Shampoo Buying Guide

When it comes to shampoo,  you can't go with the best scent or prettiest bottle. Unlike other beauty products,  the brand popularity or price tag isn't an indication of quality. If you're talking about perfume  or foundation,  you can assume you get what you pay for. When you're shopping for shampoo, that simply isn't the case.

Let's think about shampoo as a health product rather than a beauty product. It should be chosen based on your specific traits and needs, not image or style. For example, if you have long curly hair you won't want to use the same product as your best friend, who has short, fine hair. It simply won't enhance your appearance. If you have dandruff, you don't want to use a clarifying shampoo,  you want a dandruff  or moisturising shampoo. 

Choosing a shampoo  is a personal decision primarily dependent on the type of hair you have and your budget. Other issues such as skin sensitivity, allergies, veganism/vegetarianism and dandruff/dry scalp will also play a part in which shampoo is best for you.

Lets Talk Money

Don't let the price tag determine your choice. Rest assured shampoos don't have to cost a lot to be effective since the purpose is that they cleanse. If you look at the ingredient list on the back of a shampoo bottle you'll notice that one of the first three items listed are inexpensive suds forming cleansers that lift away dirt and oil from the hair shaft: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate,TEA Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. After that, the rest of the ingredients are supplemental and most never have the time to make any difference in the quality of your hair. The bottom line is only spend what you can afford on shampoos and avoid the hype that hikes up cost. Since this is a product that is used nearly every day, you want something that will last and won't break the bank every time you need to buy a new bottle. '

You should also know when (and when not) to go with designer suds. Most shampoos cost less than a fish fry and you can easily select from a large number of products at your local drugstore. Beyond the drugstore brands, you can spend anywhere between two and ten times the cheap stuff costs. These "designer" suds may make that extra difference between a bad hair day and a good one, but only if you happen to have seriously traumatised tresses. While for some, there is no price too high for luxury, the jury is still out on whether or not these pricey counterparts are really better than drugstore brands.

Shopping Smarts

Be wary of product claims! Don't forget that hair is dead. Once it's dead, it's dead. No nourishing, repairing formula is going to restore it to its original state. They may, however, give it a temporary look of health and improvement. You should really read the fine print. On the front of the bottle you see, "It's 90% more effective than other shampoos." When you turn the bottle around you see the statement continues to say that it's 90% effective when combined with the full product line. That means conditioner and styling products too.

Don't be afraid to branch out. Brand loyalty is something manufacturers want you to get in the habit of. Since not everyone produces the best of everything, it's a good idea to avoid being brand loyal unless you have found a great product that you can't bear to not use. Speaking of habits - you should never wash your hair more than once daily. As a matter of fact, it's healthier for you to wait a day or two between washes, if you can hold out. Washing hair twice, as many shampoos suggest, is not necessary. In fact, it will just help dry out your hair more. Especially avoid washing hair frequently if you have dry, damaged or coloured hair.

How to Choose

Besides the cost, what you really want to consider is the type of shampoo and its purpose. Companies claim to give you hair like a supermodel overnight, whether it be with their moisturising formula,  colour-enhancement,  fade-resistance  or volumising  properties. The truth though is that the majority of shampoos all contain roughly the same ingredients and those are what the FDA has approved as being safe for consumer use. That is not to say that the FDA has approved the claims of product manufacturers that chamomile really lightens hair or that anti-oxidants will help protect it from the sun. Your best arm as a consumer is simply knowing which ingredients work best with your hair type. That can make a difference in how you choose a product and how well your hair looks on a daily basis.

Flat/Limp/Thin Hair: Most consumers stick to one shampoo type, but if you use volumising products, whether they be conditioner, shampoo or styling products, it's important to keep a clarifying shampoo  in your shower too. Using it once a week will remove buildup created by volumising products and allow them to do their job better. See the section for oily hair to learn more about clarifying shampoos.

Top Picks for Volumising Shampoos
Rusk Thickr	Biolage Volumathérapie	Pantene Pro-V Full & Thick	Pureology Volume	Thicker Fuller Hair Revitalising

Oily Hair: Oily hair should be washed daily with a clarifying shampoo that will reduce build-up.

Top Picks for Clarifying Shampoos
Phytocedrat	Neutrogena Anti-Residue	Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo	Alberto Vo5 Clarifying Shampoo	Altobella ClayPac Betaclar Shampoo

Dry/Damaged Hair: Look for thick, creamy shampoos, preferably with mild detergent agents in them, if any. If you also get frizzies or have curly hair, consider alternating between a moisturising and a frizz-fighting shampoo. Below you can see top picks for both types of shampoo.

Top Picks for Moisturising Shampoos
Beauty Without Cruelty Moisture Plus	Redken All-Soft Shampoo	Bumble and Bubble Sunday	Pureology Hydrate	Darphin Cream Shampoo with Olive

Top Picks for Frizz-Fighting Shampoos
Matrix Curl Life	Phytobrush Shampoo	Tigi S Factor Smoothing Shampoo	Rusk Calm Shampoo	Nexxus Therappe

Colour-Treated Hair: There are several "colour-enriching" products on the market, but hype aside, they won't actually increase the colour already in your hair. 

Top Picks for Colour Care Shampoos
John Freida Brilliant Brunette	Clairol Shimmer Lights	Frederic Fekkai Platinum Brightening	ISO Colorpreserve	ARTec Blondes

Dandruff - A Horse of a Different Colour

If you have dandruff, a dandruff shampoo  really is something you really should have. These are some popular brands that make dandruff shampoos mentioned in the shampoo review by ConsumerSearch.com.

• Denorex : Known for its anti-dandruff formula, this is an extremely drying shampoo that combines both salicylic acid and a drying agent.
• Head and Shoulders : The dandruff shampoo is inexpensive and contains an anti-fungal element to help control mild to moderate dandruff.
• Herbal Essences : The clarifying shampoo and moisturising formulas have shown good results, but the replenishing and dandruff-relief have proved to be less than satisfactory. The difference between the various types is minimal except for the colour and fragrance.
• Neutrogena : This long standing company has consistently been a crowd pleaser. The Anti-Residue formula, produced since 1980, is still popular with consumers. The coal tar T/Gel Formula is also famous for being an anti-dandruff remedy (to be used only with severe symptoms).
• Pert Plus : This is often the first brand that comes to mind when you think of combination shampoo conditioners although many other companies have followed suit. This type of shampoo is suitable for normal and mildly dry hair that is short and of medium thickness.

Related Buying Guides

Conditioners	Hair Styling Products	Hair Dilemmas & Solutions	Flat Irons	Men's Hair Care