Things Your Hairdresser Won’t Tell You..
Part One
Disclaimer, I do not personally use High Street shampoo & conditioner. I would always recommend investing in a good quality salon brand if you can afford to, as I do feel it’s very worth it! I’ve written about my fav salon brands here & here.
Affordable High Street Hair Care: My Top Picks from Boots Under £15
As a professional hairdresser, I’m often asked about affordable yet effective hair care products that don’t break the bank. The great news is, you don’t need to splurge on high-end, salon-only products to keep your hair healthy and gorgeous! When shopping on the high street, with a bit of digging, you can find budget-friendly options that still offer good results.
This is the order that I prioritise my own haircare spending:
Shampoo
Heat Protection
Conditioner
Treatment
Styling Products
Below are my top shampoo picks, all under £13 and available at Boots:
1. Umberto Giannini Shampoo (250ml) – from £8.95
For curly hair, Umberto Giannini has got you covered! Choose from options like Thirsty Curls, Coily Curls, Curl Jelly Wash, and Curl Repair. These are all sulphate and silicone-free, perfect for keeping curls hydrated and bouncy.
2. L'Oréal Elvive Glycolic Gloss Shampoo (200ml) – £12.99
For those with dull or fine hair, in need of a little gloss. Worth noting the price vs bottle size - this shampoo is not much cheaper than salon brands.
3. ARKIVE The All Day Everyday Shampoo (250ml) – £12.00
A good all-rounder, this shampoo is suitable for most hair types and makes a reliable, budget-friendly option for everyday use.
4. SheaMoisture (350ml+) – £12.99
This range is aimed at textured hair, providing deep moisture. There are lighter formulations available, but I would recommend avoiding this for fine hair as it may feel too heavy.
5. Sukin Shampoo (500ml) – £5.95
Available in four different types, Sukin offers great value for money. For fine hair, I suggest going with the Natural Balance or Volumising options.
Why I Prioritise Shampoo Over Other Products
You might wonder why I place such a strong emphasis on shampoo. Simply put, shampoo is the foundation of your hair care routine. A high-quality shampoo will cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping away natural oils or causing build-up. I always advise investing a bit more into a good shampoo because it prepares your hair for other products to work their magic.
Avoid shampoos containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES). SLS/SLES are powerful surfactants, often found in household cleaning products. These ingredients cause colour fade due to how aggressively they strip moisture from the hair, taking your colour with it. Some ‘colour-safe’ shampoos use milder sulphates and pH-balancing properties that help minimise cuticle opening and, therefore, reduce colour loss. However, I still recommend avoiding them where possible and opting for warm (not hot) water when washing your hair.
Science Time
Our hair and skin naturally maintain a pH between 3.5 and 4.5, which is slightly acidic. When hair encounters substances with a higher pH, such as water (which has a pH of around 7.0), the cuticle opens, and the hair swells. The same principle is what enables us to change hair colour, as hair colour & lightener are alkaline, enabling entry and the alteration of the hair’s internal structure. To counteract this opening and swelling of the cuticle, most hair care products are slightly acidic, helping to re-seal the hair after exposure to water. This is why hairdressers often recommend washing your hair less frequently!
Another factor affecting colour longevity is hair porosity. Imagine the cuticle layer as millions of tiny doors that are opened when we apply alkaline chemicals. Over time, the "hinges" of these doors can weaken—some doors may no longer fully close, while others may even fall off. This compromised cuticle makes it easier for artificial colour to escape from the hair shaft, which is especially common in hair that’s been lightened. So, if your hairdresser mentions that “your hair is porous,” that’s what they mean in a nutshell!
Hopefully this clarifies why shampoos containing harsh surfactants, like SLS or SLES, can exacerbate colour fading.
I hope you found this useful, if you have any questions feel free to reach out and I’ll answer as best I can!
