You have just finished with your hair appointment, at you favorite Chattanooga local salon as you walk up to the front desk and admire your fresh new hair color; your hairstylist mentions your hair feels a little dry and recommends a shampoo for you. Usually you don’t purchase shampoo at her salon but you begin to browse only to get a case of sticker shock when you pick up the bottle and the label says $22.
As you slam it back down on the shelf, you begin to wonder…just what makes a bottle of shampoo $22?
Here are some answers to what makes the average bottle of shampoo in Chattanooga, Tennessee so pricey:
One: Salon products are more concentrated meaning, you will need less of it. You can purchase an 8oz. bottle of salon shampoo and with daily washing, it should last you minimum of 6-8 weeks. Over the counter brands aren’t as concentrated causing you to use more shampoo. One only needs on average about a teaspoon of salon shampoo, basically you’re wasting it if you use more.
Two: It’s the quality of ingredients that make or break a shampoo. All shampoos have basic ingredients. The most important ingredient in a shampoo is the surfactant. The surfactant helps the cleaning agents lather. Most contain a cheaper substitute, or a common foaming agent found in hair products that can lead to color fading. Also keep in mind, all that lather isn’t necessary to get the hair clean. Squeak in this case, is not good.
Three: Over the counter shampoos contain lower quality, cheaper ingredients that are used to create mass amounts of a certain product. Thus lowering the price of these shampoos. Salon shampoos use essential oils, that help gently cleanse the hair and scalp, protect from color fading and breakage from heat appliances that are used daily.
Four: The number one reason hair color fades is lack of a quality shampoo. We need to stop listening to commercials that sell us on models with beautiful, long, shiny locks, most of which have hair extensions and lighting to make hair look that good and start reading the bottles.
Five: The build up is often so bad from these products; most hairdressers have to take special precautions just to do a simple hair color.
Ultimately, the choice of product is always dependent on the user and your hairdresser will provide answers, but if you are currently using a over the counter product consider these factors. At least educate yourself on what you are putting on your hair especially if you receive a hair color service.
Your hair is an investment and with that investment I am a strong believer in protecting that investment with professional quality products. Why spend a bundle to have your hair colored and not follow up with proper at home maintenance, to have it wash down the drain?
