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 used salon shampoo for years, I have fussy hair and this was the only one that my hair liked and didn't strip the colour.

Then I stopped colouring my hair so.i no longer needed it for that reason. I. Went on to L'Oréal Botanicals which also really suited my hair, then suddenly it just didn't anymore.

I had a half used Tresemme shampoo and conditioner so thought I'd just use that, and then the search would begin for a half decent replacement.

No need as seemingly my hair is loving Tresemme now. So I will just carry on using it.

I did fall into the trap of salon is best (for years), but now I think you just have to try to find what works for you best at the time. And that can be top of the range salon to supermarket cheap. I have Kerastate and expensive brands sitting in my cupboard that I thought would be amazing. They are awful for me.

So it's the cheap stuff for me for now, and it does what I need it to well.

I use an Aldi one it’s oil shampoo and conditioner 99p a bottle honestly it’s great for my fine, flyaway often greasy hair as it seems to give some weight but not grease.

Just wait until after menopause it usually goes very dry.

I think it's depends on your hair. Pureology didn't work for me. I even bought a 3 for 2 special thinking this was the holy grail from reviews. It wasn't for me though.

I use faith in nature so not huge money. I think spending well on a clarifying shampoo is worth it though. I use the charcoal organix which isn't salon prices but it does a lovely job of clarifying.

Yes same here. Hair all fine, changed nothing then just one day (and many after) I looked like I'd stuck my finger in a plug.

Aldis bonding range is as good as olaplex, unfortunately they only stock it a few times a year. Was the only one recommended on This Morning by the trichologist (think that’s the right word).

@caringcarer it has only got super greasy since I hit menopause!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gx0z

Can’t bring myself to spend ££ on shampoo and conditioner. I won’t spend more than £4 on either but mostly cheaper. I’ll buy in Aldi. What I have liked about experience (Toni and Guy) is the nice fragrances.I use a good serum and only wash twice a week.

Thanks again everyone, a very useful discussion!

I cba with shampoo bars. I'm too lazy to stand there manually working them into a lather.

I need conditioner in order to be able to get a comb through my hair.

I've been watching women on TikTok who have wigs. The thought has crossed my mind to chop mine off and go that way - they are so realistic and beautiful these days!

Having tried all sorts of things over the years, i've concluded that the easiest thing is to keep my hair long (boob length), straight and lightly coloured.

Shorter just makes it go wavy and assymetrical. My natural colour is too dark and makes me look greasy and depressed. But too blonde looks shit after 5 mins.

In summary, at the age of 40 I've realised that generally the easiest thing to do is mostly go with what nature gave you.

I wonder if some of you who find conditioner weighs your hair down are not rinsing it fully? Anthea Turner had a VHS out about 25 years ago about how to be thin and gorgeous and in it, her hairdresser said always to rinse for TWICE as long as you think you need to. Always stuck in my brain for some reason. (This was around the time we were all told to do the final rinse in cold water to close the hair's cuticles - I still do that as it feels nice!)

Mind you I did have an awful experience years back with Garnier Fructis conditioner. It literally left the back of my head thick with a coating of plastic. Vile. I had to wash it about 3 times with clarifying shampoo.

I'm now listening to multiple episodes of Sliced Bread!
Toothpaste is up next!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the recommendation.

I don’t think if you have curly frizzy hair that it is necessary to completely wash all conditioner out of your hair, surely leaving a tiny bit in would be the same as applying a conditioning spray afterwards?

@BrainInAJar , I remember when Fructis was new and advertised on telly. My hairdresser told me it was awful and not to buy it.

the decision between affordable and expensive shampoos hinges on individual preferences, hair type considerations, and specific needs. While upscale options promise a more comprehensive hair care experience, budget-friendly alternatives can competently serve the basic function of hair cleansing.

It is for me . I have wavy and frizzy hair. Tried every drugstore brands. Tresemme, loreal, agx, etc. Nothing works for me. Then i change into olaplex and its like heaven. Its not frizzy anymore. So soft and healthy

No

@TheBeehive are you Chat GPT?!!!

i did an essay on fashion back in the day and used my words from that, one aspect was different shampoos etc,

personally i love trying various pound shop ones vs hair salon branded ones.

Is Head and Shoulders OK for coloured hair? My hairdresser says it strips colour. Which Garnier honey conditioner do you use, it is the hair mask?

I've been using Wella salon shampoo and conditioner for years and its always suited me but now my hair is starting to get greasy like it was when I was a teenager, I am now 62.

That's a good point.
My hair always feels so good after the hairdressers and sometimes I can get away with not washing it for 3 days and that's probably down to the amount of rinsing.

You can buy head and shoulders for coloured hair now, but the original strips it. I went through a phase of dying my blonde hair black (myself), the hairdresser told me my hair would be damaged if she stripped the black out so I washed it in head and shoulders for 3 months and it stripped the bulk of the colour out for me without damaging my hair. I had to wear my hair in a bun for the duration but was worth it.

OP, have you tried going back to basics and. using the mildest shampoo you can find - ie a baby shampoo and only washing your scalp?

I used to work for a hair care company and worked in both the consumer and professional divisions. I’ve been a hairdresser. I love the professional products BUT I use the purple L’Oréal elvive. I get it from Sainsbury’s and it’s just as good as anything else I’ve used!