Monday, March 17, 2008

I'm a snob...

I am a pretty frugal person. But when it comes to shampoo, I am a snob. It is probably the biggest thing that I regularly splurge on. I'm partial to Biolage but occasionally I'll buy a liter of Paul Mitchell just to mix things up a bit.

Our budget is squeaky tight each month, and after reading Moriah's discovery that L'oreal is owned by Lancome and her rave reviews of L'oreal Vive Pro shampoo, I decided to give it a try. I ran to Walmart tonight to get a few things I needed for tomorrow and I picked up this...



I also happened to have a $1 off coupon which means that I spent $2.47 on this bottle of shampoo. I *always* use a coupon when I buy Biolage too (at Ulta!), but with coupon, a one-liter bottle costs about $18. Hmmmm...big savings. Very big indeed.

I'm going to give it a go in the morning, and truthfully, I have some trepidation. I've been using Biolage for about 15 years! Remind me to tell you what I think after I've used it for about a week.

I'm curious though. What kind of shampoo do YOU use? Are you frugal or do you splurge?

23 comments:

Holly said...

I use several kinds, depending upon the season--fructis, pantene, V05, Bed Head, and catwalk.

Want to have coffee this week?? LMK!

Holly said...

OH! And I liked Kenra, too!

Check this website out: Are the prices better? http://www.hairexpo.biz/scan/MM=8cf5f02eaae18591abe1ee1a7cb9e20d:10:19:10.html?mv_more_ip=1&mv_nextpage=All%2dShampoo&mv_arg=

His Girl said...

I've been using that same brand lately (only for colored hair, of course) and I think I like it an 8 on a one to ten scale!!!

I'd love to know what works better on a budget, but for now this does the trick. I like the really really good smelling shampoos, and this one is eh, in my opinion

Casey said...

I am currently using Organix, which is just OK. I think it smells better (coconut) than most, but I am not thrilled with how it "works". I used to use Aveda's Shampure, but the price tag is hard to justify on a tight budget.

Please let us know if you like your new find. I would love to find an affordable product that makes my hair feel great (like all the commercials say their's will!) :)

*carrie* said...

Mer,

I love the scent of Biolage and used to buy it half-price many years ago when I worked at a salon.

I've used Herbal Essences for a long time and really like it. I have a hard time spending more money on something for my hair! My husband is even less picky, and uses Suave! =)

Julie said...

Mer,
I use Fructis and it works fine for me. But to be honest with you I'm not a good one to ask. If it keeps my hair from being looking clean then I'm good.

Anonymous said...

I use Biolage too...so I will be very curious to hear what you think about the new cheap shampoo! Every time I try a cheap shampott alternative I regret it and go back to expensive biolage! I usually buy cheap or store brand on most things but when it come to shampoo I fork over the money! So I related to your fun post about trying a new cheap shampoo! Be sure to post on your results! :) I would love to find a good cheap shampoo!

~ Ali

Leah Belle said...

I may be strange, but I am partial to Suave. All the "fancy" shampoos make my fine hair feel too soft. I even avoid daily conditioning, because the "too softness" tends to make my hair just be flat and unmanageable.

However, lately I've been shopping at CVS and doing their Extra Care Buck deals. By playing the deals, I get Vive Pro, Garnier Fructis and Aussie shampoos for free or very little. I still keep suave handy in the shower for when my hair gets too soft!

You can check out what I call the "CVS game" by going over to Crystal's blog at moneysavingmom.com

Gretchen said...

I usually use Garnier Fructis or Pantene. I longingly look at the name brand shampoos and hair product and wish...but usually don't buy. I have such sticker shock after getting my hair coiffed and colored 4X/year that I can't get myself to purchase the $20 gel or wax. However, if you break it down, it's pennies each day. Funny what we think is "worth it" and what isn't.

Elizabeth said...

I'm cheap. Right now I use Garnier Fructis. It smells good and it works just fine on my boring hair. I've started conditioning my hair every other day, and I've had no problem. I figure that if I never get used to "fancy" shampoo then I won't miss it when it's gone.

Jenn said...

