What To Look For
One of the most important things to consider when shopping for a salon shampoo is hair type. Common hair types include fine, coarse, dry and damaged and color-treated hair. Once hair type is determined, focus on hair concerns, such as smoothing frizz, boosting body or protecting hair color from UV damage. It's also smart to read the ingredients on the bottle because there are key ingredients that are beneficial for certain hair types.
To keep color in tact, a sulfate-free shampoo is a good choice because it is free of the salts that can fade hair color. For fine hair, look for panthenol because it swells the hair shaft. Dry and damaged hair benefits from nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, avocado and grape seed oil.
Common Pitfalls
There are many different salon shampoo brands available and it can be overwhelming to narrow down the right one. Salon shampoos are also much more expensive than drugstore formulas. While a drugstore shampoo typically retails for less than $10, salon shampoos usually cost anywhere from $10 to upwards of $30.
Where To Buy
Salon shampoos are only guaranteed to work to the best of their ability when purchased at a salon. Some drugstores carry salon brand shampoo, which is referred to as "diversion," according to Front Page Milwaukee. Diversion occurs when salon shampoo distributors may sell to a third party, which in turn, is sold to an unauthorized retail chain, such as a drugstore. The manufacturer will not guarantee the quality and efficacy of the product unless it has been purchased at an authorized salon location.
Cost
Salon brand shampoo costs vary greatly. Typical price ranges for salon shampoos are $10 to $30, as of August 2010. Certain brands that use high-quality, exclusive ingredients, such as caviar, or feature new technology, such as nanotechnology, can cost $30 to $50. Certain discount websites will feature salon shampoo brands for much less than their retail price, but it is always best to purchase from an authorized salon.
Insider Tips
Salons usually carry sample size bottles or packets of their most popular shampoo brands. At your next appointment, ask your stylist for a few different shampoo samples, so you can try them out without having to purchase the full-size version.
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