Our short answer: YES
Yes salon products are better, and here’s why. Look at the
ingredients on your shampoo that you purchase at any retail store. I’m willing
to bet that one or more of the following will be the top ingredients: water,
salt (sodium chloride or ammonium chloride) or a sulfate.
What are these ingredients?
While water is a necessary ingredient, most store brands are
highly diluted – to the point that it takes much more product to get the job
done. For products that are diluted with high quantities of water, there will
be lots of salt. Salt is a thickening agent, so that your product will seem to
be of a good consistency. Sulfates, often listed as ammonium laurel sulfate,
sodium laurel sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate, are lathering agents. They
make your shampoos or foaming products get bubbly to make you think they’re
working. Salon products include these as well, but in smaller amounts, and at
gentler doses. Sulfates at high doses are harsh on your hair, especially your
hair color.
Why are they bad?
If your product is diluted, it will take more of the product
to achieve your desired result. Which means that one professional bottle might
last longer than 3 or 4 bottles of store products. Multiply the cost of a store
product by 4, is it still cheaper than a professional product? Still, why are you spending so much on salt and water?
Salt is very
hard on your hair, especially if your hair has been processed. If you are willing to
pay 70, 100 or 150 dollars on a process, why would you strip it with
cheap products?
Professional Recommendations
Of course, not ALL store brand products contain harsh
elements, and some professional products do. One of the most important reasons
to use professional products is because you can get specific recommendations
from a licensed professional. Michael’s designers train with cosmetic chemists
and understand what ingredients are in the products we offer. They will
recommend the products you need to get the style you are looking for. And the
best part – Michael’s guarantees the products we sell. If a product you
purchase doesn’t work out for you, bring it back within 30 days and we will be
happy to find another product better suited for your needs.
What do you think? Do you use professional products or store brand products? Are you satisfied with your hair's texture? Does your color last as long as you think it should? Let's get a discussion going.