Can We Talk about High-End Hair Care Products in 2025?

[Yvette 2.0]

Greetings, all!

Those of you who use or have used high-end hair products, will you please share your experiences, thoughts, and recommendations?

I'm looking for a color-safe cowash, shampoo, and conditioner. My hair is colored, 4a/b, fine, and denser than not.

Many thanks!

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Back story:

I went to an expensive hair stylist a few times because I wanted to make some major hair changes (cut, color, and changing to wearing it mainly curly going forward). I watched this stylist on Instagram for more than a year before letting her work with my hair.​

​

She's majorly into high-end hair products and swears I won't recognize my hair in 6 months once I faithfully use her favorite brand -- the Kevin Murphy line.​

​

I got the KM samples and don't need that type of aroma in my life. ​

 

[faithVA]

Im not sure what qualifies as high end but my hair prefers salon quality products versus the others.

I currently use Madison Reed shampoo and conditioner which goes with the color I use. And using it has changed my hair and all my products.

I also tried Prose which is a custom blend and my hair loves everything from the shampoo to the leave-in.

My hair is very finicky like my skin so it doesn't do well with things others rave about.

For color treated hair you definitely want a better shampoo and you probably want some type of quality bond treatment as well.

 

[faithVA]

Greetings, all!

Those of you who use or have used high-end hair products, will you please share your experiences, thoughts, and recommendations?

I'm looking for a color-safe cowash, shampoo, and conditioner. My hair is colored, 4a/b, fine, and denser than not.

Many thanks!

------------

Back story:

I went to an expensive hair stylist a few times because I wanted to make some major hair changes (cut, color, and changing to wearing it mainly curly going forward). I watched this stylist on Instagram for more than a year before letting her work with my hair.​

​

She's majorly into high-end hair products and swears I won't recognize my hair in 6 months once I faithfully use her favorite brand -- the Kevin Murphy line.​

​

I got the KM samples and don't need that type of aroma in my life. ​

Do they have different fragrances?

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Im not sure what qualifies as high end but my hair prefers salon quality products versus the others.

I currently use Madison Reed shampoo and conditioner which goes with the color I use. And using it has changed my hair and all my products.

I also tried Prose which is a custom blend and my hair loves everything from the shampoo to the leave-in.

My hair is very finicky like my skin so it doesn't do well with things others rave about.

For color treated hair you definitely want a better shampoo and you probably want some type of quality bond treatment as well.

Thank you! Helpful.

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Do they have different fragrances?

I don't think so. I used the cowash and the scent just doesn't vibe with my nose at all.

 

[Yvette 2.0]

I started researching Amika, and Pureology was mentioned. I read a bit about Pureology here. Hmm

 

[Napp]

I use mostly professional/salon quality products and prefer it that way

My favorite lines are the Vitale pro lines

 

[Yvette 2.0]

I use mostly professional/salon quality products and prefer it that way

My favorite lines are the Vitale pro lines

I've never heard of this line. Thanks for sharing! I'm headed to research!

 

[Yvette 2.0]

After reading reviews, reading ingredients lists, and watching shorts and videos, I'm highly interested in the AG haircare line.

She got 10-day hair. I created a Black Friday AG cart below.

I'm just so torn: I have 3 pouches of Ecoslay Jello Shot gel, my staple DCs, my staple leave-in, my staple conditioner, and my staple shampoo. It's hard to justify trialing a whole, unfamiliar line. But the discount and upcoming free holiday time have me thinking "now's a great time!" Lol

 

[awhyley]

"It's Black Friday, there's a discount AND you have the time . . . just buy it already"

 

[Yvette 2.0]

"It's Black Friday, there's a discount AND you have the time . . . just buy it already"

Love it!!!


Hubby might k*ll me if I take vacation budget money and use it to bring MORE, BRAND NEW hair products into this house. Lol.

How can I pass this up, though? I'm so torn.

 

[faithVA]

After reading reviews, reading ingredients lists, and watching shorts and videos, I'm highly interested in the AG haircare line.

