Are expensive Shampoos & Conditioners really better?

[kathy387]

I use Nick Chavez thick and full...I order it from QVC. I swear by this shampoo. I've tried the cheaper stuff and it's turned my hair to straw. I also color my hair so any help that I can give it is wirth it!

 

[CheezDoodle]

I have very thick hair, and it's past about six inches past my shoulders. I use a shampoo called Italy. It works very well, and smells nice too.

 

[Talking Hands]

I use Matrix Curl Life Shampoo and conditioner on my hair. It works very well. Then I put in Curl Activator while it is still wet and comb and let dry naturally and it looks great.

 

[Steffi]

I started using Alterna Caviar several months ago and it makes a world of difference! After many years of doing nothing special to take care of my hair, and furthering the abuse with home coloring products, I had found that my hair seemed to be breaking and coming out at a horrifying rate. I decided to go to a decent salon and see what a good hairstylist thought before I went out and crashed a Hair Club for Men party or something. My hairstylist recommended the Alterna Caviar and my hair is now addicted. I tried using Pantene (which I'd used for years previously) a while back and couldn't even comb through my hair afterwards.

It's funny: I posted on a thread here months ago about in what ways you pamper yourself. I found that I did very little pampering of myself and decided to start right away. Now I look better than ever, with decent hair & nails...next stop, Bare Minerals make-up...I'll be a goddess! Thanks, DIS!

 

[mickeyfan2]

I use Suave professional series (Nexxus is one) and my hair looks great. My beautician always compliments me on how nice looking and how healthy it is.

 

[heidica]

DD and I have been using Matrix shampoo and conditioners. She uses Sleek and I use Curl Life. They work really well for us but since we wash a lot and have below the shoulder length, thick hair, we spend quite a bit.
Do you find that the more expensive brands work better for you? Our hairdresser told us most less expensive shampoos will dry out your hair. What brand do you use? What about conditioner? My thick, curly hair has to be well conditioned.
I also use Biosilk Silk Therapy to tame my hair. I have tried the Sally's brand but it doesn't do the same job. I do like Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum.
I love good, healthy hair but I don't want to be a "shampoo junky".

Thanks,

Penny

Might I suggest you check out Paula Begoun's website http://www.cosmeticcop.com. She started off teaching about cosmetics and how to get past all the hype and see if the products are really good, but she also researches hair care products. She basically says cost has nothing to do it with it, that there are really good inexpensive and expensive products but also really bad inexpensive and expensive products. I started following her suggested skin regimen for oily/acne prone adult skin and it has really helped my skin. I also use her product reviews to help guide me when I want to try something new - both hair care and makeup. She does sell her own products, but just check-out the "Learn" section. She also has several books out on the subject.

 

[Christine]

Might I suggest you check out Paula Begoun's website http://www.cosmeticcop.com. She started off teaching about cosmetics and how to get past all the hype and see if the products are really good, but she also researches hair care products. She basically says cost has nothing to do it with it, that there are really good inexpensive and expensive products but also really bad inexpensive and expensive products. I started following her suggested skin regimen for oily/acne prone adult skin and it has really helped my skin. I also use her product reviews to help guide me when I want to try something new - both hair care and makeup. She does sell her own products, but just check-out the "Learn" section. She also has several books out on the subject.

I checked out Paula's book and recommendations. Basically, I disagree with her. Well, not totally disagree with her. I'm sure that there are the basic ingredients in every product. But believe me, I am not swayed by a high price tag and a pretty bottle. I've been washing my hair for years and I have yet to find a shampoo in the drug store that makes my hair look as good as *some* of the salon products. I do agree that there are some bad salon products too--I have run across these myself, but I cannot find a really good drugstore brand and I have tried every one of them. I really don't know the answer as to why that is. I don't think it has anything to do with the special "oils" and "plant extracts" that the higher ends stuff has. I think that the drugstore products just have higher levels of alchohol and the other cheaper ingredients and, for me, they are just harsh on my hair.

I also think that shampoo is a very individual thing. It really, really depends on what your hair is like. I have a lot of hair but it is fine and soft. If the shampoo is not just right, my hair will be totally unmanageable and will not hold the style I have no matter how many "after market" products I put in it. I remember buying some Aussie shampoo after reading some good reviews of it on another thread here. My god, it was just terrible on my hair. It was so limp and it kept falling into my eyes all day. But someone else really liked it and it has to do with your hair type.

I think there are people out there who do have really good hair. Period. And they can get away with using just about anything.