Please let us know what you think about the Loreal shampoo. Are you trying the conditioner as well? I too am kind of particular about the shampoos I use.

I use Bliss supershine shampoo and their tangle taming conditioner. I love the way it smells and the way my hair looks after using it.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

I'm a Redkin girl, but when the budget is tight like if often is, we get Pantene from Big Lots.

Betsy said...

I love Herbal Essences. It just smells so awesome & I love smell good stuff. I use the blue kind....I can't remember the name. The I use Pantene Pro-V conditioner. I have really coarse, wavy hair, so that helps me tame the monster! Plus it smells good, too. I get everything at Wal-Mart, so I save some money that way.

Angie @ Flibbertigibberish said...

I used to use whatever was cheap and on sale, but when I did a major highlighting/color job about 2 years ago, I started using Biolage Color Care. Love it! But last time, I couldn't find it on sale and didn't have any coupons, so I opted for a change and went with something else. I think it's Paul Mitchell... but it's GRAPE. It did wonders for my morning sickness a couple months ago. YUCK! But frugal me, I'm putting up with it until it's gone and then I'll go back to Biolage. But, I'm up for a cheaper alternative if your new stuff works! Keep us posted! :)

Sara said...

I'm pretty frugal too, and use a lot of this Vive Pro and Garnier Fructis, both of which are free or nearly free quite regularly at Walgreens or CVS. I don't have color treated hair, so I don't have issues, and find that these work just fine for me.

Joanne : The Simple Wife said...

Love the Fructis--cheap and it works great on my hair. Of course, I only wash my hair about every three days--so I suppose I could buy the $$ stuff and it would last forever! (At least the shampoo. I use GOBS of conditioner--probably three days worth every time!)

Oh, and my all-time fave hair product is Alberto V05 hairdressing. A little dab in your dry and styled hair smooths down any flyaways, makes it shiny and soft, and I think it smells good too!

Joanne

Kelly said...

I go back and forth. Sometimes I'll buy the expensive stuff and sometimes I get the stuff you get at Wal-Mart. And I've about decided it really doesn't matter. I don't see that much of a difference. But I do spend more on some styling products.

Angie said...

I only have about three kinds to choose from here. So when we go to South Africa I buy Pantene because I love the conditioner and smells good. If I can't get that I have to use something cheapy and it shows! Pantene may not be the best but the conditioner works on my hair

AND I have to wash my hair everyday. So I go through a lot of shampoo.

Girl Raised in the South said...

I like the idea of fancy schmancy shampoo, but the reality of paying for something reasonable. I use Tresomme for colored hair; after asking my hairdresser, who does NOT get any of the money for the expensive stuff sold at the salon, she told me they're all about the same but to be sure to use something with a very low pH, and any shampoo specifically for colored hair would be that. So mine is under $5 and so far my hair isnt falling out nor my hair color rubbing off either.

leigh said...

This is something I slurge on. It's called Bumble and Bumble and I get it at the salon (they have a website that tells you what salons carry it). It cost about $55.00 for a really hugh bottle. Yikes! If I keep the kids out of it, it lasts me more than half a year though. I don't feel too guilty though, because I rarely get my hair cut, so I figure that makes up for the cost.

Barb said...

I remember the days when I could afford Biolage. Sigh.

I'm a shampoo gypsy. I move from one to another, all the time. My current favorite is Pantene Pro-V and I haven't got a clue what I paid for it. I didn't even look because I decided that's what I'd use this time. I always have Suave under the bathroom counter, as a backup. 99 cents. :-)

elaine@bloginmyeye said...

Look at all your shampoo comments! Clearly the Internet cares. I'm not a shampoo snob, just a hair salon snob. I like a good haircut, but I'll try just about any shampoo once. Currently it's Suave and Garnier Fructis for me.

Unknown said...

I am with you on this one.

I use the generic Suave Brand for Biolage Shampoo and Conditioner. I think it's pretty close to the originals.

But I do splurge on leave in hair conditioner. I use either Rusk or Redkin Anti Snap. I use it everyday before I dry my hair.

I don't use much make-up, but i like good hair!