We’re told that the bottles on the shelves that look “similar” to your favourite salon shampoos (but cost half the price) are just as good as their more expensive rivals. But are they? Well unfortunately the answer is no, they’re usually not. Everybody is constantly looking for ways of making their money stretch further but, when it comes to shampoo and conditioner, you might literally be washing your pounds down the drain if you choose the cheaper alternative.
What is your high street shampoo doing to your hair?
Foam isn’t always fun
When you reach for your shampoo in the morning, after the gym, or before you go to bed, part of the whole experience is the tumble of foam that shows your hair is clean. Now you might be surprised to learn that this is all thanks to one particular ingredient, but it isn’t always as fun for your hair as it is for you. Sulphates are used as the key to dissolving and removing grease from the hair, and also provide you with that wonderful lather. The issue is when too many are used in your high street alternative.
The amount of sulphate in the shampoo is what determines the effect on your hair, and so they’re carefully controlled in the professional salon versions. In the high street brands it’s more about the instant result rather than the long term benefits, and this is why choosing a product that perfectly matches your hair type or concern is so important. The main issues with having too many sulphates in your shampoo is that they can irritate sensitive skin, can weaken already dry hair, and can also cause your dyed hair to lose its colour.
Consistency is the key
The other thing that you’ll often find when you swap your salon shampoo and conditioner for a cheaper alternative is the consistency. The bottle looks full when you buy it but, because it’s more watery, you end up using far more. Salon brands are generally much more concentrated which is why a little really does go a long way, and that is especially true of your conditioner. This is your regular treatment, and the easiest to apply, and so it’s vital that you invest in a good quality one.
Help is at hand
At Sally Beauty we’ve always loved the fact that we offer salon quality products to our customers, which means you can have a professional experience at home. To help you find the perfect pairing of shampoo and conditioner, we’ve chosen some of our favourites that are guaranteed to give you the result you deserve, and still offer incredible value for money.
1. Care for your colour
Sulphates have a habit of lifting the outer layers of the hair in order to deeply cleanse, but this isn’t good for colour treated hair. You want your vibrant cooper or deep brunette to last as long as possible, and so choosing a colour care product from Maria Nila is the ideal choice. Vegan and sulphate free, these will extend the life of your colour whilst caring for your hair at the same time.
Let Maria Nila care for your colour
Exclusive
£23.00
3 FOR 2
<ul><li>Maria Nila Luminous Colour Shampoo</li><li>Keep your hair in perfect condition</li><li>Rebuilds and strengthens from within</li><li>Free from sulphates and parabens</li><li>Reduces the loss of colour</li></ul>
Exclusive
£23.00
3 FOR 2
<ul><li>Maria Nila Luminous Colour Conditioner</li><li>Easily detangles coloured tresses</li><li>Fights static electricity</li><li>Reduces the loss of colour</li></ul>
Exclusive
£12.00
3 FOR 2
<ul><li>Maria Nila Luminous Colour Hair Lotion</li><li>Colour preserving and heat protecting</li><li>Reduces frizz</li><li>vegan ingredients</li><li>Pump-action 200ml bottle</li></ul>
2. Be delicate with dry or damaged hair
If you have hair that has been coloured in the past, been exposed to a lot of heat styling, or have a tendency to dry hair, you need to protect the natural oils that you have and add more. Your go-to range has got to be Olaplex. This revolutionary hair system has taken the world by storm and the results are incredible. Used and loved by professionals, you can also join in at home.
Shop Olaplex today!
Offer
£28.00
BUY 2+ SAVE 20%
<ul><li>No.0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment</li><li>Primes hair to absorb nourishment</li><li>Repairs hair from chemical, thermal, mechanical & environmental damage</li><li>Strengthens the bonds and protects hair structure</li><li>Suitable and beneficial for all hair types</li></ul>
Offer
£28.00
BUY 2+ SAVE 20%
<ul><li>Olaplex patented technology that finds and re-links broken disulphide bonds in the hair</li><li>Helps to increase moisture levels</li><li>Helps to enhance shine</li><li>Colour safe and helps to maintain high quality colour</li><li>Vegan friendly and cruelty free</li></ul>
Offer
£28.00
BUY 2+ SAVE 20%
<ul><li>Olaplex patented technology that finds and re-links broken disulphide bonds in the hair</li><li>Helps to increase moisture levels</li><li>Helps to enhance shine</li><li>Colour safe and helps to maintain high quality colour</li><li>Vegan friendly and cruelty free</li></ul>
Offer
£28.00
BUY 2+ SAVE 20%
<ul><li>Olaplex 8 is a highly concentrated reparative 4 in 1 mask which adds shine & body with intense moisture to treat & smooth damaged hair.</li><li>Highly concentrated and infused with Olaplex's patented bond building technology, no.8's lightweight formula absorbs into the hair to treat damage without weighing it down.</li><li>Clinical results and consumer testing reported 2 x more shine, 4 x more moisture, 6 x smoothness & 94% more body.</li><li>Provides residual benefits that last multiple shampoos.</li><li>Made without sulphates, phthalates, parabens, or gluten. Vegan and colour-safe.</li><li>Brand new airless pump to ensure measured dosing!</li></ul>
3. Easy like Sunday morning
Not everyone has a colour to think about or heat treatment to rectify, and it’s absolutely fine to reach for an everyday shampoo and conditioner. However, you need to make sure that they are gently caring for your hair. Paul Mitchell offers haircare that is free from the big Sulphates that cause the foaming, so it’s perfect if you want a daily cleanse, and they also come in money-saving 1 litre bottles!
Choose your new every day haircare.
£22.29
<ul><li>Hydrates and revives</li><li>Colour-safe formula</li><li>Cleanses, hydrates thirsty hair, plumps up skinny strands and helps repair damage</li><li>Instant Moisture Complex provides superior conditioning</li><li>Helps protect vulnerable hair from the sun</li></ul>
£21.59
<ul><li>Hydrates, revives and detangles moisture-starved strands</li><li>Strengthens, adds elasticity, builds body and repairs damage</li><li>Strengthens the cuticle and improves elasticity</li><li>Makes hair shiny and manageable </li><li>Paraben free, gluten free, vegan, colour safe formula </li></ul>
£39.59
<ul><li>Colour-safe formula cleanses and smoothes hair</li><li>Super Skinny Complex and mild surfactants cleanse hair without stripping</li><li>Reduces drying time and speeds up styling</li></ul>
Offer
£50.99
Save 20% when you spend £50+ or more with code SB2024
<ul><li>Rebuilds and protects</li><li>Colour safe formula repairs and protects worn-down locks</li><li>Rebuilds the internal structure of hair and softens and smooths</li><li>Helps shield strands from damaging UV rays</li><li>Leaves hair soft, smooth and moisturised</li></ul>
Whichever shampoo and conditioner you decide to buy, always remember that it’s actually a daily treatment that you’re giving to your hair. If you invest in a good quality pair then you’ll maintain and strengthen with professional results in the comfort of your own home.