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Recently, I shared my definitive verdict on how often you should wash your hair.
Now, it's time for the next hair-related hill I'll die on: supermarket haircare versus salon haircare.
It's an age-old question… is salon shampoo better for our hair than supermarket shampoo?
Watch: The supermarket 'pre-shampoo' product that rocked our world, post continues below.
For 20 years — as long as I've been a beauty journalist — I've been a big advocate for supermarket (AKA affordable) shampoo and conditioner.
I'm of the opinion that it's impossible to lump entire retailers, or price brackets, into a black-and-white category of 'good' and 'bad'. Oftentimes we're made to feel like salon products are pricey because they are better, and supermarket ones are bad because they're cheap.
This theory rarely rings true for anything else, so why would it be true for haircare?
Sure, 'you get what you pay for' applies in situations like second-hand cars and fancy hotel rooms, but with fashion and beauty, it's different. You can pay $300 for a designer knit that balls and pills after a few wears, yet a $50 one from Uniqlo still looks brand new a year later.
Skincare is a good example, too.
There are incredible serums and moisturisers available that definitely fall in the 'Savey' category — it all comes down to formulation and distribution — if a brand makes big volumes of a product, it can be made at a much more affordable price.
Listen to the latest You Beauty podcast below or watch You Beauty on YouTube.
Each brand will differ, regardless of the price point. There are so many factors at play, so I never judge a book by its cover. Or in this instance, a shampoo by its RRP.
In reality, the quality and results will come down to the brand, ingredients and suitability for your hair type.
So no, I don't think supermarket shampoo is "bad" for your hair. In fact, my hair prefers it. Each to their own!
Here's my edit of supermarket and chemist haircare buys that are some of the best products I've used in my years as a beauty editor.
Pantene Pro-V Miracle Collagen Mask (formerly Pantene Miracle Shots), $15.
Image: Coles.
My Soda Australia Balanced Shampoo (for oily-prone hair), $10.
Image: Woolworths.
My Soda Australia Balanced Conditioner (for oily-prone hair), $10.
Image: Woolworths.
TRESemme Leave-In Serum Cream, $23.
Image: Woolworths.
Garnier Fructis Coconut Water Shampoo for Oily Roots and Dry Ends, $16.99.
Image: BIG W.
John Frieda Profiller Thickening Shampoo, $20.99.
Image: Chemist Warehouse.
John Frieda Profiller Thickening Conditioner, 20.99.
Image: Chemist Warehouse.
Got2b Guardian Angel Heat Protection Spray, $15.
Image: BIG W.
Toni & Guy Strength Plex Bond Repair Mask, $19.
Image: Coles.
What do you think of supermarket shampoo? Are you a fan? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
Feature image: Supplied.
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