Shampoos & Conditioners

In this month’s Snip Bits, I thought I would share some facts about Shampoos and Conditioners and what set them apart from being a quick grab supermarket purchase vs. a properly prescribed retail product that is more suited to your hair needs.

Now, don’t get me wrong, some supermarket brands, on the face of it, are not too bad but generally speaking, the less expensive the product, the less research & development has gone into creating it. To compensate for the lack of technical input and to generate a decent profit margin, supermarket products, especially shampoos, are loaded with all kinds of cheap nasties like silicon’s, paraben’s, sulphate’s, petro-chemical bi-products and inexpensive perfumes and colouring which permeate the skin on contact and can even cause internal and breathing problems for some sensitive people. Silicones are a favourite ingredient of inferior brand makers which is added to give an initial ‘slip & silky’ feel to the hair but the problem is, silicone builds up very quickly as a sticky coating on the hair. This coating causes all sorts of problems from skin irritations, hair looking flat with an un-washed look and smell to problems when colouring and lightening hair- (which can result in yellowish tones). Hot ironing or blow drying hair that has a silicone built-up can cause irreversible damage as the heat ‘cooks’ the silicone onto the hair shaft and dehydrate the hair from the inside out. Breakage and dullness are also a result. Often these shampoos are nothing more than re-branded dish washing liquid.

I know what you are thinking… Now I have scared the hairbrush out of your hand, I’II try to convince you to rush to your closets Salon and buy hundreds of $$$’s of hair care products. Well… as a Master Stylists, yes, I’m going to do just that! My unwavering recommendation is; your trusted hairdresser is the best person to prescribe the correct shampoos, conditioners and styling products for your needs. Your stylist is not only an expert in their hard earned craft; they have also been educated in the technology of the products they stock and have tested and monitored the results. They will analyse your hair’s physical, chemical and environmental compromises and prescribe with confidence as your hair stylist has a vested interest in looking after the integrity of your hair, happy clients are loyal ones. Yes… Salon products are more expensive than supermarket brands but you are paying for R & D and superior ingredients. Trusted Name Brand product makers choose a combination of science and nature to create their products without testing on animals. Green environment policy Ingredients like botanicals, essential oils, vegan complexes and recycled packaging are now more than ever, the basis of quality hair care product ranges. And if you can choose Australian made, even better. Your hair will thank you by being bouncier and will grow longer, your colour will not fade as much, your blonde will look cleaner and fresher, and you will feel healthier and more confident. All because you invested a little trust and a few more dollars in your home hair care regime …

Happy Hair Day’s Everyone!