Expensive products...are they worth it?

[Napp]

by expensive i mean $10 and up for a regular sized container


do you think it is worth it to pay the extra cash for salon/handmade products?

does anyone use all expensive products? anyone use all cheapies? show your hair please! is the proof really in the pudding?!

 

[whiteoleander91]

I use cheapies! Currently cowashing with V05 clarifying condish and the pomegranate/grapeseed extract one. Africa's Best herbal oil as a leave-in ( I just started this). Shampoo with Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture. Aaaand I'm still looking for a deep conditioner :/

My hair today, still wet in pic:

Personally, I don't care how great a product is; I'm not spending all my money on it! And the cheapies work for me

 

[DivineNapps1728]

Whether it's worth the extra money depends on the product & what one's hair responds to. I've found that price doesn't always correlate with quality so I choose products with ingredients that my hair likes regardless of cost, within reason of course. I have a mixture of cheap & expensive products.

Some salon/handmade stuff is worth the $$; some of those products have cheaper alternatives that I can purchase locally.

 

[prettybyrd]

@Whiteoleander91 - ^^^your hair is luscious!! OMG...:notworthy

ETA - I've found that some expensive products are not worth the money. They are just pricey. I don't mind paying a little more for really high quality handmade products as long as they deliver.

For example, I know the jar is small - but I can't live without Little Penguins Fresh Cream. Nothing makes my hair as soft as that stuff!

 

[whiteoleander91]

lol! thank you prettybyrd :3

 

[Bublin]

Well i don't know how much it costs in the US but AO HSR costs around £10 for that small bottle and to be honest i don't think i'll re-purchase when it's empty. I have to use a substantial amount on my dense hair. I would like an alternative. Wish i was an s-curl only girl....calling @Nonie (sorry - again!!)

etc - Wait - i just googled how much it is on the US AO site - it's $10.48. Nah, you guys are getting it waaay cheaper.

 

[KhandiB]

I have tried some real good conditioners that were like $10 bucks for a small jar (KeraPro Moist. Conditioner) SE Luxury Moist Condish. Im heavy handed with the conditioner, so I need things that are affordable. I have left but always seem to come back to Motions Moisture Plus conditioner. Oh and Silicon Mix , I love that stuff, lol

 

[curlyninjagirl]

I think AO HSR is totally worth it's weight in gold! My HG conditioner, for sure! But as far as the price I consider it mid-range.

I visited an upscale beauty supply store and tried about 6 different high-end salon conditioners (I'm talking the stuff that cost $30-$50 a bottle). I bought them in the trial-size bottles and I can say from all that I tried only one or two stood out and the rest, meh!

Ojon made me melt! I loved how that conditioner made my hair feel. But if you feel a certain way about silicones--as I do--skip the pricy salon stuff, they are all chock-full of 'cones and other weird ingredients that I can't pronounce!

 

[Embyra]

Tressemme naturals conditioner smooth and moisture £2.99

Eco styler £2.99

world of curls £4.99

These are my staples i haven't found a shampoo i love yet so yes im a cheapie and proud
Im in the UK and feel bitter at paying the higher prices for alot of these other well know natural hair brands

I really doubt any other gel is going to do anything ''better'' for my hair but i would spend money on a deep conditioner

 

[Nonie]

@Nonie (sorry - again!!)

Bublin, *doing MJ moves*

♪You Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
You Got To Be Startin' Somethin'
I Said You Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
You Got To Be Startin' Somethin'♫

There are products I buy w/o even paying attention to the price because IMO they are THAT good. Emergencée by Nexxus is one. I actually find Aubrey Organics cheap. I was surprised that the Vitamin Shoppe sells it for under $10 (IIRC, $8.99); I thought it'd be more. But you also have to understand that I don't waste product. By waste I mean: use more than my hair needs.

I remember a thread where people were talmbout using 8 ounces on hair that doesn't reach their butt or knees. I actually posted pictures of how less than 2 oz covers my head and some is left over. And I'm talking about dry DCing, which is when one is likely to use more than usual. (The thread I'm talmbout; I share my evidence on post #48)

So conditioners last me a long time. I don't spend money on leave-ins (except S Curl when I wear my hair out which is once in a blue moon)...and I don't pay anyone to do my hair. So realistically the money I spend on the "expensive" products is peanuts compared to what others spend on haircare.

But yeah, Bublin is right, I'm as cheap as they come. So she wasn't off calling me out. But when I do find a good thing, I stick with it and I am OK forking out money for it.
​

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I guess it depends.

Some conditioners are like 40 bucks. Please. I would never buy them.

I use - Oyin Handmade ( 18 bucks)
Nature's Gate Condish ( 7 bucks)
Aloe Vera Juice and Gel ( these are about 7 to 9 bucks respectively)
Coconut oil - 10 bucks
Etae Shampoo ( 28 bucks for the large - I only buy it once a year)
Un petroleum Jelly - 6 bucks at whole foods
And Ampro slickie shine something - its 4 bucks at Sally's.

