Is cheap shampoo just as good?

[BrainInAJar]

Hello,

I don't mind spending a bit on a decent conditioner for my long, thick, frizzy hair. In fact, several of you recently kindly recommended a huge tub of Osmo from Just my Look which has turned out great and isn't particularly expensive.

BUT is expensive SHAMPOO just a rip-off? Surely it just goes down the plughole? So all it really needs to do is clean the hair?

Can I get away with the supercheap tesco own brand type stuff? Any particular ingredients to avoid?

My hair has a small amount of highlights in it (not bleached).

I've previously used Faith in Nature (not massively expensive) and Loreal Professional which is supposedly a dupe for Kerastase.

Thanks

I have very greasy hair, so not your hair type. But yes, I find cheap shampoo is just as good.

I've tried RedKen etc and been underwhelmed

Kind of agree with this... I've recently bought a fancy Loreal shampoo and conditioner that was on offer. Thought I'd treat myself but really disappointed! Hair felt slightly greasy after and not at all well conditioned.
In the flip side I've used 99p shampoos and hairs felt fine!
Conditioner on the other hand is a must for the quality, I'd always spend more.

Alberto Balsam is the one. Their conditioner is good too! And they all smell lovely, especially the apple one.

I have very fine hair and need a boost. I've spent as much as £15 on a bottle, but always revert back to the Garnier watermelon shampoo which is often about £6 or less on a multi buy in Superdrug. So, no, for me personally the most expensive isn't always better.

I was browsing around in the John Lewis toiletries department a few years ago and was astounded to see a Philip Kingsley shampoo (admittedly fairly large bottle) for £65!!!

I just use John Frieda (I don’t know if this is cheap for everyone, you may mean like £2 bottle) - I’ve bought super expensive shampoos £50-£100 per bottle and can’t tell a fucking bit of difference other than I think it should be better.

I actually believe that the ingredients matter and the more expensive shampoos should make a difference but they haven’t really. With the John Frieda my hair is pretty much the same.

Edited for wineish typos.

Cheap shampoo gives me an itchy scalp. Frizzy hair often but always the scalp

It does for me, I've got fine flyaway hair that goes limp with too much conditioner, and a harsh shampoo makes it worse. Might depend on your hair type.

Alberto Balsam is fine, as is the Cien shampoo from Lidl and Boots own brand.
The pound shops often have things like Herbal Essence, which I like.

I use Aussie shampoo and conditioner. It’s the best for my hair and normally on offer.

I liked the Aussie one but they changed the formula of the one I was using.

*for your hair. Mine hates it.

Phillip Kingsley,£40 in Tk Max quite often.Def worth it.

This for me too (and my ds). Alberto balsam and the like makes our heads incredibly itchy!

I've never found a better shampoo than Head & Shoulders (and I don't even have dandruff)

Since I have hit menopause my hair gets greasy and lank ridiculously quickly.
I actually find hotel shampoos are the best as no expensive heavy ingredients, and once a month Fairy Liquid.

Me too. Their apple 2 in 1 is the best. wash, leave the soap n for a couple of minutes which seems to magically transform it into conditioner, then rinse. Every time I use it, people ask if I've just been to the hairdresser, as it gives body, shape and sheen. If I use other shampoo my hair is limp. It's about £5 for a big bottle and you don't need conditioner. Smells gorgeous too.

I have found the perfect combo for my hair - the derma pro head and shoulders plus the garnier honey conditioner with Phillip Kingsley elasticizer as needed. I’ve tried everything from Alberto Balsalm to Olplex but end up with greasy roots, dry ends or an itchy scalp.

I think it’s less about the cost and simply finding what works for you.

Which one changed? Their coloured one stopped working as well on my hair, but I just assumed it was me!

I use cheaper ones for most washes but I do use the ouai detox as a clarifying shampoo

There is a shampoo I love and my hair feels great after it but I just can't justify the price (it's a bounce curl one)

I think (not an expert!) that shampoo is on your hair for such a brief period, that it can make little difference. But conditioner does not totally rinse out, so that is where the difference lies.

To some extent but it depends on which shampoo

For me, until my mid 40s and washing at least daily, it made no difference, and in fact I quite often washed it with shower gel, but now I’m menopausal I use a mid-price co-wash instead of shampoo, and use a mid price ‘detox’ shampoo or scalp scrub weekly, a hair tonic, a hair mask, and also heat protector. I’m talking £8-£10 a product, not £65, but my hair and scalp need a lot more care and gentle treatment now.

For me Redken is worth every penny!! I guess it’s a balance between what you want out of a shampoo vs what you’re willing to pay

For years I've used Aveda, Redken, Kerastase etc. I switched to Loreal Elvive Aminexil about 6 months ago and there's been absolutely no difference to the condition of my hair so I'll stick to the cheaper one for now.

Sliced Bread on R4 had an episode on this.