5 Reasons Your Salon Products Do Not Work As Well At Home
Submitted by Beauty Brains Blog
Beth is bemused: Why is it when I go to the salon and have my hair washed, cut & blow-dried, my hair feels so smooth & fantastic? If I purchase the same shampoo, conditioner or other salon products and use them at home — my hair is clean, but it never feels as great as that first time. Is it the fact that the hair has been cut, styled and dried by someone else? Do the shampoo people have some secret ingredient that we never see or feel them put in our hair? Just wondering.
Hair’s the Right Brain’s response:
Ah, the mystery of the salon shampoo. Rest assured, there is no “secret” ingredient. The reasons salon 
products don’t work quite the same at home are a bit more mundane.
Let’s get one thing out of the way first. Some salon brands would suggest an explanation is because you bought inferior product at a store. They’ll claim if you didn’t buy at an “officially licensed” salon you may have counterfeit, diverted product. While this is possible, it’s more likely nonsense as this post on salon product diversion explains.
Assuming you’ve bought the same products used on your hair at the salon, here are 5 plausible reasons why they don’t work the same.
#1 - Stylists are better stylers than you
As suggested in the question, the way your hair looks and feels is mostly dependent on how it’s cut, dried and styled. Your stylist has gone to school, learned & practiced specialized techniques, and does hundreds of heads a month. Naturally, they are going to be able to do things with your hair that you can’t do.
#2 - Stylists have to make hair look good
In addition to being better than you, they’ve also got more incentive to make your hair look good. Giving you a bad look is bad for business. So, they have to develop more patience. When you style your hair and a section doesn’t go the way it’s supposed to, you get frustrated. Eventually, you might give up and throw your hair in a pony-tail. Stylists don’t have this luxury.
#3 - More thorough application of product
When you apply your salon product, you put it in your hand and smear it through your hair. It’s easy to imagine that you miss significant sections just because you can’t see where you’re putting it. Stylists have a better angle and can apply the product more thoroughly. Their position also allows them to shape your hair in ways that you can’t.
#4 - Unknown product combination
Another possibility is that the stylist used a product on your hair that you either didn’t buy or they didn’t tell you about. Maybe they spritzed a leave-in conditioner and spread it through your hair without telling you. Unless you watch and ask them about everything they are using, you may not be getting all the same products.
#5 - You spent money
Finally, no matter what your hair looks like, you’ll be more inclined to believe it looks and feels better when you pay someone to get it done. That’s just human nature. No one wants to feel foolish or ripped-off. You want to believe. It’s the same phenomena that makes people believe a $30 salon shampoo is better than a $1 store bought shampoo. This would be true even if the products were EXACTLY the same in all other ways as this study about pricey products demonstrates.
Beauty Brains bottom line
There are a number of reasons your salon products don’t seem to work as well at home. One sure way to get them to work better is to get yourself a roommate who is also a stylist. It’s worked well for Sarah.
Why do you think your salon products don’t work as well for you? Leave a comment below and let the rest of the Beauty Brains community know.
October 12th, 2008 at 2:03 am
#1 Mostly true; however, does not pertain to the use of products at home. Ask your stylist if you are using the right styling tools; i.e., brushes, combs, irons or dryers. You may also bring your styling tools to your stylist and ask if you need anything else to use while styling your hair. Ask your stylist to show you how to work with your hair and be realistic in your own styling abilities when selecting your style.
#2 Not true, some stylists have no great skills. If this is the case, your hair will look as bad leaving the salon as it does when you try to style it. Please remember, if it has been over 4 weeks since you have seen your stylist, with some styles, you may need to have the service updated.
#3 Confusing answer; however partially true. Proper product application is “very” important. Professional products are usually highly concentrated. Over application of conditioning products can cause a variety of problems. Depending upon hair length, start with a dime size. Rub it in both hands to expand product, apply mostly to damaged ends and use remaining product closer to the scalp. Thoroughly comb, not brush, through the hair starting at the ends and working towards the scalp until hair combs freely. Rinse thoroughly with tepid not hot water. Do not blast water preshure to rinse. Depending upon desired style, apply mousses or gels from the scalp area working towards hair ends. Always be certain to apply hair spray or fixatives holding applicators 12 inches from hair. Use short bursts or tap spray applicators to avoid over application. When using sprays, emagine your are painting with spray paint. Strive to attain a smooth even coverage.
#4 Ask more question, listen to the answers and use recommended products carefully and according to manfacturers instructions. Salon products do cost more; however, used properly, they are often competitive with store brands. Always close or seal you products after use and do not dip your fingers into products to avoid contamination. If you stylist is not interested in helping you learn how to work with your products or your hair. Find a stylist who will.
#5 Not true, when you have received service form a skilled stylist, you will know the difference. My customers tell me they do. Be realistic in your expectations in relation to price. On the other hand, you will also know when you do not get the quality that you have paid for. Unfortunate reality when shopping for almost anything. Shop around. When you find a stylist a you like, be on time for appointments and remember to treat them professionally.
“Hair care products do not make hair look great. Great stylists using any combination of professional products make hair look great.”
Unfortunately, many stylists themselves do not understand this reality. I hope this helps!