Question about hair products

**Miss Z** · 04-10-2012, 10:40 AM

I think it's very much down to the individual as to what works best. I have fine, poker straight hair that often lacks volume, and splits easily. I tend to use a combination of Kerastase (recommended to me by my London stylist) and Alterna (recommended by my home stylist) and that seems to keep it healthy and bouncy. When I use general supermarket products, the outcome is fine but I don't get the lift that I get from the professional products.

I have a few products in my cabinet that are reserved for special occasions, since they work really well on my hair for a short period - but they cost an arm and a leg! Hence I'm not so keen to have 'perfect' hair every day

Sometimes I think the 'wow' factor plays an overactive part in new hair products. I've had stylists sell me products before that they've believed to be wonderful. Once I've used it a few times, the effect loses its novelty and I stop noticing it. I have too many half empty bottles at the back of the cabinet and just my handful of regulars at the front - one day I'll learn!

**Freedom** · 04-10-2012, 10:46 AM

I use shampoo and conditioner. Must say no animal testing on it, and the fewer long chemical names, the better.

**moosmom** · 04-10-2012, 11:21 AM

I don't use any of that salon stuff. WAY too expensive. Besides, it's been proven that you can get the same results from the products you can get for less at a CVS or the like.

My hair is short so I use Suave shampoo on it and, once in a while, I actually condition it. With Suave conditioner!!

Kim,

"I've been having good results with Garnier products, which my hairdresser gasped and told me was junk. She put Redken stuff in my hair - which ended up looking just like the 'do I get from the Garnier."

I think you just answered your own question, Kim. Besides, hairdressers are supposed to push hair care products on their customers.

**caseysmom** · 04-10-2012, 11:22 AM

If I use an over the counter conditioner in my hair I can't get a comb through it unfortunately. I have luck with matrix smoothing shampoo and conditioners. I use to be able to get them for decent prices at jcp but they have changed everything. I use a little hairspray and i don't need the good stuff for that.

I think makeup is the same...some things like foundation I buy the good stuff but for mascara and eyeliner revlon is fine.

**pomtzu** · 04-10-2012, 11:37 AM

My beautician is my former DIL, and she knows better than to try to sell me on any products in her salon (since I'm so poor

), but just advises me what NOT to use that I buy OTC. The biggest no-no is Suave!!!

I use both shampoo and conditioner, and I use both of the same brand (and matched formula) since they seem to work better that way. I have been using Garnier, but it seems to be drying my hair out too much, and the color I put in my hair isn't lasting as long using that too. I just switched to Clairol Herbal Essences - Color Me Happy - for color treated hair, so I'll see how that works out. Since Tammi (dil) recommended the Clairol hair color for me to use at home, I figure the Clairol products for color treated hair would do good. We'll see. And since my hair is baby fine, I do use a styling gel - Pantene for fine hair. I does good and isn't sticky and weighty like some I've tried.

Before I started coloring my hair and it was mostly silver, I used Pantene Silver Expressions which did a great job of keeping it silver, with no brassy or dirty yellow look to it. And it didn't give me "blue" hair (or violet) like you see on some of these little old ladies that have just had a hair treatment.

**Taz_Zoee** · 04-10-2012, 01:23 PM

The only "good" stuff I use is the shampoo and conditioner. I use color care Biolage (or whatever it is called now). The rest of the junk I put in my hair is from Target.
Gel - mixed with water - is LA Looks
Mousse and Hairspray is Suave.
And after my shower at night I spray Infusium 23 leave in conditioner - also from Target.

My hairdresser always comments on how healthy my hair is. I get it permed (yes, I'm a child of the 80's

) and colored both at least once a year. People always think my hair is naturally curly. HA, fooled them!

Bruce uses Nioxin shampoo and conditioner (for his thinning hair) and our hairdresser always talks him into some overly priced wax to use. But most of the time he gives it to us at cost, since Bruce and him have been friends for years!

**happylabs** · 04-10-2012, 01:41 PM

I have really thin stick straight hair too. I got my mother's hair. I wish I had gotten my father's hair. At age 90 he still has a beautiful thick head of pure white hair.

I'll have to get a headshot pic of dad posted with his beautiful hair.