Is expensive shampoo worth it - does it really make a difference?

[Littlemiss74]

After nearly a year of lockdown cancelled hair appointments I’m getting it cut & coloured today, hurrah!!
Whenever I go to the salon I think about buying the products they use as my hair comes out delightful, soft and shiny afterwards. But, they are so expensive. I have bought some shampoo in the past but my hair doesn’t look as amazing when I use it at home.
I realise alot of it is probably in the styling but just wondered if others use more expensive shampoo/conditioner & think it is really worth it?

I love Philip Kingsley and redken but equally Lee Stafford and John frieda, just have to try a few see what works best

I'm about to have my hair bleached and coloured - the hairdresser was raving about Pureology, has anyone used it and is it worth the money?

In the past I've used Kerastase, Pantene, L'Oreal, Paul Mitchell? etc. and have never found that it makes much difference for my hair. Currently using H&S or Aussie.

DD uses Burt's Bees Baby Bee shampoo (because she still gets it in her eyes). I use a homemade spray on it, made of rosewater, pure aloe vera gel, argan oil, & a few drops of essential oils. Her hair is amazing. I use the same spray, but use a solid sulphur soap to wash my hair. It's shoulder length & thinner than it used to be due to medication, but it's very shiny. Sometimes I also do a mask with a specific (£2) conditioner, honey, & aloe gel. Amazing, so moisturising.

I tried co-washing DD's hair but it wasn't cleansing enough for her scalp.

[quote BlackDaffodil]@AnnieSnap

Conditioning only .. no shampoo [/quote]
Really? And it works?

I used to really like Aussie shampoos and conditioners. Then I realised they weren’t Cruelty Free, so stopped using them. Several years later, I just checked again and they are now Cruelty Free, so I can go back to them and spend less 😀

Aveda Botanical Repair has worked wonders for my hair. I've tried many expensive and non expensive ranges over the years, and this is the one that suits my hair best - so totally worth it for me :)

@AnnieSnap

its was a method used by those blessed with naturally curly hair, but I think more and more people do it as shampoo can be stripping of the natural oils.

Its a gentle cleaning method too.

My hair is fine so leaves mine lanky, I need shampoo 😂

I've switched to Head and Shoulders and think it's really good. Vastly underrated in my opinion.

@blue1000

I've switched to Head and Shoulders and think it's really good. Vastly underrated in my opinion.

its a beautiful shampoo too 🌸

Not super expensive but me and DD love tigi conditioner which I try to get in TK Maxx. However the shampoo was awful - for both our hair. Hers is fine and poker straight (I'm so jealous!) Mine is thick and slightly wavy.

[quote BlackDaffodil]@AnnieSnap

its was a method used by those blessed with naturally curly hair, but I think more and more people do it as shampoo can be stripping of the natural oils.

Its a gentle cleaning method too.

My hair is fine so leaves mine lanky, I need shampoo 😂
[/quote]
Thanks for the explanation. Sadly, mine is fine too, so probably not for me.

Yes. I switched to slightly more expensive shampoo and treatments during the last lockdowns after my hair grew very long. I do think it's made a big difference and my hair is also now quite shiny.

I use Redken Extreme Lengths regularly, also the Elasticizer treatment, and more recently bought Olaplex No. 8 (I'd been using the Olaplex oil, No. 7, which I like).

Before that (and still occasionally) I used plain old coconut oil on the lengths and ends of my hair overnight, with good results.

@AnnieSnap

you should give Aveeno a try, its leaves my hair silky bouncy smooth, no need for straighteners either.

I like it, its my go to poo. 🌸

[quote BlackDaffodil]@AnnieSnap

you should give Aveeno a try, its leaves my hair silky bouncy smooth, no need for straighteners either.

I like it, its my go to poo. 🌸[/quote]
Thanks for the tip. I’ll try it!

[quote BlackDaffodil]@AnnieSnap

you should give Aveeno a try, its leaves my hair silky bouncy smooth, no need for straighteners either.

I like it, its my go to poo. 🌸[/quote]
On having a look, I can’t use it. Not only isn’t it Cruelty Free, but it’s parent company Johnson & Johnson continue to carry out testing on animals themselves, so the very blatantly don’t give a bugger!

I'm quite happy with Pantene! I've heard the arguments that the expensive ones are better for your hair, and I sometimes buy them when I've just had a new do and the hairdresser has given a good sales pitch. I always end up going back to the standard Pantene type shampoos, and my hair looks the same. It actually feels cleaner after using the standard ones as can never get a decent lather with expensive shampoos.

@DragonWillow

biggest difference to the softness & shine on my hair was getting a water softener installed

Yes! This makes a massive difference! Really notice when I go to stay at my parents house as they have lovely soft water in Cheshire that comes from the Lake District...

You can find out more about your water quality and softness here, I know some of you will have a look with hair in mind

www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/your-water-supply/your-water/water-quality/

@Spied

I find the change of shampoo and conditioner livens my hair up. Once I've used it 2/3 times it's like my hair is used to it and it's 'meh'. I think that the change of product when you go to the salon is what does IT and not the actual shampoo. I tend to rotate a few low- mud priced range products at home.

This too!

You name it I tried it. Expensive included. For me Aussie shampoo at £3 a pop great but it’s the conditioner that makes the difference- REN. Will NEVER use anything else now.

YES!!!! Literally 100% for me. I have dry wavy hair that goes frizzy at the first sign of any rain. Keratin blowdrys twice a year and oribe shampoo and conditioner have literally given me a new head of hair!!!

@DragonWillow so true re soft water. Recently moved to Scotland and the water makes shampoo foam so much easier!!!

@DragonWillow out of interest, how much did you spend on having a water softener installed? We’re South-East and the hardness of our water is the bane of my life

I swear by lush shampoo bars. They're more expensive but last ages and smell delicious. No plastic waste either which is a bonus.

Soft water definitely helps. We're fortunate to have pretty soft water locally - so much so that we have problems with plastic appliances corroding at the joints after a few years use. Whenever we go on holiday I have to remember to buy proper shampoo & shower gel as our normal hair products, soap etc don't work as well.

I go between Olaplex and Kerastase and I get much much better results when I’m using Kerastase.