Refinery29
While most beauty pros can wax poetic about their favorite cheap mascaras and bargain hairsprays, they give the world of affordable shampoos and conditioners considerably less love. Don't take these products lightly, though — especially if you're on a budget. Besides cleaning and conditioning, this duo can keep your color true, your scalp healthy, and your miscellaneous woes (frizz, split ends, and so on) in check.Ahead, members of our own beauty team and a few A-list Hollywood hairstylists share the drugstore hair products they love — all of which clock in at under $20.At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.The Expert: Aimee Simeon, R29 senior beauty writerBest For: Dehydrated Coils"My hair is thick, so when shopping around for a curl-friendly conditioner, I look for one that gives nice slip, detangles, and helps tame frizz before I even leave the shower, like the new curl formula from TRESemmé. I rake a healthy amount of conditioner through sections of my hair and leave it on for a few extra minutes if I have time. My curls feel smoother and silkier immediately after rinsing."TRESemmé Porosity Balance Curl Definition Conditioner, $, available at TargetThe Expert: SimeonBest For: Dehydrated Coils"I'm a shampoo skeptic: Some over-promise on hydration and definition, and actually make my hair drier and more difficult to style. However, this one lives up to its curl-defining claims. The sulfate-free formula doesn't make my hair look and feel like wire, and my curls are more defined to the touch while I shampoo."TRESemmé Porosity Balance Curl Definition Shampoo, $, available at TargetThe Expert: Korey Fitzpatrick, hairstylist to Charli XCX, Tove Lo, and Dua LipaBest For: Any Hair Type“I'm not usually a fan of drugstore products, but this conditioner is amazing. It's a little pricier than the others, but it actually works! So spending the few extra bucks is always worth it in the end to me.”It's a 10 Miracle Daily Conditioner, $, available at WalgreensThe Expert: Castillo, hairstylist to Halle Berry, Alisha Boe, and Ruby RoseBest For: Dry Hair"This shampoo combined with the Nexxus Humectress Moisture Restoring Conditioner is great for any hair texture. It's sold in travel sizes, which is perfect for when you're on-the-go. I always make sure my clients carry this before any trip to protect their locks from hotel shampoos and conditioners, which often leave the hair dehydrated."Nexxus Therappe Moisture Shampoo for Dry Hair , $, available at TargetNexxus Humectress Moisture Restoring Complex Conditioner, $, available at CVSThe Expert: Aviva Perea, hairstylist to Brittany Snow and America FerreraBest For: Medium-to-Thick Hair"I call this my go-to product. The silicone-free formula gently cleanses hair, and preps it perfectly for conditioning."Nexxus Nexxus Emergencee Repair Rebalancing Shampoo, $, available at TargetThe Expert: Thatiana Diaz, R29 Somos senior editor & beauty contributorBest For: Weak Strands"Someone recommended this formula to me years ago when I was dealing with breakage and I haven't stopped restocking it in my shower since. It not only strengthens my hair, which helps my strands to grow longer, but it also really gets the job done when it comes to cleansing. I always feel brand new after just one wash."SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo, $, available at SheaMoistureThe Expert: DiazBest For: Thick Hair"As someone with very thick hair, I often have to use half a bottle of conditioner for the amount of hair I have — product just disappears into my strands immediately. With this one, a little goes a long way. The best part is that this buy comes in under $5 and has enough in the jumbo bottle to last me for months."TRESemmé Moisture Rich With Vitamin E Conditioner, $, available at TargetThe Expert: Ryan Richman, hairstylist to Sarah Hyland and Lorena IzzoBest For: Dry Hair"This shampoo is great for damaged and coarse hair because it helps to strengthen it and leaves hair really smooth."Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo, $, available at WalmartThe Expert: Cat Quinn, R29 beauty directorBest For: Color-Treated, Dry, or Damaged Hair"I grabbed this from my roommate's shelf a while back when I ran out of my own $28 conditioner and was seriously impressed by the results. While I didn't love the smell (a bit too honey-sweet for my taste), I air-dried my hair and put it in a bun and when I took it out it was so smooth and shiny it looked like I had gotten a blowout."Garnier Garnier Honey Treasures Repairing Conditioner, $, available at TargetThe Expert: QuinnBest For: Fine-to-Medium Hair"When I want really clean, full roots, this always does the trick. I've been using it since high school."TRESemmé TRESemme 24 Hour Body Healthy Volume Shampoo, $, available at TargetThe Expert: Scotty Cunha, hairstylist to Nicole Richie and Kourtney KardashianBest For: Any Hair Type"It's natural, paraben-free, blah blah, but it really works! And it's great for all hair types because it's really conditioning, but not too heavy, so it won't weigh down straight hair. It's great for conditioning color-treated hair, and it will also help control frizz on curly hair."Burt's Bees Shea and Grapefruit Deep Conditioner, $, available at AmazonThe Expert: Lexy Lebsack, R29 senior beauty editorBest For: Fine-to-Thick Hair"This clarifying shampoo is super-strong, so don't even think about using it every day. However, if you use it a few times per month it will cleanse every bit of buildup out of your hair. I have highlighted (and therefore, more fragile) hair, so I only use it once a month, but even so, I can immediately tell the biggest difference. It's strong, but when used correctly, it will make your hair bouncier and respond better to all your other products."Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, $, available at WalmartThe Expert: LebsackBest For: Dry Hair"This rich conditioner has long been my drugstore stand-in when my hair feels parched, or just after bleaching, and I don't want to splurge on something more expensive. It makes my strands feel smooth and soft without weighing them down."Neutrogena Neutrogena Triple Moisture Professional Daily Deep Conditioner, $, available at WalgreensThe Expert: LebsackBest For: Damaged Hair"This mask is incredibly thick, smells great, and you notice a difference in your hair after one use, which, for under $10, is pretty impressive. It makes my hair feel softer — even right after I get it bleached!"L'Oreal Paris Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery Mask, $, available at L'Oreal ParisThe Expert: John Ruggiero, hairstylist to Kate Upton and Olivia WildeBest For: Dry Hair"This formula automatically transforms the most brittle hair, leaving it soft, silky, and smooth."Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo, $, available at SephoraThe Expert: Derek Yuen, hairstylist to Laverne Cox, Maggie Q, and Jaime KingBest For: Curly Hair"This conditioner really helps curls to fight frizz. Plus, it has olive oil in it to help keep your curls manageable and add shine."John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Conditioner, $, available at TargetThe Expert: LebsackBest For: Fine-to-Thick hair"I was surprised how much I took to this conditioner after trying it a few months ago because I'm very critical of drugstore hair products, but it's actually become a staple in my shower. It's incredibly lightweight — I cannot stand buildup of any kind — and once rinsed, this formula feels like nothing at all. After air-drying my hair is soft, shiny, and healthy-looking. That's a win in my book."Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?The Best Dry Shampoos, Period15 Purple Shampoos That Save Brassy Blonde HairMy Blonde Hair Can't Live Without This Dry Shampoo
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