She got 10-day hair. I created a Black Friday AG cart below.

I'm just so torn: I have 3 pouches of Ecoslay Jello Shot gel, my staple DCs, my staple leave-in, my staple conditioner, and my staple shampoo. It's hard to justify trialing a whole, unfamiliar line. But the discount and upcoming free holiday time have me thinking "now's a great time!" Lol



View attachment 507058

I dont think you need to trial the whole line. I would focus on the shampoo. And youveant one for color treated hair if you choosecto leep color. It starts the process and can be the key to the entire routine. It is also the key detail that will impact your color.

Then if you like the shampoo then try the conditioner. It is rare for people to like or use a whole line.

Many people do love the AG lines . I tried it but found out I was allergic to something in it. I probably have 2 sets if it in my attic

 

[faithVA]

Love it!!!


Hubby might k*ll me if I take vacation budget money and use it to bring MORE, BRAND NEW hair products into this house. Lol.

How can I pass this up, though? I'm so torn.

Do NOT use vacation money on hair products. It is not that serious.

 

[Yvette 2.0]

I dont think you need to trial the whole line. I would focus on the shampoo. And youveant one for color treated hair if you choosecto leep color. It starts the process and can be the key to the entire routine. It is also the key detail that will impact your color.

Then if you like the shampoo then try the conditioner. It is rare for people to like or use a whole line.

Many people do love the AG lines . I tried it but found out I was allergic to something in it. I probably have 2 sets if it in my attic

Excellent advise, ma'am!!! Thank you.

 

[Lylddlebit]

My favorite "high-end" line was Shu Uemura's "Ultimate Remedy", but it was discontinued in 2018, and they haven't released anything that works as well as that did on my hair. I loved every product in the range (shampoo, conditioner, mask, and serum). I believe the mask was $68, for a 6-oz jar back in 2013, the conditioner was about half that and everything else fell in the middle), but I paid full price because they didn't have many sales before that line was discontinued. "Ultimate Remedy" was a ceramide line and my hair loves ceramides.

There are still several expensive products to continue to repurchase, but none I love as much as the Shu Uemura's "Ultimate Remedy" line (not to be confused with the "Ultimate Rese"t line that replaced it and is more strengthening)


Current expensive products that I love are:

• Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment(Staple for over a decade). Great finishing serum
• AG Balance Shampoo(it gets a bad rap because it was overused in the wash and go boom but it is really a great shampoo)
• AG Boost Conditioner: Thick like a hair mask and I love this better than all their hair masks.
• Oribe Moisture and Control Conditioner (the salon sizes have a conditioner that is thick like a mask and it worked great on my hair...I have been using this line for about 6 years)
• Living Proof Triple Bond Treatment
• I love the Alterna Caviar line and have had it in my rotation for over a decade
• Several Aveda products are pretty good. I like their heat protectant from the "Brilliant Line" the best.
• Olaplex #6
• Olaplex #7
• I'd put the Lanza oil/serums in the luxury category. I still use those regularly.
• The Purology Hydrate Line is good
• Kerastase 8 Hour Magic overnight serum is my favorite serum by them
• Rene Furterer Karite Nutri Intense Overnight Serum is good but this may be discontinued
• Saheel African Nomads Butter
• Qhemet Biologics (Aethiopika twisting butter is over $20 for a 4 oz jar)
• Gloss Moderne (their hair mask is fantastic)
• Lenor Greyl is pretty good I am just not convinced my price-to-like ratio is justified.
  There are others that are discontinued now like BBD; I used to love the deep conditioner called DEEEEEP by Bumble and Bumble before it was discontinued and many more. I am no stranger to spending a pretty penny on hair products and trying high end lines, but I have to admit many salon quality and natural lines have been outperforming most of the expensive lines consistently. The Oribe Moisture and Control line is probably my favorite product that you would see at a Bergdorf Goodman and they have that on clearnce at TJ Maxx (which it where I bought it from when I started using it).

