Is expensive shampoo worth it?

[GymSloth]

My hairdresser recommended that I try some fancy salon shampoo as it would help the colour last longer. So I bought the (very expensive) shampoo and conditioner, but I'm not really sure I can tell the difference. It's nice and everything, but I'm just not sure it's worth spending that much, when I can pick up my normal stuff in the supermarket for fraction of the price. Is it just marketing or does it really make a difference?

Apparently supermarket stuff has silicone though and it's bad for your hair.

What does everyone else use? Any recommendations for a good shampoo and conditioner for dyed hair?

Citygirl1961 - I usually get from Home Bargains, 99p for 200ml which works out the cheapest, as Boots do still sell it for around £2.99 for 200mI think. Superdrug have a 400ml on offer for £4.95, BOGOF at the moment & Wilkos have a 200ml for £1 at the moment. As I say I’m really liking it at the moment, however my hair does have a tendency to like a new shampoo at first, then after the first few initial washes (I’ve used it around 3 times so far) not be so fab, so time will tell I guess! I get simple shampoo because my daughter uses it, she suffers from eczema & the dermatologist nurse said it was probably the best/safest shampoo for her to use, she doesn’t have coloured hair but she does straighten the life out of it yet her hair is always super shiny & thick.

Interesting thread. I might try the Mane and Tail one, it’s got good reviews and not too pricey.

I used to use the Keratese range that comes in pale blue bottles and I remember it being incredible, just couldn't afford it at the time (was a student).

Kerastase Resistance was the line!

Read thread just as I've used my 20% off voucher from the M&S advent calendar and at the moment they also have 20% discount on hair products so took advantage... I got Aveda 1l bottle of blue Malva shampoo and 500ml Aveda pure abundance conditioner, with the double discount... Tried it today for the first time and impressed so far, normally stick to cheap stuff.

I am one of the few on here who doesn’t really rate Pureology, I used to like it but they changed the formulas (I think). I loved Super Smooth but they changed it to Smooth Perfection, which I didn’t think was as good. I love the smell of the Hydrate conditioner but it doesn’t really do a lot for my hair.

My hair also seemed easier to manage when I lived in a hard water area, it’s so thick and frizzy. I think the limescale used to weigh it down and help me manage it 😂.

I’ve used Olaplex s&c along with Olaplex 3 for about a year now and I can notice a difference. My hair is bleached and it never feels dry or damaged. I use a purple shampoo (Fanola) once a week and I find that drying so I use no. 3 the night before or I’ll use my Redken Blondage Express mask.

i don't find it makes a difference, but what i find really does is HOW you use it, and i think i take more care when i am using more luxury products which yields better results.

My hair always looks twice as good almost regardless of what i use if i take the time to distribute the shampoo evenly, rub well into the scalp, repeat if necessary and rinse very thoroughly, same with conditioner, rinse rinse and rinse again, cold water rinse afterwards. Am quite convinced that when its a bit flat or oily its because i've slapped it on and rushed it because i'm lazy, and nothing else

I tend to use Faith in Nature, i think its fine, does the job, i don't condition very often either , once a week treatment usually, or if i'm planning to be out in shit weather, as i have long hair that tangles and the conditioner makes it more manageable.

Any thoughts on the Tigi/bedhead range?

When I am feeling like a bit of luxury I buy Bumble and Bumble gentle shampoo and conditioner. BB smells great and makes my hair very soft and manageable.

@SploshMeBackwards, I have used the TiGi range and really like the kind meant for blonde hair.

I think dontgobacon has a good point. If you spend a lot on shampoo and conditioner, there is more of an incentive to use it carefully - using less shampoo and adding water to work it to a lather, then taking extra care to distribute the conditioner.

I realised I tended to use expensive products far more reverentially than the cheap supermarket stuff, which can be slapped on with gay abandon. If I use the cheaper stuff as sparingly and carefully as the expensive products, I get similar results.

I bought a Charles Worthington Shampoo for ends and Conditioner for greasy
roots. It did no good at all. I think they were something like £10 each. I'm not saying they're no good, just that they didn't work for me.
I'm now using Dive shampoo and Conditioner for £2 each and it's done absolute wonders. My hair's much softer and smoother.

Yes for me definitely. I use Kerastase and it's amazing. I've tried to switch to cheaper brands but it's just not the same

I didn’t like Charles Worthington either but just think it’s over priced rather than any better ingredients in there.

I used to love lee Stafford range but the smell takes me back to a bad period in my life and I just can not use it now. I use 99p morrisons one. My hairs fine!

Mrstwiddle thank you SO much for posting this hard water shower filter, bought one after years of my daughters scalp being sore, flaky and sometimes bleeding after washing. Looked into fitting a water softener, but it was about £600 as we've an old house & it was going to be tricky. Fitted it yesterday to the shower head and washed her hair - its now unbelievably soft and easy to brush out - and her hair is flake free this morning! I am hoping this is the road to hair and scalp happiness - all for £15 - thank you!!!

I'd be ashamed to write down the amount of money I've spent on my (average/mediocre) hair.

I've tried ridiculously expensive shampoos, masks, treatments, systems, dyson tools, amazing hairdressers etc.

The single best thing I've done for it was to switch to a soap bar shampoo last year. It happens to be very cheap, but change the texture and appearance of my hair completely.

But what works for me might not work for you, so hard to say.

As an aside to my previous post, if anyone is looking for great smelling haircare, the Angel Wash from Kevin Murphy is incredible.