Hoover Shampooer

Confused by all of the shampoos and conditioners out there? Here's how to choose the best one for your hair type.

Throughout the ages, hair has been a symbol of beauty. Achieving and maintaining beautiful hair can be a challenge if you don't select the best shampoo and conditioner for your particular hair type. With the bewildering array of choices available to you, it's not surprising there's confusion as to which products to select. A trip to your nearest salon store can be an overwhelming experience!

What are the keys to a vibrant head of hair that has the bounce and shine we all crave? Having a healthy amount of natural scalp oil is important to the appearance of your hair. Too little and your hair will appear dry and lackluster, while too much oil will weigh down the hair and cause it to appear oily and lackluster.

Shampoo, no matter how exotic the ingredients, has the simple role of removing excess oils and build up of everyday pollutants and residue left over from hair care products. Because most of the oil is concentrated in the first few inches of the hair adjacent to the scalp, shampoo should be concentrated in this area with a lighter application applied further down the hair shaft.Conditioner plays the role of replenishing oils that have been removed from excessive styling and heat exposure and also serves as a protective barrier to future damage. It should be applied lightly in most cases in order to prevent build up which may cause the hair to be limp and lifeless.


The first step in choosing a shampoo or conditioner should be determining your hair type. Is your hair predominantly oily or dry? If your hair is excessively dry, you'll want to select a shampoo designed specifically for dry hair. These shampoos contain a higher level of essential fatty acids which bond to the hair shaft helping to retain moisture. It's also important to choose a shampoo that has a low pH, making it more acidic. Higher pH shampoos tend to open the hair cuticle allowing essential moisture to evaporate. A good conditioner will be important for the health of dry hair. Choose a moisturizing conditioner and use it religiously after every shampoo. Be sure to use a cool setting on your blow dryer if you have dry hair.

If you have oily hair, you'll want to select a shampoo with deep cleansing properties to remove the buildup of oils from your scalp which can cause hair to be limp and lacking in body. It's importnt that your shampoo not be excessively harsh since stripping the scalp completely of oils can result in the sebaceous glands overcompensating by producing even more oil. When choosing a conditioner, select one that is specifically designed for oily hair and apply conditioner only to the ends and dryer areas of your hair.


Is your hair excessively curly, kinky, or color treated? Curly hair responds best to a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner designed for dry hair, while kinky hair is best treated with a shampoo and conditioner that's high in protein. How can you tell if a shampoo is high in protein? Protein should be listed as one of the first ingredients on the bottle. There are specific shampoos and conditioners designed for color treated hair that help to prevent the color from changing or fading due to exposure to light or heat. These shampoos can be found in most salon stores at a reasonable price.

One warning, sometimes using the same shampoo, conditioner and other hair care products over a long period of time can result in excessive build up which causes the hair to be limp. This is where a clarifying shampoo can make a difference in your hair's appearance. A clarifying shampoo removes the buildup of hair care products that can weigh down your hair and causing it to be dull and greasy in appearance. Try using a clarifying shampoo once every 10 days to revive dull hair.

Finally, enlist the services of a good hair stylist to keep your locks looking their very best. She'll be glad to make recommendations on shampoos and conditioners that would work well with your particular hair and will help put you on the path to beautiful hair.