Radiantly Shiny Hair

I believe it's the "Laureth" that makes it gentler, but I haven't used shampoo in a long time so I don't know the difference in results.

for ACV, I put between 1/8 and 1/4 cup into a typical 20 oz. soda bottle. Then I fill the rest with lukewarm or cool water. The mixture is poured onto my scalp and runs down the length. ACV is usually done after the "wash" step (in your case, after shampoo), but before the final conditioner.

Hope this helps!
Anais

Most drugstore products like Pantene, Herbal Essence, etc. contain silicones, and the link in my previous post will take you to the Silicone FAQ page. Silicones are not for all hair types. Damaged hair, fine hair, and curly hair generally don't do well with silicones. And as a general rule, straight coarse hair tends to need the slickness that silicone conditioners provide.

There are some gems among drugstore products. The key is to read the ingredients and find a "gentle" shampoo. Here's the range of gentle-to-harsh:

Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

If you find a drugstore shampoo that lists the first ingredient, but none of the others, then it will work very similarly to a high-end product. Suave Professionals Color Care has a shampoo that fits this criteria.

Hugs
Anais

I agree.. definitely avoiding chemicals and heat, and definitely using a lot of conditioner.

If silicone condtioners don't give you damage, then they're also a source of shine.

I've had luck with Giovanni Direct Leave-in, Suave Professionals BioBasics, and apple cider vinegar rinses. ACV rinses help by removing mineral deposits and residue that can make hair dull.

Anais