When it comes to buying new hair products, if you’re unaware of your options and the truth behind the labels… the beauty world can be tricky. After all, many hairdressers are constantly warning their clients to not use drug store shampoo and invest on luxury brands while the idea of cheap products actually being high-quality became sort of a taboo in the beauty world.
In an industry where aesthetics and titles count so much, should you even consider buying off-brand products? Are cheaper products automatically worse just because of how much they cost? No one is arguing that high-end products will do wonders to your hair, but you would be surprised at the level of quality and effect of some bottom-shelf hair products too.
Thinking of some of my favorite less renowned brands that help me create magic every day, I decided to conduct a few experiments. I’ve handpicked specific products and tested them on my own hair to compare the results and break the taboo that cheaper products are worse than luxury brands just because of their price. Let’s get to it!
ORIBE vs TRESEMMÉ
A luxurious hair care line, Oribe is known for its sleek packaging, amazing results and salty price. Created by Cuban-American hairstylist Oribe Canales, the brand is always on top of award-winning lists and its considered a favorite of many professionals. Meanwhile, TRESemmé is an American brand that has been around for years and focuses on offering both quality and reasonable prices — their shampoos, conditioners and other products are sold in drugstores worldwide for a fair $9. You might be wondering: how much is an Oribe shampoo bottle then? Around $90. Yikes.
In this experiment, I decided to use TRESemmé conditioner on one side of my hair and Oribe on the other to compare the results. After washing and conditioning with both products, I dried my hair completely only to realize both brands offer the same volume, shine and feeling. Yup, the same exact effect despite the $80 difference.
Not convinced yet? Well, I also found out that shampoos from both brands have the same exact inexpensive foaming agents, thickeners and preservatives. The conditioners also contain the same preservatives, fatty acids, conditioning agents, lubricants and antioxidants. So yes, you’re paying an extra $81 only to be using the same exact ingredients as the $9 option.
Still not convinced? Despite it’s expensive price and acclaimed name in the industry, I found out Oribe has some dirty little secrets too. Part of the product’s ingredients contain protein found in wool, feathers and nails and also toxic vitamins that can lead to hair loss! On top of everything, Oribe also uses palm oil, which is one of the major players in destroying the Amazon Rainforest right now.
Meanwhile… TRESemmé has no hazardous chemicals in its composition whatsoever. How’s that for some $9 conditioner? I think we have a winner.
Watch the full experiment here.
REVLON HOT BRUSH vs AMAZON REPLICA
For my next experiment, I wanted to review the Revlon Pro Collection One Step Hot Air Brush simply because I’ve heard lots of good things about it and I wanted to find an alternative for drying your hair without a hair dryer. But while I was shopping on Amazon, I came across a very similar hot brush that offered the same exact service as Revlon’s but with a cheaper price and no eminent brand name. Add to cart.
Both brushes look and feel extremely similar, the only difference being the black, larger bottom on the Revlon and a longer cord on the replica. They don’t have a huge difference in price — Revlon is $56 and the replica is $33 but it left me wondering if the off brand would do as good of a job as the Revlon.
Note: before this experiment, I had never used a hot brush before so on top of everything, I still had to figure them out without burning myself. Spoiler: they were both extremely easy to manoeuvre and no one was hurt in the process.
I started the experiment with my hair up and wet and styled each side with a different brush. The Revlon side only took 7 minutes to be completely dried while the Amazon replica took 8 minutes.
The result? Lush, shiny and soft hair on both sides. With both of them being super bouncy and not static at all. Conclusion: You don’t always need to go for the well-known brand. A lot of times, the replica will save you money and do the same exact job!
But my favorite part about this experiment? Realising that instead of wasting 20 minutes of my day to dry my hair with a hair dryer… I now have an alternative that gives me the same effect in only 7 minutes!
Watch the full experiment here.