 

[heidica]

I checked out Paula's book and recommendations. Basically, I disagree with her. Well, not totally disagree with her. I'm sure that there are the basic ingredients in every product. But believe me, I am not swayed by a high price tag and a pretty bottle. I've been washing my hair for years and I have yet to find a shampoo in the drug store that makes my hair look as good as *some* of the salon products. I do agree that there are some bad salon products too--I have run across these myself, but I cannot find a really good drugstore brand and I have tried every one of them. I really don't know the answer as to why that is. I don't think it has anything to do with the special "oils" and "plant extracts" that the higher ends stuff has. I think that the drugstore products just have higher levels of alchohol and the other cheaper ingredients and, for me, they are just harsh on my hair.

I also think that shampoo is a very individual thing. It really, really depends on what your hair is like. I have a lot of hair but it is fine and soft. If the shampoo is not just right, my hair will be totally unmanageable and will not hold the style I have no matter how many "after market" products I put in it. I remember buying some Aussie shampoo after reading some good reviews of it on another thread here. My god, it was just terrible on my hair. It was so limp and it kept falling into my eyes all day. But someone else really liked it and it has to do with your hair type.

I think there are people out there who do have really good hair. Period. And they can get away with using just about anything.

I do think Paula would agree with you because she does say that hair and make-up results are individual to everyone. Not everyone is going to get the same results. She is mainly going off the science of the ingredients. If it works for you great, don't stop just because Paula or anyone else says so. For me I have found her advice valuable, but that has been fortunate for me. Sounds like your hair is really hard to please

 

[Christine]

Sounds like your hair is really hard to please

Yep, and so is the rest of my body!!!

I think because I have "soft" hair, it is really sensitive to too much of any type of ingredient. Certain shampoos (Garnier Fructis, Aussie, Pantane) almost make it look greasy and weighted down. It gets REAL flat.

With the Suave and Herbal Essence I don't get that, but then it doesn't style real well either. I have to do a lot of fiddling around and spraying to get it to go into place.

When I use the Alterna Cavier I can pretty much dry it with my hands, it goes right into place, and my brush use is minimal. I have short, layered hair that is kind of spiky and flips up in the back. It's great when I can just style it with my fingers as I dry it.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Most of everything depends on your own hair. Actually, people with a thicker, coarser strand of hair should not wash their hair as much. People with fine, oily hair should wash every day.
I have a friend who has very thick and naturally dry hair. She can only wash her hair once a week. Her body does not produce enough oils to keep the hair smooth. And she's never used a hair dryer in her life.

Me on the other hand, I have very fine and oily hair. I have to wash on a daily basis or it looks greasy. And that happens even if I don't use a conditioner.

I tend to use Garnier's Fructis or Pantene.
And for those that like to use the vitamin enriched stuff, you're generally wasting your money. Vitamin E is the only vitamin with molecules small enough to actually be absorbed into the hair. Any other vitamins just lay on top of the hair or gets completely rinsed out. And this comes from a friend who is a licensed hairdresser.

 

[Chilehead Too]

I recently swirched to KEUNE Shampoo and KEUNE Balsam and love them. Hair products as long as they work can never cost too much imho.

 

[Blondie]

I think to the un-chemically treated hair drug store vs. salon bought shampoos and conditioners might not make that much of a difference.

But to those of us who color our hair on a regular basis, it does make a difference. I prefer Biolage products, but after reading this thread, I'm going to have to try Alterna Caviar. Paul Mitchell products leaves my hair unmanagable and just plain nasty. I occasionally use Herbal Essence, but only because it smells so good! I can only use it for about a week as it leaves a heavy build up.

 

[Christine]

I Paul Mitchell products leaves my hair unmanagable and just plain nasty.

I have the same experience with them.

 

[Blondie]

Whoa, I just googled Alterna Cavier! That's some expensive conditioner!

Alterna Caviar Moisture Conditioner
Formerly Alterna Caviar Conditioner
- Alterna Liter SALE! Was: $52.00 NOW $45.00

 

[helenabear]

Whoa, I just googled Alterna Cavier! That's some expensive conditioner!

Alterna Caviar Moisture Conditioner
Formerly Alterna Caviar Conditioner
- Alterna Liter SALE! Was: $52.00 NOW $45.00

Still not cheap, but try www.spiralhaircase.com for hair products

I get my shampoos at cost. I think if I had to pay full price I would never buy them. A cheaper alternative to Alterna, was John Sahag. That one worked well for a long time. Also the Hemp line of the Alterna is pretty good and less costly.

