This is a question we get asked quite a lot – and while the short answer is better quality ingredients – we thought we would put together a post so that we can expand on the answer and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision!
All Shampoos are designed to lift the build-up of dirt and the natural oil (sebum) in the hair, however what differs is the effectiveness of this process. There are a lot of chemicals that can be found in hair products – and a lot written about how bad they can be for our hair, skin, and the environment. These chemicals play quite a large part in the price of hair products. Cheaper shampoos and conditioners are generally mass produced, and likely to contain harsher detergents and chemicals – usually in higher quantities. These chemicals – mainly parabens, sulphates and silicones – can irritate your skin, and will strip your hair of their natural oils. They may make your hair ‘look’ healthy, but they don’t actually improve the overall health of your hair.
Professional products on the other hand will contain ingredients like vitamins, oils, and minerals in a much higher percentage than in cheaper high street products. These products are usually in higher concentrations, so you don’t need to use as much product each time you wash your hair. As a result, in the long run while you may have splashed out a bit more on your hair care products, they will actually last longer.
In general, as you go up in price the quality of the ingredients increases too. The cleansing agent will be gentler on the hair and the active ingredients are more natural. These botanicals and organics push up the price, but actually improve the overall health of your hair rather than just giving the effect of healthy hair.
When considering which haircare products to purchase, the health of our scalps are often overlooked. While your hair looking nice and shiny is great, it is important to remember to care for your scalp and follicles so that you can maintain not just the look and feel of healthy hair, but actually achieve healthy hair. Because more care and thought has gone into the ingredients used in salon brand products, your scalp will definitely thank you for paying attention to this and opting for a slightly more expensive option.
Another factor in the price, is of course the packaging. And while you may begrudge paying more for a fancier looking bottle it is a good idea to pay attention to what the packaging has been made of and whether it is biodegradable and recyclable. Many cheap bottles are made from plastic and mass produced meaning they are cheap, but bad for the environment. Look out for products in glass packaging (glass is a naturally derived material that is 100% recyclable, or reusable for any of you up-cyclers out there)!
So, there you have it! Thankfully, these days there are so many different brands and product options, at a range of price points. If you aren’t sure what products to go for, we suggest thinking about your main hair concerns and what ingredients can best help you address your hair needs, as well as always checking the ingredient list & how high the percentage of chemicals is compared to the naturally derived ingredients each product contains.
Photography by JARRED
Hair: @emmacombehair
Makeup: @thatrosieglow
Stylist: @sarahthomsonstyle ⠀⠀
