The Cheap Stuff Is No Longer Working: Time To Move On

[TrustMeLove]

Is it just me or are those days of $1 conditioners and $4 or 5$ shampoos long gone.

My Suave and VO5 days have long past. I tried to condition wash with that stuff a few weeks ago and all the water in my hair dried up. My napps shrunk up so bad and dried out like they were superman in the presence of kryptonite. The one thing that was working was Cholesterol, but that is even having it's bad days.

Now, I am forced to go into a realm where my napps have not gone before. High-End (as far as I am concerned) products. Products that cost over $15 is high-end in my pocket book. lol

Kenra, Kera-Care, Mizani, Redken...well those are the ones I read about.

Do you all have any you would like to add to the list?

Are you alread on the High-End route?

 

[JustKiya]

I'm cheap, so I could never go for the high end stuff. I have found however, that my kitchen and the local bodega/Indian store serve me better than ANYTHING I've ever used.

I'm only on year two of my journey though, so who knows? My hair might start acting siddity at some point.

 

[PaperClip]

I voted "Natural-combination of both"....

Gotta say I never got deep into the cheapie conditioners that much.... But at the same time I don't daily cowash, either....

The most I've spent on a product I believe has been the LARGE bottle of Aveda's Damage Remedy Intensive Treatment. And I'd do it again! It's worth it!

I've dallied in the cheap-medium range stuff but overall, ingredients matter to me. I think I'm finally finding a groove with Aubrey Organics' Honeysuckle Rose and GPB conditioners and Giovanni's conditioners as well (esp. Tea Tree Treat and Smooth as Silk (I believe that's what it is called).

I spent $15-$20 each on Aveda's brilliant anti and humectant pomandes. The humectant has been worth it so far....

I just bought two full-sized Giovanni products from TJ Maxx last night. $5 a piece. They usually run double that at regular retail stores. So maybe it's worth being creative on where you shop for our hair products as well.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I don't use Cheapo products on my hair.

 

[Monigirl]

I voted: ralexed and use both low and high end

But I have more cheap that high end products in my cabinet. But one day I would like to drop everthing I have for the whole Keracare Line.

I have my favotite cheap o's like: Vo5 Moisture Milk Passion Fruit & Suave Humectant and Suave Tropical Coconut. I add a little coconut oil to all of these when I use them. I love these cheap o's.

Then I have my expensive products like: Cathy Howes UBH Conditioner $35.00 , Tub of Mazani Relaxer 25.00, etc

I love Ebay...I have found many deals on high end stuff on there.

 

[KPH]

after i'm done playing with these lil cheapo conditioners i'm not buying another. They do nothing for my hair, absolutely nothing. I am still in the process of looking for something (staple products) for my hair. I think I am a 3C. When it is time for a touch up, people can't tell by looking but i can feel the horridness . So I guess that is 3C.

 

[TrustMeLove]

I tried ELASTA QP Intense Fortiying Moisturizer and that liquid stuff had my hair feeling sooo DRY. It claims to be a detangler. I couldn't pull a wide tooth comb through a small section of my hair.

I had to add oil to my hair in order to detangle. I am realizing my hair loves oil and cream pomade moisturizers.

I am going to have to check some of this AO and other things out forrreaaal!

 

[TrustMeLove]

I don't use Cheapo products on my hair.

What do you use sam?

 

[TrustMeLove]

I voted "Natural-combination of both"....

Gotta say I never got deep into the cheapie conditioners that much.... But at the same time I don't daily cowash, either....

The most I've spent on a product I believe has been the LARGE bottle of Aveda's Damage Remedy Intensive Treatment. And I'd do it again! It's worth it!

I've dallied in the cheap-medium range stuff but overall, ingredients matter to me. I think I'm finally finding a groove with Aubrey Organics' Honeysuckle Rose and GPB conditioners and Giovanni's conditioners as well (esp. Tea Tree Treat and Smooth as Silk (I believe that's what it is called).

I spent $15-$20 each on Aveda's brilliant anti and humectant pomandes. The humectant has been worth it so far....

I just bought two full-sized Giovanni products from TJ Maxx last night. $5 a piece. They usually run double that at regular retail stores. So maybe it's worth being creative on where you shop for our hair products as well.

I am sooo far removed from high end stuff. I dont' even know where to find the bolded products. WOW!

Where do you find these products. I really want to try the AO.

 

[PeggyFair]

I would NEVER dish out big bucks for hair care products. I am able to meet all my hair needs with the cheapies or ingredients that can be found naturally from Mother Earth.

 

[charmtreese]

I have tried the cheap stuff and it does nothing for my hair. My products are either high end/salon products or homemade.

 

[mrsalittle]

Since I started co-washing I have started using cheaper conditioners but what I do is add oils to them and so far my hair is loving it!! I rather spend more money for my deep conditioners.

 

[fluffylocks]

Its all about the ingreidents IMO....

$1 stuff has never worked for me, Sauve, White Rain ect, and the ingredeints show for it...my hair like stuff with glycerin, glycerieds, butters/oils, hummecants ect.

