For years, I’ve encouraged all my guests to use the right professional products at home. It’s been a conversation I’ve had time and time again, but the results truly speak for themselves. I’m fortunate to have a loyal and long-standing guest base, and with that comes honest communication. One of the biggest challenges over the years, though, has been convincing some of my guests to make the switch from supermarket brand products to professional ones.
Now, I understand how tempting it is to grab a bottle from the supermarket shelf when you’re already there, but here’s the thing: using professional products is key to protecting your hair investment. Your hair isn’t just a style; it’s a process, and as we refer to it here at The Hair Movement a hair journey—and the products you use at home form one of the main pillars of that journey.
My Haircare Experiment: Professional vs. Supermarket Brand
I recently thought, “Why not demonstrate the difference?” So, I decided to test it on myself—yep, the person behind the chair. I picked a well-known supermarket shampoo, one that’s heavily televised and sells in the millions globally. It promises the world.
Now, let me tell you a bit about my hair. It’s thick, full-bodied, and has been compared to a lion’s mane more than once! So, if anyone’s going to notice a change, it’s me. And it didn’t take long either—this wasn’t a month-long experiment. After just the first wash, the difference was massive. My roots became greasy, my hair felt dry and lifeless, and it developed a waxy texture, which seemed like a failed attempt to make it feel smooth. How could such a drastic change happen after just one wash? The answer lies in the ingredients.
My Haircare Experiment: Professional vs. Supermarket Brand
I recently thought, “Why not demonstrate the difference?” So, I decided to test it on myself—yep, the person behind the chair. I picked a well-known supermarket shampoo, one that’s heavily televised and sells in the millions globally. It promises the world.
Now, let me tell you a bit about my hair. It’s thick, full-bodied, and has been compared to a lion’s mane more than once! So, if anyone’s going to notice a change, it’s me. And it didn’t take long either—this wasn’t a month-long experiment. After just the first wash, the difference was massive. My roots became greasy, my hair felt dry and lifeless, and it developed a waxy texture, which seemed like a failed attempt to make it feel smooth. How could such a drastic change happen after just one wash? The answer lies in the ingredients.
What’s Really in That Bottle?
Supermarket shampoos often contain sulphates, silicones, and heavy detergents. These ingredients might give you that immediate squeaky-clean feeling, but they strip your hair of natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Silicones, while making your hair appear shiny at first, coat the strands in a layer of synthetic plastic-like material, which builds up over time. This blocks moisture and can lead to breakage, especially if your hair is already damaged or chemically treated.
On the other hand, professional products like those we use at The Hair Movement are designed with your hair’s health as the top priority.
Take our Bye Bye Dry shampoo, for example. It’s sulphate-free, meaning it cleanses effectively without stripping away your hair’s natural oils. Instead, it nourishes from within with Coconut Fruit Extract. It’s ability to simultaneously cleanse and add moisture, makes it a true gift from nature. Loaded with minerals and amino acids, it builds internal health and strength Similarly, our Fight the Frizz conditioner is a powerhouse of natural ingredients. Enriched with natural keratin to rebuild the hair’s structure and probiotics to support a balanced scalp, it works to lock in moisture and repair every strand, leaving you with smooth, frizz-free locks.
The Results: Back to What My Hair Should Be
After just two washes with the supermarket product (which, for legal reasons, shall not be named—though it may or may not start with a “P”), I couldn’t take it anymore. My hair felt terrible! So, I went back to my trusty duo: Bye Bye Dry shampoo, packed with nourishing oils, and Fight the Frizz conditioner. The difference was night and day. My roots were no longer greasy, my hair texture felt revived, and I was back to the manageable, healthy hair I know and love.
It really drove home the point that professional products aren’t just a luxury; they’re an essential part of maintaining the health and beauty of your hair. Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner can literally make or break your hair journey.
The Results: Back to What My Hair Should Be
After just two washes with the supermarket product (which, for legal reasons, shall not be named—though it may or may not start with a “P”), I couldn’t take it anymore. My hair felt terrible! So, I went back to my trusty duo: Bye Bye Dry shampoo, packed with nourishing oils, and Fight the Frizz conditioner. The difference was night and day. My roots were no longer greasy, my hair texture felt revived, and I was back to the manageable, healthy hair I know and love.
It really drove home the point that professional products aren’t just a luxury; they’re an essential part of maintaining the health and beauty of your hair. Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner can literally make or break your hair journey.
Why Invest in Professional Products?
I often tell my guests, “You wouldn’t put cheap petrol in a luxury car.” Your hair deserves the same care and attention. Professional products are formulated with higher-quality ingredients and more advanced technologies to protect, repair, and enhance your hair. When you’ve invested in your hair—whether through colour, treatments, or just regular cuts—the last thing you want to do is jeopardise it with the wrong products.
Another truth about supermarket vs professional products is that you’ll always end up using more of the cheaper ones. Professional products require smaller portions and fewer washes. For me, it took three shampoos with the brand that shall not be named, compared to just one with The Hair Movement’s. It ends up being a false economy—you might pay more upfront, but you save in the long run.
So, next time you’re tempted by that supermarket shampoo, remember: professional products are designed to help your hair thrive. And when your hair looks its best, you feel your best. That’s something no supermarket brand can match.
Here’s to happy, healthy hair—because you and your hair deserve nothing less!
Victoria is a Master Stylist at The Hair Movement, where her lifelong passion for hair blends creativity with care. With nearly 20 years of experience, she has mastered precision cutting, the nuances of colour, as well as wedding hair and hair-up styling. Inspired by evolving trends and her guests’ individuality, Victoria crafts styles that reflect unique personalities and knows how to create long-term, healthy hair.
