Non high-street shampoo that gives same softening results as head & shoulders?

[Pigmum86]

Hairdressers always say not to use head and shoulders as it can strip your hair etc but I find it makes mine lovely and soft. I get mine coloured and also have extensions so it’s not ideal to use that really.
Does anyone have any recommendations for either a natural shampoo or a salon-approved top brand that will make my hair feel clean and soft as I struggle with heaviness and it gets greasy quickly. I don’t mind splashing out.

Do you actually experience problems? Hairdressers usually want to push the brands they stock!

I’ve tried the expensive Kerastase, Pureology etc plus the sulphate-free natural ones etc and I always end up back with Pantene, it just works for me, leaves it soft and clean. The others always weigh it down or eventually feel like their leaving residue or they’re supposed to moisturising but somehow do the opposite - or they’re expensive and have the same results as Pantene - or similar high street type brand.

Funnily enough, a hairdresser i know will only use Pantene herself, despite having access to higher end salon brands. She says its the best.

Thanks - which Pantene one do you use as there’s so many!

Ooh that’s interesting

No problems but I feel because it’s meant to get rid of dandruff that it’s stripping my colour and also cos it contains sulphates

I think the most recent one I’ve had is the ‘repair and protect’ one, but I’ve had the ‘something and sleek’ one too. To be honest, normally whichever one they have in the supermarket. I do sometimes mix it up and use other brands too, or now and then get sucked into buying an expensive one, but this is the basic one I come back to because it just seems to work and is cheap.

I've tried so many high end and high street.
These are my favourite

For dandruff control - Davine Naturaltec purifying shampoo every couple of weeks

For softness. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration with coconut essences

Aveda leave in conditioner in the pink bottle

Oh I like herbal essences too - I forgot that one!

I can only use head and shoulders, anything else has me scratching my scalp with scissors until it bleeds. Doesn’t do my colour any harm.

I mostly lie to hairdressers and tell them I use their overpriced product, which leads them to rave about how shiny my hair is. But it’s not, it’s H&S (the moisturising one).

But I have genuinely tried all the other shampoos for itchy scalps and only H&S and T Gel made any difference. But T gel makes my hair like straw.

Use H&S if you like it. Bugger the hairdresser!

I absolutely love the products from the Cornish Seaweed Bath Company. Not cheap, but lovely.
https://cornishseaweedbath.co.uk

I had such high hopes for these products. The shampoo did nothing for my scalp though sadly, could still have scratched it off. I have concluded that whatever I am afflicted with (seborrheic dermatitis most probably) requires the chemical element of H&S to keep it under control.

I’ve switched from Kerastase to Ouai. Can recommend. I did try Olaplex and it was awful

Colour Wow.

L'Occitane do some lovely shampoos.
@FancyCatSlave have a look at their website. I think the gentle balance one may help you.

My hairdressers have always say use whatever works for your hair! If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. If your hair feels good after then it’s not stripping it.

Theres a colour safe version of head and shoulders so maybe try that?

I also love herbal essences hello hydration conditioner but you can only ever get small bottles now

For those of you with an irritated scalp (and the OP), have any of you tried The Australian Organic? It's been brilliant for me, the only shampoo I've ever tried that settles my reactive scalp down. The conditioner is really good too.

It ships directly from Australia but I've never had any issues with delivery. There always seems to be discount codes on their website, so don't pay full price.

https://theaustralianorganic.com.au/

I don't work for them by the way

I find the lavender and geraniums Faith in Nature shampoo and conditioner makes my hair soft.

I always go back to the apple head and shoulders. I don't have dandruff or an itchy scalp, but it works better for my thick curly hair than any sulphate-free shampoo.

Tried them, no use. I don’t think there’s a product out there I haven’t tried to be honest over the past 30 years. I get sucked in by the marketing!

I do use a lot of L’Occitane products though, love the almond shower oil in particular and the soaps and handcreams. But it’s a No to the shampoo.

With hair products, the proof is really in the pudding. If H&S works for you, I'd keep using it instead of setting out on an expensive quest to find the perfect high-end shampoo!

I love Redken Acidic Bonding shampoo and conditioner. Makes my hair super soft!

Thank you. I love faith in nature actually

I've just gone back to h&s itchy scalp after trying a load of expensive alternatives and what a relief! My hair feels soft and really clean for days and my poor sensitive scalp is thanking me too. My hair is naturally dry and frizzy, for reference. I don't think h&s strips it.

Also been using Dr Organic argan oil conditioner with it which seems to be quite moisturising.

I also had high hopes and sadly it ended up making my scalp feel worse and I did try to persevere :(