How to choose the right shampoo. First, it’s important to understand that when picking a shampoo, it’s more important to know what’s happening with your scalp than your hair. Mine, for instance, seems to change seasonally. Sometimes it’s dry, sometimes it’s oily and sometimes it’s an unexplainable combination of both. On top of this, some shampoos give me an itchy scalp and others seem to make my hair greasy. I for one, unfortunately can’t use many of the drugstore brands, as they wreak havoc with my hair and scalp. Remember that what you choose can mean a world of difference for your hair.
How to choose the right shampoo
Dry Scalp. For those of you with a dry scalp and very curly or frizzy hair, what you are looking for are shampoos that add moisture. Look for labels that say: hydrating, smoothing, curly hair. If you have an itchy or flaky scalp, look for products which contain tea tree or menthol or even nioxin. These ingredients will help sooth your scalp and help to prevent embarrassing moments. I’ve battled dandruff in the past and let me tell you, it wasn’t fun.
Oily Scalp. For those of you with an oily scalp, please don’t resort to washing your hair daily or even several times a day, as this will only worsen the condition. I’ve been there too and although it took a while, I finally found the perfect products for me. I now turn to shampoos that are very light, meaning that I never reach for anything overly moisturizing or hydrating. Instead, I seek out terms like volumizing or strengthening, as these are especially great when my hair is looking limp and a bit lifeless.
Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “okay great, I have an oily scalp but dry ends”. Well, that is where a great hydrating conditioner comes in. Simply leave it on your ends for a few minutes, because after all, a shampoo is meant to cleanse your scalp. While you can always opt for a clarifying shampoo, take care not to overuse it as it can also over dry your scalp.
Coloured Hair. If you have coloured hair, make sure that your shampoo says that it’s colour safe. As my stylist always told me, “if it’s not on the bottle then don’t buy it”. I also look for shampoos that are free of parabens, sodium chloride, phthalates and gluten. My current favourite still stands at Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging shampoo. While it’s formulated for dry hair, it has been perfectly balancing for me.
Take a few moments to get to know your shampoo and conditioner, and you can have that fabulously shiny and bouncy hair which makes everyone take notice!
What’s your favourite shampoo?
Great shampoos to choose from:
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25 Comments
Totally needed this bit of advice – thanks soo much for posting it! Loving your blog btw 🙂
Oh I’m so glad and thank you so much!
xo
Lovely post, I like an organic shampoo myself and I am a big fan of the john Masters organics range.
http://www.naomitalksbeauty.com
Yes, I had to learn the hard way with colored hair, that shampoo is very important in your selection.
Same here… not fun when your hair is stripped of colour without intention…
xo
Your posts are always so interesting Caroline!!!
Kisses honey!!!
http://expressyourselfbypaolalauretano.blogspot.it
I’m really glad you like them, thanks so much for stopping by!
xo
Your curls are so pretty though 🙂 The flower too, yes, finding the right shampoo is a true treasure hunt. http://kjandersen.org/
Awe thanks! I admit that at this point I really have no control over them, they just seem to appear out of nowhere.
xo
Great tips! Thanks for sharing
xx
http://www.JuneWantsItAll.com
My pleasure! Choosing a shampoo can be so daunting.
xo
Oh I can relate to an itchy scalp, I’ve had some shampoo that have done that 🙁
I use this amazing shampoo from Kiehl’s _ Superbly smoothing argan shampoo, it’s makes my frizzy hair so soft and manageable. Its really good for black as we tend to have unruly and very coarse hair. Life saver!!
xo, Jackie
http://www.stylemydreams.wordpress.com
Isn’t it the worst when shampoos do that?! Kiehl’s makes excellent products!
xo
Dear Carolyne, I don’t have a favourite yet. I haven’t found the right shampoo and believe me I tried everything: my scalp is very sensitive to stress, and who is not stressed nowadays? My hair is frizzy due to the damp weather, impossible to style. I will check out some of your proposals 🙂 thank you
Baci,
Coco
Coco et La vie en rose / Bloglovin / Facebook
Oh I hope they help. It’s so hard to try a good shampoo! I love Alterna (caviar shampoo) it has been really fantastic and gentle on my scalp.
xo
Loving it… awesome tips! I like using baby shampoo… doesn’t get more natural than that <3
See you soon!
Borka
http://www.chicfashionworld.com
Yes baby shampoos are very gentle, great idea!
xo
I search for some organic shampoo for a sensitive scalp.The point is is actually must clean the hair, which can be a problem for organic shampoo.. Can you suggest any?
xx
Anastasia
http://fashionpeekaboo.com
My personal favourite is John Masters Organics. His products are amazing and very gentle.
xo
Very useful tips! 🙂
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Thank you so much!
xo
I have tried tree different organic shampoo from John Masters and unfortunately they cause my scalp to itch and flake! However, I’m wondering perhaps it takes a few of times to use to see if my scalp becomes normal again. What do you think? Should I toss my Unscented bare shampoo away or continue using it? Fortunately for the two shampoo Zinc and Sage and Rosemary Lavender (this probably worked the best and did not give me as much flakes and itchiness as the two others but only have a small travel size of it) but still all three did the same to my hair gave me itchy and flaky scalp. The only non sulfate shampoo that works for my scalp is TBS Rainforest Radiance shampoo but since I have a bottle of the John Masters Bare Unscented one I’d like to use it…
I think if it’s irritating your scalp then it’s probably not wise to continue using it. You might have an allergy to one of the ingredients! (Thanks for the awesome comment. Hopefully someone else has some great advice for you)
xo