Maybe I'm an idiot, because after attempting to use sulfate-free shampoos, oh, I don't know—a dozen times?—I never could figure out the big deal about them... let alone why they were allowed on store shelves.

Let me explain: sulfates are bad in that they can strip colour from your hair. But they're also a good thing because they produce the lather which—duh—helps spreads the product around and gets your scalp clean. Now I know all these new, sulfate-free shampoos say they contain other types of surfactants that do the job, but when I used them, my hair just did NOT feel clean. And really, that's the point of this whole process, yes?

Anyway, I FINALLY figured out why these puppies weren't working for me. <!--more-->
<h2>How to Use Sulfate-Free Shampoos</h2>
You have to wash twice! Yes, it's a bit wasteful, but you only need a small amount for the first application. Work it through your scalp, not your ends (and don't worry that it's not lathering). Rinse, then  apply a bit more shampoo—you can use a more generous size this time. The second application should lather up nicely, leaving your scalp squeaky clean, just like normal shampoo (but better).
<p style="text-align: left;">I've yet to find a scientific explanation for this double-shampoo method through extensive Google searching, but so what? It works. (Who knows, maybe it's similar to the <a href="http://beaut.ie/blog/?p=2256" target="_blank">double-cleansing theory</a> put forth by Dermalogica when they launched <a href="http://www.dermalogica.com/ca/products.html#/products/product-use/cleansers/precleanse" target="_blank">PreCleanse</a>.)</p>

<h2 style="text-align: left;">The Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">Wondering which shampoos are sulfate-free? Here are the top ones I've tried:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/kiehls_sunflowershampoo.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3075" title="kiehls_sunflowershampoo" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/kiehls_sunflowershampoo.jpg" alt="Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo" width="220" height="350" /></a><a href="http://www.kiehls.com/_us/_en/hair/concern/sunflower-oil-color-preserving-shampoo.htm" target="_blank">Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">$25.50 for 250 mL</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/johnmasters_evening-primrose-shampoo.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3076" title="johnmasters_evening primrose shampoo" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/johnmasters_evening-primrose-shampoo.jpg" alt="John Masters Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair" width="113" height="435" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnmasters.ca/dhs.htm" target="_blank">John Masters Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">$22.50 for 250 mL</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/david-babaii_hydrating-shampoo.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3077" title="david babaii_hydrating shampoo" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/david-babaii_hydrating-shampoo.jpg" alt="David Babaii for WildAid Hydrating Moisturizing Shampoo" width="300" height="300" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.db4wildaid.com/product.aspx?id=99&amp;bag=add" target="_blank">David Babaii for WildAid Hydrating Moisturizing Shampoo</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">$15.95 for 400 mL</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/loreal-everpure_volume-shampoo.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3078" title="loreal everpure_volume shampoo" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/loreal-everpure_volume-shampoo.jpg" alt="L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Volume Shampoo" width="305" height="262" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://well.ca/products/loreal-paris-hair-expertise_10033.html?affid=BEAUTY" target="_blank">L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Volume Shampoo</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">$10.99 for 250 mL</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/moroccanoil_shampoo.gif"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3085" title="moroccanoil_shampoo" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/moroccanoil_shampoo.gif" alt="MoroccanOil Moisture Repair Shampoo" width="300" height="300" /></a><a href="http://www.moroccanoil.com/en/our-products.html" target="_blank">Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">$18.50 for 250 mL</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">(Haven't tried <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/2009/07/22/moroccanoil-a-miracle-worker-for-any-hair-type/">Moroccanoil</a> yet? Read my review and find out <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/2009/07/22/moroccanoil-a-miracle-worker-for-any-hair-type/">why Moroccanoil is a miracle-worker for any hair type</a>!)</p>