What makes a good shampoo?

[amdi8]

OK, so I have read this thread about quality shampoos several times. There are lots of recommendations, but what I really want to know is, what makes a good shampoo?

Clearly, the smell is important, but that's not what I'm talking about. What makes a salon shampoo different from Pantene Pro or any other pharmacy shampoo. Or, alternatively, what characteristic should I look for when buying a shampoo?

Any ideas?

 

[swiego]

Honestly, I think it depends on the type of hair?

Mine is very thick, grows quick and family history is that it doesn't disappear. I tend toward every "aggressive" shampoos--I want my hair to be squeaky clean. I strongly dislike shampoos that try to "moisturize" or "hydrate" my hair - all they do is leave my hair feeling oily and heavy. Others might have exactly the opposite opinion.

Another factor, I think, is the type of water you have. Depending on whether you have hard or soft water, different shampoos might behave differently.

 

[Reggs]

High end shampoos dont have detergents in them to build up lather. Lather isnt the mark of how effective a shampoo is, but people are tricked into thinking that it is.

Aside from that, the scent tends to be much better since essential oils may be used instrad of synthetics. Many high end shampoos are also formulated with PH in mind.

Has anyone tried the new Burt's Bees shampoos?

 

[j]

-Cheap
-Cleans my hair and doesn't leave anything on it
-Doesn't make my head smell fruity

Suave daily clarifying shampoo for life.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by j

-Cheap
-Cleans my hair and doesn't leave anything on it
-Doesn't make my head smell fruity

Suave daily clarifying shampoo for life.

+1 for Suave, in general. I use their conditioner.

 

[Joffrey]

i use a conditioning shampoo from kiehls

 

[metkirk]

I dont think shampoo's that important to your hair. What matters is the conditioner you use. I always switch between 2 conditioners every week so that my dry hair don't get accustomed to one type of conditioner.

 

[DNW]

I use Garnier Fructis right now, and while it's decent, I don't trust it. I want something that's made from natural materials that have cleansing qualities. What's a good natural shampoo that doesn't leave chemicals on your hair?

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by Reggs

High end shampoos dont have detergents in them to build up lather. Lather isnt the mark of how effective a shampoo is, but people are tricked into thinking that it is.

Aside from that, the scent tends to be much better since essential oils may be used instrad of synthetics. Many high end shampoos are also formulated with PH in mind.

Has anyone tried the new Burt's Bees shampoos?

Shampoo is suppose to clean, so can you explain how the "high end shampoos" clean without using detergents?

I also use the cheap and big-bottled Suave daily cleanser. I get it something like a 24oz bottle for $1.29 at Walmart.

 

[nerdykarim]

I've been a Suave user for quite some time now (and before that, Pert Plus). I'm such a big fan of their shaving cream, though, that I'm about to place an order for Nancy Boy's shampoo...we'll see how that goes. edit: I just realized I did the exact opposite of answering your question. Honestly, I have no idea what makes a high quality shampoo...I'm just about to try one that is more expensive than the one I currently use to see if it makes my hair feel better.

 

[briancl]

I've never put much thought into shampoo, but my girlfriend will use nothing but good stuff in her hair. In the rare instance that she has to use something else, I can, without a doubt, notice a large difference in how rough/course her hair feels compared to her normal regimen. That said, I haven't made any changes to my shampoo, but maybe I will give it more thought when it's time for a new bottle.

 

[Houndstooth]

Aveda

 

[tiecollector]

Just get one that doesn't use Sodium Laureth Sulfate, it will dry out your hair and irritate the scalp. A months worth of shampoo and conditioner costs me about $4.

 

[Concordia]

Marketing has it that baby shampoo (e.g., Johnson's) is better or at least different.

Is it qualitatively different in any important respect? Or is it just incrementally adjusted from more mainstream formulas?

FWIW I use it occasionally, but have no strong attachments one way or the other. My own current rotation is some of the apparently discontinued formulas from Truefitt & Hill.

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by Concordia

Marketing has it that baby shampoo (e.g., Johnson's) is better or at least different. Is it qualitatively different in any important respect? Or is it just incrementally adjusted from more mainstream formulas? FWIW I use it occasionally, but have no strong attachments one way or the other. My own current rotation is some of the apparently discontinued formulas from Truefitt & Hill.
Can't remember off the top of my head but I was reading that baby shampoo isn't as gentle as you would be led to believe. I'd go with an all natural formula. I just use plain ole Jason's with Jojoba Oil which I get online for a couple bucks a bottle (expensive in the stores).