[kyliebrailyn]

I have a question for all the hair dressers out there. We all know that it's possible to get cheap/free shampoo/conditioners, but my hair dresser has always told me to not use cheap shampoo/conditioners. I do have highlighted hair, but I know that they make formulas sold at drugstores/grocery stores marketed as colorsafe. So for the hair dressers out there- what are your opinions? Are there any brands that you recommend that can be bought at a grocery store, or do you prefer salon only? It is just so hard for me to spend $40 on shampoo/conditioner!! Thank you!

[mturner85]

When I was in beauty school, they drilled into our heads that we are never to use "otc" shampoo. Honestly....I like Sunsilk. Shhh don't tell anyone! . I usually buy Matrix, only because I can get it at a great price for the huge bottles. During the Sunsilk deal a while back, I stocked up and LOVE it.

[herold314]

When I was in school they told us that the shampoos and conditioners were just a coating on your hair to give the appearance of looking healthier but the only real way to have healthy shiny hair was through your diet. They just push the salon products for profit (IMO). I have used every kind of shampoo/conditioner out there. My aunt used to own a beauty salon and our christmas present were always hair care products. Honestly I really LOVE the sunsilk too! The one for color treated har is by far one of my favs.

[SLance68]

Not a hair dresser but I have been coloring my hair for years (gotta lotta gray to cover) and I LOVE Loreal Pro Vive. I have long, thin, fine hair and it is the ONLY product I can use that after a shower I can comb through my hair with NO knots. The color lasts the same amount of time if I use Vive verses Paul Mitchell, Redken and Matrix - have tried them all and the color lasts the same amount of time.

[kimmyann123]

i really really love the bioinfusion!!!!

[Anissa]

I use/buy both pro and OTC shampoo/conditioner.
I switch between the two, OTC to save money and pro to get a 'deeper' clean.

We have seen/bought Biolage in Grocery/Department stores.. Wish there were coupons.

[puglyduckling]

Not a hairdresser but cousin is and she's been doing my hair for years. The real cheapies are no-no's...VO5, Suave, etc. And Pantene makes your hair look great only because it contains wax that coats your hair to make it smooth and shiny as some other shampoos do too.

She keeps me supplied with salon shampoos and conditioners using her disount with sales but I also use Dove, Herbal Essences, and Garnier Fructis when my salon stockpile is depleted (and DH and DSs use this- they don't appreciate the high-end stuff ). Although recently she got me Matrix Biolage shampoo and conditioner (1 liter of each) for $13. She's a gem!

I also flat-iron my hair every day so she gets me Sexy's Remedy and Frizz Eliminator at dirt cheap prices too (I this stuff!!!)

Shampoo and conditioner can only account for so much...it depends how often you wash your hair, whether it's chemically treated, if you blowdry or use curling iron/flat iron, sun exposure, and, as another poster mentioned, diet. Pregnancy also has an affect on your hair too.

[save4blondie]

I'm not a stylist but OMGosh my hair was breaking it was so dry. The solution was to wash my hair only 2x a week. If it gets greasy, sprinkle baby power on your roots. This sounds gross but the natural oils build up and heal your hair. I switch between pro and otc too (buy pro on sale from Beauty Brands when its $10 a liter). I was told to always put some kind of styling product on your hair before applying heat, it acts as a guard.I use Walmarts Revlon Permanent Hair color and try to avoid bleach highlights. To smooth frizz,BioSilk Beads works wonders, can find on ebay.
Goodluck

[cindyloo]

I love Loreal Vive too! Have used the one for colored hair for years! I sprinkle baking soda into shampoo before applying to hair. This gets all of the gel, mouse, hair spray out! Sounds wierd but it works! I am not a stylist either!

[Tamara]

Well, I've been doing hair for 10+ years, the majority of the time specializing in color and texture only. Personally, I don't use any of the OTC shampoos or conditioners. I DO buy them to sell at my garage sale though (I know, a bit hypocritical...) Now that being said, in my recent couponing quest I've been on I have tried some of the OTC shampoos and conditioners and have been unimpressed and ended up using one or two uses out of a bottle and letting the rest go to waste.

The bottom line is this, all shampoos will get your hair clean but it's what it's doing besides cleaning your hair that counts. Now if that's not important to you, go ahead and use whatever. If your hair is color treated though and especially if you are having it done in a salon you need to think of it as an "investment." If you use not so great shampoo and conditioner your color may not last as long and/or not keep your hair in optimal shape. I do truly believe that it's important to care for your hair properly and sometimes that does cost a bit more. If spending a more will increase the longevity of your color service and keep your hair in good shape to be able to support coloring it frequently then I say spend more. I don't think you need 50 things to do that though. I would never send my clients home with more than they truly needed unless it's something they just purely wanted to buy on their own.

I hope that helps some!

[boyzrus]

I have colored hair and have started going to Sally Beauty Supply to get shampoo for color treated hair. I have used the OTC brands and it seems like it affects my color in that it fades and turns kind of orangish. I have lots of red in my hair and have to have someone do my highlights or my hair gets orangy.

Sally Beauty Supply has a member program where you can get a discount card. I get my shampoo, conditioner and hair wax there. The stylist recommends Bed Head, but I get the Sally brand. I use a stick, like deodarant that I use at my roots and the Sally brand is half the price of the Bed Head.

Mary

[vavcon3]

Originally Posted by SLance68

Not a hair dresser but I have been coloring my hair for years (gotta lotta gray to cover) and I LOVE Loreal Pro Vive. I have long, thin, fine hair and it is the ONLY product I can use that after a shower I can comb through my hair with NO knots. The color lasts the same amount of time if I use Vive verses Paul Mitchell, Redken and Matrix - have tried them all and the color lasts the same amount of time.

Absolutely LOVE the Loreal Color Vive. I've tried everything my stylist told me to buy and wasted a LOT of money. About 3 years ago I switched to the Loreal and I've perfectly been happy ever since.