Did you know about this?
Trying to find the right shampoo for your hair can be a tricky business.
You have highlights so you opt for a shampoo aimed at treating them, but then your hair is dry so you need something hydrating, but sure then it goes and gets brassy so a purple toning option is necessary too.
GAH.
However, there's one thing you probably haven't thought much about when it comes to shampoo shopping and that's whether it contains sulphates or not.
Apparently, sulphates are pretty damaging as they strip hair of all that's good, (as well as cleaning out the bad stuff obviously).
This basically means that your hair is missing out on natural oils and moisture each time you wash with a sulphate-laden shampoo.
Of course, there are varying opinions when it comes to sulphates but when I hear a professional dissing them, I listen.
Hair supremo Aoife Collins has an impressive CV, she's been doing the heads of contestants on
The Voice of Ireland and
Operation Transformation and she's worked on numerous Brown Thomas fashion shows.
Now Creative Director at OSLO's Hot Air, a blow-dry bar in Dublin city, Aoife knows her stuff.
Here's her take on those nasty sulphates including why you should avoid them:
"Sulphates are cheap and abrasive cleansers that are added to various shampoos, shower gels etc to create a thick lather that harshly strips away moisture from the hair.
"Over time, sulphates weaken the hair structure, making it more prone to breakage".
If you have a sensitive scalp, a sulphate-free shampoo is key as they help to reduce any painful scalp inflammation while also helping to treat scalp sensitivity.
When it comes to looking for sulphate-free formulas, here's a couple of options:
Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo, €10.49 has been recommended by a number of beauty professionals and the fact it smells gorge is always a plus.
Kevin Murphy products are all about skincare for hair and a stand-out product is the sulphate-free Repair Me Wash which strengthens dry and brittle hair.