$4/$5 is an average cost for me....Cream of nature shampoo sad Nothing was better than that, Care free moisturizer as well.

$10 is about the most i spend for something at this time----Thats Silicon Mix and WGO which are both excellent but thats only because i havent found something similar for a cheaper price.

But when i go look at stuff that cost $15-$20 a bottle (and i've tried ALOT of expensive brands), half the time the ingreidnts are no better or worse than stuff that cost $5....

Keracrea has lots of sulfates, mineral oil ect.---
Mizani has a moisturizer that has the same basics as Carefree.

I think you have to find out what your hair likes....not limit yourslf to a price range or only salon quality products...IMO it doesnt make a difference.

 

[Soliel185]

Most of the active ingredients in these "high-end" products are natural oils and butters anyway. I figure why spend $30 for a fraction of your super special rice bran/sunflower oil enriched cream when I can go buy both of those, throw in some SAA and glycerine and still have $$ in my pocket?

The exception for me are things like Chi Silk Infusion, or any anti-humectant b/c I can't recreate those things myself. But I my VO5 Champagne Kiss Conditioner -- everything else I pretty much borrow from my kitchen.

 

[bravenewgirl87]

Over time, I've found that it often pays to spend the money on the better stuff. But, it also depends on what the product is. Cholesterol and Hair Mayo is my go to when the expensive crap doesn't work. But, the cheap stuff often times doesn't work after a while because of the ingredients.

Here's what I spend money on:
Moisturizers (only Qhemet at the moment, although I am looking into other brands)
Shampoos
Deep conditioners

I'm also a big fan of brand loyality. Certain products really only work well with the corresponding line.

Some stuff you just gotta spend the cash on.erplexed

 

[mnemosyne]

I use both.

I too have that really big container of Aveda DR Intensive Reconstructor (it's almost done, I had to stick my finger in the bottle to get some out last time).

I <3 suave tropical coconut. I just tried White Rain today and the jury is still out on that.

I found ONE suave milk and honey (In this 99cent store in Inwood behind all these other random bottles. I was sad there wasn't any more) and I used it once and liked it, but it was on my ayurveda day so I dunno if that made a difference

Qhemet burdock root is nice.

The ayurveda things I get are mostly inexpensive (though I think the amla oil I have might break me out).

My coconut oil is gold label virgin from Tropical Traditions (they're forever having BOGO sales or some other promotion too)

I have mega tek

I have alter ego's revitalizing lotions

I have sweetcashew's products

I've got hemp seed oil, castor oil and carrot oil from fromnaturewithlove, but I mainly use the castor. I think one of the other two clogged the pores on my scalp and didn't want to have that happen again to figure out which.

I'm gonna get some SAA eventually

I use olive oil in my henna along with honey and coconut oils

I still have my aveda light elements smoothing fluid that I use when I get wash and sets.

I use miss keys 10 en 1 some days.

I use roux porosity control when I feel I need it

As for stuff I don't use anymore:

I have my aveda dr shampoo sitting in the closet waiting for me to use shampoo again

I used to use elasta qp mango butter, but stopped

I'm still sad aveda's elixir is gone

I have the aveda be curly lotion (don't use this much)

I have a bottle of BT sitting around

I just stopped using Lacio Lacio as it wasn't working for just bunning anymore.

I ran out of oyin handmade burnt sugar pomade which smelled divine, but with all the new things I got there's no room for it again yet.

I have some pure shea butter from nasaab that I use for little things but not so much

CON shampoo sits waiting for me to use it

 

[Mortons]

Since I started co-washing I have started using cheaper conditioners but what I do is add oils to them and so far my hair is lovinging it!! I rather spend more money for my deep conditioners.

Thats pretty much what I do. I use cheap stuff mostly but I use some middle priced things for my DC's and styling products. My hair is still growing

 

[bravenewgirl87]

BTW: If anyone wants to trade products with me, I'm willing to switch. Right now, I'm trying to get rid of my half-used bottle of Qhemet Biologics Honey Hydrating Balm (a little rosemary added)

 

[PeggyFair]

Most of the active ingredients in these "high-end" products are natural oils and butters anyway. I figure why spend $30 for a fraction of your super special rice bran/sunflower oil enriched cream when I can go buy both of those, throw in some SAA and glycerine and still have $$ in my pocket?

The exception for me are things like Chi Silk Infusion, or any anti-humectant b/c I can't recreate those things myself. But I my VO5 Champagne Kiss Conditioner -- everything else I pretty much borrow from my kitchen.

Exactly! Why pay for the ingredient, plus the "name", when you can just buy that active ingredient much cheaper. I cowash with V05 Champagne Kiss as well...I love it! And like you, I borrow everything else from my kitchen!

 

[foxieroxienyc]

My taste for everything lately in life has been changing and evolving toward more quality... From clothes, to shoes and bags, and now to my hair products.