 

[Napp]

I've never heard of this line. Thanks for sharing! I'm headed to research!

It has been around forever and made for black hair. I use the relaxer and maintenance products from this line when I was relaxed and my hair was so beautiful. The regular pro line and the natural pro line are top tier. I don’t think they are very popular anymore but their products are chefs kiss

 

[Yvette 2.0]

My favorite "high-end" line was Shu Uemura's "Ultimate Remedy", but it was discontinued in 2018, and they haven't released anything that works as well as that did on my hair. I loved every product in the range (shampoo, conditioner, mask, and serum). I believe the mask was $68, for a 6-oz jar back in 2013, the conditioner was about half that and everything else fell in the middle), but I paid full price because they didn't have many sales before that line was discontinued. "Ultimate Remedy" was a ceramide line and my hair loves ceramides.

There are still several expensive products to continue to repurchase, but none I love as much as the Shu Uemura's "Ultimate Remedy" line (not to be confused with the "Ultimate Rese"t line that replaced it and is more strengthening)


Current expensive products that I love are:

• Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment(Staple for over a decade). Great finishing serum
• AG Balance Shampoo(it gets a bad rap because it was overused in the wash and go boom but it is really a great shampoo)
• AG Boost Conditioner: Thick like a hair mask and I love this better than all their hair masks.
• Oribe Moisture and Control Conditioner (the salon sizes have a conditioner that is thick like a mask and it worked great on my hair...I have been using this line for about 6 years)
• Living Proof Triple Bond Treatment
• I love the Alterna Caviar line and have had it in my rotation for over a decade
• Several Aveda products are pretty good. I like their heat protectant from the "Brilliant Line" the best.
• Olaplex #6
• Olaplex #7
• I'd put the Lanza oil/serums in the luxury category. I still use those regularly.
• The Purology Hydrate Line is good
• Kerastase 8 Hour Magic overnight serum is my favorite serum by them
• Rene Furterer Karite Nutri Intense Overnight Serum is good but this may be discontinued
• Saheel African Nomads Butter
• Qhemet Biologics (Aethiopika twisting butter is over $20 for a 4 oz jar)
• Gloss Moderne (their hair mask is fantastic)
• Lenor Greyl is pretty good I am just not convinced my price-to-like ratio is justified.
  There are others that are discontinued now like BBD; I used to love the deep conditioner called DEEEEEP by Bumble and Bumble before it was discontinued and many more. I am no stranger to spending a pretty penny on hair products and trying high end lines, but I have to admit many salon quality and natural lines have been outperforming most of the expensive lines consistently. The Oribe Moisture and Control line is probably my favorite product that you would see at a Bergdorf Goodman and they have that on clearnce at TJ Maxx (which it where I bought it from when I started using it).

Wow, thanks for sharing! Thank you for taking the time!

Your post is helping me realize that I probably should have said, "salon-quality" instead of "high-end," because that is what my hair dresser is telling me I need.

• I have that Aveda heat protectant.
• How was the Qhemet Biologics twisting butter? I used to eye it for years but felt that I would just run right through it.
• I think a long time ago MahoganyCurls (YouTuber) had mentioned the Oribe line. I looked into it but never "jumped," LOL.
• I've seen several folks here endorsing the Kerastase masks.
• In my searches, the Alterna Caviar line keeps popping up. What do you love about it? What are your favorites from the line?

Thank you again for your time! Off to read about Alterna Caviar!

 

[Yvette 2.0]

It has been around forever and made for black hair. I use the relaxer and maintenance products from this line when I was relaxed and my hair was so beautiful. The regular pro line and the natural pro line are top tier. I don’t think they are very popular anymore but their products are chefs kiss

Not chef's kiss! Thanks for sharing. Off to read about these products!

 

[Prettymetty]

I’m a big fan of Kerastase. Those products are pricy but I feel so luxurious when I smell the fragrant scents.

