Our best overall pick is Climaplex Moisture and Repair Shampoo.
Not all that glitters is gold. The cautionary sentiment couldn’t be more true than in the overpriced and, often, oversaturated beauty space. Don’t let exorbitant price tags fool you into believing heroic haircare claims. High-quality haircare products are just as accessible on drugstore shelves and at drugstore prices. 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.
That doesn’t make the job of finding them any easier though. So to alleviate some of your shopping stress, 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.1 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
- Needs 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
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 Clarifying Shampoo: TPH by Taraji Honey Fresh Clarifying Shampoo
What We Like
- Sulfate-free
- Moisturizing
What We Don’t Like
- Some claim scent can be overpowering
Finding a good clarifying shampoo is hard enough but scouring the drugstore shelves for one can often seem impossible. The truth is there aren’t many clarifying options available in this market space, but we’re pleasantly surprised by this non-drying, sulfate-free gel formula that feels like honey. And for good reason, as the humectant properties of honey (along with aloe and willow bark extract) help remove hard water and product buildup while moisturizing dry or damaged strands.
Active Ingredients: Aloe, honey, willow bark extract | Size: 12 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Conditioner: Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner
What We Like
- Massive bottle that lasts forever
- Fresh scent
What We Don’t Like
- Contains sulfates
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 around the same price.
Active Ingredients: Jojoba oil, avocado oil | Size: 8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Toning Treatment: Hask Blonde Care Purple Toning Deep Conditioner
What We Like
- Sulfate, silicone, phthalate, and paraben-free
- Multi-tasking formula
- Suitable for all hair types and textures
What We Don’t Like
- Single-use packaging makes it easy to overuse or waste product
- Some claim formula leaves hair greasy
Hask is well known for its easily recognizable single-use masks, but the brand’s blonde care range offers a new spin on the tried-and-true classic. Recommended by many colorists and blonde experts, the purple toning deep conditioner keeps hair strong and hydrated while simultaneously brightening dull strands and neutralizing brassiness.
Active Ingredient: Elderberry oil, vitamin C | Size: 1.75 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 Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant Spray
What We Like
- Protects hair from heat damage up to 450 degrees
- Sulfate, paraben, and alcohol-free
- Has a pleasant smell
What We Don’t Like
- Contains 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 helps to seal and protect strands while providing deeply nourishing benefits, all without weighing your hair down.
Active Ingredients: Argan | Size: 6.4 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
- Come in packs of 30
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 blow-dryer 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 adds 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: Panthenol | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Hairspray: TRESemme Volumizing Hair Spray
What We Like
- Adds volume and hold
- 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.
FAQ
- Are drugstore hair products bad?Just because a product is affordable or from the drugstore does not mean it is a “bad” product. So many of our beauty favorites come from the drugstore. However, as with anything, you have to check the ingredients before making a purchase. Some products are jam-packed with high-grade ingredients, some contain small amounts of them, and some are filled with harmful chemicals. As long as you do your due diligence, scan the ingredients and shop for your specific hair type, you should be good to go.
- Why are drugstore hair products cheaper?It really just depends! Some products might lack a high-quality formulation, or contain less of an ingredient than their expensive counterparts. However, the price almost never guarantees results, and some drugstore formulas are just as high-quality as the premium ones.