Does Expensive Always Equal Beautiful Salon Hair?

When you think of salon hair, you think of the big name products like Paul Mitchell, not Suave. We tend to think expensive equals beautiful hair. However, is this always the case? I tested both Paul Mitchell Extra Body shampoo and conditioner and Suave Professionals Humectant shampoo and conditioner to find out if this is true.

Paul Mitchell Extra Body shampoo thickens fine and normal hair while also cleansing and repairing. The active ingredient panthenol combined with the "finest ingredients" such as aloe, henna, rosemary and white ginger provide hair with a boost of volume and help soothe hair from every day damage while also providing a pleasant scent. The Extra-Body Daily Rinse conditioner used in conjunction with the shampoo helps to rinse in volume, detangle and condition hair. The ingredients for the conditioner are the same as can be found in the shampoo. Paul Mitchell Etxra Body Shampoo and Conditioner are only guaranteed when purchased at a licensed beauty salon. If purchased at a local drug or retail store, the product can not be guaranteed and can in fact be old, counterfeit or tampered with. Paul Mitchell Extra Body Shampoo and Daily Rinse can be purchased at your local salon for about $13.00 a bottle. I purchased mine at my local hair salon while on sale, spending $20 for both bottles (2/$20). The bottle itself is round and bulky, making it difficult to hold onto during use and I find that it takes up most of my shower shelf.

Paul Mitchell Extra-Body shampoo is clear with a hint of a light floral scent. The scent is pleasant and not overpowering. The consistency of the shampoo is not as thick as you would expect from the name but only a small dollop is necessary in order to adequately shampoo your hair. The shampoo lathers adequately but is not as foamy as one would expect. Paul Mitchell Extra-Body shampoo rinses well and your hair almost seems stripped of its oils and residues but very clean. However, my hair feels like straw and very dry after rinsing. Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Daily Rinse is a thicker formula, and white with a very similar scent to the shampoo. If you like the way your hair smells after leaving the salon, you will enjoy the way you smell after using these products. You do not need a large amount of conditioner, but I tend to use a half dollar amount on my hair (which is long) as it seems to take that amount to detangle the snags and soothe the straw-like feeling from the shampoo. I usually let it rest on my hair for a few minutes in the shower before rinsing. You do have to rinse well as the conditioner seems to linger on your hair and you may have to rub your fingers through your hair to ensure all the conditioner is out.

When styling after using Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Shampoo and Daily Rinse, my hair does seem to have extra body to it. After using a hair dryer, the extra volume is evident, but I also notice that my hair seems poofier and bigger on the sides, while I would prefer more volume at the roots.

Suave on the other hand now has a new Professional line, which they compare to big name products such as Nexxus. The new Professional line seeks to give customers salon hair at affordable prices. You can purchase this line at under $2.00. Plus, it comes in a tall sleek user friendly bottle that is easy to hold as your hand quickly grips the indentations in the middle of the bottle. In addition to the obligatory water and parfum, other ingredients include citric acid, glycerin, panthenol (same as in Paul Mitchell products), honey extract, rosemary extract and chamomile. The Humectant shampoo and conditioner restore moisture to dry or damaged hair while the special humectant formula helps to replenish moisture and nourish your hair. The shampoo is pearly and creamy. It feels a bit thicker than the Paul Mitchell product and the lather is bubbly and impressive. The scent, a combination of coconut, florals and other tropical scents linger in the bathroom, giving you a very pleasant hair shampooing experience long after you are out of the shower. In fact, the scent lingers throughout the day unlike the Paul Mitchell products and I have had many people comment on how good my hair smells. I can still smell the scent at bedtime and absolutely love it. The shampoo rinses well and my hair feels smooth and full of moisture after rinsing. I then use Suave Professionals Humectant conditioner, which is also white and thick and smells similar to the shampoo, but a bit more on the coconut side. You also only need a small amount to allow the conditioner to go on smoothly. This conditioner is also quick to detangle my long hair even with such a small amount. After leaving it on for a few minutes, the rinse is easy and my hair feels absolutely great-light, full of moisture and clean. Plus, the smell is just incredible. When drying my hair, it does not make my hair feel poofy but rather, manageable, full of body and smooth. My curls feel softer, have more bounce to them (even when air drying without using styling gel) and my hair feels incredibly soft after using Suave Professional humectant shampoo and conditioner.

While one may think Paul Mitchell would put out a superior product to Suave, I found that this is not the case. Suave was a far better product that Paul Mitchell and in fact provides more moisture, body, and softness. As an added bonus, it is also much more fragrant. Suave's new Professional line comes through in providing salon hair at a price customers can afford. In addition, it can be purchased right at your local grocery or retail store and is guaranteed for full satisfaction, or Suave will replace or refund your purchase. Why pay twenty dollars for shampoo and conditioner to have salon hair when you can purchase both shampoo and conditioner for under four dollars and have salon hair?