 

[LadyRaider]

Is Cecred high end? That stuff (white bottles) is pretty amazing. They look pretty on my counters, smell yummy, feel great.

I am a product junkie. I use high end and drugstore. I think my hair really likes the 'cones in Pantene conditioners! My hair is a cheap date!

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Is Cecred high end? That stuff (white bottles) is pretty amazing.

I am a product junkie. I use high end and drugstore. I think my hair really likes the 'cones in Pantene conditioners! My hair is a cheap date!

I'd say Cecred is high-end.

Lol. Back in the day Pantene did right by my hair as well.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Wow, thanks for sharing! Thank you for taking the time!

Your post is helping me realize that I probably should have said, "salon-quality" instead of "high-end," because that is what my hair dresser is telling me I need.

• I have that Aveda heat protectant.
• How was the Qhemet Biologics twisting butter? I used to eye it for years but felt that I would just run right through it.
• I think a long time ago MahoganyCurls (YouTuber) had mentioned the Oribe line. I looked into it but never "jumped," LOL.
• I've seen several folks here endorsing the Kerastase masks.
• In my searches, the Alterna Caviar line keeps popping up. What do you love about it? What are your favorites from the line?

Thank you again for your time! Off to read about Alterna Caviar!

No problem.
If you are looking for salon-quality and better then you really have an abundance of options. I strongly recommend the Lengthy Strands line by @dontspeakdefeat who ran a successful salon for many years in GA. It was released a few years ago and is of much higher quality than far more expensive brands. EVERYTHING within the brands works well and became a proven staple for me within a year of my using and assessing the line.

Small Changes. Big Growth. Because Every Strand Deserves To Thrive!

At Lengthy Strands, we help you nourish, strengthen, and grow your textured hair with love, patience, and the right care.

lengthystrands.com

[*]I love the Qhemet Biologics twisting butter. Some hair butters and pomades are just formulated perfectly and keep my mids-ends sealed and protected. The Aethiopika butter is one of them and that little 4 oz jar will last months, if not a year, with me using it regularly(weekly) to thickly coat my ends so that they do not split or dry out when I want to wear my hair down through wool and winter. I would say the same about their Castor Oil Pomade and the Amla and Olive Heavy Cream. Qhemet biologics makes some of the the best leave-ins I have used for natural styles.

[*]I started using Alterna around 2010 and it has been one of those salon brands that doesn't disappoint. I wash my hair with the expectation that it will stay moisturized and supple ALL MONTH, even if I choose to re-wash weekly or biweekly. If my hair dries out after a week or 2, then I could use a better product and yield better moisture retention. Alterna has always met my moisture and maintenance standards. Their 10-in-1 CC cream (Now they just call it CC cream but it is the same one) has been my staple since around 2012 (I think I have a photo in my media album showing the old packaging in my staples folder). I use heat regularly and without worry. Alterna is just a wonderful brand, amongst others, that allows me to rotate between natural, straightened and stretched styles. The Joico moisture recovery line, the Lengthly Strands line linked above, Matrix Food for Soft, the Naturelle Grow line (@yaya24 thank you...you were right about her conditioners!) are all great lines.

Writing this makes me realise that I am going to have to update my staples folder to add a few new things. Nonetheless, I love the entire Replenishing Moisture line by Alterna.

Our Products

Browse Alterna’s new My Hair. My Canvas. and Caviar Anti-Aging collections, learn about all the benefits and shop the products you like.

www.alternahaircare.com

It has been offered by the brand for decades, and a few years ago, when they tried to change the formulation of the CC cream, everyone complained, and they changed it back lol! I 10 bottles of the original in my hair cabinet during that seaons, so I never corrupted my good feelings of the brand by trying the bad batch lol. They have changed the packaging. They have extended the line to include the gellee, oil, serum, and leave-ins, which also work well while the base shampoo, conditioner, and mask have stayed pretty much the same and worked fantastically on my hair for well over a decade.

There are many wonderful salon-quality brands you can choose from that will not be expensive...and smell great lol.