cost if they really make a difference.

First I use PK elasticiser, maybe once or twice a week. That seems stop my hair from getting dry, frizzy, flyaway etc and makes it glossy and smooth.

Then the PK or Aveda shampoo doesn't make me itchy or flaky like so many shampoos do. Then I use the PK conditioner. I only need a tiny amount and work it through my hair whereas with a normal conditioner I would need a huge dollop.

I find if I use these products my hair is more swingy and shiny and manageable, and less prone to tangling. My hair looks a lot fuller than when I don't use them. I don't use any styling products, or do any styling.

You can buy small sizes of both which work out really expensive but less expensive than buying the huge bottles and finding you don't like them. You can then decant into the small bottles for travel.

Kerastase every time. Aveda is good too. Don't think either can be bought in shop - have only seen them available in salons. As Anypoint says, expensive but worth it for the difference they make. And, of course, you're worth it!

You can buy this stuff cheaper online too. I am scared of salons!

I agree - it depends on your hair type - - I use a general one for giving volume like Dove or Aussie and then every third wash or so I use Phytovolume for fine or limp hair - which is expensive but lasts if you are mean with it - which I am!! - It helps keep it in good condition with a shine. I like Philip Kingsley too - but lots of ££££'s -

muckmuck lookfantastic sell aveda
www.lookfantastic.com/brands/aveda-haircare.list
And
www.lookfantastic.com/brands/kerastase.list

Best thing for your hair is to avoid anything with SLS & Parabans in it - it's going to dry your hair out at every wash. The difference in my hair since I switched to organic/chemical free shampoo/conditioner is amazing. I'll never go back.
If I'm feeling flush, I buy Neal's Yard but when broke, Naked at Boots. Naked is on 3 for 2 atm in Boots too so works out about £8 for three products. I always get 2 shampoos and 1 conditioner for that and it lasts for ages. HTH :)

Definitely Sebastian makes a difference to my hair.
If I use Aussie or John Frieda etc. I can tell my hair is weighed down and I have to wash it the next day otherwise it's greasy looking.
I have fine hair.

Look at the Moroccan Oil range, this stuff is like amber nectar for your hair moroccanoil.com/en_US/brand/home
I have to buy it from a salon but it's well worth it

dingdong3, are Neals Yard SLS and paraben free? I didn't know that. Forgot about them!

Yes HepHep! Haven't compared the labels but it's a cert that NY stuff is even more natural than Naked. They substitute everything for natural alternatives - even if there isn't any huge controversy about the chemical. They also have a more ethical approach to production/sustainability and everything that can be is organic..but you pay extra for this of course. It's gorgeous stuff though. My one indulgence is their skincare. Haircare is a less frequent purchase for me though I do love their Rosemary & Cedarwood hair treatment which is only about £7 or £8 :)

Groovy. Their haircare is expensive but I might splash out soon and try some. At the moment I use Naked shampoo with Tresemme Naturals conditioner, and I'm currently growing out all dyed hair forever. The 'new' virgin hair that has never been washed with SLS shampoos is in lovely condition, and I really want to keep it that way now...
(Ohh, I love NY Rose Toner, it's divine )

I love Aveda Shampure and buy it on Amazon in 1 litre bottles. Seems to last for ever and I do think it's great.

I have used many different shampoos/conditioners from very cheap to very expensive and te best one i have actually found is boots ingredients coconut and almond shampoo and conditioner, only thing that doesn't give me a major frizz problem or flat hair besides avedas smooth infusion products.

www.boots.com/en/Boots-Ingredients-Coconut-and-Almond-Shampoo-300ml_863447/?CAWELAID=334511834&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Engines--Google%20Base----_-Boots%20Ingredients%20Coconut%20and%20Almond%20Shampoo%20300ml

i have recently started using gliss (the one for brittle hair as i hav bleached hair) and it has made my hair so soft and it feels in really good condition.

I have fine, straight hair and I have used pantene since it launched when I was eleven or so. I always get compliments, and strangers asking what makes my hair so shiny. If it works for you, it ain't broke so don't fix it. Sod the hair dressers sneers.

Mine sneers too, but I still don't see any difference in a good way using other stuff, though I have see bad differences like dry, rough hair when I use other stuff (I get lured by pretty smells) but I am also badly allergic to some shampoos, notably garnier nutrisse which brings my skin out in a rash and makes my scalp scaley.

Over the years under the influence of sneers I have tried supermarket own brands sainsburys, Tesco, Asda etc, boots, superdrug, garnier, loreal elvive, Aussie, kerestase (lush and one of the few I had no problems with), body shop, elemis and aveda but for my hair type pantene works and doesn't cost a fortune or make me itch.

I like elvive and hairdressers always comment on how soft and good condition my long highlighted hair is. I had a moroccan oil treatment last time and it hardly made any difference as already soft and shiny.

Definitely Kerastase. Like using Aveda as well, but Keratase gives best results. Well worth the price and a little goes a long way.

Thanks folks, lots of things to try - and IfIsay"'s comments also noted too; maybe I'm just a Pantenne girl...