Good afternoon, Dmitry! Since you are an art manager and an expert in creating styles, I would love to know your opinion on the latest trends of spring-summer haircuts and hair care products.
Tell me, what is the main difference between affordable mass-market shampoos and expensive brands?
Shampoo is what prepares hair for the following product, and there are often discussions among stylists, why there is such a variety of shampoos if their function is simple enough. Initially, shampoos have an increased Ph (alkaline environment) to slightly open the cuticles and flush out all the accumulated dirt from busy megalopolis, and constant styling. The most striking difference between affordable shampoos and expensive ones is the ingredients. However, even in this market segment, some worthy manufacturers do create recommendable, inexpensive shampoos with a high-quality composition. Although, as a rule, silicone will be added to all these shampoos to smooth the hair structure. For example, shampoos 2 in 1, 3 in 1 remain a mystery to me: after all, the conditioner has a low Ph - closer to an acidic environment (to seal the cuticles) when a higher Ph shampoo creates an alkaline environment. It turns out that when they interact, they neutralize each other, and as a result, the shampoo does not sufficiently cleanse, and the conditioner cannot cope with its task. Therefore, the clean-head effect does not last for long.
Expensive brands do not strive to simplify the process. Shampoo cleans the hair properly, then other products like conditioner, balm, milk, or mask are responsible for proper nutrition. The conditioner makes it easier to comb your hair. The balm has some nourishing base that penetrates the hair, smoothes the cuticle, and closes it, allowing the care to get partially inside. Milk and mask are almost the same things, only that the mask gives richer and deeper nourishment, where the density of the ingredients is much higher. Therefore, while consulting clients, it is highly important to choose a suitable product that properly nourishes their hair and does not overweight it.
Which shampoo do you prefer, sulfate or sulfate-free?
In my opinion, the sulfate-free shampoo will not wash your head. Any shampoo should have an abundance of foam that lifts the dirt off the scalp, otherwise, it will not rinse it out. If there were no chemicals that preserve the composition of the shampoo, then it would have to be changed every week, if not, it would deteriorate due to the natural formula. Natural biocosmetics are most likely just fashion trends. Honestly, I am not a supporter of such decisions and do not choose such products.