Are Salon Shampoos Better Than Drugstore Brands?

                        Are Salon Shampoos Better Than Drugstore Brands?

                      Sources extrapolated from: google.com, theeverygirl.com

            First, to give you a little bit about my background, I was a salon owner and hairstylist. And I have been involved in the industry since the late 1990’s. I have witnessed firsthand intentionally price gouging clients by doubling, even tripling the original retail price that they purchased the products for. Some salons use the retail sales for the better part of the salon’s income. I was always told when I would ever go and have a business of my own to focus heavily on the retail sales. I have had associates swear up and down that salon shampoos, conditioners, styling aids are that much better than store bought. I always pondered this idea, and now I’m going to uncover the truth in my findings.

            The ongoing war of which is the better bang for your buck between salon purchased products versus drugstore brands is never ending. Knowing that you’re reading this you too have always been wondering what are you paying for with your hard-earned money? If it is a question of performance the salons will make claim that nothing outperforms the brands that they carry. When you go into you see all the brands that were advertised on television while you were watching your favorite program, or movie. The commercials don’t happen to be on just by accident at that time. Marketing had set up focus groups to narrow down what kind of audience they want to appeal to.

            While analyzing the demographics they can determine the age, income, location, race, etc. of whom they need to appeal to. So, it’s not just by chance that you see it on television, then go to the drugstore and low and behold it’s there for the asking. Don’t worry, it’s affordable for you if they have done their homework. Also, the packaging is designed to draw you to the product. Displays are intentionally designed to make this product easily accessible. Have you ever wondered why it was so affordable though? You must wonder when you find products that you would normally find in a salon if it’s the real McCoy or not. Worse yet, it has been in my experience that when I contacted the company and spoke to someone who has authority to make decisions, I alerted him to my findings.

            He in turn told me about product diversion. In short what that means is that between the salon receiving the full shipment, someone took it upon themselves to find another retail outlet where they could make a quick profit. As asked the person in question what steps are they taking to curtain this from constantly happening? The results will shock you and are unfortunately true. You need a strong stomach to read this next passage. You just might wretch. I was told that they went to the drugstore after it had been reported that their products were on display and for sale. They purchased back their products and had them tested in a laboratory. My jaw dropped when he revealed what was under the microscope. Human feces!

            I chuckled under my breath as the term “shit head” came to mind. Lol. But to him it was no laughing matter. This is a well-known, popular salon brand name. The hint is that they are based on in Hawaii. I don’t want to reveal any actual names, I will just give clues to keep your interest here.

            The actual definition for product diversion is “A practice in which products intended for a particular market are diverted to be sold in another, usually without the knowledge/permission of the primary vendor. These are usually outside the brand owner’s approval.

            Drugstore shampoos do have high-grade ingredients but, only small percentages of them. Buyer beware. They contain chemicals which in turn ends up stripping your hair of its natural oils. Essentially, you’re drying your hair out. Which you then start questioning yourself what could be causing this to happen? Have you changed your diet? Are you facing a great amount of stress in your life which has been known to play havoc on your hair, even make it fall out? Products are also known for being diluted with fillers. What they do is make your hair soft, supple. But what they don’t reveal is the trick that they are playing on you by coating the strands of hair with a waxy buildup. On average the hair looks great, but beneath the surface its lacking in hydration, aka, moisture. The latest rage is sulfate-free products, or organic. Long gone are the harsher products used in the past.

            Rule of thumb is that salon shampoos tend to be on the pricier side due to a higher concentration of high-grade ingredients. Nourishing factors like minerals, vitamins and oils are contained in them, but realistically would be far too pricey to carry in the drug stores. Shampoos sold in salons have less fillers, prevent a waxy buildup, and has the penetrability to moisturize your hair from within. Salon shampoos are usually concentrated so you wouldn’t need as much as a drugstore brand to achieve your desired results. In the long run salon products have longevity, quality ingredients and quality ingredients which is the best for your hair.

            Some salon quality names would be, Redken (my personal favorite), L’Oréal, Matrix, Purology, Biolage, and Moroccan Oil brand, just to mention a few. Ideally the ingredients you will want to look for are as follows: Natural ingredients (shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba extract, etc.), vegetable glycerin, oils, 18’MGA, vitamins & minerals, sodium laureth sulfosuccinate.
On the other hand what you need to avoid would be dimethicone, Sd alcohol-40, sodium chloride; aka (salt) not good for all hair types, petroleum, parabens (ethyl paraben, propylparaben)-(cancer causing ), propelyne glycol, and sulfates including (sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate-one of the more prevalent ingredients that you will see, and finally sodium laureth sulfate are no, no’s !

            Did you know that it’s a good idea to alternate between different shampoo brands? I’s true! After awhile your hair will become accustomed to it and you will find the performance to be lacking. Your climate, even body chemistry will influence it. For hair that is oily, sprinkle some baby powder on your hair, brush through it. Brushing the powder through the hair will absorb the excess oil in your hair. Lacking volume? The cure can be found in your kitchen! And it’s even in your refrigerator. The yoke from the eggs only should be used and added to your shampoo, roughly 4-6. Add them to your shampoo. Use your fingertips, the pads, not your nails, to stimulate your follicles. It’s always a good idea to use two different brand conditioners or shampoos. Rules are meant to be bent, not broken. ;)