Should Your Shampoo And Conditioner Be The Same Brand?

Some people believe that a matching, coordinated routine is everything. Some are adamant that their skincare products must come from the same brand to work in perfect and harmonious tandem, and some are insistent that a good meal depends on a matching set of pots and pans. And yes, this philosophy extends to hair care for many people. Think about it: When have you walked into someone else's bathroom and found a mismatched shampoo and conditioner set? It is rare. Certain people can not go about their shower routines without a matching hair care set, and we might be guilty of that, too. 

But is a matching set of hair care essentials necessary? When you think about it, shampoo and conditioner perform two distinct jobs — one cleans and one smooths — so why should they match? Should they always be from the same brand and the same line, with no exceptions? 

Short answer: No, not always. Feel free to mix it up in the shower if you're so inclined.

But the long answer is less straightforward if you want to stick around for it. It depends! We know you must be tired of hearing those two words, but they couldn't be more accurate. When it comes to hair, there is no one-size fits all. Moreover, there is no five-in-one shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face cleanse, or a deodorant miracle product. No matter what your current talking-stage guy says. We all have different textures, lengths, hair density and thickness, and scalp concerns. 

Sometimes it's good to buy shampoo, conditioner, and even hair masks and other treatments from different brands. But sometimes, sticking to one brand for all your hair goals pays off. Consider your hair type and its specific needs, and you can choose the best products from there.

The art of mixing and matching hair care is all in your DNA. By which we mean your hair. Now, don't go ripping up your hair from the follicle to examine its composition in a lab closely. It's unnecessary; all you need is a basic understanding of your unique tresses.

Most of us know what our hair looks like and what we want our personal hair products to achieve. Ask yourself, is your hair thick or thin, dense or sparse? Is your scalp oily or dry, healthy or irritated? Are you prone to flakes or dandruff? Once you understand your hair type, picking products that work for your hair is easy. 

Some people might want a shampoo that will care for their oily scalp, while they need a conditioner to moisturize sufficiently. In that case, picking products that wouldn't typically go together is a good idea. On the other hand, some people might want some help with hair growth. In this case, picking matching products formulated with this particular issue in mind and meant to work together to keep all parts of your hair healthy and growing is ideal.

To know what products to pair together for optimal results, research, online reviews, and labels will become your best friends.

Reading a product's label seems like common sense, but we thought we would like to highlight the importance of choosing the right product. We're guilty of selecting the cutest shampoo bottle from the rainbow that is the hair care section at the drug store and then complaining about the state of our hair later. No more. Read each label and match your concerns with the right product. Split ends? Get a fortifying conditioner. Itchy scalp? A moisturizing shampoo is your go-to.

And don't forget, reviews are there for a reason! If you're shopping online for the best shampoo and conditioners, scan the reviews and find people with similar hair types. The odds are that if they swear by a product, so will you.