Giving your hair a good wash is a sacred self-maintenance ritual, just like bathing and brushing your teeth.

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Most of us generally don’t pay much attention to the kind of shampoo or conditioner we use, as we just want to get on with our day. Well, if you’re lucky enough to have a naturally shiny and lustrous mane, you’re probably fine. But some of us really need to put extra time and effort into providing our hair with the subtle care it needs.

On the subject of choosing shampoos and conditioners, finding the right product can be a tricky feat – there are hundreds of brands to choose from and many folks fall into the trap of automatically picking those up which have either been marketed really well or came highly recommended by a friend.

So how do you pick the right shampoo and conditioner? Here are some tips you need to know:

Know Your Hair type

Have you been using a shampoo this entire time that’s formulated for a hair type other than yours? In order to properly cleanse your hair, it is important that you know what kind of shampoo is ideal for you.

You might have stepped out of the shower with your hair feeling unusually frizzy or oily. Well, you’re probably not using the right shampoo and conditioner. For example, a creamy conditioning shampoo should never be used on fine hair. Here’s how you choose the right shampoo + conditioner combo according to your hair type:

• Fine hair is often oily as well to a certain degree. What you need is a clear and gentle shampoo which is marked for volume and daily/frequent use. Forego the creamy ones completely.
• On the other hand, creamy shampoos are ideal for dry and coarse hair and you should especially pair yours with an appropriate conditioner.
• Frizzy hair demands more conditioner use than shampoo in order to get that soft, natural look. Condition after every other shampoo wash. In fact, combine with a weekly hot oil treatment for even better results.    

Read Those Labels

Since you’re putting a chemical cleaning solution on something as precious as your hair, it pays to read labels and see what’s gone into your shampoo or conditioner. Ingredients can make all the difference so pay attention to what they’re made from.

Does your shampoo contain a mild cleanser such as sodium laureth sulfate or stronger cleaning agents like ammonium lauryl sulfate? Always check the front of the bottle to make sure the shampoo or conditioner is marked for your particular hair type. Avoid generic ones that say “suitable for all hair types”, unless you have 100% normal hair that hardly requires any care; something, which frankly speaking, many of us just don’t.  

Price – The More You Pay, the Better?

Dishing out $50 on an attractive looking bottle of shampoo might seem like a good idea at the time, especially one that’s popular through word of mouth and clever marketing. However, is there truly much of a difference between a pricey bottle of shampoo from a salon and a $10 one you can pick up from the local grocery store or online retailer? Well, there’s no easy answer to this. The foaming agents in some budget shampoos can really wreak havoc on your hair, though some economically priced ones have really great quality. It comes down to which brand works best and your hair type, to be honest.  

There are a number of great brands you can find at quality drugstores and online retailers. Know your hair type and try a few brands out.

Caution: Shampoos Containing Sulfates

Irrespective of your hair type, if you live an organic lifestyle and want everything to be natural, right down to your shampoo and conditioner, go with sulfate-free ones.

Sulfates are cleaning agents in shampoos that give you that rich, creamy lather. Over time, we’ve come to accept that high-lather shampoos are automatically good for our hair. However, a number of health experts point out that foaming agents in these shampoos such as ammonium laureth sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are best avoided.

Check the label on your shampoo before purchase to make sure it’s sulfate-free. If there’s no clue so as to whether it is free of sulfates, it’s probably full of them!

Less is Often More

Ever heard of the “low-poo” method? If you happen to have thick, curly or coarse hair, you may need to use very little, in some cases, no shampoo at all, in order to retain the natural oils in your hair.

If your hair reacts too much to even milder shampoos and is left feeling dry and course, you may need to bypass shampoo altogether. Use conditioners only to soften your hair and make sure you use one that’s specially formulated for your hair type.

Go Natural

The best solution is to go for an all natural shampoo and conditioner. It may not be easy to get one, hence we recommend making your own. Don’t be intimidated. It is as easy as it gets. Check out our blog on coconut oil, which can be used to make your own shampoo and conditioner. You can also use other essential oils to make your own natural solutions.

Natural remedies are considered better and safer since they have no side effects and are also much more affordable.