Does expensive shampoo and conditioner really make a difference?
I always wonder this when I go and see my stylist at Vidal Sassoon. For years I’ve been going, and I will continue to go, simply because I have found a stylist I’m really happy with. He can do no wrong! However, always, as I’m leaving the chair following my hair-cut, Etienne will ask me if I need any products. I always wrinkle my nose, because I know this means I’ll go out the door, even more broke than I had anticipated.
A few years ago, when my hair was so dry I could not for the life of me get a comb through it without using half a bottle of some spray-on-product, I didn’t mind spending the money on whatever products they recommended. My hair felt better and it was easier to comb through after using their conditioner. Now, when my hair is healthy, I’m not convinced that I need that $50 special conditioning treatment. I’m usually satisfied with a extra-grande bottle of shampoo or conditioner from Costco. They sell great products such as Redken and other famous hair product brands. A liter of Redken Conditioner may cost me $20 or less there. A bottle half or a quarter that size of some famous specialty product at Vidal Sassoon would cost me perhaps as much as $50.
My husband and I have a budget. I know that I spend more money on skin-care, cosmetics, and the like than I ought to. It isn’t essential. But, that is not how women think! We want to look good, no, we want to look great. And the older we get, the more need there is for Creme de la Mer ($100 for 1 oz.), Prevage, the perfect foundation, and the like.
Now, the question is this. Does the shampoo and conditioner that costs $30-$50 improve the condition of your hair more than the bottle that costs $6 or $7? I think that depends. It depends on the conditon of your hair. If you have normal hair, I really don’t think it makes a difference. If you have oily hair, I don’t think it makes a difference. I think it makes a difference if you have extremely dry hair, and then I think only the conditioner matters. The common ingredient in every shampoo is sodium laureth sulfate. Thiat is the active cleansing ingredient in all shampoo. Besides that, perfume, oils, preservatives and colors are added. It varies from brand to brand. The whole purpose of shampoo is to clean the hair. And by the way, isn’t hair dead anyway! Conditioners will matter because some make it easier to comb you hair after you have washed it. Conditioners matter proportionally to how unruly your hair is.
Right now, I’m satisfied with a conditioner from Costco. That didn’t prevent me though from purchasing the Davines’ Love shampoo and conditioner at Vidal Sassoon. They contain an Indian fig extract. That has to be good for your hair, right? Besides, they come from Italy, and I love anything Italian!
Two questions - what if you are bald? Does a good shampoo clean the bald pate as well as a less expensive shampoo? And what about hair in the pubic region (men or women)? Good questions, eh?
I prefer Bed Head shampoo products myself, and on occasion have been known to dabble in the less costly Trader Joe’s shampoo and conditioner. The problem with the latter is their once delightful cherry blossom shampoo has been discontinued for some mad reason!!
Anyway, much to discuss in the shampoo realm - I’m happy you brought up this controversial topic.
HP
Mr. Pepperpots, you are hilarious! Where do you come up with these things?
Ursula, you are so right. I mean hair is just dead right? How can it be made to be alive? It can’t right? So just clean it with a gentle soap, and then get something to get the oils back into it. Am I right?
Janice
You are just too funny Pepperpants!
Thank for the kind compliments, you amazing females, you! I think you bring up fascinating points on human hair - perhaps a medical professional might be better qualified for these types of things, but I will take a whack at it.
I feel the human hair needs to have a certain luster and sheen to it, no? If cheap shampoo is used, such as a dog or cat flea type, no doubt this sheen will not be so great as the high-quality salon products the host recommends.
While dead, a gentleman, such as myself, does not want to see a woman with dried, lifeless, corpse-like hair hanging down like the Mythical Gardens of Armida (Renaissance reference, for the rubes who may be reading).
Hair is quite important to we males, so you females need to fox it up every now and again. Work on your hair’s beauty, your lips should be properly smeared from time to time in lipstick, and for heaven’s sake, don’t forget your buttocks!
Do all the above and males will circle around like the proverbial buzzards. I guess that in itself would be proof positive hair is dead, eh?
Good day!
Herr Pepperpots