Shampoo Basics II: Types of Shampoo

We are living in the age of options on top of options. Sometimes its hard to know how to maneuver thru so many choices. Finding a shampoo sounds simple, after all. its just soap right? But it can be really difficult. Deciding what cleansing product you should purchase depends on several factors such as your hair type and whether you gravitate more towards organic products or prefer heavily scented products, medicated shampoo or looking for a "fixer" product to address a condition or disorder. Lets not forget the main factor  for most people - how much does it cost? While there are those that have unlimited or generous budgets to spend on their beauty products, many people do not have that luxury but still want to look great and end up with the desired result.

A good shampoo should thoroughly cleanse the scalp of dirt, sweat, oils and products while leaving the hair looking healthy, shiny and soft. While I will discuss in greater detail the properties of different ingredients found in shampoos in another article, this particular article will be dealing solely with understanding what are the different types of shampoos, and how and when to use them. Below I have compiled a list of all the categories of shampoos available on the market, their individual uses and even a few product recommendations and links in each category.  If you are confused by the all the brands and fancy labels on the market, then you must read this article. Please be advised that this article should merely serve as a general guide. Always follow manufacturer directions for proper usage.

Clarifying Shampoo

These are shampoos used for deep cleansing if for example, you use a lot of product to maintain your hairstyle.  Often these shampoos are used before getting a chemical process such as Keratin or Straightening treatments. Clarifying shampoos are not recommended for use if you wash your hair every couple of days. These are better used once per week or even every two weeks. Using too often can really strip the hair of its natural oils and can be a bit harsh. Apple cider vinegar is often an ingredient in clarifying shampoos.

Recommended Products: 

Peppermint & Avocado Clarifying Shampoo

Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo
Philip B Lavender Hair & Body Shampoo
Rene Furterer Curbicia Lightness Regulating Shampoo

Acid Balanced Shampoo

An acid balanced Shampoo should be used after any chemical process. These process contain active agents which are highly alkaline and the hair must be brought down to its natural level of 4.5-5.5 ph. An acid balanced shampoo will smooth the cuticle and prevent additional loss of moisture. 

Recommended Products: 

Malin + Goetz Peppermint Hair Shampoo

PHYTOKÉRATINE Repairing Shampoo

Rene Furterer Tonucia Toning Shampoo

SISLEY Shampooing Phyto Aromatique Shampoo

Sea Marine Revitalizing Shampoo

Medicated Shampoo

These types of shampoos can be sold over the counter, prescribed by a doctor or recommended by a cosmetologist. Medicated shampoos are used to relieve excessive itching, flaking or other condition of the scalp like bacteria and fungal infections. Medicated shampoos are also needed to combat lice, scabies, mites  or other vermin. Often the active ingredient is an anti -microbial such as some form of zinc or selenium. Botanical oils such as peppermint tea tree, eucalyptus may be an ingredient to soothe itching.

Recommended Products: 

Philip B Anti-Flake Relief

Philip B Anti Flake II Relief Shampoo

Babo Botanicals Rosemary Tea Tree Lice Repel Shampoo

Opalis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Conditioning Shampoo

Also known as a moisturizing shampoo, these contain humectant and emollient agents for hydration and protein to promote elasticity. Conditioning shampoos are vital to hair which has been subjected to chemical processing like bleaching, color, relaxers or perms have had protein and moisture stripped from the hair. Moisturizing shampoos can bring life and volume back to the hair. However, take caution with heavy conditioners so that the hair is not weighed down and becomes lifeless.

Recommended Products: 

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging - Replenishing Moisture ShampooBain Vitalisant B - Shampoo for Dry, Coloured, Sensitive HairBlushing Orange ShampooKlorane Nourishing Shampoo with Mango Butter
Malin + Goetz Gentle Neroli Shampoo

Philip B White Truffle Moisturizing Shampoo

Color Shampoo

A good color shampoo can brighten or refresh color treated hair. Some may have color to add color to the hair in between color retouches or to minimize unwanted tones in bleached or color treated hair. These shampoos are gentle and sulfate free with a conditioning agent to smooth the porous cuticles of color treated hair. Hair with high porosity will not only absorb color, chemicals or moisture much faster but will also release it much faster. 

Recommended Products: 

René Furterer  OKARA Mild Silver Shampoo

Bumble and bumble - Color Minded Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Klorane Shampoo with Chamomile for Blond Hair

Alchemic Shampoo

Dry Shampoo

Lately Dry Shampoo has become very popular. It has become a go to styling product to add volume and texture to fine hair. Traditionally, it had been used to cleanse the hair of the elderly or bedridden who were unable to do a proper shampoo at the sink. Dry Shampoo can be used to refresh the hair between your normal shampoo routine, without water and absorb excess oils. To use this type of shampoo you simply apply the product and after a few minutes brush it out. 

Recommended Products: 

Philip B - Russian Amber Imperial Dry Shampoo

René Furterer NATURIA Dry Shampoo 

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk (Non-Aerosol)

Serge Normant - Meta Revive Dry Shampoo 

Alterna Bamboo Style Cleanse Extend Translucent Dry Shampoo

Safely Remove Hair Color Stain on Skin

Hair coloring can be a messy process so I wanted to share the best hair color remover methods. Hair color can get all over your clothes and worse your skin. Before applying hair color the smartest thing to do is to drape your clothing to protect it, and if a little color drops on your clothing, you can just throw your clothes in the machine anyhow. Also, you can keep hair color stains on hands to a minimum by wearing protective gloves. Still, what do you do to remove the residual color that is visibly often left at the hairline? Many hair color manufacturers actually make stain removers to get rid of stains on the skin post color application. You can go spend a few extra bucks to buy one of those products or try one of the DIY cheapo options I have listed below. There are several ways floating around on the internet but some of those include methods I would not recommend for your face. It can be harmful to the delicate skin of the face. However, these are 3 methods I have shared are ones I use to remove hair color stain on skin most frequently after applying hair color because you can use on face and hands. 

Hair Color Remover Method #1

At the sink while rinsing out the color, take some of the hair closest to the hair closest to the hairline and rub the the area where hair color stains remain on the skin. Yes this works! Just carefully rub the color stains with a few strands of hair and watch it fade away. I find this method works better with lighter hair color stains. Still works on deeper shades but not as effective as methods one or two. The secret to this is to get to the stains before they set.

Alcohol is a cheap method to 

remove hair color stains 

from skin

Hair Color Remover Method #2

Rubbing alcohol is a cheap way to remove color from the skin. Using either an alcohol pad or a bit of alcohol poured onto a cotton ball, gently rub the area where there is any visible hair color stain on skin. This is my fave method because it usually remove all or most of the color and alcohol can be purchased inexpensively just about everywhere. This method is frequently used in the salon.

Hair Color Remover Method #3

Another favorite is baking soda. Baking soda is another inexpensive item you probably already have at home and has multiple uses. But yup, now you can use it to remove your hair color stains as well. Make a paste by mixing it with a some dish washing liquid. Remember to always rub an area gently. The skin on the face is sensitive and Baking soda has exfoliant qualities and can be abrasive if one rubs to aggressively.

I hope you have liked the ideas I have shared and can use them. If you have any suggestions or comments on the information, please share them in the comments section.