Dissatisfied with high end hair products

[Anonymous]

I have tried Phyto and Kerastase and they just don't do it for me. I have thick, color treated hair that tends to be dry not oily...The conditioners were not heavy enough for my hair and the amount you get for the price is ridiculous.

Does anyone else have a good product (in any price range)? Fragrance is important to me, too. It has to smell good, but not overpowering!

[Anonymous]

High end hair products are a delusion designed by the cosmetics industry to take your money. Go to the drugstore and look at the Pantene Pro-Vs. Choose the one that's appropriate for your hair.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, PP, I too saw that 20/20 episode. Thank you for the tip on Pantene.

[Anonymous]

I love the Organix brand shea butter conditioner. It's the only thing that makes my dry hair behave. However, I dislike the smell of it, and to me it seems to linger--though maybe I'm just oversensitive to it, and someone else wouldn't find it as overpowering as I do. (Yes, they make other scents of conditionner, but while they're good, only the shea butter is magic.)

[Anonymous]

13:44 here: Forgot to say, I buy Organix at CVS or Target, $6-$8/bottle.

[Anonymous]

The thing you want to avoid in shampoo/conditioner is laurel sulfates.
It causes you to need coloring more often. I believe Pantene has them.

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem! Once in awhile, I will rinse my hair (after conditioner) with vinegar and water (25% vinegar to 75% water). It makes my hair shinier (although it is still coarse).

[Anonymous]

I have thick wavy hair and even though it is pricey, the Bumble & Bumble Super Rich Conditioner is worth its weight in gold for me (and I find it is really thick so I don't need to use a ton of it). I alternate using it and L'Oreal Vive in the light pink bottle (the one for long curly wavy hair if I can find it, but the one for dry/damaged hair if I can't find the wavy version). I've tried a ton of drugstore and not-drugstore conditioners (probably enough that I have wasted more on them than if I had just stuck with what I know works for me no matter the cost) and I know it all depends on your hair, but this is my routine right now

I also mix some cheaper conditioner (usually one that has failed for me) in with my shampoo when I wash, and that helps a little with dryness, too. I also don't wash every day and that helps too (just rinse and condition in between washing).

[Anonymous]

I used to think the high-end shampoos were BS until I tried Kerastase Age Recharge at the rec of my hairdresser--I am post-partum and losing LOTS of hair. This stuff is AMAZING. I went from handfuls a day of hair to normal hair shed in one month. Now, I won't be shelling out for it once my hair is back to normal, but this stuff is great. I have tried the Pantene version (Time Renewal)--the jury is out on this one--just started a tube once my Kerastase ran out. I generally do like Pantene shampoos etc. because they have nice fragrance.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I should add that I used to think that conditioner was the most important of the two steps. It is not, apparently. I have very thick, fine, wavy to curly hair and have always thought it needed a good thick conditioner. Since using the Kerastase shampoo my hair is in much better condition. I have been using pantene or redken as a conditioner--but its really just a creme rinse to get the comb through.

[Anonymous]

Op, i hear your pain....the only thing that works for me in the Frederic Fekkai RX protein mask. Does not matter what shampoo you use first, use this after shampooing and rinse off. Make my hair really soft. It's $$$ but worth it. I think Neimans carries it, as does Bellacara in Old town.

[Anonymous]

I had an epiphany when I moved overseas and had no access to all the anti-aging and specialty products I was familiar with (I lived in a non-English speaking country, so I couldn't read the labels): non of that crap works. I now use very basic (and cheap!) products.

For hair, I've had surprising success with Herbal Essences.