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

Depends on your hair imo. I used to use Alberto Balsam and always thought it was fine having not used anything else. Actually it makes my hair really dry and dull.
Now I use Dove intensive repair (rescue?) Which in hair care terms is probably still classed as cheap. My hair looks amazing.

I tried an Aldi one that my mum swears by, my hair felt greasy and like it was still full of product no matter how much I rinsed.

My son (waist length really thick hair) uses treseme. It makes his hair so glossy. But makes my head itch like you wouldn't believe!

I use supermarket shampoo or cheapest from the chemist.
I’m 52, have never dyed my hair (very fine mousey brown with a hint of red & blonde in the summer) apart from teenage moments trying to be blonder.
Only wash it twice a week max, never condition. Hairdryer just a quick blast to take the worst out in the winter, otherwise air dry.
my hairdresser always says what great condition it in.
Less is more, for me.
No grey showing yet, but might have to change my routine when that happens!! 😬

I've used Aldi Lacura shampoo for years and it's been great (silver bottle)
Also the honey one from Lidl

I've found that cheap budget supermarket Baby Shampoo is far better than any expensive clarifying shampoo

Xhc argan oil shampoo is good. Its about £1 to £1.50 in home bargins or poundland etc.

I also use tesco basic coconut shampoo and their tropical one.

I used to use blueberry faith in nature also

And I was using bar shampoo but cant afford it atm.

The super cheap shampoo can be ok. Sainsbury's sell a mint shampoo I used to clarify wash with. I wouldn't use a cheap conditioner though, as they often leave a film behind that's difficult to rinse out.

I usually use Tresemme shampoo which is quite cheap, then a more expensive conditioner.

🤖

I use the L’Oréal Paris and buy when on offer, usually around £2.50 per bottle. Good shampoo.

I use sulphate free shampoo and conditioner. I buy it in home bargains and it’s around £5 a bottle.
My hair does not get as greasy and I wash it less now.
I was told told that products like tresame and Pantene coat your hair in something and that is why you think it is conditioning your hair but it’s covering it in a grease like substance. An old hairdresser of mine told me this years ago.
I also read that as your hair is dead, you cannot repair it. Only cutting it gets rid of the damage. Products just cover the hair in oil like substances ( there will be a name for this.)
With the sulphate free shampoo and conditioner I don’t need to blow dry it or use straighteners as much.
I did buy Wolf Neal products from my current hairdresser. Travel sized products which cost £25 for a tiny shampoo, conditioner, protection spray and hairspray. I didn’t use the hairspray but the others were not good. Used them abroad and would not buy them again.

That cheap argan oil shampoo was too weighty for my hair. Same with Aussie Miracle.

I use baby shampo. I have fine hair but loads of it. No conditioner. I get lots of compliments on how shiny my hair is.

Hair is straight, shoulder length. As been said I think working with what nature gave me works best.

Thats interesting @VaddaABeetch and no more tears!😉

I find i have to change shampoo regularly as my hair doesn't like the same thing too frequently

But i do use cheap brands

I always used expensive shampoo and conditioner. Recently, I dabbled with my young daughters cheap stuff and my hair has been amazing. So much so, a friend commented on my hair. So I'm now using boots everyday coconut and almond shampoo and conditioner. It's 75p for each 500ml bottle and a total bargain!

I use cheap Mane 'n Tail Herbal Gro Shampoo and Herbal Gro Conditioner and twice a week I use even cheaper Fairy Washing up liquid with no conditioner and my hair is in fantastic condition.

I've switched to gruum shampoo bars. They later really nicely

Same here. It's horrible

Hairdressers always say that the likes of Pantene ruin one's hair but I always find it to be quite good.

I'm not convinced that expensive brands are always better so I tend to use them with freshly highlighted hair to try and preserve colour but I always end up going back to cheap after a while.

Agree @Talkwhilstyouwalk , yet P&G employ a significantly large number of (female and ethnically diverse) chemical engineers, formulation scientists and chemists in general. I don't think that a company with so much to loose and that is an achievement marker on a CV, would be ultimately able to market rubbish in the long term or worldwide.

From a personal standpoint, I know a lot of women who have incredible hair who use Pantene and Head and shoulders, ranging from hair types from 2-4. I'm partial to a bit of Pantene too. I grew up using the likes of Elasta QP (expensive), Pink (middle- expensive) and mane and Tail and the likes and my hair didn't thrive (lifestyle, diet and genetics withstanding).

Sulphates and parabens in shampoo is really bad for your hair.

The way forward is bar soap shampoo. You will never go back to bottle shampoo.

@Whycantiwinmillionsandsquillions
can I ask which brand of sulphate free products do you use? I’ve started using them on the recommendation of my hairdresser to stop colour being stripped from my hair.

I've tried a few shampoo bars. All of them made my hair feel awful.
What would you recommend?

I used a shampoo bar after being recommended on Mumsnet. It was quite expensive and seemed even worse than normal shampoo for residue .

Save on the shampoo, a cheapy will do.
Splurge on a conditioner though. I use Wella Fusion. Leaves my hair feeling like silk

I only use Alberto Balson Apple or baby shampoo. Both smell lovely and are about £1.