We tested the best shampoos against market leader Pantene – and the winner costs a quarter of the price
THERE’S not need to get into a lather over your bills – because you can easily find shampoo at a cut price.
Reports says cash-strapped shoppers have so little money left after paying bills that some are giving up bathtime products and washing their hair with washing up liquid.
The charity Freedom4Girls said families around the nation are now struggling to afford essential toiletries.
Boots recently launched a new Everyday range featuring 60 products at budget prices to help.
Items in the shopping-friendly range included toothpaste at 50pm and a big bottle of shampoo for just 75p. But is a bottle of shampoo that costs less than a quid any good for your hair?
We asked mum-of-three Lynsey Hope to try out some budget bottles – which all cost less than £1 – and compare them to a standard bottle of luxurious Pantene which, at £250 for 400ml is more than twice the price.
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Lynsey explained: “I’ve always used shampoos that cost £3 or £4 or bottle but I was determined to find something that is just as good for less.”
Lynsey, 41, from West Malling, Kent, has given the shampoos a rating out of ten based on how well they washed her hair and whether they were good value for money.
She also came up with a total score, also out of ten.
Here’s what she found . . .
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COCONUT SHAMPOO by SAINSBURY’S
(500ml) 75p (15p per 100ml)
A FANTASTIC price from Sainsbury’s, beating both Lidl and Aldi at just 15p per 100ml.
I loved the coconut smell and it comes a good-sized bottle. When I first put it on, it made my hair feel quite dense, like it was absorbing all the water.
I had quite a lot of fly-away bits after blow-drying and thought it still looked a bit greasy. Not my favourite.
Wash rating: 4
Value for money: 7
Overall score: 5
MORRISONS WILD RASPBERRY SHAMPOO
(500ml) 95p (19p per 100ml)
A VERY brightly coloured, berry shampoo. It’s a great price from Morrisons in a nice big, value bottle.
It looks like it should cost more than it does. Nothing to complain about in terms of the wash.
I didn’t love it but my hair felt soft and clean afterwards. A pretty solid shampoo for the price and it looks pretty in the bathroom.
Wash rating: 6
Value for money: 8
Overall score: 7
ALBERTO BALSAM JUICE GREEN APPLE SHAMPOO
(350ml) 95p (27.1p per 100ml)
A CHEAP and cheerful shampoo which left my hair smelling great.
There are a few varieties to choose from including coconut and apple depending on your preference.
My hair felt silky smooth afterwards, better than some pricier ones which left my hair feeling brittle and dry. A great option from Tesco.
Wash rating: 7
Value for money: 8
Overall score: 7
LIDL CIEN DAZZLE AND SHINE SHAMPOO
(400ml) 99p (24.7p per 100ml)
YOU’D be hard pushed to tell the difference between this and a brand such as Pantene.
It was gentle on my hair and scalp and left my hair feeling soft.
It’s not the cheapest from Lidl but it’s worth a few extra pennies when comparing to other own brands and if you used two bottles of this a month, you’d save over £157.04 compared to the brand.
Wash rating: 8
Value for money: 8
Overall score: 8
PANTENE CLASSIC CLEAN SHAMPOO
(400ml) £2.50 (62.5p per 100ml)
A GOOD shampoo, the liquid had a nice consistency and did a good job.
You could buy three bottles of the Boots shampoo for this price though and they’d last longer.
Just like most of the cheaper own brand shampoos, the Pantene contains sodium laureth sulphate which some experts believe can damage hair follicles, so there’s no reason to believe it would be any better for your hair long-term either.
Wash rating: 8
Value for money: 4
Overall score: 6
ALDI LACURA HYDRATE SHAMPOO
(400ml) 99p (24.7p per 100ml)
THE lovely coconut smell which is quite strong and sweet.
I was expecting a white liquid and was a bit surprised when it came out blue, but it had a lovely consistency and it left my hair feeling silky and smooth.
It was just as good if not better than more expensive brands such as Pantene. I’d buy it again.
Wash rating: 10
Value for money: 8
Overall score: 9
ALBERTO BALSAM JUICE GREEN APPLE SHAMPOO
(350ml) 95p (27.1p per 100ml)
THE apple smell is nice but I didn’t like this shampoo.
I thought it quite watery and diluted and I had to use quite a lot to get my hair clean.
My barnet was quite flyaway after using it. Not for me.
Wash rating: 3
Value for money: 2
Overall score: 3
BOOTS EVERYDAY MANGO AND PAPAYA SHAMPOO
(500ml) 75p (15p per 100ml)
I LOVED Boots’ new shampoo. It’s smells lovely and made my hair feel really healthy and shiny.
After washing, my hair felt hydrated and had a lovely lasting smell. I used it on all the family and everyone liked it especially as it was gentle on my children’s more sensitive scalps.
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The price is amazing too. The only downside is not being able to get it at the supermarket. I’m going to stock up next time I go to Boots.
Wash rating: 10
Value for money: 10
Overall score: 10