Are Expensive Shampoos and Conditioners Worth It?
You can pick up a bottle of shampoo for a pound, or spend well over a hundred — and it’s a fair question whether the expensive end makes any real difference to your hair. The honest answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Here’s a straightforward, unbiased look at it, from the team at Wisteria Avenue in Abingdon.
It depends on your hair — genuinely
Before spending more, it’s worth asking yourself why you’d need to. “Good” shampoo doesn’t sit at a fixed price point — what matters is whether the product does the job *your* hair needs.
If your hair is fine, in good condition, not coloured, and doesn’t need frequent washing, there may be no real benefit in changing your routine at all. A reasonable supermarket shampoo can serve that hair perfectly well. We’d genuinely rather tell you that than sell you something you don’t need.
It’s a different story if your current products are leaving your hair dry, fading your colour, irritating your scalp, or simply not performing. That’s the signal that either a change of product, or a step up in quality, is worth considering.
What actually separates cheaper and better products?
Budget products serve a purpose — up to a point. But generally, you do get what you pay for. Cheaper shampoos often rely on formulas that give an artificial shine on the first wash, and contain harsh foaming agents that can strip colour or coat the hair for a short-lived finish. Over time those tend to dry hair out faster, and even products branded as colour-protecting may not protect as well as you’d assume.
If you’ve ever left a salon with beautiful, glossy hair and watched that finish fade within days or a couple of weeks, a poor choice of home products is very often the reason.
What should you spend?
It comes back to four honest questions: what’s your goal, what condition is your hair in, are you paying a premium for colour, and — most importantly — are you happy right now? If you’re genuinely satisfied with your hair, there’s no need to change anything. You can probably always improve results, but “could” and “need to” aren’t the same thing.
If you do want better results, you don’t have to spend a fortune. Our JOICO shampoos run from roughly £14 to £19 a bottle, with travel sizes around £6. And it’s worth knowing that you tend to need less product per wash with a quality range — so a bottle lasts longer, and the higher upfront cost isn’t quite the difference it first appears.
Honest, unbiased advice in Abingdon
If you’re unsure whether your hair would actually benefit from a change of products, just ask. Our stylists will give you a straight, unbiased recommendation — including telling you if your current routine is fine as it is. Pop in or mention it when you book; have a look at our price list for what else we offer.
