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Are These 5 Hair Mistakes Ruining Your Look and Your Wallet?

/20 Comments/in /by Mary Hunt

You know your hair better than anyone—but even the most well-meaning routines can quietly drain your beauty budget. Are you falling for these five common hair care mistakes? From overpriced shampoo to conditioner overkill, I’ll walk you through the sneaky ways your habits might be costing more than necessary—and show you the smart, frugal fixes that still leave you looking fabulous.

beautiful long hair female costly hair mistakes

I’ll be the first to admit—I’ve fallen for the hype more than once. That fancy bottle with the salon-worthy promises? Yep, I’ve tossed it into my cart, convinced it held the secret to perfect hair days. But over the years (and a few budget wake-up calls), I’ve learned that smart hair care isn’t about spending more—it’s about knowing better. And once you see where the dollars are quietly slipping away, it’s surprisingly easy to make small swaps that add up to big savings without sacrificing style.

Mistake #1: Falling for Pricey Shampoo Hype

Come on … ‘fess up. Ever feel a little guilty reaching for the $0.99 shampoo because it must be bad for your hair? And surely that $24 salon bottle is better, especially if your hair’s been colored, straightened, or otherwise pampered, right? Not so fast. The truth is, shampoo price has almost nothing to do with shampoo quality. The real secret? It’s in the detergents.

Flip that bottle over and take a peek at the ingredients. Water (or something that sounds fancy but really just means water) will always be first. Then comes the detergent—the ingredient that does the actual cleaning. And that’s where you want to focus.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to keep in your back pocket:

  • Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate – very harsh
  • Ammonium Laureth Sulfate – harsh
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – still harsh
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – mild, much better
  • TEA Lauryl Sulfate – gentle, good
  • TEA Laureth Sulfate – gentle, also good

When it comes to buying shampoo, just remember two things: the type of detergent, and the price tag (hint: lower is just fine if the ingredients check out). Combine a sale with a coupon, and you may never pay more than a dollar again.

Many shampoos in the Herbal Essences and Suave lines include the mild Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which is great news for your hair and your wallet. But don’t take my word for it—always read the label to be sure.

Mistake #2: Overwashing Your Hair

It’s easy to fall into the habit of daily washing—especially if you’re chasing that squeaky-clean feeling. But here’s the deal: shampoo strips your scalp of its natural oils, and over time, that can leave your hair dry, dull, and more prone to frizz or breakage. Ironically, the more you wash, the more your scalp may try to overcompensate by producing even more oil. It’s a cycle worth breaking.

Here’s a better approach: aim to wash just three to four times a week. Not only will your hair start to feel healthier and style better (second-day hair has a lovely lived-in texture), but you’ll stretch that bottle of shampoo twice as far.

To keep your hair looking and smelling fresh between washes, reach for a quality dry shampoo. Just a light spritz at the roots will soak up oil and add a bit of volume—perfect for a quick refresh on busy mornings or lazy evenings.

Mistake #3: Using Too Much Shampoo

Contrary to what the shampoo commercials might have you believe, you don’t need a mountain of bubbles to get clean hair. In fact, that giant, foamy lather is more about marketing than actual cleansing power.

Start with just a small, quarter-sized amount—especially if your hair isn’t super long—and focus on your scalp. That’s where the dirt and oil live. As you rinse, the shampoo will naturally travel down your strands and clean the ends without any extra effort (or extra product).

And let’s put this one to rest: you do not need to “lather, rinse, and repeat.” That old-school advice was great for selling more shampoo, but your hair only needs one good wash—promise. Save your time and your dollars by skipping the repeat.

Mistake #4: Rinsing Too Much

Color-treated hair plays by a different set of rules—and water can be its sneakiest enemy. Because dyed hair absorbs and releases moisture more easily than untreated hair, all that rinsing can actually wash your expensive color right down the drain. Literally.

The fix? Keep your rinse time short and sweet. Get in, get out, and be gentle. And here’s a bonus tip: turn down the heat. Hot water opens up the hair cuticle, which means color molecules slip out faster. Lukewarm or cool water is your hair’s best friend if you want that color to last longer between touch-ups—and who doesn’t?

Mistake #5: Too Much Conditioner

Conditioner is meant to hydrate and protect—but more isn’t always better. The real trick is knowing where to use it. Slathering it all over, especially at the scalp, can leave your hair feeling heavy, greasy, or coated in buildup you’ll be battling for weeks.

Instead, start with a dime-sized amount (a little goes a long way) and focus just on the ends—the part of your hair that actually needs the moisture. Leave your scalp alone; it’s already producing natural oils to keep things balanced.

And here’s a smart swap: since you’re saving on shampoo, go ahead and invest in a high-quality conditioner. It doesn’t wash down the drain like shampoo, so you’ll see more benefit from every penny. Just remember—gentle hands, small amounts, and the ends only.

 

Question: What’s your biggest hair care splurge—and do you think it’s really worth it? Let’s hear your frugal (or not-so-frugal) faves in the comments below.