Everything else has not worked for me.
so - I try to buy my staples once a year.... And keep it moving. A lot of stuff that I have tried ( Pureology, etc, etc, ) is Pure CRAP for my hair.

Simple and NOT TOO cheap... But - relatively cheap =)

 

[CrueltyFree]

What's expensive is relative. Your expensive may not be my expensive. And vice versa. There are things I wouldn't dare drop a bunch of cash on, like expensive name brand handbags, shoes, and clothes. Some people spare no expense when it comes to those things, but when it comes to hair products they are more frugal. A $400 handbag is a steal, or $350 weave is amazing, but $20 for conditioner is too much, or $15 for a moisturizer is outrageous. I can go off on a tangent about this but I won't derail.lol

"Cheapies" and drugstore products generally don't work for me. I've tried all there is to try. Pantene, Suave, Vo5, Tresseme, Aphogee, Garnier Fructis, Organic Root Stimulator, Cantu, and a few odds and ends. My hair doesn't like silicones (even in "natural" products, like Curl Junkie CCCC). My hair doesn't respond well to the cheapie condishes and I'd have to use a ton of them for effectiveness anyway so in the end I'd be paying just as much for conditioner.

When I started using all natural products my hair responded well to them. Also, its an ethical choice for me. I don't like the fact that mineral oil is a by product of crude oil so I'd rather not use it. I don't like fillers in products not only because my hair doesn't like them generally, but also because I just prefer all non-synthetic ingredients. They serve no purpose for me. I understand silicones and mineral oil have a purpose, but I don't need what it's offering.

So do I think the products I purchase are expensive? Not necessarily. They certainly aren't cheap, but I know the quality is good, they aren't full of bs, and they work for me. I don't think I pay more than $20 for anything really (except for my sapote oil...lol. And my curl junkie curl rehab in the 32oz bottle when it's on sale). They are worth it for me. 8oz of conditioner lasts me 2 months. My moisturizers last me a month or more, depending on how I'm using them.

Now being a hair product junkie, I can't afford that.lol Ain't nothing wrong with being one, I know having variety is nice and all, but I can't afford trying all these products. I'd rather spend more buying the products that give me consistent results.

 

[CrueltyFree]

Also, just because it's "natural" doesn't always justify the expense. I will never buy Miss Jessies. I would never pay $40 for some shea butter mix. You get the drift

 

[SimJam]

I used all cheapies when I was relaxed and had great results.

went from this

to this

in one year

staples were VO5 moisture milks, suave coconut shampoo and conditioner, hawiian silky 14 in 1, henna, Aphogee 2 min and provit. leave in and ayurveda powders.


as a natural I went from close shave to NL in one year using expensive products (Qhemet, Oyin, Darcys)

did'nt make much of a difference in fact now that I look at the progress I think I retained more hair when I was relaxed and using cheep products



ETA I think the "expensive" products I buy are worth it because they last longer and perform better than the cheapies. I tried using the cheapies on my natural hair and it rebelled like nobodys business
and as other ladies have said, not just because it "natural" or expensive means your hair is gonna like it!

 

[Dposh167]

Some expensive brands are worth it.

For salon i use Joico and rusk. As for handmade i think SSI and curl junkie conditioners and stylers are totallu worth it. But i still have more cheapies than expensive. If im buying something expensive its b/c its doing something to my hair that NO cheaper brand can do. Usually it involves protein type of products or moisturizers

 

[Prudent1]

Agreeing w/ those I've thanked. I think the only 'expensive' staples I have are Joico prods, MT, & Nexxus Emergencee. I tend to watch sales ads and purchase in bulk (size and quantity) at that time. I usually have a coupon or two waiting as well. I mean I rarely pay full price. So, I don't mind the expensive stuff cause it gives me the results I am looking for. I only go to a pro for trims (thus saving $$ for my sales purchases). Everything else I do myself. I make a lot of my own products from organic items. My hair likes it that way.

 

[CrueltyFree]

Bublin, *doing MJ moves*

♪You Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
You Got To Be Startin' Somethin'
I Said You Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
You Got To Be Startin' Somethin'♫

There are products I buy w/o even paying attention to the price because IMO they are THAT good. Emergencée by Nexxus is one. I actually find Aubrey Organics cheap. I was surprised that the Vitamin Shoppe sells it for under $10 (IIRC, $8.99); I thought it'd be more. But you also have to understand that I don't waste product. By waste I mean: use more than my hair needs.

I remember a thread where people were talmbout using 8 ounces on hair that doesn't reach their butt or knees. I actually posted pictures of how less than 2 oz covers my head and some is left over. And I'm talking about dry DCing, which is when one is likely to use more than usual. (The thread I'm talmbout; I share my evidence on post #48)

So conditioners last me a long time. I don't spend money on leave-ins (except S Curl when I wear my hair out which is once in a blue moon)...and I don't pay anyone to do my hair. So realistically the money I spend on the "expensive" products is peanuts compared to what others spend on haircare.

