You can do all you want. Cut, comb, brush, apply wax or gel.

But if it ain't clean, none will work well.

So, before we even start thinking about our hairstyle, we should make sure that our hair is in good condition. So, off we go to drugstore or supermarket, confident that we're going to look and be our best. And this is where the hair-raising story begins...

There you are, shelf after shelf in front of you. Brand after brand and each offering a variety of shampoos. What to do, how to choose? Should the shampoo contain aloe vera or almond? I've investigated a number of official websites to look at the offering. A normal human being doesn't want to know, really.

You see, I've got pretty normal, dark, curly hair which is now cut short. Nothing out of the ordinary. So it shouldn't be too difficult to pick the right shampoo, should it? Let's have a look.

For hair that shines from root to tip you need the right kind of shampoo. You need cleaning that helps remove buildup while leaving hair with shine. Pro-V Classic Care Shampoo delivers beautifully.

Brilliant, all-day shine can be yours. Pro-V Ice Shine Shampoo gently transforms dull, lifeless hair by removing dirt, oil and styling products.

Hair shines with the look of health: it can be soft, smooth and extremely shiny. That's the beauty of Pantene Pro-V Moisture Renewal Shampoo. Pro-vitamins help provide protection from styling damage and split ends due to combing.

Pure shine reflects pure beauty. Our Pro-V Purifying Shampoo cleanses to remove built-up residue, giving you a healthy foundation for great style. This clear shampoo helps release each strand from the after-effects of daily styling that can weigh hair down, making it dull and oily.

A polished, sleek, smooth look is always in style. This Pro-V formula (Pantene Pro-V Smooth) cleanses gently and helps align each strand, leaving hair shining and manageably smooth. Intended for wavy or straight styles.

These are just a few - a few, mind you - of the choices available for people with hair like me.

Volume for normal to fine hair. Boost volume and defy gravity with Body Full, the first style-infused haircare* collection.

Clear Moisture is a lightweight moisture for normal to dry hair. Infuse normal to dry hair with weightless moisture. Redken's exclusive Interbond Conditioning System, combined with a unique, ultra-light Micro-Moisture Complex, helps restore, rebalance and retain optimum moisture without adding weight.

Dangerously Straight, for straight hair styles. Craving straight hair? Worried about high humidity? Let us be straight with you. We'll help you get a pin straight look that keeps you sleek and chic.

Or let us soak it to ya. We're all about the moisture, so let us quench your tresses with lush hydration. Pick Hello Hydration for moisturization.

Of course I could also go for Drama Clean for refreshingly clean hair and light conditioning. Look out world! beautifully Clean hair is just a rinse away. We'll make you feel fresh headed and ready to go.

Or am I in a glam mood? Get shimmering. Shimmery Nights is your fun-loving shimmer spray gel friend who adds a touch of shimmer to your hair and controls it lightly all over with my versatile formula fused with pure diamond dust and champagne. One turn and you'll catch the light and maybe spark the night.

Garnier Fructis for Normal Hair is now called Daily Care (What's in a name, right?). Gentle enough for daily use, it nourishes, strengthens, and smoothes each hair strand, keeping it balanced and healthy-looking.

But then again I could also get just the right amount of smoothing for normal to fine hair. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Sheer provides all-day flyaway control for sleek, shiny hair that feels naturally light.

Or should I just take the Hair 411 quiz for recommendations? Say what? Are you serious? I have to take an online test before I can go to the store to buy something as simple as shampoo? You've got to be kidding me!

Basically there are two components required for a shampoo to work:

• detergent, to clean the hair;
• conditioner, to promote smoothness and volume.

The rest? Marketing blabla. You can add gold, pearls, silk, satin, plant extracts, vitamins, provitamins, white tea, even beer - which is alcohol abuse and should be heavily penalized - or any other fancy ingredient you like. But consumer reports show that these additives have no added value whatsoever. In spite of what the cosmetic industry wants us to believe, many of the less expensive shampoos contain the basic ingredients that will clean and improve your hair, so why spend more?