The Best 13 Drugstore Hair Products

In case you haven’t yet gotten the memo, there’s no need to shell out the big bucks for high-quality haircare. Nothing against the pricier salon brands of the world, of course, but, for those who may be on a tighter budget—or just want to be able to buy and play with many different products—drugstore hair care is the way to go. No matter your natural type or texture, or particular styling goal, we can pretty much guarantee there’s a shampoo, leave-in, mask, spray (you get the picture) that can give you what you need.

The only problem? There are a LOT of goodies to choose from. So to alleviate some of your shopping stress, keep reading. We conducted hours of research on the best drugstore hair products, evaluating them on the ingredients in the formula and also what the formula doesn’t contain, like potentially harmful sulfates and phthalates. After considering dozens of products and consulting with a celebrity hair stylist, we landed on the products in this roundup. 

Ahead, find the best drugstore hair products for affordable, chic tresses.

Best Shampoo: Climaplex Moisture & Repair Shampoo

What We Like

• Great for all hair-types
• Deeply moisturizing
• Has a technology not seen in many drugstore brands

What We Don't Like

• Does need to be rinsed out very well
  

This sudser may be fairly new to the scene, but it’s occupied prime real estate in our shower since we first got our hands (erm, strands) on it. It touts a bond-building technology—similar to that of many more expensive formulas—to help repair hair damage where it starts, namely broken disulfide bonds at the core of the hair. It also has sunflower extract to help guard against UV pollution, is deeply hydrating, sulfate-free, and comes in a super easy-to-use pump bottle.

Active Ingredients: Wheat bran extract, arginine, panthenol | Size: 13.52 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Best Shampoo, Runner-Up: Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo

What We Like

• Great for all hair-types
• Fresh scent

What We Don't Like

• Contains sulfates
• Not clean or cruelty-free
  

A true oldie-but-goodie there’s a reason this classic has stood the test of time. It lathers up beautifully and leaves our hair feeling cleaner than ever (and nice and soft, too, even before conditioner). It doesn’t weigh down fine hair, and that clean, fresh scent just can’t be beat.

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone, SLSl | Size: 12 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Conditioner: Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner

What We Like

• Massive bottle that lasts forever
• Fresh scent

What We Don't Like

• Contains sulfates
• Not clean or cruelty-free
  

Silicones admittedly make your hair look smooth and shiny, but they can also build-up on the hair, leaving an unwanted residue and weighing it down. Enter this silicone-free conditioner formula: “It restores lost nutrients and is a great solution for dry hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Michael Canale, who is a big fan.

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone, hydrolyzed elastin, hydrolyzed keratin | Size: 33.8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Conditioner, Runner-up: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner

What We Like

• Works very quickly
• Super affordable

What We Don't Like

• May be a little too heavy for finer hair types to use daily
  

To be fair, this is more of a hybrid between a regular conditioner and a mask—it works as quickly as a conditioner, but delivers the same amount of deep moisture as you’d get from a mask. Credit a combo of jojoba and avocado oils that impart tons of rich hydration. We also appreciate not only that it works in just three minutes, but also that it costs less than three dollars. 

Active Ingredients: Jojoba oil, avocado oil | Size: 8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Detangler: Odele Leave-In Detangling Tonic

What We Like

• Multi-tasking formula
• Light, naturally-derived fragrance

What We Don't Like

• Nozzle can be hard to spray
  

Just a few spritzes of this and even the most stubborn of snarls don’t stand a chance. A hero product from one of team Byrdie’s fave brands, it also goes above and beyond the call of duty, also shielding strands from both heat (great if you’re using it before hot tools) as well as environmental damage. Not to mention that it’s a squeaky clean formula, too; even the scent is naturally-derived.

Active Ingredient: Amino acids, plant proteins | Size: 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Mask: Raw Sugar Healing Power Hair Masque

What We Like

• Smells great
• Clean & cruelty-free

What We Don't Like

• Can be a bit too thick for fine hair
  

Canale lauds this pick for using all natural ingredients to help replenish hair. Namely, things such as avocado oil, banana, coconut milk, agave…yes, the ingredient list reads more like what you’d find in your morning smoothie. There’s also plenty of moisturizing coconut oil and shea butter in the mix, too, meaning even the driest of strands don’t stand a chance against this reparative formula.

Active Ingredients: Jojoba oil, avocado oil | Size: 8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Curly Hair: Hair Food Mango & Aloe Curl Refreshing Spray

What We Like

• Can be used on wet or dry curls
• Has a pleasant smell

What We Don't Like

• Does contain fragrance
  

There are plenty of great products for those with kinky, curly, or coily hair to be found at the drugstore, but this is one of our favorites. It works equally well on dry or wet curls, helping to both combat frizz and define the curl pattern, all without weighing your hair down.

