Are expensive Shampoos & Conditioners really better?

[lucyanna girl]

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

 

[2infinity&B-ond]

I use Sleek too, and it is the best shampoo and conditioner I have found. I have naturally curly hair, but I like to straighten it. The Sleek works soooo well. I have found that some of the hair salons in my local mall carry it cheaper than my hairdresser. I get the really big bottles for less than 10 dollars each. On occasion, I have seen them at Target too.

 

[helenabear]

For longer hair, I have found it makes a world of difference with what I use. Currently I am using Pantene while waiting for an order of Alterna Caviar (get it at cost) to come in. I've tried all brands, and yes, they do dry out. I have found shampoos make more of a difference than conditioners. And not all Salon Quality shampoos are good too. Some are definitely worlds apart than others. In general, if I can find it in Target, I will not use it long term.

 

[Microbio]

also cheaper products will build up on the hair shaft, and cause a "film" were as professional products do not.

also, a little tip: instead of paying big bucks to get those cleansing shampoos, you can use a quarter size amount of baking soda mix it a little with water to make a "paste" and rub it thru your hair. it will strip all the crap out of it, and make it so squeaky clean! then just shampoo!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Not in my opinion. I have found that my hair looks and feels a lot better when I use Old Fathful: Sauve.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I used to use whatever was cheap. Then I started using the salon products and my hair is much nicer feeling and stronger. I like Aveda as one of the product lines.

 

[grinningghost]

I'll tell you what really works.

I used to spend big bucks on fancy shampoos and conditioners and hair gels to tame my naturally wavy hair.

Since I moved in with my mom, who has a Culligan water system, it doesn't matter what shampoo I use, I only need a dab of it, a dab of conditioner and no after-wash products at all.

My hair is soft, silky, shiny and super manageable. I absolutely MUST get one of these water softeners in my new house.

 

[Christine]

I think they do work better. Believe me, if I *could* get away with using a drugstore brand, I would. I'm a cheapskate. Plus, getting the salon stuff can be a hassle at times.

The shampoo that I've been using for about a year now and am really liking is Alterna's Caviar. I generally like most stuff from Aveda. I find Paul Mitchell stuff to be a waste of money. It does no better than drugstore brands. Never tried Matrix.

 

[Kath2003]

The best thing I've found are the solid shampoo bars at Lush here in the UK - they make your hair literally SQUEAKY clean but at the same time soft. And they last for AGES (I wash my hair every morning, I've had it for three weeks and am about half way through it - costs about $8 each).

In terms of bottles of stuff, Treseme are nice but you CANNOT BEAT Herbal Essences. It smells lovely, leaves your hair soft too. My hair's reasonably long and I LOVE it when Herbal Essences is on BOGOF. It is the only shampoo I will use over my solid shampoo bars.

Pantene is horrible; Loreal Elvive shampoo is horrible but their conditioners are okay. I'm using their Pearl Protein conditioner on the ends of my hair alongside my solid shampoo (karma-komba!) and it's looking nice and shiny and soft.

Karma-komba smells amazing but I'd also recommend Seanik which is very summery and Godiva (Godiva claims to be shampoo and conditioner but I found I still needed to use conditioner on the dry ends of my hair).

All of Lush's stuff is amazing, though - not just the shampoos! Their Honey I Washed The Kids soap is fantastic, the nicest soap I've ever used! The Honey Bee bath bomb smells just as fantastic and makes your skin real soft and oh my goodness, you gotta try the Ma Bar - it's like bathing in CHOCOLATE

Of course, all natural, because it's LUSH!

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Take a look here if you would like an explanation of all of this:

http://reactor-core.org/shampoo-scam.html

 

[azgal81]

I use mainly suave or herbel essences when it's on sale. I get tons of compliments on my hair when I use suave. So no I dont' feel the need to spend tons of money on shampoo when the cheap stuff works just as good.

 

[Sparx]

I've got thick, curly hair. its around my shoulders and VERY hard to take care of. I use Aussie Moist shampoo and conditioner. It works great. occasionally I use teh Aussie 3 minute treatment on it too.

 

[Mandabella]

For those of you who like the "squeaky clean" shampoos, do you by any chance have naturally dry hair or naturally oily hair?

I've found I can only use these types of shampoos periodically. They strip the natural oils out of my hair causing it to be dryer....and more unmanageable/breakable/frizzy/etc if I use them regularly.

I need as much moisture as I can get!

I'm currently using Pantene. After shampooing, I leave the conditioner in for a few minutes. Then afterwards, I work in a small dab of the conditioner and leave it in before using any styling products. I then just let it air dry.

Pantene is the only "cheap" brand that seems to work for me. I've toyed with the idea of getting a more expensive shampoo/conditioner...but I'd need something that works on naturally dry/curly and long hair.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I do feel that certain brands work better than others, but it hasn't been based on cost or them being salon brands. I like most Suave products. I'm currently using V05, which leaves my hair feeling awesome. 2 others I like are Finesse and Salon Selectives. I've also discovered that I like Clairol Herbal Essences.

Kimya

 

[grlpwrd]

I love Kerastase, but I also like what Head and Shoulders does for my hair even if I don't have dandruff.

Then again I periodically change brands, like Suave, Fructis, and others.

 

[Mandabella]

2 others I like are Finesse and Salon Selectives. I've also discovered that I like Clairol Herbal Essences.

Salon Selectives is still around? I haven't seen it in years!!! I used to love it. I got so many compliments because of the scent.


I know some of you like Suave products, but I find many of them do not work as well. They seem to me...."watered down."

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

I've always used Suave. I'll switch scents and formulas, & my favorite is the Humectant salon line.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Salon Selectives is still around? I haven't seen it in years!!! I used to love it. I got so many compliments because of the scent.

Actually - I hadn't seen it in a long time either. Last time I got it, I got it at Big Lots and Ollie's Bargain Outlet, not regular stores, lol.

Kimya

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

My hair person of 17 years told me that most of the stuff I could get at Target would work just as well as the stuff she uses. In the end it is shampoo and conditioner.

That said, I rotate between Catwalk and Garnier Fruitrice.

 

[dmslush]

I swear by garnier fructis, it is by far the best shampoo and conditioner that I have ever used. It leaves my hair feeling silky and looking shiney.