• Baby Shampoo: These products are very gentle and do not contain any harsh chemicals that may irritate the skin and eyes. However, these shampoos usually have a pH of 8, same as the eye, and that is why it doesn't sting your children's eyes. Unless your scalp is very sensitive or you can't seem to wash your hair without getting it in your eyes, leave Johnson & Johnson for the babes. Baby shampoos so not give your hair what it needs. You need a shampoo that has a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 , depending. Ask your hair stylist what is best for your hair type and pay attention to your hair's reaction after use.
• Clarifying Shampoo: These shampoos remove product build up and excess oil. They usually contain no conditioning agents so it may be best to condition your hair afterwards if you want to get a comb through it without damage and pain.
  Conditioning (or all in one) Shampoo: These products contain added conditioners to simplify the washing showering process. These may be great for men and children but many women with chemically treated hair can not use these. Many of us need heavier conditioners, especially after childbirth and cessation of prenatal vitamins.
• Moisturizing Shampoo: These products contain agents that moisturize rather than strip. Products which may do this are TIGI Bedhead® moisture maniac,  ApHOGEE® Balancing Moisturizer, and Aveda® Pure-Fume Brilliant Shampoo. These shampoos are great if your hair is very straw-like and brittle. If your hair stretches when it is wet, you should use these sparingly.  My favorite is Enjoy® Sulfate Free Hydrating Shampoo and Enjoy® Hydrating Conditioner.
• Dandruff Shampoo: These are usually coal tar shampoos or medicated products that ease the flaking and itching of this condition. I find this product to dry out the hair if used often, however they do rid you of dandruff.
• Volumizing or Body Shampoo: These products contain agents which can cause the hairshaft to swell or rough up the cortex the hair. It will not permanently give you added thickness. Some contain little or no conditioning agents and can damage your hair with prolonged use. A good volumizing product is Amplify™ Volumizing System Shampoo by MATRIX®.
• Pigment Containing Shampoo: you may be familiar with Henna-containing shampoos for brunette hair, Red pigmented products for redheads and Violets for blondes. Along the same line as the Violet Shampoos (below) but for darker hair to enrich the color or lengthen the color between salon visits. Using henna or darker (other than purple/violet) pigmented shampoos on blonde hair can be disastrous.
• Violet Shampoo: These shampoos contain pigments to filter out the yellowing in gray and blonde hair. Many women use one of these to take the brassiness out of their hair between colorings. The natural oil from your scalp can cast a yellow hue and these products simply help remove or camouflage the yellow undertones. However, these products can be very drying if they contain lighteners.

Standard Conditioners: Essential For Normal to Oily Hair
These products can make or break your hair, literally. If you use too much it can cause limp and oily looking hair. Too little, dry and brittle hair. Not all of us need conditioner but if you chemically treat your hair or expose your hair to the ocean, sun and wind, conditioners may become your best friend.

The function of a conditioner is to coat the hair shaft to smooth down the damaged hair shaft, provide protection from curling irons and environmental elements. It can tone down frizziness and ease combing wet hair or brushing dry hair. Many of us can not function without some sort of conditioner. Fine hair which easily tangles may need conditioning agents, however a really heavy product weighs down the hair. Some of us use a moisturizing conditioner plus a protein reconstructor once or twice a week. Some of us rarely need conditioner and still others, light daily conditioners. Here are some typical conditioning formulas. This section does not cover Hair Masks and other hair treatments.

• Instant Conditioner: These products can be really good for normal or slightly damaged hair. It is a light formula which quickly conditions the hair leaving it looking healthy and protected. This is not a good choice for fine hair. It can weigh the shaft down creating flatness and build up resulting in the need for a clarifying shampoo. Do not over-condition.
• Finishing Rinse: This product is good for very fine, limp hair. It does not weigh down the hair shaft unnecessarily and doesn't have a high build up rate. Although it will not provide enough conditioning properties for overly-damaged or dry hair.
• Volumizing Conditioner: These products contain agents which can cause the hairshaft to swell or rough up the cortex the hair. It will not permanently give you added thickness. Some products can damage your hair with prolonged use. A good volumizing product is Amplify™ Volumizing System Conditioner by MATRIX®.
• Pigment-containing Conditioner: These are additional to the pigment containing shampoos for added depth of color. Blonds may use a violent-based conditioner on occasion. The formulations for darker hair are better than the ones for lighter shades as many contain lighteners which may be drying. Henna conditioners are a good start for deep brown tones whereas walnut is better for darker shades.
• Detangler/Leave-in Conditioner: Life would be very difficult for many women and children were it not for detanglers. Overuse can cause product build up and limp hair, however many choose to adjust than to live in perpetual tangles.

More Information

• Shampoo Review & Myths - Consumer Search

    

 

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