Why do hairdressers always ask what shampoo I use, are the expensive shampoos / cond better ?

[scatteredglitter]

Every time, every time I get my hair done almost at the end hairdresser asks me 'what shampoo are you using' and starts a hard sell for the stuff they stock
If I say I use supermarket / boots shampoos there s usually a silence, eye roll, implied disapproval and i m told if I buy the hairdresser one for 4 times the price it will improve my hair condition and make the colour last etx.

So is this true ? Do pricier shampoos and conditioners do a better job ? I mean I have tried them but I m not convinced, but maybe I m missing something. Any hairdressers out there able to explain what the difference is

They are a bit better IMO but not proportional to the price increase! They’re just trying to sell you stuff!

I don't notice any difference at all

I find them better but I have awkward hair in that it’s curly and coloured. But I don’t get them from the hairdresser - I buy the big bottles of Redken or Bedhead at TK Maxx where they are cheaper. They are anything from £15-£20 a bottle but they are massive and last me at least six months.

I fell for this shit last time I was at the hairdresser’s . After two washes with their £20 shampoo and conditioner my hair was like straw and my scalp was really itchy. I stuck with it for most of the bottle but then I couldn’t bear it any longer, switched back to good old L’Oreal (3 big bottles for £10 in Boots) and my hair is back to being smooth, soft and my scalp is no longer itchy. I don’t care if my hair is “coated” - it works for me!! (and my bank balance)

Look at the products on their shelves, name one of them when that ask and then say "why, is it causing damage?". They might have a genuine reason for thinking you are using the wrong thing, but if it's just a sales thing they won't offer anything different. I was using a salt based thing from lush for a while that was completely and utterly wrong and destroyed my hair. I vaguely knew that but until the hairdresser pointed it out I was in denial.

They’re asking so they can upsell you the products they sell themselves.

There’s an ‘ask me anything’ thread with an OP claiming to have worked in the beauty industry, science side. She says chemically v little difference between expensive and cheap products.

If you have a look on the back the ingredients are the same. It's a con! There isn't any difference

Mostly because the hairdressers are told by the salons to push their own 'brands, ' which mostly turn out to be ones you can buy yourself on line or from specialist hairdresser stockiest much cheaper ( bitter experience!) they then pocket the difference.
The only hairdressers I've had who haven't pushed a product on to me were the ones who were self employed and not employed by the salon owners! My old hairdresser told me she was told to try and get the customers to buy something to increase her sales!

Just lie and say you are using Aveda/Kerastase at £20 a bottle.

I've had the ' suck breath through the teeth' treatment when asked which products I have used before! It's all but a game to get you to part with more money after already paying a lot for a cut and blow dry! Don't fall for it!!

Before all this was a thing and very few hairdressers sold branded haircare a hairdresser told me Johnson's baby shampoo was best for my hair type.
Also my hairdresser now doesn't sell anything herself so if she recommends something it's because she thinks it will work for my hair, not make her money. Usually what she recommends can be bought in Boots.

I never get asked. My hairdresser never does the hard sell either.

I would change hairdressers over this.
I use whatever is on offer - but I do like the joico clarifying shampoo now and again.
Hairdressers are expensive enough already.

I've found tigi products to be the best for my hair. A big bottle lasts ages and was eight pounds on line. I don't mind paying out if it lasts six months.
It's been a trial getting to the point where I've found something that works though !!
Some more expensive products can make my hair worse though ; it is trial and error.

I really like the massive bottle of shampoo and conditioner I get in B&M. My hair was no better or worse when I was using a hairdresser recommended brand.

Yes and then you get stuck with a massive bottle that you feel compelled to finish. I must say that I have experienced a lot of breakage and dryness with my salon bought American brand shampoo. DH ended up using most of it. I then went away and fell into using Pantene and continued, came back and the hairdresser gushed is praise on my hair. The gloss and thickness with curly hair are like the Golden Fleece, yet the salon products have yet to provide it. And no, silicones are not the work of the devil, they keep moisture locked in according to my chemical engineering knowledge

I do the Curly Girl Method. I've tried loads of stuff, expensive stuff, cheap stuff, imported on trend products. I threw a lot of money at the staty based on hype.

I now use £1 Alberto Balsam conditioner because my hair likes it best. Last time the salon tried to upsell to me I pointed out that a home made apple cider vinegar rinse and rice water had transformed my hair, which they have.

It's a con.

I go to different hairdressers (no loyalty!) and was asked this last time. Yes, the hairdresser was sniffy but the convo soon moved on.

I'm curly girl method and go to a hairdresser that does curly cuts so no upselling
She uses a £1 conditioner on me

I use Pureology products which are v expensive and they really suit my hair. I think that's the same with any products, it's about finding what works for you. Might be cheap, might be pricey!

I was told I needed to use ' their professional opinion on hair care' the same you would from a dentist !! I was young and a bit naive and bought the shampoo until I woke up as to how they are ' trained ' to help people part with more cash ! You do live and learn.

So it s unanimous almost that it s up selling
I never thought of comparing the ingredient lists
I have found some brands are better but also wondered if I was just telling myself that too?

I used to work for a High Street hairdresser and product sales and upselling were definite A Thing. They got a lot of training in that and were pushed to sell as much as possible for their targets.
That said, my favourite shampoo nowadays is an expensive one but it works great for me. And I buy the large bottles which last a long time. So I don’t think they’re all a waste of money.

I haven't been asked this for ages. If they ask me, I will tell them that I use shampoo bars, because they are gentle on my hair, have no nasty ingredients and are much better for the environment than those big plastic bottles they want to sell me!