Personally? I only feel as good as I look. On days where my hair is a mess, I’d rather stay inside and hide in bed all day — but if I’m looking like a model out of some magazine? Watch out world, because here I come! But finding quality hair products that actually deliver salon-inspired results isn’t easy. Luckily for you, I’ve tested and tried so many bottles that I’ve become sort of an expert when it comes to finding stuff that really leaves your hair looking undeniably good.
But if you don’t want to take my word for it? Not a problem — thousands of reviewers have left glowing reviews on each item listed below. And really, are you going to argue with all of them? Probably not. Frankly, it’d be easier just to grab a few items and see how well they work for you.
A Texturizing Taffy That Delivers Soft, Moveable Hair
Gelled hair is so 2002 — so bring yourself into 2021 with this texturizing taffy. It provides a flexible hold, allowing your hair to have a moveable feel while still maintaining whatever shape you style it into. Plus, you only need a dime-sized amount to get the full effect.
A Cream That Strengthens And Defines Curls
With more than 10,000 positive four- and five-star reviews, it’s clear that this styling cream is a must-have for curly hair. It defines curls without weighing them down — and unlike some creams, this one is made without any mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, or silicones.
You Can’t Go Wrong With A Good Shampoo Brush
Add a squirt of shampoo to this brush, then gently massage it into your scalp to wash away the day’s sweat and grime. The bristles are made from soft silicone — so don’t even think about it scratching into your head — while the handle on the back helps you keep a firm grip when wet.
A Quality Hair Dryer That Won’t Break The Bank
Whether you’ve got long or short hair, you still need a quality hair dryer — and this professional one is available for less than $40. It features a built-in negative ion generator, which helps infuse shine into frizzy strands so that your hair comes out looking smooth and silky. And yes — I know how that sounds. But compare hair styled with this dryer to one without an ion generator, and you’ll instantly be able to see the difference.
The Conditioner That Gets Your Hair Ready For Television
Look — I’ve tried everything from $5 to $50 conditioner. And once my bank account recovered from blowing shocking amounts of money on hair care products, I finally settled on regularly using R+Co’s television-ready line of shampoo and conditioner. The price is right in the middle between luxury and higher-quality shampoos, yet still leaves my hair feeling as smooth as the $50 bottles. Plus, it’s also safe for color-treated hair.
This Leave-In Conditioner That Detangles Knotted Hair
You’ll be glad you stocked up on this leave-in conditioner the next time your hair has become a jumbled, knotted mess. While it works great on all types of hair, curly girls will find its moisturizing properties particularly useful — especially if you’re constantly battling against frizz. And unlike some conditioners, this one is ultra-lightweight so that it won’t weigh your hair down.
A Repairing Treatment That’s All The Rage Right Now
If you haven’t heard of Olaplex, then your hair is either very healthy, or your stylist has been living with their head in the sand. While it’s only reached the mainstream recently, it’s been around in higher-end salons for years — and now you can finally buy it on Amazon for at-home use. It strengthens and repairs the broken bonds in your hair, helping reverse damage while smoothing frizz. And with more than 50,000 positive reviews, it’s clear as day that it truly works.
This Volumizing Powder That Boosts Up Limp Strands
Limp hair got you feeling down? Just give those flat roots a few spritzes of this volumizing powder, and they’ll perk right up. It’s completely translucent — so there’s no need to worry about it looking like dandruff — and the formula is even completely cruelty-free.
A Leave-In Conditioner That Protects Color From Fading
Nothing kills my mood like looking at my hair and seeing the color has started to fade — which is exactly why I use this leave-in conditioner a few times every week. Not only does it help keep my colorful hair from fading, but it also uses coconut and olive oil to leave it looking oh-so shiny. Plus, it even helps protect your strands from getting scorched by hot styling tools. What’s not to love?
The Styling Balm That Delivers Bouncy, Beachy Waves
You don’t have to hit the sand to get beachy waves in your hair — just whip out this styling balm. Not only does it give your hair gorgeous waves, but it also texturizes, hydrates, de-frizzes, and protects your mane against damage. “I have naturally curly, frizzy hair…this product works wonders,” raved one reviewer. “It makes the curls into rings if I want to go natural instead of frizz. But if I want to straighten out, it makes my hair look fuller.”
A Silicone Mat That Keeps Hot Tools Off Countertops
Ever leave a hot tool on your countertop so long that it left scorch marks? Because I have — and it was not pretty. But luckily for you, this protective pouch is available for less than $7. It’s great for transporting your styling tools while they’re still hot, as the silicone material is heat-resistant against high temperatures. Plus, it even comes in more than 15 fun colors.