But yeah, Bublin is right, I'm as cheap as they come. So she wasn't off calling me out. But when I do find a good thing, I stick with it and I am OK forking out money for it.
​

+1 That's another good point. I do my own hair too. I trim my own hair, style my own hair. I used to rely on hair braiders but I learned how to do my own. All the coins that I would have been giving to other people are now spent on my own supplies or on nothing hair related at all

 

[Curlykale]

To me price doesn't always mean quality. Plus, if something is 30 cents and it's all my hair wants, then I'm faithful for life. If I try an expensive product and it's very good, Iusually say "ok, it was nice. Goodbye."LOL
As long as something cheap has no damaging ingredients and as long as I can tweak it with nourishing, concentrated stuff like oils, aloe juice, then I'm more than happy.
I have tried some good brands but I want results without having to spend that amount of money. I prefer mixing and learning to mix or learning techniques to spending money on ready made products because and my hair seems to be happy that way. I am constantly trying to reduce to few ingredients and practices that work because I want to feel that kind of freedom (freedom to choose how and what and freedom from spending). I understand who prefers ready made good products only, it's just not my thing (not only with hair but in general).

 

[Coffee]

I think expensive is relative to the person buying it. Last night I used 2 products, one was Eclos DC which cost $8.99 and I finished by using Kerastase Age Premium Masque which was $55. Both worked really well, and I would purchase both again.

 

[Nonie]

What's expensive is relative. Your expensive may not be my expensive. And vice versa. There are things I wouldn't dare drop a bunch of cash on, like expensive name brand handbags, shoes, and clothes. Some people spare no expense when it comes to those things, but when it comes to hair products they are more frugal. A $400 handbag is a steal, or $350 weave is amazing, but $20 for conditioner is too much, or $15 for a moisturizer is outrageous. I can go off on a tangent about this but I won't derail.lol

I concur!

 

[JeterCrazed]

by expensive i mean $10 and up for a regular sized container
$10?! That's it?!

do you think it is worth it to pay the extra cash for salon/handmade products?
I definitely think it's worth the cash when justified by the ingredients- Not price. IMO, $30 for 16 oz of product is what I consider expensive. Nioxin? Worth it. Paul Mitchell Pure Moisture? Not worth it. I have yet to find a poo or condi less than $10 that I didn't want to throw out the window.

does anyone use all expensive products? By the criteria you gave, yes.

anyone use all cheapies?

show your hair please! is the proof really in the pudding?!

Attached is a pic of my air dried hair. The leave-in is $40 for 16 oz and Argan oil $15 for 1oz.

Sent from my HTC Inspire™

 

[FearlessNik]

I prefer homemade products (not always cheaper). Miss Jessies? Not worth the price. Naturalista Cosmetics? Not worth the price.

 

[LaidBak]

if $10 per container is expensive then yes, I think they are worth it. Joico, Ovation, Matrix, Kenra--all worth it.

 

[divachyk]

For my hair --- > yes

 

[niqu92]

i use Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm and its the ONLY DC that really works for me. its $20&up for a jar but its worth it. i also use their ultra-hydrating shampoo and leave in. I use Matrix products every wash day i only use cheap products when i co-wash after working out

 

[prospurr4]

All of my products are inexpensive and easy to aquire locally...VO5, Suave, Motions, Revlon, Giovanni Direct, and Proclaim, to name a few. Since I've had good success with cheapies, I don't even have a desire to try the expensive products that I read about here. (hair pic in siggy)

 

[mzteaze]

I used products that I like which is a mix of inexpensive and so-called expensive products. IMHO, the measure of expense is relative to how frequently I use the product and how long it lasts. Like Nonie, I use my products sparingly. I'm always amazed when I hear people say stuff like "that little bottle won't last that long with me." Just an observation & not criticizing anyone but I would suggest learning how to modify your habit of "heavy hands" because you are easily wasting "cheapie" products and washing unnecessary product down the drain.

But consider this, I currently use a product that costs approximately $30 for a 16 oz. bottle. However, I use it at least once a week and it lasts me approximately 11 months (~48 weeks). That breaks down to about $2.50 a month. Now compared to someone who uses a bottle of cheapie every month or two....who spends more over the course of a year? Even at $3 a bottle (on sale) for Garnier Frutis..that works out to more than $36 with taxes over a year...(or more accurately $33 for 11 months).

 

[SuchaLady]

Some expensive products are in fact worth their price. Now honestly the cheap products VO5, Suave, etc do diddly squat for my hair. I probably would have more luck with plain water.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

i use Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm and its the ONLY DC that really works for me. its $20&up for a jar but its worth it. i also use their ultra-hydrating shampoo and leave in. I use Matrix products every wash day i only use cheap products when i co-wash after working out

Matrix Biolage doesn't get alot of love round here, glad to see it's a staple for someone other than me.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

The math geek in me measures whether something is expensive by the price per ounce for the product. If I catch Matrix Ultra Hydrating poo on sale it costs less per ounce than my NTM hair mask and will last longer.

The most expensive product I have bought was Miss Jessies Curly Pudding and I will not spend that much on product again without sampling it first. I refuse to even try Wen or Kerastase. Those products are too expensive for me think about liking.