I’ve made the dire mistake, numerous times this year alone, of using the free shampoo and conditioner provided by whatever hotel I’ve happened to be staying in. Now I hate to generalise about hotel shampoos and conditioners (especially as I’m later going to present a rare exception to the rule) but let me describe to you what might happen to your hair – particularly if it’s already dry or colour-treated – if you decide to take a chance, mid-shower, and reach for the free hotel shampoo.
We’ve all been there. You don’t need to wash your hair, but you’re ever so slightly hungover and you think it’ll make you feel better. Or you’ve stepped into the hotel shower and turned it on and the spray has emerged with such force that it has hit the ceiling, cracked three tiles, bounced back onto the top of your head and soaked your hair, leaving you smelling like a wet dog. Or you’re on a rare night away, alone, and you feel as though you have all the time in the world, so what better way to spend it than having a leisurely, pleasurable hair-washing session with perhaps a deep-conditioning treatment thrown in. Except hair-washing in a hotel is rarely pleasurable. Not if you decide to use their free shampoo, which has seemingly been formulated by Satan’s Science Laboratory. I can just imagine Satan gleefully concocting his moisture-stripping hair wash.

“Morning Science Minions! I hope that you have all...