How To Choose The Perfect Shampoo Once And For All: Pro Tips

Composition and function of shampoos

Shampoo is usually composed of water and surfactants, as well as thickeners, preservatives, colors, fragrances and stabilizers. Surfactants are responsible for cleaning hair from dirt, dust and sebum. Also, in the composition of shampoos, we can observe extracts of various herbs, oils and other plants and their derivatives, which serve as a kind of marketing ploy that attracts customers. In fact, all this does not work. Shampoo exists in order to wash the hair, to cleanse – this is its only, but very important function.

When and how often to use sulfate-free shampoos

Some time ago, everyone was chasing sulfate-free shampoos, not realizing that lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the very detergent that cleanses the skin and hair of impurities. Sulfate-free shampoos have a place to be, since, for example, a more gentle effect is recommended for dyed hair, but you cannot thoroughly cleanse the scalp with a sulfate-free shampoo.

Some people start using this shampoo and complain that it is not suitable for them: it is addictive, the skin is oily, dandruff or other problems such as itching appear. The reason is that your skin remains unwashed because the main detergent is missing. You just apply lather or liquid and spread it all over your hair, but you don’t cleanse your scalp. When using sulfate-free shampoos once a week, be sure to wash your hair with regular sulfate shampoo.

When choosing a shampoo, you should:

1. Seek advice from your hairdresser.

2. Build on these hairs: dyed or natural, curly or straight, oily or dry.

3. Determine what your goal is. Remember that shampoo has one function – to cleanse the scalp and hair, so don’t get too attached to it.

In my work, I use 3 types of shampoos:

• deep cleaning shampoo with a high pH level – from 7;

• neutral shampoo with a pH level of 5, which is suitable for absolutely everyone;

• acidic shampoo with low pH – this shampoo, designed for professional work (color stabilization), will very gently cleanse the hair and keep the hair color longer.

We offer our clients mainly shampoos with a predominantly pH of 5,5, and very rarely a lower one. A high ph is recommended if necessary, after consulting your hairdresser.

Consistency and smell

Shampoo can be of absolutely any consistency. As a rule, professional shampoos are medium thick. It all depends on the concentration of water and other substances in the product. But no need to pay attention to whether the shampoo is thick or liquid. For example, I even use a powdery shampoo that you put on your hands, moisten with water, lather and apply to the scalp.

As for the smell, it should be pleasant to you personally. There are brands that focus on natural ingredients in the composition. In these cases, the odor may be mild.

Cost

The price of the shampoo is not that important. But I recommend choosing products from professional brands with a rich history that work with quality raw materials. I advise you not to buy shampoos in the mass market, but only in professional stores and follow the advice of your hair master.

Recommendations for choosing a shampoo for different hair types

For dry and damaged hair:

The shampoo can be exactly the same as for any other hair type, but the subsequent steps of care should be different.

For colored and highlighted hair:

All regenerating and moisturizing shampoos, cleanses the hair in order to ensure the smooth penetration of masks and conditioners, which, in turn, complete the care. The shampoo itself will not work. Consider that you just washed your hair.

Shampoos for colored hair we use them because they gently cleanse the hair and help to keep the shade on it. Often these products are sulfate-free. After using them, a conditioner or mask is also needed.

For highlighted, blonde and bleached hair There are two types of shampoos.

• The first type is shampoos without color, aimed at removing impurities of salts, metals and chlorine from the hair, which are contained in tap water. Such shampoos help to preserve the quality of the hair as much as possible and tend to highlight the blond a little.

• The second type is shampoos with purple or blue pigments, which adjust the color, but, unfortunately, tend to dry the hair. The pigment eventually settles in your hair and will need to be removed during subsequent lightening, either with powder or with washes. Therefore, it is better to give preference to conditioners aimed at making your blond cleaner, neutralizing yellowness and redness.

Blondes and those with damaged hair should also be careful with volumizing shampoos as they loosen the scales and can damage the hair. Better to give them up altogether.

Step-by-step instructions for shampooing

1. Moisten hair and scalp thoroughly and abundantly with water.

2. Apply the shampoo to the hand, rub it in the palms until foam forms, add a little water there, apply it to the scalp and massage.

3. We leave on the scalp as much as the manufacturer recommends (usually 1-3 minutes).

4. We wash it off and repeat the same procedure a second time. It is important not to lather or rub your hair when you rinse off the shampoo. There is enough water flow to cleanse the hair. And remember: it is not the shampoo that should rinse the hair well, but the person.

5. Apply 2 times the conditioner or the 1st time the mask, the 2nd time the conditioner. The holding time is indicated on the label, we observe it in order for all the necessary components to work. You don’t need to keep it longer and less.

6. Always finish with a leave-in conditioner or leave-in balm to nourish your hair.

The advice may seem strange to some, but many really do not know how to wash their hair correctly.

Are 2 in 1, 3 in 1 products effective?

In my opinion, 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 shampoos in the mass market are pacifiers. They will not cleanse your head properly and will not benefit your hair. Personally, I really like the new format shampoos – cowshing… This is shampooing with a conditioner, not a regular one, but specially formulated to gently cleanse the scalp. It is suitable for those who wash their hair daily, without drying it out and helping to maintain color for longer. Especially good for colored hair, dry and curly hair.

Just remember to wash your hair with regular shampoo and use quality masks and conditioners once a week.

Best shampoos: expert’s choice

• Paul Mitchel Forever blond shampoo or Joico Blond Life… These shampoos for blondes remove metal salts, bleach and even visually make the hair lighter, cleaner and whiter, and will also help keep the blond clean until the next dyeing.

• Tigi Bed Head Urban Anti+Dotes 2 recovery… Suitable for those with colored or damaged hair. One of the favorites of our clients. Cleans hair well without drying it out.

• Tigi Copyright Care Toning shampoo – one of the few toning shampoos for blondes that gives a cool shade and does not dry hair.

• Tigi Copyright Custom Care Moisture shampoo – universal moisturizing shampoo. Perfect for dyed hair, as it is gentle on color. In the same series there is a conditioner and a moisturizing booster – a real must have, a bestseller and a favorite of our guests.

• Redken All soft mega. A super strong nourishing shampoo suitable for blondes, brunettes and those with damaged hair. It restores well, helps to retain moisture in the hair and does not dry it out.

• Joico K-pak shampoo… It is the basis for deep hair reconstruction using the K-pak system. Also pay attention to Joico for colored hair.

• Covoshing cream Tigi and foam Joico.

Shampoos not worth buying

Based on my experience and observations, I would not buy an anti-dandruff shampoo, since it does not fight the problem, but masks it (dandruff only gets nailed to the scalp). Such a remedy does not solve the problem, giving only a cosmetic effect. If you are faced with dandruff, be sure to contact a specialist and resolve the issue once and for all. It is possible that your body simply lacks certain vitamins.

Also, I would not buy shampoos from the mass market, since the composition may contain aggressive surfactants that cause an allergic reaction.

Reasons why no shampoo is suitable

1. If you experience itching and dandruff, pay attention to how you rinse off the shampoo. You may be in a hurry. The shampoo must be washed off thoroughly (until the hair squeaks!).

2. The shampoo may not be right for your scalp type. The result is a response to a specific component. With this question, you must definitely contact a trichologist (or even an allergist, endocrinologist, gynecologist).