Nor am I talking John Frieda, Nicky Clarke-type cheap shampoos. My shampoos are whatever 99 cent bottle looks good on the supermarket shelf. I'm not picky . . . any nice-coloured bottle will do (although I am rather partial to pink).

Unsurprisingly, my hair has recently decided to get its revenge. It has somehow managed to turn oily and frizzy, all at the same time. A sort of hair menopause, if you will. Finally it's time to do what Aoife, senior stylist at House of Colour on Abbey Street has been saying for years: "You don't put cheap make-up on your face, so why would you put cheap products into your hair?"

Five years later, the point has sunk in.

First stop is Kerastase Oily Hair/Oily Scalp ( 17.50 a bottle, available in salons nationwide). This range, when used properly, is highly effective and gives immediate results.

Using it correctly mainly involves applying a very small amount over two rinses and sometimes leaving it in for one or two minutes for best results. Slightly painful when you're already 10 minutes late for work, but worth the effort.

The price-conscious needn't worry either . . . this 250ml bottle can last up to four months when used three to four times a week. Conditioners are slightly more expensive at around 19.50 a bottle, but when used sparingly will last at least half a year . . . a claim no supermarket conditioner can hold on to.

Clinique's range of shampoos is slightly cheaper and some are particularly good.

Its dramatic moisture shampoo for dry hair has a beautiful lavender scent and leaves hair rehydrated and easier to control. And with both shampoos and conditioners going for 12.50, the bank account rests easier.

But the problem with almost all shampoos is that after a certain period of time, they seem to lose their power. One morning you're tossing your locks around town, the next, you're back to hiding under a hat.

What's the problem?

Joy Hawkridge, of the new Aveda Whetstone Spa on South Anne Street in Dublin claims this is because of all the chemicals in shampoos. "After a while, your hair becomes dependent on those chemicals and then it stops reacting to them, " she says.

"That's why you'll often hear experts saying to change your shampoo every six months. Whereas if your shampoo contains only natural ingredients, it will continue to work for your hair like it did at the start.

This is the pulling power of Aveda shampoos . . . they are made with over 99 % natural ingredients and its biggest seller is Shampure ( 15.50 for 250 mls). This shampoo is made up of 25 pure flower and plant essences, is gentle enough for everyday use and will cleanse and fortify any hair-type.

Hair fanatics everywhere will be delighted to hear that cult New York hair brand Bumble and Bumble is coming to Peter Mark salons in the new year. This means gorgeous treats such as its best-selling Sunday Shampoo (a weekly wash to leave hair squeaky-clean), Seaweed, Creme de Coco and Alojoba will soon be making their way to this side of the Atlantic.

Surely with all these amazing products at our fingertips we should all have amazing hair? Sadly only a very few are born with perfect locks. The rest of us have to work at it.