Expensive Salon Shampoo vs. Drugstore Shampoo

[kribit]

So I got my hair done on Saturday and my stylist was kind enough to convince me to spend $50 on Pureology Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hairspray. While I love the smell of it, I used it today and I don't like it. It makes my hair frizzy and it just looks limp. I'm going back to my cheapo Dove Shampoo and Conditioner.

Do you girls think there is a difference? Do we get conned into buying the more expensive things when the more inexpensive items are the same if not better?

It's the same thing with facial products. I have been using Cetaphil since I was a teenager and have fairly nice skin. I wanted to try something different because I'm getting older, so I ordered up a brand called Carita skin cream and face wash. I like the Cetaphil better. Shouldn't the more expensive brand be better?

I don't get it. I want to like the more expensive items, but I just don't see the difference.

 

[lillielil]

Every now and then I try the really expensive stuff, but I always go back to the cheaper stuff. I like it better and it usually isn't as harsh (probably because it's more watered down ). It's not just you!

 

[Lanie]

I used to really love Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditionner, and I always argued with my "expensive is always better" friend that it made my hair softer if I used a bottle of that stuff after a bottle of my Aveda products.

It's not just you...

 

[Jennasis]

I have been very happy with the whole line of Suave products. I tried more expensive stuff for anti-frizz and it weighed my hair down BAD and made it look greasy.

 

[kribit]

I used to really love Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditionner, and I always argued with my "expensive is always better" friend that it made my hair softer if I used a bottle of that stuff after a bottle of my Aveda products.

It's not just you...

I really didn't like the aveda shampoo. I liked their facial products much better. I still go back to my "dermatologist recommended Cetaphil" though.

 

[Beth76]

I use the expensive stuff. I use all CHI products on my hair because I get my hair colored and straightened and I guess they guarantee it only if I use their products. I really like all the CHI products. I can't say for sure that they're that much better, but my stylist tells me my hair is healthier.

For my face, I use Arbonne and the last two facials I've had since I started using it, both people have commented on the good condition of my skin. But I do have pretty good skin to begin with. But they had always recommended products until I started using Arbonne. Unfortunately, my favorite Arbonne product has been discontinued--a facial scrub. I have one more container and when that runs out I'm going to have to find something else. I'll likely try a neutragena scrub that I used at my aunt's house and really liked. I don't like the Arbonne product that they used to replace it.

 

[hiwaygal]

I think it depends on a lot of things.

After years of "trial and error" I finally found a combination that works well for my hair.

The shampoo isn't anything all that expensive (we get it in the extra large, economy size at BJ's )...it's some version of Pantene.

However, the conditioner is a different story. I'm using a Matrix conditioner now and while it's a bit pricer, I end up having to use less of it to get the results I want and so in the long run the cost factor evens out.

 

[SandraVB79]

I buy the expensive stuff, because I like it more than the cheap stuff.
I use Kerastase or Jean-Marc something for it.
For my face, I use Clinique (although when bought at the US it comes out cheap) and Lancome.
Sometimes I use some new cheap products, but always go back to the others.

 

[puffkin]

I really like the Brilliant Blonde shampoo from Suave. Ever since I started using it my salon highlights have held up longer. Plus my roots come in with a nice, natural highlight.

My stylist commented that I have really good, healthy hair though and that the drugstore products are good for me...she said a lot of the salon products would be too heavy for my hair.

 

[kribit]

I really like the Brilliant Blonde shampoo from Suave. Ever since I started using it my salon highlights have held up longer. Plus my roots come in with a nice, natural highlight.

My stylist commented that I have really good, healthy hair though and that the drugstore products are good for me...she said a lot of the salon products would be too heavy for my hair.

You know I think that is it. I think the salon shampoos are too heavy and like one of the other posters said, the cheaper products probably have more water in them.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I use the expensive hair prodcuts. I have really curly hair that frizz easily. I use the redken prodcuts. I used to use the cheaper things but it made my head itch so bad. Apparently I'm allergic to some kind of something in the other stuff. I used to use Loreal Vive.

You know what I find interesting is the different water can mess with hair. When I'm at my mom's with the same hair products my hair is still a bit flat but my house it's fine.

 

[KristiKelly]

We use Kenra or Redken. DD8 & I both have really fine, thin hair. We used Pantene for awhile and our hair looked horrible. Our hair is so much healthier now. Yes, I believe it makes a huge difference - for us anyway.

 

[kribit]

I use the expensive hair prodcuts. I have really curly hair that frizz easily. I use the redken prodcuts. I used to use the cheaper things but it made my head itch so bad. Apparently I'm allergic to some kind of something in the other stuff. I used to use Loreal Vive.

