It’s the age old question- we get it every day- what’s the best shampoo on the market?
The truth is, there is no simple answer out there. It’s all going to depend on your hair type, color history, or specific concerns you have.
Bleached Hair
Bleached hair has an increased risk of breakage, shedding, and fragility. This is because as we dissolve the pigmentation in hair, whether it’s natural or artificial, the protein content of the hair is also dissolved. Even if you replace the pigment by toning or coloring the hair darker, the protein content can never truly be replaced. It can, however, be strengthened over time with the use of protein-packed haircare, balanced with bond care & moisturizing goodness. Please note that not all protein-focused products are created equal- cheap products yield cheap results, and could even do more harm than good. Your enriched haircare should have vegetable-based proteins, and may or may not use words like “keratin” or “collagen” on the label. Synthetic proteins or animal proteins tends to build up in the hair and can make your strands brittle. Redken’s Extreme line is 100% vegetable based and is a moderately affordable option- we also sell it online in our webstore, shipped right to you! In the salon, our choice is Ritual Salvation by Evo– it’s a luxurious, repairing, ultra-caring option for guests who are serious about keeping their sensitive hair in tip-top shape.
Colored Hair
I know, your hair can be both bleached and colored at the same time. If the majority of your hair is bleached, go with my above recommendations, but if your main concern is maintaining the appearance of your glazed or permanently-colored hair and not necessarily concern over breakage, read on, my little dumpling.
Sulfates are the arch nemeses of color molecules. But they aren’t necessarily evil, and sometimes, they’re a required part of a healthy hair regimen. For your usual wash though, let’s stick to the gentler stuff.
In case you didn’t know the details, sulfates are a category of surfactant- that’s a detergent. They’re very effective at removing dirt and oil, but sometimes, a little too effective. They can strip too much, and take your expensive color along with it. Frequent use of sulfate-based shampoo can also lead to overproduction of sebum (oil). Your scalp works on supply and demand- you take the oil away frequently and completely, so it produces more to overcompensate. Sulfate-heavy products may also irritate sensitive skin, and worsen conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
If you’re seeking hydrating color care without the sulfates, look into The Therapist by Evo– we sell it at the shop! If you’re looking for one you can order online from our online store, try out Color Obsessed by Matrix.
Dull, Flat, Blah Hair
If you’re feeling a little flat, you need Moroccan Oil Extra Volume shampoo & conditioner to revive you (and maybe a glaze or a cut). If you’re curly, try A Curl Can Dream by Matrix. If your dullness or heaviness can be attributed to product buildup or chronically greasy hair, pick up Hair Cleansing Cream from Redken. All of these options are available on our online store to snag. You might also consider coming by to see if the shape of your haircut is weighing things down, or maybe a scalp detox could help!
Curly Or Frizzy Hair
Depending on your styling preference and other factors, you may do well with the recommendations for colored or bleached hair. If your hair is minimally processed and you like to wear it curly, you might love Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo. If your hair is minimally to moderately processed and you like to wear it blown out some of the time, you could try The Mane Tamer by Evo. If your hair is perpetually unmanageable, consider a keratin treatment at the salon to make your life easier- it takes less time than you think and lasts longer than you’d expect! Ouidad shampoo, conditioner and styling products are available on our online store, while Evo can be found in the salon.
Scalp Health Concerns
Some folks experience long-term difficulty with overproductive sebum glands, dandruff, flakiness or waxy buildup. If a scalp detox has been performed at the salon, and you’ve done what you can to mitigate the growth of yeast on your scalp (not sleeping on wet hair, cleaning your hair implements, washing with regularity- see our previous post about scalp health for more information on that)- it may be time to visit a dermatologist! Some shampoos help with the symptoms of dermatologic diagnoses, but it takes a medical professional to create a plan of action to address the causes.
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