The secrets to buying affordable – but effective – hair care products
There’s a surge in brilliant shampoos – that don’t blow the budget. Sonia Haria brushes up on the latest formulations
In the world of hair care, you would generally have one of two options: high street products that are cheap as chips but with questionable performance; or high-end hair care that would cost a small fortune for salon-worthy results.
But that’s all changed. Now you truly can get bang for your buck with products that leave you with glossy, shiny hair, usually from ingredients that you’d normally find in skincare.
Jamie Kerruish, beauty director for Boots, says: “There has been a significant shift in the way that we care for our hair, with us beginning to treat it in the same way as skincare.
“With the cost of living challenges, some customers are looking at alternative ways to achieve that ‘salon finish’ and great quality hair, and brands are responding to this with innovative, science-driven haircare that is affordable.”
When leading hairstylist Adam Reed began developing his own range in the pandemic, he was certain he wanted to create an affordable range that gave you your best hair. It really does. The Arkive range is available in Boots and nothing is over £14. They easily rival – and are largely better than – most expensive alternatives. I’ve been using the Shampoo (£12), Conditioner (£12) and Hair Primer (£13) for a month now, and am really impressed by the performance. It all smells incredible too (Reed is a perfume aficionado so his products are developed like fine fragrances).
Meanwhile, the bigger brands have really improved their formulations, easily rivalling products two or three times as expensive. The hair care offering from L’Oreal Paris just gets better and better. Its latest range, the Elvive Hydra collection, includes the super-hydrator hyaluronic acid. The Moisture Plump Serum is my favourite as a quick boost of hydration for dry hair (in fact, the entire range is excellent). Another “haircare serum” is the £10 Pantene Pro-V Miracles Thirsty Ends Quencher Milk to Water Serum. Apply a little onto split ends and the biotin and baobab extract instantly smooths the hair and leaves a glossy finish.
This is the first time that products to help improve the condition of the scalp are available at more approachable prices, too. Searches containing the term “scalp” have more than doubled on boots.com. One of the best new launches is the Head & Shoulders DermaXPRO scalp-hydrating range, which is a real must-try for dry or irritated scalps. If you’re new to scalp scrubs, try the Scalp Scrub by Arkive (£14).
Whatever your budget, hair type or texture, there’s an affordable haircare range out there for you. And you needn’t spend more than £15 to treat your hair.