This Styling Tool That Delivers Bouncy Curls
If you struggle when it comes to using a curling iron, try upgrading to this curler from Chi. The ceramic barrel in the center curls your hair without making it frizzy — though it works best on hair between six and 16 inches in length. And with the temperature adjustable up to 410 degrees, it’s suitable for all types of hair.
The Conditioning Balm That Infuses Shine Into Dull Strands
Even if your hair leans towards the dry side, you can still tame frizz by running this balm through your hair. You only need to leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing it out, as the moisturizing formula seals your cuticles to help lock in hydration. The best part? Reviewers raved about how soft it left their hair feeling.
A Leave-In Treatment Made With Hydrating Coconut Milk
Give your strands a few spritzes with this leave-in treatment the next time they’re feeling a little dry. 100% virgin olive oil and coconut milk work together to deliver a nourishing dose of moisture to parched hair, while the silicone-free formula won’t leave your strands with that oily, slick feeling.
The Thickening Serum That Boosts Up Limp Manes
Notice a little extra hair coming out in the shower? Try boosting your mane with this thickening serum. The triple-action formula works to hydrate your strands as it bolsters them up, helping thicken them so that your ‘do looks oh-so full. “I have been using Boldify products for over a year and have seen significant results,” raved one reviewer. “After my hair dries out, it feels like silk.”
A Hydrating Mask Loaded With Nourishing Argan Oil
While some of the products on this list can cost a pretty penny — a pretty penny that they’re absolutely worth, mind you — this argan oil mask is available for less than $15. Reviewers loved how soft it left their hair feeling, as the moisturizing oils penetrate deep into your hair shaft. An absolute must-have for curly or frizzy manes.
This Hot Air Brush From The Creators Behind Drybar
Cheap hot airbrushes can fry your hair, leaving you with tons of frizz and breakage. So if you’re going to use one, make sure to shell out for a professional model — like this one from Drybar. Three heat settings make it suitable for all types of hair, and it’s even powerful enough for thicker manes. “This is a game-changer for fine, thin hair,” wrote one reviewer. “I did not use any product just dried my hair and the volume is great!”
A Spray Bottle That Delivers A Gentle Mist
Sometimes your hair just needs a little touch of water to get it styled right — but too much will leave you with wet head. The answer? This little spray bottle. The nozzle produces a continuous mist until you release the trigger, and it’ll even work upside-down.
This High-Quality Oil That Basically Does It All
Not only will this oil leave your hair looking like silk, but it’ll also insulate your hair from heat damage — up to 450 degrees, in fact. It’s so potent that it can even help repair fraying strands, making it perfect for frizzy, damaged hair. And since a little goes a long way, one bottle is enough to last you months.
A Curl Cream That’s Cruelty-Free And Vegan
The key to bouncy curls is to make sure you aren’t using any products that’ll weigh them down — like this cream. The formula is cruelty-free, vegan, and loaded with nourishing shea butter that provides light-as-a-feather hydration. But if that isn’t enough? Reviewers loved how it smells like lemon cake.
This Hydrating Cream That’s Vegan And Cruelty-Free
If you’re looking for a styling cream with a seriously gentle formula, search no further than this one from R+Co. It also doubles as a leave-in conditioner right out of the shower — and it even features vitamins E and B5 to help revitalize dull strands.
A Shampoo That Deposits Fun Colors Into Your Hair
Blue, purple, pink, teal — with dozens of shades to choose from, this color-depositing shampoo is a must-have if you’re looking for a fun way to change up your look. You can also mix the colors to create your own custom shade, and it only needs to sit on your hair for about five minutes.
The Hair Dryer That Packs A Real Punch
Not all hair dryers are created equal — this one features a 1,875-watt motor that powers through thick, wet hair. The heat is adjustable up to six levels, and each order even comes with three interchangeable attachments to help you style your hair. Plus, one reviewer wrote that “the unit works well, has good controls, and seems to be built to last.”
A Caddy For All Your Styling Tools
Vanity a big mess of styling tools and bottles? Tidy it up with help from this caddy. There’s designated space for flat and curling irons, as well as blow dryers. And unlike many caddies, this one is made from real wood — not plastic.
This Anti-Frizz Spray That Even Works In The Rain
The best part about this spray isn’t even that it leaves your hair silky-smooth — it’s that those results last through up to three shampoos. That means you can potentially go almost an entire week with gorgeous hair, all by simply giving your head a few spritzes before you hit the town. Just make sure you either use a blow dryer, or hot styling tool to activate the formula on your strands.
