I'm poor too and in spite of that I keep tossing money at high end hair products. Seems like every time I follow after glowing reviews based on others great results, I come way poorer and disappointed. I have a cabinet full of kerasatase, rusk- you name it and they  are all just so-so or less-so. Given that, I am reluctant to suggest a pricey conditioner, but I will tell you that in spite of all my overpriced products, the two conditioning treatments I have the best results from are VO5 Moisturizing Conditioners (can you stand to try a cheap one?)  and my own weekly homemade treatment consisting of equal parts real mayonnaise, honey and olive oil which I leave on for about two hours or until I get around to it. I just clip hair on top of head and pop a towel or shower cap so body heat helps it work, then it shampoos right out with one gentle shampoo application, followed by another rinse out conditioner. I found that online and it works for my dry, colored hair.

Many hairdressers are now adding a touch of argan oil to their coloring and that adds a protection-supposedly. Maybe your colorist can try that- they all have the stuff in their salons now.

 

 

 

Spending lots of money on hair products....sigh.

First thing, be skeptical of anything your hairdresser tells you about product.  They learn all that they know from continuing education classes put on by Professional Brand manufacturers.  And while I've never taken one of these courses, I know that these are created by the Marketing departments and not the Science departments.  So, myths like (Pantene is putting wax on your hair) or (Argan oil in a formula will help your hair) are propagated.

If you want to save money on hair products, here is what you do. 

First, don't buy products from the salon.  They are over-priced and are not superior to products you can get in regular stores. 

Next, start with an inexpensive brand and try it out.  VO5, Suave, White Rain, etc. Although they don't use the most expensive technologies in their conditioners, these shampoos are as effective as any high end formula.  As long as you use a conditioner after  shampooing, the shampoo that you use DOES NOT MATTER!

Finally, if you are unsatisfied with the low priced brands, move up to the middle priced ones.  Fructis, L'Oreal, Tresemme, Pantene, etc.  Through personal experimentation you should be able to find something that works for you.

Realistically, you should never have to spend more than $5 for any shampoo or conditioner.  If you are, you probably wasting your money.  The only real difference will be in fragrance.  From a performance standpoint, expensive products just don't work better.

Incidentally, supplements are a waste of money too.  There is no scientific evidence that they will have any benefit to your hair at all.

Supplements aren't the only answer you're right; it is better to eat healthy foods and get the nutrients that way, but if you don't eat the right foods and get your nutrients your hair will pay for it. Haven't you ever heard of how you can tell someone with an eating disorder by how their hair looks? Or how women on prenatal vitamins usually have reports of healthier nails and hair? When my step mom was pregnant I could definitely tell her hair and nails looked much healthier. Now whether it's only the vitamins or also the pregnancy hormones I can't say. Vitamins help supply your body with the proper amino acids, vitamins and minerals which are what our hair is made of. I believe hair care products should be viewed only as an aid to achieving healthy hair, because only way to cure hair problems, like anything else, is to start at the source. There is scientific evidence out there that our diets contribute to the health of our skin, hair and nails. You get out what you put in.

@ekd45 - So sorry, didn't want to seem so dismissive.

There is some evidence that eating disorders can be diagnosed by analyzing hair.  (e.g http://tinyurl.com/yfw2j78)

However, these are people that are severely malnourished.  There is no evidence that the hair of people who eat a normal diet will see any improvement by taking supplements.

Proper nutrition is definitely good for your hair and skin.  It's just never been proven that if you practice poor nutrition and take supplements that you will be in better shape.  In fact, there is some evidence that people who take supplements are actually less healthy.  (http://tinyurl.com/bfoko4)

Of course, this study isn't the last word on the topic, but it might make you think twice about using supplements instead of eating a healthy diet.

 

@crystalcricket - perhaps you misunderstood.  I wasn't claiming that taking supplements makes people less healthy.  I merely pointed out that there was some evidence suggesting people should use caution when taking them

And it wasn't like the study I pointed out was the only one.  Consider...

http://tinyurl.com/d93d8s

In the largest study to date, there was no evidence that vitamin supplements had any impact on preventing heart disease, cancer, or longevity.

http://tinyurl.com/bseb6e

Food supplements are unregulated by the FDA and in my view, potentially unsafe.  And I'm not the only one with this view.  http://tinyurl.com/ygvjcgl

On the whole, supplements are probably harmless.  But for healthy people they also haven't been proven to be anything but a waste of money.  I'd be happy to reconsider if there was some new evidence. 

Ausiee 3 minute miracle DEEEEEEP conditioner is wonderful! My hair looks gorgeous after using it and feels healthy and bouncy.
My hair is rarely this soft and silky, so I usually roll around in it afterwards. It also has a nice sweet, coconut fragrance. Yum. The
fragrance doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin either (unlike Pantene-Rawr).

I especially love the packaging. The product is dispensed so easily. Since the cap is on the bottom, it can stand easily and water
won’t leak into the bottle. No wasting of products because of accidental spills. THAT’S PRODUCT INNOVATION PEOPLE. It’s
wonderfully user friendly.

It usually retails for $2.99. BOGO sales occur often too.