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.
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: Samantha Sasso, beauty editorial assistant
Best For: Heat-damaged hair
"I bought this shampoo on a whim and it blew my mind. I've never experienced such a transformation with such an inexpensive product. My ends had never been softer and my shine levels are through the roof — even after air-drying."
L'Oréal Paris Total Repair 5 Restoring Shampoo, $4.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
The Expert: Maria Del Russo, R29 beauty editor
Best For: Itchy scalp
"I recently went platinum, so I'm doing everything I can to keep my entire head of hair heathy. Yes To Naturals' new Tea Tree & Sage Oil shampoo and conditioner helps to calm and exfoliate your scalp, so no more flakes."
Yes To Naturals Tea Tree & Sage Oil, $7.99, available at Target.
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 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, $8.00, available at Burt's Bees
The Expert:Megan McIntyre, R29 beauty feaures 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, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty
The Expert: Cat Quinn, R29 beauty director
Best For: Color-treated, dry, or damaged hair
"I grabbed this from my roommate's shelf the other day ( shh, don't tell!) when I ran out of my own $28 conditioner. Whoa, you guys, this stuff is legit. 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. I'm seriously impressed."
Garnier Whole Blends Repairing Conditioner, $5.59, available at Drugstore.com.
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."
Clear Scalp & Hair, $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 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioning Crème Treatment, $2.50, available at Target.
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, $6.64, available at Target
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, $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."
John Frieda, $4.74, available at Target
The Expert:Cat Quinn, R29 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, $5.99, available at Target
The Expert:Lexy Lebsack, R29 West Coast beauty editor
Best 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."
Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner, $18.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
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, $4.25, available at Vidal Sassoon
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, $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."
As I Am, $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."
Neutrogena, $4.83, available at Walmart
The Expert: Cat Quinn, R29 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, $4.99, available at Ulta Beauty
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, $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, $10.99, available at Drugstore.com
The Expert:Lexy Lebsack, R29 West Coast beauty editor
Best For: Damaged hair
"This mask is incredibly thick, smells great, and you notice a difference in your locks after one use, which, for under $10, is pretty impressive. It makes my hair feel softer — even right after I get it bleached!"
L'Oréal Advanced Haircare Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery Mask, $6.99, available at L'Oréal.
The Expert: Samantha Sasso, R29 beauty editorial assistant
Best For: Damaged hair
"I'm constantly looking for shampoos that will give me instant result and this one does the trick! I step out of the shower with hair I thought I would never feel again after so much styling, and heat, damage. The best part is it leaves my normally split ends super smooth and silky."
Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Shampoo, $8.99, available at Target.
The Expert: Alix Tunell, R29 senior beauty editor
Best For : Dry hair
"I love the Clear Hydration Fix Shampoo and Conditioner. I’m lucky enough to get tons of amazing, high-end hair products sent to me, so no one believes me when I say my shower is always stocked with a $5 shampoo — but it’s true. It makes my hair feel softer than anything else out there, the scent is really clean, and it’s one of a few brands that doesn’t weigh my flat hair down."
Clear Hydration Fix Shampoo, $5.49, available at Walgreens.
The Expert:Lexy Lebsack, R29 West Coast beauty editor
Best 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 locks feel smooth and soft without weighing them down."
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner, $4.96, available at Walmart.
The Expert: Jenna Rosenstein, Senior Beauty Editor, Brand Experiences
Best For: Frizzy hair
"I've been using this shampoo on and off since high school. I always go back to it — there's something about the candy apple scent that just makes me feel like a teenager again. The smoothing formula definitely helps control frizz but doesn't weigh down my waves, so I'm able to use a little less styling cream or oil when I wash my hair with it, which is a win in my book."
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo, $3.99, available at Garnier USA.
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