Choosing the right hair product for your particular hair style and texture can be confusing, especially with the vast array of hair care product advertisements we get bombarded with on a daily basis. With each commercial, glossy ad, and retail display case, companies try their best to convince us that their hair product has what it takes to take our Medusa locks and turn them into tresses fit for the runway. But can they really do all that they promise? And how do you really know which ones are worth investing in and which ones belong in the recycling bin?
Granted, hair products can do wonders when it comes to making your do look the best that it can. But you need to choose the correct products for you or you may find yourself rinsing your money right down the drain with your latest expensive hair care product.
Must have hair products
Depending on your hair type, there are several hair products that are essential for everyone.
* Shampoo: The first thing you need is a good shampoo that is tailored to your specific hair type. You don’t have to spend a lot of money here, but make sure to choose a hair product that doesn't contain any waxy substances. Waxy substances are used in many of the over-counter hair care products on the market today. If you are unsure which ones contain wax, stick with a professional shampoo. Truly professional shampoos can be found in salons only.
* Conditioner: Next, you will need a professional conditioning hair product. If you really need to cut costs by purchasing an over-the-counter hair care product, do it with the shampoo, not with your conditioner. Yes, you may spend a few extra dollars, but your hair will thank you for it. Make sure that your conditioner is tailored to your specific hair type. For example: If you have chemically damaged hair, choose a hair product that is formulated to repair and strengthen damaged hair.
* Styling Products: The final things you will need are various styling hair products. The ones you choose will depend largely on your hair style. A good rule of thumb to follow is this - use;
mousse for light, carefree and blow-dried styles;
gel for curly and wet-looking styles;
pomade for textured, funky and spiked styles.
A hair spray with the desired hold should be used to finish off each style.
Expensive vs cheap hair care products
I’m a firm believer in the phrase "you get what you pay for", but that line seems to get blurred when dealing with professional hair products. Most people believe that when they buy hair products from salons that they are going to end up paying a lot of money for something that they can pick up in the corner drug store for half the price. But this is not necessarily the case.
The main differences between professional and non-professional hair care products are in the QUALITY of the products, not the pricing. I have seen high-quality professional hair products sell for as little as $5 a bottle, the same price that you would pay for many non-professional products. So, you can get a great deal on professional products. The bottom line is that no matter what the price, professional is better.
So, are high-priced professional hair products better than the cheap ones? Surprisingly, the answer is no. While some professional lines may have individual products that are perfect for your hair and well worth the high price tag, most professional hair care product lines, even the inexpensive ones, have everything that you would ever need to make your hair gorgeous.
So, stop looking at the price tag and glamorous ads and start looking at the back of the bottle to find out what hair products are perfect for you. And if in doubt - ask your stylist!