Long Hair Shampoo?

I haven’t tried either of the long hair s&cs you mention, Beer, but I have looked at these types of products and analysed their ingredients. There seems to be no difference from non-long hair s&cs except the amount of silicones that are used (higher) and price (higher).
I think long hair specific products are mostly a hype – target marketing as a way of generating more profit.

Hair is hair, only we have more of it for longer.
The only cosmetic products that might be more useful than the normal ones are perhaps de-tanglers and heavy conditioners for the prevention of dry/split ends. But I think it’s more a case of using standard products with more frequency or in a different way, rather than purchase a product with the long-hair label.

At what length is hair considered long? That varys for different people. In my opinion, hair is long when it reaches mid-back. I would class bra-strap to shoulders medium length and anything above as short. Classic length and beyond is ultra-long (and very very beautiful to my eyes).

Beer, if your hair is 20’’ and your goal is 26’’, why are you anticipating cutting off 2’’?
Is your hair damaged?
Hair grows an average of 0.5’’ every month, so if you “dust” it every six weeks, taking off that half inch every time, you will only allow approx. 2 inches increase in length per year.
That’s really great business for your long-hair supportive stylists but what is it doing for you?

I’m fairly cynical about the haircutting industry’s “cut hair every six weeks to keep it healthy” mantra as is simply isn’t true. If you are attempting to achieve clinically precise straight ends while growing out your hair, or getting rid of damage then I can understand the frequency of trims.
Otherwise I think you might want to re-think this approach.

Hope that helps.
Best wishes for your hair goals, Beer.

I have not tried either of those shampoos but I have tried Redken All Soft shampoo (after hearing good things about it on these boards) and am very pleased with the results. You will hear a lot about Allsoft on this board. It contains gentle ingredients.


And I would like to "second" what Uzma said about the haircutting industry. I personally have never had luck growing my hair out while getting trims every 6 weeks. I haven't been to the salon since Spring and am letting my hair grow out from a pixie cut. It is now just at shoulder length with layers. So far no split ends.

I have noticed my hair is in much better condition since I started taking a daily multivitamin.

Good luck to you and keep reading and asking questions.

Caramia

What I find vexing about "long hair" conditioner is that it's sold in a slim package that contains less product than even a normal bottle of conditioner, and long-haired people need to use way more!

I too am very skeptical of the "trim every six to eight weeks" rule. If your hair growth is typical, it will take you /forever/ to grow it out that way. I bought into this for ages, which is why it's taken me so long to grow it out.

I have also noticed that stylists almost invariably recommend a trim, even if you just had one that they don't know about.

I don't trim now unless I see split ends.

I just started using the Redken so long.. and bought the so soft stuff to alternate it with.. it works great so far, but it did make the perm I had go straight... but that's okay.. i haven't cut my hair and other than some mild split ends so far so good..