Shampoo Shopping

[CTdiznymom]

Why has buying shampoo turned into such a chore? Yesterday I spent 15 minutes reading labels on shampoo bottles trying to find the description that fits our family best. I walked away with a headache. Do I now have to buy 4 different shampoos as our family has different hair types? Do they make one for "thin & balding"? (don't tell DH I said that lol) DDs like "flalt to wavy" & "added volume", I"m a "frizzy to smooth" gal myself. Can any one recommend a decent basic inexpensive shampoo that doesn't give me a headache?

 

[TealHearts70]

I have had the same problem. Shampoo/Cond brands have become so specific that there really isn't a one size fits all anymore. My DH couldn't believe how long I was spending trying to find shampoo the other day. He's like just pick one. It's only shampoo!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Everyone here uses Costco's Kirkland shampoo then a conditioner and once in awhile Head & SHoulders. We have different hair types, straight and wavy.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I wash my hair with baking soda and water and then rise with a vinegar water concoction ~ I then put conditioner on the bottom 1/2 of my hair ~ nowhere near my scalp - watch this ~ *youtube*

 

[csharpwv]

Shampoo is one of those products that works differently for everyone.
One of the biggest factors in shampoo is the quality of your water! Believe it or not!
I have noticed this especially traveling for work. Last Fall I had two of the small bottles of the WDW Resort H2O shampoo - as I traveled I noticed that the more mineral rich the water was - the more the shampoo would later - as I soon discovered - I think Disney had the H20 shampoo formulated to work best with the water chemistry in Florida.

In our hometown the water is not filtered through a purely chemical process - as a result our water is pretty soft for a municipal water source. Thus - the shampoo from WDW doesn't lather as much at home as it does at our other 'home' HAHA

I have had more than one stylist tell me that the worst shampoo on the market is Suave - for some of their clients it has actually caused their hair to fall out! Typically the cheaper the shampoo is the more chemicals it contains. I have heard more than one person say how great 'hair soap' is - it's actually shampoo in a bar form.

We had used the Honey Shampoo from the Body Shop (long story - short about how we got started using it.... wife's last minute decision (literally in the airport parking lot) to put ALL of our toiletries in our carry on when departing for our honeymoon necessitated that we stop at the air-side shopping area to buy ALL NEW toiletries) But anyway - that's how we got started using Honey shampoo - but now they have discontinued it - and we just started using Garnier Fructis.

But anyway - shampoo is a nightmare - and there are so many scents - and so many specific products - it's hard for a family to decide on ONE shampoo! LOL

 

[Purseval]

I buy the cheapest shampoo I can find then dilute it by half.

 

[maggieusa]

I have used Suave for many years until recently my hair started fallingout I have swithched to a more expensive shampoo and cond. and now things seem to be doing okay no more hair falling out.

 

[IUTBAM]

My hairdresser said that the shampoo isn't that important...go with the least expensive you are comfortable with. Spend your money on conditioner.

 

[mrsboz]

I had a hair dresser say to me many years ago, if you're not going to buy the expensive stuff go with Tresemme. I do like this shampoo. Has anyone noticed that the bottles of these have gotten much smaller?? I buy the color treated one for my hair and then I buy the one for all hair types for everyone else. It is fairly inexpensive and seems to do the trick. I also buy their conditioner.

 

[krcit]

I just had the Keratin treatment done so I had to buy special sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. It was $18 a bottle I warned everyone not to use it or else!! In the summer, I buy chlorine-removal shampoo for the kids. I aslo bought tea-tree shampoo for my oldest one's greasy scalp but I don't think it helps much.

 

[SandrA9810]

I like the hydralicious one from Herbal Essence. The purple bottle one, is basically for moisturizing.

Now they do have a basic shampoo/conditioner not made specifically for wavy/thick/thin hair, but it's usually on the bottom shelf. It's the one I used to use in high school, and the original design just had a rose on the bottle. But they've changed it to make all the bottles look the same. I remember seeing some of the old bottles "we're changing the look, look for it in this bottle now", but for the life of me, I can't remember what they renamed it.