You know what I find interesting is the different water can mess with hair. When I'm at my mom's with the same hair products my hair is still a bit flat but my house it's fine.

Oh, I agree with the water thing. We moved from a house with a private well and my hair was horrible all the time, yet when I went back to visit my parents my hair was always soft and shiny. Strange.

I was probably washing my hair with dirt that was seeping out of the well though.

 

[flipflop]

I use Bumble and Bumble styling products/treatments but drugstore shampoo and conditioner. I liked the B&B shampoo and conditioner (I have think hair) but it wasn't soooo different that I felt like I needed to spend the extra money. The styling products, however, are worth their weight in gold (at least for my hair).

I also split facial care between drugstore and MD/Decleor. I use drugstore cleanser and day time moisturizer but MD for treatments and Decleor for night time, intense moisturizer. I didn't find a big difference with cleansers at all.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I use the expensive stuff. I use all CHI products on my hair because I get my hair colored and straightened and I guess they guarantee it only if I use their products. I really like all the CHI products. I can't say for sure that they're that much better, but my stylist tells me my hair is healthier.

For my face, I use Arbonne and the last two facials I've had since I started using it, both people have commented on the good condition of my skin. But I do have pretty good skin to begin with. But they had always recommended products until I started using Arbonne. Unfortunately, my favorite Arbonne product has been discontinued--a facial scrub. I have one more container and when that runs out I'm going to have to find something else. I'll likely try a neutragena scrub that I used at my aunt's house and really liked. I don't like the Arbonne product that they used to replace it.

My sister sells Arbonne. We both tried the liquid makeup and it made both of us break out. However, their skin lotion and acne wash/toner/cream are awesome!



Back to OP -- I prefer the expensive stuff, but I'm cheap so I buy the drugstore stuff. I actually really like Garnier Fructise products. I use their shampoo/conditioner, leave-in conditioner and anti-frizz serum. Love it all.

 

[sk8ingmom]

I mix and match. I love the cheap Sally Beauty Supply knock-off version of Biolage (Bioterra, I think it's called) shampoo and conditioner. I used Pantene when I didn't live near a Sally's.

But I have crazy-Italian-frizzy-wavy-mostly-grey-but-colored hair, so I have to put lots of stuff in it to make it behave. I splurge on Paul Mitchel leave in conditioner - it is the only leave in I've tried that doesn't make my hair greasy - I stock up when places have the buy-one-get-one liter sales. I also use Biosilk anti-friz - sorta spendy, but I don't use much each day & I buy it at Costco. AND Biolage Curl Creme - I hate spending the $$, but I can't find a drug store brand that makes my hair do the same thing. Hairspray I use Suave or Pantene or whatever 'soft hold' formula I can find. I like the smell of Paul Mitchel Soft Spray, but not worth the extra $$.

Good golly! I'm really a pretty low maintenance person! I didn't realize how ridiculous my hair routine was until I typed it all out. Like I said, my hair is really thick and really crazy to start with.

 

[okeydokey]

I do buy the salon stuff but only when it goes on sale (2 of the liter bottles for $25). It will last me for months and months because you use less. I have dry hair that is colored so I need a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I use Bed Head Moisture Maniac and love it. I also use the Paul Mitchell leave in conditioner.

 

[Keli]

I use Garnier Fructis and really like it but I haven't really ever tried most of the salon stuff and the couple of times I did I didn't like the results.
There probably is a salon brand that I'd love better than any other but I'm not willing to spend the money it would take to search for it, you know?
I can try all kinds of drugstore brands without getting spendy but with the salon brands you feel so aggrivated when you spend that much and then don't even want to finish the bottle.

 

[eh24fan]

You know I think that is it. I think the salon shampoos are too heavy and like one of the other posters said, the cheaper products probably have more water in them.

When you use salon products, you don't need to use as much. With the shampoos, you really only need a dime to nickel size of the product.

 

[eh24fan]

You know what I find interesting is the different water can mess with hair. When I'm at my mom's with the same hair products my hair is still a bit flat but my house it's fine.

The stuff in the water definitely affects your hair! I have naturally curly hair that I color, plus I blow dry and straighten nearly every day. When I lived at my mom's my hair was in good shape despite my daily abuse. But now that we have "town" water in another town...yuck. My poor hair is a mess. My sis-in-law had terrible hair when they lived in our house. It's the water. I just keep using my good stuff, condition the ends more and relish the good hair day I have every so often.