Drugstore Shampoos and Conditioners Pros Swear By
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As you well know, we love drugstore products here at R29. Which isn’t to say that prestige products are overrated. But finding a balance between high and low is the key to a smart routine — and wallet.
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.
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Ahead, we’ve pulled out all the stops to correct this discussion deficit: 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 $15.
The Expert: Scotty Cunha, hairstylist to Kylie Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, and Lucy Hale
Best For: Any hair type
“It’s natural, paraben-free, blah blah, but itreally 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.”
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Burt’s Bees Hair Repair Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner, $8, available at Burt’s Bees.
The Expert: Megan McIntyre, R29 beauty director
Best For: Fine hair
“For my fine hair, I find many conditioners tend to weigh it down due to heavy moisturizers. This conditioner is lighter and allows for a more textured, beachy finish (hence the name), but still gives me the moisture my bleached-into-oblivion strands need.”
John Frieda Beach Blonde Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner, $9.99, available at Ulta.
The Expert: Riawna Capri, hairstylist to Julianne Hough and Nina Dobrev
Best For: Any hair type
“I love Clear because it focuses on your scalp, instead of just the hair. Without a healthy scalp, how can you have healthy hair? They have different formulas for all different hair types, but the Intense Hydration is good for all types and textures.”
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Clear Scalp & Hair Intense Hydration Shampoo, $5.59, available at Drugstore.com.
The Expert: Taylor Bryant, R29 beauty news editor
Best For: Textured/curly hair
“I tend to solely use brands that cater to textured or natural hair, but this tiny tube is the one, and maybe only, exception. I use it on days when I don’t feel like deep-conditioning my hair for 20 minutes, and it works just as well as when I do take the time to do so. It turns my normally coarse hair super-soft, and is one of the best detangling products — that’s not technically a detangling product — out there.”
Aussie Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioning Treatment, $2.99, available at Drugstore.com.
The Expert: Derek Yuen, hairstylist to Laverne Cox, Maggie Q, and Jaime King
Best 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, $6.64, available at Target.
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The Expert: Ryan Richman, hairstylist to Lorde, Ashley Tisdale, and Sarah Hyland
Best 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, $3.48, available at Walmart.
The Expert: Megan McIntyre, R29 beauty director
Best For: Highlighted/blonde hair
“Ever since going blonde, I’ve had a constant struggle against brassiness and color-stripping. Nothing is more devastating to bottle blonde than orange tints and faded hues. That’s why I like this color-enhancing shampoo from John Frieda. It doesn’t add color (something I’m a bit skeptical of in the first place), but rather fully removes the styling-product residue that can lead to your color looking flat or dull. It makes your blonde look, well, blonder, and helps add shine to your strands.”
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John Frieda Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Enhancing Shampoo for Lighter Shades, $4.74, available at Target.
The Expert: Cat Quinn, R29 deputy beauty director
Best For: Fine- to medium-textured hair
“When I want really clean, full roots, this always does the trick. I’ve been using it since high school.”
Tresemmé 24 Hour Body Salon Shampoo, $5.99, available at Target.
The Expert: Derek Yuen, hairstylist to Laverne Cox, Maggie Q, and Jaime King
Best For: Fine hair
“This is a lightweight formula that gently cleanses — but won’t weigh fine hair down.”
Vidal Sassoon Boost And Lift Shampoo, $4.25, available at Vidal Sassoon.
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The Expert: Aviva Perea, hairstylist to Brittany Snow and Beth Behrs
Best 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 Emergencee Reconstructive System Shampoo, $11.39, available at Target.
The Expert: Taylor Bryant, R29 beauty news editor
Best For: Textured/curly hair
“I don’t actually use shampoo to cleanse my hair; instead, I reach for a co-washing product, which helps do the job without stripping my hair of its necessary oils. As I Am’s coconut formula has been my go-to since doing my big chop back in April. It’s a no-suds moisturizing wash that’s not too heavy, and it helps detangle while cleansing.”
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As I Am Coconut Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner, $6.79, available at Drugstore.com.
The Expert: Mi-Anne Chan, R29 beauty editorial assistant
Best For: Any hair type
“As a beauty writer, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to try pricey shampoos, but I always go back to this one. Seriously, I rave about this shampoo to anyone who will listen. The scent is super-refreshing, and [it’s] really pleasant to use. I wash my hair every day, which I know some people will scold me for, but this one has such a gentle-but-clarifying sulfate-free formula that it doesn’t cause me any problems at all.”
Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo, $3.99, available in-store at Trader Joe’s.
The Expert: Lexy Lebsack, R29 West Coast beauty editor
Best 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.”
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Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, $4.83, available at Walmart.
The Expert: Cat Quinn, R29 deputy beauty director
Best For: Color-treated hair
“I love L'Oréal Color Vibrancy Nourishing Conditioner. It makes my hair really sleek and shiny, but not weighed down. And it’s awesome for shaving your legs, too.”
L'Oréal Color Vibrancy Nourishing Conditioner, $4.99, available at Ulta.
The Expert: Derek Yuen, hairstylist to Laverne Cox, Maggie Q, and Jaime King
Best For: Fine hair
“This formula is silicone-free and uses aloe vera juice to give fine hair the hydration it needs, all without weighing it down.”
Tresemmé Naturals Nourishing Moisture Shampoo, $4.49, available at Target.
The Expert: Taylor Bryant, R29 beauty news editor
Best For: Textured/curly hair
“I just picked up this product recently, and it’s been a heavenly addition to my usual rotation. (Side note: All of SheaMoisture’s products from its Jamaican Black Castor Oil line are pretty stellar.) I use it as the ‘L’ portion in my LOC method (leave-in, oil, and curl cream for those not in the know), and not only does it smell lovely, but it doesn’t weigh down my coils. Plus, it’s a total steal price-wise for the copious amount of product they give you.”
SheaMoisture Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner, $10.99, available at Drugstore.com.
By Lexy Lesback
