Drugstore vs Pro: Which Shampoo + Conditioner Wins?

elcome back to the Beauty Lab Podcast!

Hosts Velia and Monina dive into a detailed 3-week experiment comparing three drugstore brands (Herbal Essences, L’Oréal EverPure, Pantene) and three professional brands (Redkin All Soft, Alterna Caviar, Amika Normcore).

 

 

1. Experiment Overview

• Methodology: Each shampoo used twice, conditioner once.
  
• Styling regime: Identical for each test—Velcro rollers, air-drying, identical styling products.
  
• Hair types: Monina (coarse, waist-length, slightly layered); Velia (medium‑fine, wavy/curly, shoulder‑length).
  

2. Drugstore Brands

Herbal Essences Argan Oil Repair

• Smell: Punch-you-in-the-face strong, very pleasant.
  
• Texture & lather: Thick, abundant lather (contains sulfates).
  
• Wet hair: Clean yet dry and brittle. Conditioner felt waxy, hard to rinse.
  
• Dry hair: Dull, straw‑like, “zombie” texture. Color stripped completely.
  
• Longevity: Scalp felt clean even after four days, but hair was dehydrated.
  
• Verdict: Works better as body wash—not recommended for hair.
  

L’Oréal EverPure Moisture (Sulfate‑Free)

• Smell: Mild, distant citrus—not memorable.
  
• Consistency & lather: Creamy, good lather despite lack of sulfates.
  
• Wet hair: A bit filmy but not heavy.
  
• Dry hair: Smooth, slightly heavy, lacking shine.
  
• Longevity: ~2 days before oiliness or flatness appear.
  
• Verdict: Decent in a pinch; inoffensive but unremarkable.
  

Pantene Volume Multiplier (No Sulfates)

• Smell: Clean bamboo/lemon scent.
  
• Consistency & lather: Medium weight, good lather. Conditioner took long to rinse.
  
• Wet hair: Waxy feel; clean but heavy.
  
• Dry hair: Soft but coated and lacking true shine.
  
• Longevity: ~1–2 days before greasiness set in.
  
• Verdict: Works quickly—but not ideal for lasting volume or shine.
  

3. Professional Brands

Redkin All Soft (with Sulfates + Argan Oil)

• Smell: Pleasant powdery/argan scent.
  
• Consistency & lather: Rich feel and strong lather. Conditioner rinses well.
  
• Wet hair: Surprisingly waxy/coated, but smooth curls.
  
• Dry hair: Shiny, soft, fingers glide through smoothly.
  
• Longevity: 1–2 days before hair felt weighed down.
  
• Verdict: Great for curl definition; watch for buildup over time.
  

Alterna Caviar (Sulfate‑Free)

• Smell: Light, fresh citrus scent.
  
• Consistency & lather: Thick, lathers well without sulfates.
  
• Wet hair: Clean, moisturized, no waxiness.
  
• Dry hair: Soft, clean, gentle shine.
  
• Longevity: Up to 3 days.
  
• Verdict: Best overall performer—clean, soft, long-lasting.
  

Amika Normcore (Sulfate‑Free)

• Smell: Bold fruity–floral aroma.
  
• Consistency & lather: Nice, but conditioner is very hard to rinse—use less product!
  
• Wet hair: Slightly waxy, curls underperform.
  
• Dry hair: Sleek and soft, but less shiny than expected.
  
• Longevity: 2 days before heaviness sets in.
  
• Verdict: Great scent and smooth finish—but heavy and hard to rinse for fine hair.

Velia Beauty Co

While Velia didn’t want to toot her own horn, we wanted to point out that both Velia and Monina were excited to get back to the Velia Beauty Co products.  If you want to have the best shampoo and conditioner on the market, check them all out right here.

4. Final Picks & Tips

After weeks of testing, Velia and Monina agreed that shampoo and conditioner make a significant impact—sometimes even more than styling products. 

Their clear favorite from the drugstore category was L’Oréal EverPure, which delivered the most balanced performance with decent lather, softness, and a lightweight feel. While not spectacular in shine or scent, it’s a solid option for those shopping on a budget and wanting a sulfate-free formula.

Among the professional products, Alterna Caviar emerged as the top pick for both hosts, especially for its sulfate-free formula that provided clean, soft hair with a light shine and up to three days of wear without buildup. It performed consistently across both coarse and fine hair types. 

Redkin All Soft scored high on enhancing curl shape and providing a silky finish, though its sulfate content might require occasional clarifying shampoos to prevent buildup.

Amika Normcore won Monina’s vote for best performance on coarse hair thanks to its rich fragrance and sleek finish, although Velia found it too heavy and hard to rinse. It’s a brand to try with caution if you have finer strands.

Importantly, many drugstore conditioners, especially Herbal Essences and Pantene, proved too waxy and difficult to rinse—highlighting the importance of full removal to avoid greasy buildup.

Overall, the biggest lesson is that hair type matters, and even professional products aren’t one-size-fits-all. Choose shampoos based on texture, shine goals, and how long you want your hair to stay clean. And never underestimate the impact of a truly great shampoo and conditioner on your entire hair routine.

5. Experiment Takeaways

• Shampoo & conditioner quality is crucial for styling longevity, shine, and overall look.
  
• Hair type matters—fine vs. coarse hair respond very differently.
  
• Sulfate‑free doesn’t mean weak; the right formula (e.g., Alterna) wins.
  
• Scent matters, but rinse-ability and buildup are just as important.