Photo: Jonathan Skow

Q: Do expensive shampoos work better than drugstore brands?

A: No. Or, rather: Sometimes, but you can find a great shampoo at the drugstore, because big companies such as L'Oréal and Procter & Gamble spend a lot of money developing products that they want you to like, says Ni'Kita Wilson, director of research and development at Cosmetech, a personal care industry consulting company. A salon or private label product might contain higher-end ingredients that could leave your hair better moisturized or more exotically scented than a drugstore brand, and the packaging is often more aesthetically pleasing. But can I tell you something? I've tried lots of shampoos, from the outrageously expensive to the cheap, and I'd be hard-pressed to tell you how my hair felt different. (We like Fekkai Technician's Shampoo, and Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo.)

Bottom line: A drugstore brand can get your hair clean just as well as an expensive one.