ok, personally, i've just recovered from what i would call "ingredient phobia" i would never touch a product that had mineral oil in it or petroleum, or anythign that was deemed "bad" on thee boards. this type of thinking caused me to throw away products that actually worked onnmy hair, just because they contained a "bad" ingredient. Now, i've been searching to rediscover many of those products.
So now when i look for a product, i look at the ingredients, if they look too chemical based, i just put them back on the shelf, no matter what they promise.
I've found that conditioners with cones, actually work wellon my hair. cones are a keeper.
next i try to open the product in the store. I look at the consistency, i should've known that with fantasia deep penetrating beforehand that i woud not have liked it, but the claims from this board persuaded me!!! its consistency was off from what i usually like.
and most of all, while i look to the baord for hair methods and help.. i do NOT hold it as my hair product bible (i've done this soo many times and have been greatly disappointed). Not to say anyything bad about product recs, because i myself post frequently about them. i use it as a guide, by not my answer.
summed up, its about personal judgemnt. what works for you?? u have to get an idea beforhand. then decide from there.