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20 replies
  1. Annie Gleiter says:

    I have very long and thick hair. I find that hair conditioner does not help me unless I use a lot of it (and I mean a lot), which keeps it manageable but has an unpleasant residue. Instead I just use a little bit of conditioner, and after washing I rub a little bit of coconut oil throughout my hair except for the scalp and let it air dry. It works wonders for keeping my hair from drying out, and I’m not wasting so much conditioner to get the same effect.
    Olive oil is also very good as a conditioner, but I am used to the scent of coconut in hair products whereas olive oil smells like food to me.

    Reply
    • Charlene says:

      I have long curly fine hair. I’ve been using coconut and/or olive oil on my hair for years. Keeps the frizz under control and the curles defined. Thanks for sharing. Charlene

      Reply
  2. Cate says:

    I’ve recently switched to solid shampoo & conditioner for color-treated hair by Kitsch. It’s made a real, positive difference in color retention and hair texture. For me, this is a matter of ‘you get what you pay for.’

    Reply
  3. Anne says:

    For 10 years, perhaps longer, I have only used conditioner to clean my hair. I experience less hair loss and my hair is fuller and healthier. I spend less than $3.00 for a large bottle and save the hair conditioner from hair color, but I also invest in a bottle or jar of better conditioner, $5.95. Much less stress on my hair and scalp.

    Reply
  4. Anita says:

    One other thing to consider is if one has allergies to wheat or dairy, those same ingredients often added to shampoo, could potentially cause reactions on the scalp. Triticum vulgare is another name for wheat.

    Reply
  5. Cheri Gee says:

    For lush hair, try a bit of castor oil mixed in your shampoo of choice. Don’t use a lot because it would be hard to wash out. Castor oil will also help hair, eyelashes and eye brows with new growth. Enjoy.

    Reply
  6. Pat Moore says:

    Mary, I am 79 years old and I thank you for reminding me about those shampoo ingredients and how they have treated my hair and scalp and made me so miserable. You make such a wonderful difference is so many of our lives. Love you.

    Reply
  7. Jackie says:

    Mary: You mentioned the following items to look for in shampoos: Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate – very harsh; Ammonium Laureth Sulfate – harsh; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – still harsh; Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – mild, great choice ; TEA Lauryl Sulfate – gentle, good choice; TEA Laureth Sulfate – gentle, also a good choice (all the sulfates, sulfites, and sulfonamides)
    I would say none of these are goof for a person with a sulfa/sulfate/sulfite allergy. I know from experience that they are not good for people with any of these allergies. I know that they say they are not the same thing to a sulfa allergy but I ask them why when I was diagnosed with a sulfa allergy they told me not to use the others either. The simple truth is they are derivatives of Sulfa and believe me when I use them I get real problems/ I also have problems with body soap for the same reason and the allergy can come on you slowly because people don’t believe they are related. I really break out bad from the sulfates, sulfites and sulfonamides and start to have breathing problems and if I don’t take a benadryll immediately I can go into anaphylactic shock which is no fun. Since we live 45 miles from any hospital and 180 miles from the VA we use.
    Please warn people about these additives.

    Reply
  8. Cathy down on the farm... says:

    Thanks for the “heads up”, Mary! Looks like I have been doing something right! I just commented to my husband the other day that I bet people would think we are serious Cheapskates – we are – if they saw our bathroom. All they would see is an economy size Coconut Suave bottle of shampoo and cream rinse and a small vanilla and creme hand washing pump with a couple of bars of soap in the shower. Living simply is so much easier … and cheaper!

    Reply
    • Cate says:

      J-my hairdresser warned me to go easy on the vinegar rinse because of the acid; it’s very damaging. I reduced to once a month, instead of every shampoo, use and it works well.

      Reply
  11. Nicki says:

    Using a shampoo/conditioner for color-treated hair can help extend your haircolor, even a week or two. In the long run, the small amount of shampoo is insignificant to having to color more frequently.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      And … I’ll suggest that those pricey products “for color-treated hair” are shampoos with one of the gentle detergents. Check it out!

      Reply
  12. Jan New says:

    Would it be possible to identify a few of these shampoos by name? I’ve looked on-line and have only found baby shampoo by Johnson and Johnson.

    Reply
    • CHERYL says:

      I personally like the Suave Professionals, Rosemary Mint shampoo. It makes my hair feel clean and the smell in the shower helps me get moving in the morning. I hope that helps. :0>

      Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Try the two links in the post … Herbal Essences and Suave. You can see the ingredients list if you click on the back view of the products. T

      Reply
    • Tracy Smith says:

      Don’t do baby shampoo! I’ve been in hair for years (not currently). But that has always been a no-no! And sadly I don’t have the reasons why.

      Reply
      • linda says:

        i can tell you why i refuse to use it…i must be strange, but it burns my eyes just as bad as regular shampoo and i hate the smell of it.
        i actually use a bar of pine tar soap. my hair likes it and there is no plastic bottle to add to the discarded plastic waste, whether or not you recycle. and vinegar rinse

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