A Moroccan Cream That Reviewers Can’t Get Enough Of
With thousands of positive reviews, it’s clear that this bottle of Moroccan styling cream is a total hit. “I have naturally wavy hair, and I live in South Florida,” explained one reviewer. “Needless to say the humidity creates frizz. This is my go-to product to smooth and control my hair and help maintain my curls…shiny and smooth, wonderful-smelling hair.”
This Hot Air Brush That Won’t Break The Bank
I’ll admit that the last hot airbrush was a little expensive. So if you’re still interested in trying it out — but don’t want to blow your paycheck — grab this nicer one from Hot Tools. It’s plated with real 24-karat gold to ensure even heat distribution as it runs through your hair, while three heat settings make it suitable for all types of hair.
A Conditioner That Leaves Hints Of Color In Your Hair
It only takes one wash for this conditioner to give your hair a gorgeously colored tint — and it even comes in dozens of colors to suit any style. At $22 for 12 ounces, it’s more cost-effective than the previous color-depositing shampoo. Plus, reviewers raved about how putting it in dry gave them more vibrant results.
This Trimmer For Quick Little Touch-Ups At Home
Whenever I’m unable to get to the barber shop, this trimmer is an absolute lifesaver — particularly when it comes to my undercut. Not only does it save me $30 every two weeks, but the waterproof exterior means you can even rinse it off under running water. Plus, the battery is completely rechargeable.
A Purple Shampoo That Neutralizes The Yellow Tones In Blonde Hair
Brassy, yellow tones are no match for this purple shampoo. While it won’t turn you into Daenerys Targaryen, it’ll give your hair an ashy shade that’s seriously in style right now. Plus, it also works great for helping maintain an even shade in grey hair.
This Conditioner That’s So, So Gentle
Granted, I wouldn’t go squirting this conditioner directly into my eyes — but the formula is so gentle that it’s safe to use when washing babies. Paraben- as well as tear-free, the sweet orange and vanilla scent helps relax your mind after a long day. “I love this conditioner,” raved one reviewer. “I was a little skeptical at first because I’ve tried other natural conditions that left my hair limp and greasy, but not this one! A little goes a long way. I have fairly long, medium thick hair, and two pumps are all it takes.”
A Diffuser That’s Gentle On Curly Hair
If you’re still using a regular hair dryer to blow out your curly hair, this is a sign that it’s time to grab a diffuser — like this one. The wide mouth disperses the hot air so that your curls stay intact, and it’s designed to fit onto most dryers.
A Conditioning Mask Loaded With Biotin Proteins
Biotin doesn’t just help revitalize damaged hair — it’s also great for helping it grow thicker. This mask in particular is not only loaded with biotin, but it also features a unique castor oil complex that leaves dry hair looking moist and smooth. “This stuff has done wonders for my hair,” raved one reviewer. “My hairstylist asked me what I had been using because the texture of my hair was so much better. I have dry naturally curly hair that’s constantly colored and I use heat — my hair has never felt better.”
A Spray That Protects Your Strands From Hot Tools
You absolutely need to use a heat protectant spray — like this one — before you even think about running a flat iron through it (I’ll even give my head a few spritzes before using my blow dryer.) Plus, this bottle, in particular, keeps your strands insulated against temperatures reaching up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Conditioning Mask That Can Help Your Hair Grow Longer
I could sit here and tell you all about how this mask helps your hair grow longer, but why take my word for it? More than 3,000 reviewers have left glowing comments, all raving about everything from the smell to how well it works.
“I have pretty thin curly hair.” wrote one. “This hair mask makes my hair feel so soft but after using it for a week I notice a huge difference in the texture of my hair. It feels so much stronger and healthier and adds the perfect amount of moisture to my curls…oh and it smells AMAZING.”
A Conditioner That Helps Restore Chemically-Treated Hair
Hair looking a little fried? This deep conditioner can help restore the broken bonds in your strands, as it’s chock-full of nourishing antioxidants. You only need to let it sit in your hair for about three minutes before rinsing it out — and the addition of Roucou oil even helps protect your strands from UV damage.
A Flat Iron Made With Tourmaline Ionic Technology
Some flat irons are made with plain metal plates, which will leave your hair absolutely fried — that’s why this one is made with sleek ceramic plates. The result? Your hair straightens with minimal breakage or dryness, giving you a sleek ‘do that stays shiny all day long.