Are you the kind of girl who has always stuck loyally to one shampoo brand? Or do you just pick up whatever is on offer, or is in the prettiest bottle? However you choose, recent studies have shown that most women have no idea which shampoo is right for them, and it could make a huge difference to your hair! I’ve been asking the experts, and here are my seven tips on how to pick the right shampoo.

1. Scalp Health

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Looking after your scalp is vital to having healthy hair, so it’s important to consider this when you pick a shampoo. How is the rest of your skin? Chances are if it’s oily, sensitive or easily irritated, your scalp will be too. Look for a shampoo which meets your skins needs too, for example, pick a shampoo for oily hair if you have oily skin and ensure you always rinse for a minimum of three minutes, as left over shampoo can irritate your scalp more.

2. Acidity

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The pH level of your scalp is slightly higher than the rest of your hair, and tends to be around 5. If you use a shampoo with a different pH, it can cause hair follicles to become brittle and snap, which makes your hair look unhealthy and thin. Try to find a brand that states its pH, and try a few different ones to see which one suits you best and leaves your hair shiny. You can usually get samples from the companies or salons!

3. Frequency

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Look at the suggested frequency on the bottle. An everyday shampoo will be much weaker then others, and will probably only have the desired effect for a few hours. A shampoo that states to use two or three times a week will be a lot stronger, so don’t overuse it or you risk damaging your hair.