Should You Use The Mini Shampoo Bottles In Your Hotel's Bathroom?

Whether you’re packing for a quick weekend getaway or an extended vacation, it can be a challenge to fit everything into your luggage. When you have to sit on your over-stuffed travel bag to get it zipped, it can be a relief to know that at least you didn’t have to pack shampoo, too — as long as you’re OK with using whatever is on offer as a room amenity. But it can be hard to know what exactly is in those bottles, and even more challenging to anticipate how your hair will react to a new product.

We talked to hairstylists to find out if they use hotel shampoo or bring their own. They offered thoughts about how to suss out the right stuff, what to do if you have an absolute hair emergency on your hands, and what brands they’re happy to see stocked in their hotel room.

Should you bother packing shampoo?

The stylists we spoke with have had their share of bad hair days brought on by poor-quality hotel shampoo. “The majority of hotel shampoos are super alkaline, harsh for the hair and full of sulfates, parabens and other ingredients that strip the hair of its natural oils,” said hair and makeup stylist Marz Collins . “Combine that with the frequently hard water from the shower, and your hair can end up looking dull, lifeless and full of static.”

A major concern is that some hotel room products don’t provide much information on the packaging. “It’s hard to trust hotel-branded amenities, as they are often topped up with bulk product, so you never really know what they contain,” explained hair expert and trend forecaster Tom Smith . But he pointed out that better products usually come with higher room rates.

“In higher-caliber hotels, it’s more likely the products are worth using,” he said. “In many boutique hotels, the