Both professional and non-professional companies are forever formulating what they tout as safer, more effective shampoos with specific ingredients for specific purposes. The bottom line is that there are few differences between some and many with others when choosing between pricey professional salon shampoos and store shampoos. On a basic level, they are all designed to wash the hair and the scalp and are all made of similar basic ingredients, but after that many things change. Some people splurge on expensive shampoos for the same reasons wine lovers fork over big for premium wines. All have similar effects, but in the end, if you understand ingredients, quality and process, you will have a better appreciation of the taste and flavour notes. What's important to you in a shampoo might not mean anything to someone else—so focus on a few factors that matter to you. Understanding things like ingredients, quality and process helps choose products that will work best for you and your budget.

Shampoo Performance

The first thing a consumer wants to know is, "Does it work?" For many folks, buying shampoo at the salon is a luxury at a cost they can't justify. We've all had the experience of visiting a friend who had "the good stuff" in her shower, and chances are good that you snuck a drop or two. You may or might not have noticed any difference. Many variables are at play here, namely your hair and your water. Your hair's texture and condition affect how the shampoo's ingredients perform, and so does the water you use to rinse the shampoo. Hard water with lots of minerals doesn't rinse as easily as soft water and leaves substances in your hair that affect how it feels and holds a style. The best thing to do is an experiment. Ask your stylist if she has samples you can try, and compare how they perform or go with their recommendation. Many salons have great return policies if the product is not right for you.

Shampoo Value

When defending the price of professional shampoos, a stylist will almost always tell you that salon shampoo is more concentrated. You use less per session so it lasts longer and so the cost difference isn't really as great as it would seem. This can be true. Salon shampoos might contain the same ingredients as their off-brand counterparts, but the concentrations of these ingredients are not the same. You've seen the gallon-sized jugs of "bargain" shampoo that have the consistency of water, which is evident when you pick one up from that bottom shelf and shake it. That's because much of it is water. Of course, you can't always tell at the store how concentrated shampoo is from the bottle. In that case, check the directions: how much shampoo do they say to use? 

Shampoo Ingredients

Again, what you need from a shampoo depends on your hair and how you want it to behave. Store-bought shampoos tend to have more water, sulphates, and fillers with fewer vitamins, oils, and minerals than salon formulations. If your hair's in great condition and all you want to do is get the oil and dirt out of it, you may not need anything special. If using "gentle" shampoos with fewer fillers, sulphates, and buildup-creating waxes is important to you, then go for it. 

Colour-safe Shampoos

Shampoos that claim not to strip colour typically don't contain sulphates, the ingredients responsible for bubbles. A lot depends on the kind of colour you use, how long it's been in your hair, and other factors. If the foamy experience isn't important to you try one of these shampoos to see how your hair colour responds.

Professional Hair Products vs. Store-Bought

Throughout my career, I've always taken interest in the divide amongst haircutters who have a preference for wet or dry cutting. In most cases, I've heard great arguments for why one is superior to the other. I've gone through phases of experimentation with both and have concluded that there are certain variables at play when cutting hair dry vs. wet and vice versa. Let's take a look at the benefits of each more closely.

Cutting Wet Hair 

Cutting wet hair offers you a great deal of control. This may be necessary when working with heavier densities and coarser textures that may prove problematic when cutting dry. The moisture in the hair acts as both a lubricant and adhesive, binding hair and acting as a sort of detangler, making it easier to part and secure. Wet hair also has greater elasticity than dry hair. This helps the hair to stretch more, resulting in strong shapes that are retained for long periods of time. It is also the recommended method for those precision cuts. As for the downsides, cutting hair wet takes some effort as often you will still have to check the hair when it is dry, which takes time. Wet cutting sometimes makes hair look choppy once it has been dried. This is a balancing act that most stylists encounter. Ask if wet cutting is best for your look and finished style.

Cutting Dry Hair

Cutting dry hair allows your stylist to create softer shapes more easily. In most cases cutting hair, dry allows your stylist to create shape and texturize at the same time. This can be done by pointing or notching into it, a process that is slightly more difficult with wet hair because of its binding properties. Cutting hair dry is ideal for refinement as the effects can be measured in real-time without the weight of moisture, as the hair lives where it is cut. It is for this reason many hairdressers have a preference for cutting hair dry. Trimming, low densities and finer textures are also good conditions for dry cutting as they require less control and may be more easily handled. Maybe a client is reluctant to have their hair cut at all. Dry cutting is a great way to minimize the amount of hair taken off and could be a better fit for these clients than wet cutting. Lastly, cutting hair dry can be done at a fast pace so don’t think the stylist is just being lazy or short of time. Dry cutting often takes greater skill and talent.

There are pros and cons for both wet and dry cutting, and although the case can be made for choosing one over the other, I've found a lot of control in using both when the situation calls for it. Ask the question of your stylist and decide which one or if both might be the magic approach to tame your amazing locks.

Remember your hair is your #1 fashion accessory!