Shampoo is salon shampoo worth it?

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Since my last post I had a hair cut a month or so later. As a result my highlights were all cut out. Although I missed them my hair responded better to ordinary shampoos in the mid price range. That said if ever I want my hair to look extra shiny and smooth I've noticed the salon shampoo does make a visible difference. I think shampoos are like moisturisers, it's a case of trial and error. I did find the Body Shop banana shampoo and conditioner good.

I use Phillip Kinglsley as well. I use the shampoo, conditioner, and elastersizer, works well for me.

I buy quality shampoos and conditioner from TK maxx online.
They tend to be originally around £25 a bottle, I pay half that.
I buy in 1 litre bottles only to avoid too much plastic waste.
Always paraben and sulphate free.

Another poster mentioned clarifying shampoo, this is wonderful to use occasionally but will lighten colour if you have dyed hair.

I'm still searching for a shampoo that doesn't make my head itch (even S1mple and baby shampoos do) or make my hair hyper-static.

At the moment I'm using a (perfumeless) bar of olive oil and clay soap.

Suggestions welcome.

Since I last replied my Dil has been using my shampoo and conditioner and her hairdresser asked what she was using as she noticed the difference when cutting her hair.

Scientist daughter says most shop-bought shampoos are awful for most people's hair, especially if we (me included) spend a lot of money having the salon colour our hair as it strips the colour. SLS (sodium laurel sulphate) is the ingredient to avoid.

I understand your problem, I've had it too.

I thought I would give you all an update! I do think shampoo is like many beauty products, we all react differently to different products. Are salon products worth it, I think if you find one that suits and can afford it,yes they are. I would never discredit products at the other end of the spectrum. Personally I used the colour care version from one of the budget supermarkets and even when wet it felt like the moisture had been sucked out of my hair! I think the ingredients do vary,probably in detergents used.
Another issue for many may be lack of parabens ,sodium laurel sulphate etc.
So I looked at getting my salon shampoo online,it was a bit cheaper but still pricey. I looked at Faith in Nature which seem ethical,lack the nasties in major brands etc. I ordered the grapefruit and orange. I was wary as 200ml each of shampoo and conditioner £8 for both which seemed almost too reasonable! Tried this morning and brilliant. Looks and feels same as when use salon brand!

I think the ingredients in store bought shampoo are much the same so can’t believe that salon shampoo is much different.
As my hair is now longer than usual I have been adding some conditioner to the ends which helps.Losing the shine is just part of us ageing, though if you use all over colour that always seems to leave the hair shiny ( I don’t.)
If I could find a shampoo that really did help with shine, I would buy it at almost any price!

I buy the shampoo and conditioner my hairdressers uses but I buy it from Amazon and apparently pay less than she does. Anyway I like the smell and the way it makes my hair feel. I have short hair and buy it in litre bottles with pump dispensers and it lasts for ages.

Thankyou all for taking the time to reply and for your very helpful tips and advice,I have considered shampoo bars and will look them up. It's the first time I've posted a question on gransnet so I was pleased that you all went to the trouble of replying. Hope everyone who reads this has a peaceful day?

I'm on my second shampoo bar. I decided to try and cut down my plastic use and have bought a solid shampoo bar from The Funky Soap Co. It comes wrapped in paper.
I'd been using it for a while before lockdown, and asked my hairdresser how she felt my hair condition was. She said it was beautiful and was impressed when I told her about the shampoo bar.
They do various bars for different hair types. The lavender and rosemary bar smells lovely and keeps its scent all the ways to the last sliver.

I use the salon shampoo and conditioner on my hair but bought it from Amazon in 1 litre bottles. However, I was ecstatic to find it in TK Max and bought it in bulk. It will probably last until 2025!

I use a blob of Vosene mixed with whatever shampoo is on offer. I then use about a half a teaspoon of conditioner mainly on the ends. For years I would put loads of conditioner on and leave it on as long as possible but with hindsight it just left my hair flattened.

The shine comes from the way they dry the hair but I don’t have the patience to fuss over it.

I’ve got one shade of root touch up but will get another shade to see how it works out.

Use Faith in Nature shampoos and conditioner. Also Avalons clarifying shampoo twice a month. Bought genuine Argan oil online put around four drops on my hands after shampooing and apply to ends. Only wash once or twice a week.

My grandmother had beautiful shiny auburn hair. She cleaned it with a heaped teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, dissolved in a cup of warm water, left on for a few minutes, then rinsed away.

Shampoo was too 'new fangled' for her, as only available from the 1930s!

I use solid shampoo from a local shop and am happy with it. I do use leave in conditioner spray so unfortunately I'm still throwing away plastic. I need something to get the brush through my wet hair without tugging. Any suggestions?

Recently discovered Pantene's Superfood shampoo and conditioner, which leaves my hair feeling healthy and bouncy. I've always liked Lush solid shampoos and conditioners because they don't feel too harsh and cut down on packaging.

It's all about finding something that suits your particular hair type and frequency of washing.

Salon, shop or online, cheap or expensive - there's little difference, as it's mostly detergent. Most people use far too much shampoo, then don't leave it on long enough to allow it to work.

When I visit my hairdresser, the stylist always asks if I need any of their products (Kerastase) and I have bought a couple of things. Are stylists on commission if a client buys something.

i thought animal testing of cosmetic products has not been legal in this country for many years, unless you mean something developed abroad. /?
anyway i think there is a lot of nonsense about these things, fancy packaging and blurb, inducing people to part with more money. i rarely pay more than a pound, as i mostly shop in pound shops, and lidl's own is even less. sometimes they have special ones slightly more but that's enough for me.
you can get all sorts in pound shops, some do cost a bit more now, but why dont you buy a few and see which you like.
no need to waste money.

I use a combined shampoo and conditioner called Wash and Go I think- bright green bottle which costs £1 in Sainsburys. I prefer this to posh shampoos and like the way my hair feels afterwards.

I buy Philip Kingley shampoo and conditioner and always the litre size of Elastisizer .My hair is in good condition considering its not been its natural shade for over 4 decades...in fact I'm not sure what its natural shade is.I'm colouring my own in lockdown using two shades of Root Touch Up and its looking OK ,not brilliant by any means but unless you look closely its fine .After a few weeks of problems getting the RTU I now get it online from Gordons Chemist ,£3,99 a pack as opposed to the £17.99 or more on Amazon

Thankyou for all your helpful advice. I remember using Elvive before and being very happy with it but couldnt remember name! There are so many things to take into account. Ideally something that is ethically produced with regard to packaging and recycling,not tested on animals,has as few chemicals as possible, makes hair look nice plus doesnt cost a fortune! I would never buy anything assuming high cost meant high quality,but sometimes it does make a difference. Also agree hair never looks how it does after hairdressers which may be down to technique as well. I will continue to experiment whilst watching my short hair grow longer and natural colour appear. I think like a lot of people I'm interested to see whether in a few months will think the cost and hassle of highlights is worth it. I always used to colour my own hair. Having had it done professionally with high and low lights it's not something I could do myself. I must admit as well that considering has been coloured continuously for over 5 years I'm impressed its neither dried out or brassy! Again,due to salon shampoo?.....?.