Splurge or Save: Shampoo

Published Jul 5, 2011

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SPLURGE OR SAVE? Verdict: Save!

Lather, rinse and repeat—the shampoo you just used in your hair is now swirling down the drain. Within a few minutes, the product is already washed away, including your dollars. For Beauties with normal and non-chemically treated hair, a drugstore shampoo will be enough for daily use. Drugstore shampoos from such big brands like Pantene and L'Oreal, invest time and money into extensive research on their products (they're classic staples for a reason—they work!). Inexpensive shampoos are comparable to high end ones since the products do the same thing—cleanse!

But there are exceptions to go for a high end shampoo. If you are a die hard fan of a particular salon professional shampoo and really believe that it gives you Jennifer Aniston locks, go for it. You can still rotate in inexpensive shampoos every other hair washing so you're not plowing through your pricey suds too quickly.

If your hair is chemically treated, you should use a product that your stylist has recommended to keep the color fresh. Choosing higher quality shampoos will help preserve the color and protect your strands from stripping.

Also look for shampoos without sodium lauryl sulfate, the chemical that makes hair and body products foam. It may seem like you're getting squeaky clean but sodium lauryl sulfates have been shown to cause skin and eye irritations, hormone imbalances, strip hair color and can be lethal to fresh water fish in the environment (the suds have to go somewhere after you wash them away!). You don't have to go to the salon or health food store to find sulfate-free shampoos. Many great versions are available in your drugstore–just check the labels.

So Beauties, save when it comes to shampoo and splurge on your conditioner instead!