Myth Busting: High Street vs Professional Curl Products

Walk into many shops now and you’ll see shelves packed with an array of affordable curly hair products. So why do stylists still recommend professional ranges and what makes them different?

We're not here to tell you what to use, that's your choice, but we want to help share the facts so you can make informed choices that are right for you. 

The biggest difference really lies in formulation and intent. High street products are designed for mass appeal, and short term results.  To achieve an attractive price point they may often use cheaper ingredients and fillers.  Whilst these might do the job in teh short term, they may require more ingredients because they're less potent, and the fillers unfortunately can be damaging to the hair in the long run.  So you're choosing between looking good now but paying the price later. 

Professional products, on the other hand, are crafted with curl health at the core, balancing gentle cleansers, curl-loving actives, and higher concentrations of nourishing ingredients that support long-term hair health.

Now, let’s bust some common myths so you can make an informed choice for your curls.

Myth 1: High street products are just as good as professional ones

Busted: While some high street products can work, they often rely on fillers or harsh surfactants to cut costs and have a broader appeal.  The focus for the high street will be aesthetic rather than integral to hair health.  Professional products on the other hand tend to be formulated more specifically for the health of the hair.  Think stronger hair that is better protected, and grows.  Curls do need more moisture and a better composition so whilst straight hair can afford to be less nurtured, curly hair tends to need more of the 'good stuff'. 

Myth 2: Professional products are only for salons

Busted: Professional doesn’t need to mean complicated but some products might be.  The key is to check what you're looking to do for your curls.  Are you chemically altering your curl type or doing a significant colour change or are you looking to nourish and support. Where chemicals are involved it's important to check the ingredient and whether your stylist encourages their use without the training.  If you're looking to cleanse, moisturise and style your curls then the professional products might be exactly what you're after to use at home.  

Ultimately there's no one answer here and it does just depend, so the simplest way is to check.  Research the ingredient and be clear on what you're looking to achieve.  For natural products such as the Shedid & Parrish product range, made for a professional environment they are perfect for the pros but simple enough to use at home.  

Myth 3: Expensive products are always better

Busted: This is a simple and hard No.  Price doesn’t automatically equal quality. You'd like to hope that you're being charged more for a better quality ingredient, improved sourcing and higher concentration but that isn't necessarily the case. Equally that means that some cheaper products might be more than sufficient for your needs.  There's no need (or point) to pay more just because.  When selecting products check the label and where the active ingredients appear, remember they're listed in decreasing amounts so the higher they are on the label, the more potent they are.  And be mindful of what you actually need.

Myth 4: High street products are gentler

Busted: Unfortunately this is unlikely but some products could be. You'll find gentle products on the high street and harsh products too, the same can be said for the salon environment.  Harsh ingredients such as sulphates, harsh alcohols and drying chemicals can be found across the high street and the salon space, it all depends on preference.  These ingredients are not inherently bad it's whether they're right for your hair type.  Straighter hair tends to be more robust and doesn't need such sensitive ingredients, whereas curls need moisture so we need to be a little more careful consideration around the ingredients we select.  Shedid & Parrish formulate our products with a balanced pH of 4.5 - 5.5 which is gentler and softer on the scalp and mimics the scalp & hair's natural levels achieving a more gentle level - it's always a good question to ask! 

Myth 5: Switching to professional products won’t make a big difference

Busted: This really depends on what difference you're looking for and why you're looking to switch.  As mentioned when busting some of the myths above there are always variables so it really depends on what you're looking to achieve.  Where there's a particular concern think scalp health or alopecia, it's always worth seeking out a trichologist for specific advice.  If it's about styling and hair finish, such as frizz, lack of moisture or growth the professional products 'should' be better as they should be created specifically for curls - Shedid & Parrish is one such example.  But that's not the case for all so be sure to check with the brand or check with your stylist who can advise you for your needs.   

So how do you choose wisely?

• Read the label: Ingredients and the order they're listed tell you more than price.
• Think long-term: Professional products focus more on curl health, not just instant shine which can be temporarily achieved.
• Test and adjust: Start with one or two key products before overhauling everything and give it time, you may not get results instantly as your hair will take time to adapt and the old regime needs to be worked out.
• Match your curls: Choose formulas designed for your texture, porosity, and density.

For any specific help, you can generally speak to the brand or ask your stylist. 

But don't be fooled - don't just go on the marketing - don't just choose based on price - look at what you're looking to achieve and then seek help.  Less is often more, so whilst you might be spending a little more in the short term, your hair health will be better so less intervention should be needed. 

Have a specific question? Get in touch with our curl specialists at info@shedidandparrish.co.uk where we're waiting to help.