I use many different brands of shampoo but one I regularly buy is Alberto Balsam. You can usually find this brand in many different supermarkets and other stores and prices are around £1 for a 400ml bottle. They are certainly one of the cheapest shampoos available but the quality of the product exceeds any expectations you might have given the meagre price tag.

I have dry and damaged hair that is a bit bleached with frazzled curls. I therefore always buy a shampoo especially for my hair type. Alberto Balsam make shampoos and conditioners for all hair types. Each of their varieties have different fragrances and benefits. The shampoo specifically for dry/damaged hair is their 'Strawberries and Cream' variety.

This shampoo comes in a semi-opaque bottle which I can recycle after using. The shampoo can be seen through the bottle and it is a cocktail pink colour which is pleasing to the eye. The colour goes well with the design on the bottle which shows a close up photograph of a strawberry.

You can learn about the shampoo by reading the labels on the bottle. This formula contains "soy proteins and luscious strawberry extract" which is how it gets it's 'Strawberries and Cream' moniker. The brand, Alberto-Culver, make a point of stating that their ingredients are pretty much identical to those in higher priced shampoo products. They also boast that the shampoo contains a "pro-vitamin B5" and state that the shampoo will 'gently cleanse, moisturise and nourish'.

Directions for use state to simply apply to wet hair, lather and rinse. No repeat is necessary unless you really want to. It is advised to use the conditioner in this range alongside this shampoo but I don't always do this. However, for the full fragrance experience and because the products work together to create the perfect result I would recommend also purchasing the conditioner.

The shampoo flows like runny honey and is very easy to dispense. I don't need to use very much for my long hair as the liquid shampoo lathers up very quickly and becomes very foamy and fluffy immediately. It feels soft and gooey and is easy to work through roots and hair shafts. I tend to focus on my scalp and let the bubbles run through the length of my hair since they are so adbundant.

The fragrance of the shampoo is amazing and for anyone who prefers a recognisable aroma rather than a chemical freshness then this is for you. The fragrance is obviously strawberry but it is very intense, intoxicating and sugar sweet. It is rather reminiscent of a strawberry and milk smoothie and really smells good enough to eat. The fragrance is perhaps aimed at us females rather than men though.

The shampoo can be rinsed out quickly and easily despite their being a lot of bubbles. The foam dissolves in warm or hot water and rather than leave the hair feeling stripped of it's natural oils and too squeaky it leaves it feeling soft and clean. The shampoo does a great job at cleaning my scalp and removing any hair styling product residue from the hair itself. I never wash my hair and feel like it's not clean enough.

I always use a conditioner after washing my hair so this may have an effect on the end condition of my hair. However, in regards to cleanliness and comfort my hair always feels great after drying and my scalp always feels fresh and my skin able to breathe. My hair never has dandruff flakes in it and always smells really fresh. My hair looks reasonably shiny (would like a bit more shine though) and it moves really well immediately after using the shampoo.

This is a great product overall and one I can't recommend enough especially if you need to save money in these tough economic times. This shampoo provides a fun and luxurious washing experience thanks to the fragrance and frothiness. It also leaves hair looking and feeling really good. The only thing I would say is that I would like my hair to appear to have a little more shine. This is not something the brand say the shampoo achieves though. Alberto Balsam's claims that the shampoo 'cleans, moisturises, nourishes and strengthens' hair can not be denied though.