Though if you want shockingly expensive, check this out http://www.spiralhaircase.com/alterna-truffle.html

As for your other comment, I do not color nor chemically do anything to my hair. It is long (what I consider "bra strap length" at the moment) and honestly, you can get me to read reviews and the like, and I will not agree... drug store quality probably won't cut it. I am not sure there is a brand I haven't tried in my life. None leave my hair as soft and amazing as the Alterna one does. I used that for a while as well. My favorite store brands that I will use time to time are Pantene's newer color formulas (I use the dk brown) as well as Finesse for chemically treated/colored hair.

Even as one who does not color or change my hair chemically, I find those designed for that to be less harsh and drying in general than the "regular" ones.

I read some of Paula's reviews, and I think she's okay on some and way off on others. Especially when it comes to make up coloring... she thought that the shade I use is terrible... oddly enough it is the closest to my skin! Like I said, I have tried tons out there and still have half empty bottles in my bathroom closet of my "failed products"

 

[bellacam]

Since I have had to start chemically supporting my blonde, I have found drug store shampoos don't do it. I love the Bed Head Dumb Blonde Products. The conditiner especially leaves my hair soft and strong. No more breakage.

 

[Christine]

Whoa, I just googled Alterna Cavier! That's some expensive conditioner!

Alterna Caviar Moisture Conditioner
Formerly Alterna Caviar Conditioner
- Alterna Liter SALE! Was: $52.00 NOW $45.00

Blondie,

They are very expensive. My cousin is a hairstylist so, most of the time, she gets them for me at cost. Still expensive even that way. There have been a few times that she wasn't able to get stuff for me and I had to pay the full retail. Uuuughhh, it hurts but it's better than dealing with the mess without the shampoo. By the way, I don't use the Alterna Caviar conditioner. I find that a Aveda one works fine and is cheaper. Just the shampoo for me.

 

[emilymad]

Suave's professional line now has one that imitates Matrixx's Sleek Look. I use Sleek but I think when it runs out I am going to try the Sauve version. The price difference is too tempting. I have Suave's imitation of Redken's Fresh Curls right now and it does really seem to the be the same. I also have thick, wavy hair and I can't use a lot of brands. The Sauve versions costs about $5 for the shampoo and conditioner. You can't bet that!

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

Some hair does really well with drug store hair products. Some hair does really well with salon products. It really all depends on the individual.

Personally, I have tried every drug store and salon product imaginable. My hair is wavy, dry and thick. I have to wash it everyday. I have tried Paul Mitchell products and they just don't do anything for my hair. I have tried Bed Head products and they weren't bad. Redken was too heavy for my hair. Pantene leaves my hair very dry. Sauve does nothing for me. Sheer Blonde will brighten the blonde in my hair but the conditioners are too light. I know I have tried many other brands, all with no success. (I used to work at Ulta and everytime I needed new hair products I'd use my discount and get new ones to try.)

I was using Fructis for awhile. It actually left my hair soft yet clean feeling. Then I tried Matrix Sleek. I love this stuff! My hair is manageable and soft. It isn't cheap but it isn't expensive either. Most stores have sales on it often. Ulta usually has a few buy one get one free sales on salon products throughout the year. I bought a liter bottle of each shampoo and conditioner in October. I am still using it. So for me the price isn't bad since it takes me months to use a whole bottle. I also love Silk Therapy by Biosilk to smooth away frizzies. I've tried a few of those products too and most are just greasy. Skinny Serum and Silk Therapy are the only ones that leave my hair shiny and smooth without leaving my hair greasy. I wish I could use the cheaper products, but I guess my hair is the only "snobby" part of my body.

 

[helenabear]

I also love Silk Therapy by Biosilk to smooth away frizzies. I've tried a few of those products too and most are just greasy. Skinny Serum and Silk Therapy are the only ones that leave my hair shiny and smooth without leaving my hair greasy. I wish I could use the cheaper products, but I guess my hair is the only "snobby" part of my body.

Have you tried Chi's Silk Infusion? I used to love Silk Therapy by Biosilk, until I was introduced to this one. It made my Biosilk look greasy by comparison!! There is also "Hot Sauce" by FHI which is similar. I just don't care for the scent.

I laughed at your last part. I agree, I wish I could use cheaper products, but long term they just do not work!!! I've tried myself and just have had no luck. I am lucky to find things at cost though. I will spend about the same amount on the Caviar as I would on a slightly upscale shampoo. When I was using Alterna's Hemp or John Sahag, it was actually cheaper for me to buy that then Pantene or the like. I try not to be snobby about the hair, but sometimes you can't fight it and go cheap.