Suave really is horrible, and I used to use sooo much more of it. While Herbal essences is more expensive per bottle, it takes me A LOT longer to use. Even with my long hair, I still use 1/2 the amount.

 

[hambirg]

Well. . .most shampoos main ingredient is detergent. . .usually Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or the gentler Sodium Laureth Sulphate. A few might have Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, which is stronger. Everything else is just a small addition. . .color, fragrance vitamins and oils, etc. I'm not saying they don't make some difference, but basically know that all shampoo is the same basic detergent. Body washes are the same too. . .in fact. . .they are also usually Sodium Laureth Sulphate. Some brands are now marketing it as a 2-in-1 body wash shampoo. . .well duh! It's because it's the same stuff!

To the OP. . .here's a pretty good article that I found that addresses those other ingredients and which ones are good for what hair types.
http://beauty.about.com/od/hairbasics/a/shampoos.htm
I have very course hair and as a kid my mom always bought this wheatgerm and honey shampoo. It's was great on my hair, and the article lists wheat germ oil as good for course hair.

I tend not to care too much about the type of shampoo I use, but the conditioners are more important to me and where I notice a difference.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Oops ~ messed up my quote.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I just had the Keratin treatment done so I had to buy special sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. It was $18 a bottle I warned everyone not to use it or else!! In the summer, I buy chlorine-removal shampoo for the kids. I aslo bought tea-tree shampoo for my oldest one's greasy scalp but I don't think it helps much.

I have purchased Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner for a dry scalp, so has my mom and it worked wonderfully when nothing else would. I am not sure it would work on greasy scalp so well, if it works on the opposite.

I use only sulfate free shampoos and conditioners normally and they are not cheap, but the difference is amazing. We all use ABBA brand and none of us have similar hair issues and everyone loves the ABBA.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Well. . .most shampoos main ingredient is detergent. . .usually Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or the gentler Sodium Laureth Sulphate. A few might have Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, which is stronger. Everything else is just a small addition. . .color, fragrance vitamins and oils, etc. I'm not saying they don't make some difference, but basically know that all shampoo is the same basic detergent. Body washes are the same too. . .in fact. . .they are also usually Sodium Laureth Sulphate. Some brands are now marketing it as a 2-in-1 body wash shampoo. . .well duh! It's because it's the same stuff!

And that's really bad for everybody ~ watch the youtube video I posted further up in this thread.

 

[angwill]

I was told to look for a shampoo without alcohol in it. The one I found is a salon brand so it's expensive but I wait till it goes on sale at Ulta.

Basin in DTD or GF sells the shampoo bars.

 

[TheRatPack]

I've noticed a lot of the shampoos and conditioners are changing their formula too. Pantene changed their color conditioner ingredients and now it's the most horrible stuff....leaves my hair all coarse and tangled. I like Nexxus but gosh it's expensive.

My husband uses Suave Coconut shampoo....I've tried to make him upgrade over the years but he says that other shampoos irritate his scalp....whatever LOL My little ones use the No More Tears shampoo still, but the purple "lavender" one so they don't smell like babies LOL I also use Pantene conditioner or Garnier conditioner on them. My teens use whatever is closest to them when they get in the shower I suppose....they don't really care LOL

 

[hearts8701]

i had a stage 4 cancer lost my hair from treatments i used Redken shampoo & conditioner as my hair started to grow back i have had Doctors & hairdressers ask me what i have been using my hair is better than before treatment i blow dry daily & dye my hair once a month

 

[spacemountainmom]

I feel your pain. I have thick, coarse, curly, colored hair. I feel like I need four different shampoos just for me!!!

I had never heard that info about Suave before. Interesting. I usually buy what is on sale. My dd had some Tresemme for colored hair and I did try that and liked it. Perhaps I should switch to that.

I always wonder about that WEN stuff on the informercials. Has anyone tried that?

 

[momto2inKC]

My family all use Redken All Soft...works for my dry hair, dd's thick wavy hair and the boys, well they have no complaints lol I tend to buy the big liter bottles when they go on sale for $11. That will last us about 6 months or so.