Active Ingredients: Aloe | Size: 7.6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Dry Shampoo: Batiste Dry Shampoo

What We Like

• Comes in two sizes
• Has a pleasant smell

What We Don't Like

• Can leave a bit of visible residue on darker hair colors
  

There are now probably a bazillion dry shampoos on the market, but this is a true cult-classic. It’s a favorite of Canale’s as well: “It’s perfect for using for cleansing touch-ups during a busy week,” he says. It absorbs excess oil and dirt extremely well (imparting nice volume and lift in the process), and has a fresh powdery-lavender-musk scent.

Active Ingredients: Rice starch | Size: 4.2 fl. oz.; 8.4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Hair Ties: Goody Ouchless Elastics

What We Like

• Gentle and comfortable

What We Don't Like

• Sometimes stretch out with continued use
  

Not only will these super soft ties not cause painful snags on your hair (hence the name), they’re also extremely gentle on your strands. Also noteworthy: The braided design and thick core of the band means it can hold even super thick bunches of hair without snapping, a boon for those with thicker textures.

Best Multi-Tasker: Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Argan Aloe Repair Hair Oil Mist

What We Like

• Can be used on wet or dry curls
• Multi-tasking formula

What We Don't Like

• Bottle could be bigger
  

The bottle may be small, but even a few drops of this oil pack a multi-tasking punch. Use it on wet or dry hair to help smooth strands, add shine, detangle, tamp down errant frizzies…you name it. And yes, even though it’s an oil, it’s still lightweight and doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue; plus, the spray format ensures you don’t accidentally use too much.

Active Ingredients: Argan oil, aloe | Size: 4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Styling Cream: Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Air Dry Creme

What We Like

• Great for all hair types
• Has a pleasant scent

What We Don't Like

• A little bit on the pricier side for a drugstore product
  

Giving your hair a break from the blowdryer is a great way to ensure the health of your strands…and it doesn’t mean you have to end up with a total frizz-fest, either. At least, not if you work a bit of this air dry cream through damp hair. It smooths, softens, and add shine, making your locks look remarkably polished, no hot tools required. Also nice: It works on all hair types and is color-safe, too.

Active Ingredients: Panthenoll | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Hairspray: TRESemme Volumizing Hair Spray

What We Like

• Adds volume and holds
• Cruelty-free

What We Don't Like

• Nozzle can sometimes clog a bit
  

This water-free spritz imparts the perfect blend of both plenty of hold—it is a hairspray, after all—as well as root-boosting volume. (For that reason, it’s a great option to use after a blowout.) It’s also extremely lightweight and not in the least bit sticky, one of our biggest hairspray pet peeves.

Active Ingredients: Alcohol denat | Size: 11 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Serum: John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum

What We Like

• Multi-tasking formula
• Good for all hair types

What We Don't Like 

• Small bottle
  

Apply just a few drops of this serum on damp strands before styling and prepare to be amazed by its transformative effects. As the name suggests, it fights frizz, but it also protects against heat, repels humidity, and adds shine, too, thanks to a trio of oils: argan, coconut, and moringa. FYI, the directions say that it can be used on either wet or dry hair; if you go with the latter, just make sure to use less than usual.

Active Ingredients: Argan oil, coconut oil, moringa oil,  | Size: 1.69 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Final Verdict

There are plenty (and we mean PLENTY) of great hair products at the drugstore. As far as the basics go, we love both the Climaplex Moisture and Repair Shampoo for all hair types. As far as the stylers go, both the  Odele Leave-In Detangling Tonic and the Herbal Essences Argan Oil & Aloe Hair Oil Mist are some of our favorite multi-tasking formulas. 

What to Look for in Drugstore Hair Products

Ingredients

Ingredients should be at the front of your mind when choosing any beauty product. Keep your eyes peeled for conditioning and strengthening ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and proteins.

Hair Type-Specific Benefits

Depending on your hair type, you’re going to want products that address your specific hair care needs. The more educated you are about your hair type, how damaged your hair is, how oily it is, and if you’re looking for color protection, the less likely you are to get swayed by pretty packaging or all-in-one products that do nothing for your hair. 

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She loves all drugstore beauty finds, but hair care—and shampoos—in particular are her absolute favorite. You’re guaranteed to find no more than three or four different drugstore shampoos and conditioners in her shower at any given point in time. 

Michael Canale is a celebrity hairstylist who works with celebrities such as Jennifer Anniston, Kyra Sedgwick, Carolyn Murphy, and Denise Richards.