I use both cheapies and high end. I'm finding that certain things need the investment and my hair is better because of it. When I look at what I use most it's all Nexxus (shampoo, conditioner, and protein reconstructor), then my mid-range cheapies are my instant conditioners (currently exclusively HE line), and my leave ins are now turning high end with the introduction of Sebastian Potion 9 mixed with HE Break's over leave in. Heck even my coconut oil costs $10!! lol

I'm finding that for ME, better quality products is producing even better results and healthier hair. Also it gives more of a salon finish which I love.

 

[shelly25]

The cheap stuff still works for me (V05, HE). The only expensive product I bought was from the Nexxus line, and I stopped buying it b/c I think it didn't really work for my hair...

 

[mnemosyne]

My stylist years ago used to swear by Nexxus Humectress. I never balked at the price, but it just didn't really do anything for me. I might go back and try it again to see.

 

[anon123]

I can't tell a whole lot of difference between the cheap and expensive stuff except that my expensive stuff is this all natural herbal stuff and to be honest with myself, I think it does less than the cheap stuff. I haven't tried the expensive chemically stuff yet. Except for the Aveda Damage Remedy and while it did make my hair stronger, I don't think it was worth the money and won't be repurchasing. I have a V05 (cheap), Trader Joe's (cheap) and KBB Hair Mask (very expensive) all with only one use left so when those are gone I'm going to try Aubrey's Honeysuckle Rose. I'd be happy with this product if it worked well. The price is not too terribly expensive and I don't have to order it.

If I start cowashing more frequently like I intend to, though, I'll be staying with $5 and under.

Oh, I also want to try some natural shampoo/conditioner bars. Those could be fun.

 

[Evazhair]

I've always been one to spend what it takes for the results I want.The only cheapies I use more than sporadically are

trader joe's vo5, wrtc, etc. for prepoos and occasional summer cws I probably will just repurchase one once I use up my stash
HE leave ins for light moisturizers on dry hair
sunsilk moisturizer on dry hair as a last resort at touchup time

I use a shampoo by Ion, that works well for me and I consider it cheap

I really like pantene breakage defense mask-cheapie that is a real deep conditioner

I love to make my own oil mixtures, the powders, oils are pretty cheap if you shop around and buy in bulk
In all things the high end stuff just seems to work better for me
These hair products I will not be without

Alter Ego Energizing/Rebalancing Cream
Alter Ego Garlic Hot oil Treatment
Salerm 21 leave in
Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner
Biolage Cera Repair Hydratherapie

They are not cheap, and they are not the most expensive,but I do find good deals.

I was eyeballing Aubrey Organics GPB- going to try that. They have new GPB scents: lavender and peppermint

 

[Kirei]

I don't use a whole bunch of products but here is what I use.

Giovanni 50/50 balance- Shampoo and Conditioner = about $19 from Earth Fare (a whole foods store)

And for Co-Washes- White Rain Tropical Coconut Condish, I just add honey to the mix and a dab (dime size) of Giovanni condish and use that every day. My hair likes it.

Jason's Hemp is also really great, it is not cheap but not too expensive either about $7 bucks or so a bottle from Earth Fare.

I am skeptical about spending anymore than that though on my hair products. I have had my Giovanni bottles for 3 months now so the $20 I spent wasn't so bad cuz you don't need a lot per wash.

I do need to find a great moisturizer though and the ones I keep finding are about $15 for a small tub, Qemets, so I may buy that. But I am not a PJ and my products last a while so the cost evens out.

Hope this helps a bit...

~Liyah

 

[chebaby]

i'm rlaxed but transitioning. i use both. my fave shampoo and condish is by suave and my fave moisturizer is by hollywood beauty. but other staples consist of keracare, mizani, and natural oasis.
i also have giovanni but i havent tried it yet.

 

[milliondollamomi]

I'm natural and a use alot of both. I have $1 conditioners for shower detangling which I follow with $20 Abba Moisture sensations. I basically go with whatever works, but, as with all things in life i've gotten a couple lumps of coal b4 finding real gems. I have a drawer filled with things that my hair cant stand

 

[natstar]

I use mid priced hair products that have been deeply discounted (Activate, Humectress etc) and stuff from the kitchen (olive oil, coconut oil etc). I use suave or v05 for spritzing from time to time-hardly ever.

 

[MJ]

Do you mean "Cheap" in terms of quality or price?

I use Aubrey Organics and Giovanni products, as well as items such as honey, molasses, EVOO, alma powder, henna, coconut oil, castor oil, etc. All these products cost less than $10 each, but they are high quality stuff.

 

[TrustMeLove]

Do you mean "Cheap" in terms of quality or price?

I use Aubrey Organics and Giovanni products, as well as items such as honey, molasses, EVOO, alma powder, henna, coconut oil, castor oil, etc. All these products cost less than $10 each, but they are high quality stuff.

Cheap in terms of price. I mentioned Suave, V05 etc.

I just bought Aubrey Organic Shampoo and Conditioner the Honeysuckle kind. I bought it because folks were saying it was amazing AND I got on the website and the ingredients were reaallly good.

My hair has been actign funny. So I am going to use it today.