I think a lot of people don't like helmets because they've not worn one that fits. Basically, you have a Bell head or a Giro head. If a Bell doesn't fit right, don't try the rest of the Bells before you try a Giro or two. All the shops have Bell and Giro so try 'em both!
Today I washed my Giro Pneumo, and it was still wet when I wanted to go to a bike club meeting - spare lid to the rescue! A $30 Giro something or other, not a bad lid at all, looks a bit "amateur" since it has rivet holes where the visor used to be held on, but just as safe as any Giro I'm sure.