Do you buy store brand items at the grocery store? You know, the "off-brand" stuff...

Is there anything you've found that's not worth it? Something you've found that the brand name is better & is worth the extra money?

I buy alot of store brand stuff. Some things I don't buy as store brand is laundry detergent and liquid fabric softener. It just doesn't smell as pretty, I have to use more of it to do as good a cleaning job. Also toilet paper....yeowch! lol I'll buy a brand name on that, too. I don't buy the store brand pasta, like spaghetti or whatever....doesn't cook up the same.

Some food I even like the store brand better. The spaghetti sauce, IMO, at my store is better than Ragu or Presto. Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter) I buy store brand. Their cookies are just as good....and their frozen pizzas are :drool: MUCH better and cheaper than the other ones I've tried.

I guess I'm bored today...not a very interesting topic, I know!! :rollseyes:

I don't care for a lot of "no name" brands. Paper towel HAS to be Bounty. Around here...yes. That is a must. Toilet paper...UGH! I can't stand the cheaper brand...may as well use sandpaper! Ouch! Yeah, I could go on. but I'm short on time here

Almost everything I buy is store brand. A lot of the time I find that not only is the store brand cheaper but also that the taste/quality is just as good if not better. The only thing I won't compromise on is my shampoo and conditioner. With hair down to my bum it's GOT to be Pantene.

Pantene, eh? My hair is SO silky smooth when I use Head & Shoulders and Thermasilk conditioner. I love it!

Yep, I can't get a brush through my hair if I use something other than Pantene. Really quite annoying actually cos Pantene is quite expensive.

I'm gonna try that....Thermasilk, or Pantene...my hair just doesn't feel as silky as I'd like...

My hair has gotten ruined before on both Thermasilk AND Pantene...of course they have probably changed the formula in ten years!

I get everything off brand, except personal care products (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc). Those I've never found at a local store; I have to order them online.

What happened to your hair? How did it ruin it? I wanna hear before I go out & buy it...lol

Pantene turned it into straw, and Thermasilk made it all kind of stick together like velcro...it was REALLY weird.

I've been using more store brands lately. But like you ladies, there are some things I can't comprimise on, like paper towels (gotta be Brawny), kitchen cleaner (Fantastic antibacterial) and shampoo (changes depending on the time of year).

I know Pantene has different kinds for different hair types. Maybe you were using the wrong kind? Pantene is the only hair product I've found that doesn't leave my hair like straw. I think hair products are one of those things though where one size doesn't fit all cos we all have different hair and different shampoos and conditioners work better for different people.

I know that in the winter I have to buy shampoo for normal hair. In the summer I have to buy shampoo for oily hair...the no name brands are ROTTEN. They don't work at all.

I think so too. Pantene, no matter what the formula, just doesn't work for me. OH, except for the clarifying formula. Do you ladies use that? I use it once a month or so to clean up all the build up in my hair from styling products. It's great.

My favorite is Dove shampoo, but I can't use it in the winter. I need more conditioning in the winter months.

I don't use ANY styling products on my hair...aren't y'all proud!! :lol:

***does COLOR count??**

I think I'll try one...Thermasilk or Pantene....I'll start with whichever one is cheapest!! lol (isn't that sick?)

I use Suave hairspray just because I like the smell. :lol: AND...it's CHEAP!

I use no styling products either. Not even color :P

I'm already jealous of your long gorgeous hair...don't rub it in! :gotcha:

Don't use any if you don't have to Debby. But if you do need something, just check the ingredients. Try not to use a styling product with alcohol in it.

I don't use colour, either. :puke: I like my hair! :cheeky:

I like my hair, too....when it's not GRAY!!! :puke:

hey, I like my hair too. But since I started going gray at 18, I do what I have to do not to look like my kids' grandmother!!

:offtopic: :D

Speaking of hair coloring, in a couple of weeks mine will be all natural again! Yay! I colored it my senior year of high school, and until this summer I kept coloring it with "temporary" dyes (natural and synthetic), hoping that the permanent stuff would grow out---but I finally just had to chop it. I've colored it many shades of red, dark brown, almost black, blue, and purple.

One good way to color your hair without damage is to use a henna-based dye. I still haven't convinced my mom of this though (she only has a few silver hairs, but they bother her...). They can only darken your hair or keep it the same color, but there are some really good ones out there.

Can you give some recommendations, Mandy...on the henna-based dyes? Or will it just say on the package??

This is a good site to order from:
http://www.morroccomethod.com/henna.shtml

I haven't used them much---generally I used pure henna, which will give you a deep ruby color---but a lot of people I know have had good luck with them.

Also Lush has henna products, but they're more for a subtle tint than for serious color (I love the conditioning though): http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/catzoom...expand=Haircare

Thanks Mandy!

Some things are good in the store brand, but others--name brand is much better. so I buy both, depending on the item..