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    26 Hair Products If You Want High-End Results On A Low-End Budget

    2022 is the year we say no to ridiculously expensive hair masks.

    1. A popular Herstyler serum made with argan oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera to control frizz and give you a silky smooth shine that'll practically glimmer when you step out into the sun. It's like the "glass skin" trend, but for your hair!

    Reviewer's hair before and after using hair serum
    Reviewer's hair after using hair serum

    Promising review: "Love this serum. I use it on my hair when it’s dry to reduce the frizziness and flyaways. My go-to finishing product on my hair." —Jackie

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a pack of two or four).

    2. A hydrating OGX mist that basically does the impossible — gives you frizz-free, bouncy waves without any extra weight. You can thank the nourishing coconut oil and bamboo extract for that.

    Reviewer's hair after using OGX hair mist
    Reviewer's hair after using OGX spray

    Promising review: "This stuff smells amazing, refreshes my hair, and keeps it soft for days! I haven’t gotten a haircut in about a year and have no trace of split ends using this stuff. Perfect for ladies with long hair! Sleeping in braids and using this in the morning makes for awesome waves!" —Lauren P.

    Get it from Amazon for $5.99.

    3. An Arctic Fox semi-permanent hair dye made without peroxide and ammonia, so you won't have to worry about damaging your strands when you feel like switching up your color. It'll work best on pre-lightened hair, but many reviewers say it also provides an impressive tint on dark hair as well!

    Reviewer before using Arctic Fox hair dair
    Reviewer's har after using Arctic Fox dye

    The reviewer above used the shade "Ritual."

    Promising review: "Love it! The product smells fantastic and is easy to apply. I have fairly long hair and one bottle was more than enough. I had previously bayalaged my hair about six months ago and the color took very well to the highlights we put in. It came out darker where my natural brown is and much brighter (pinkish burgundy) where it was previously bleached." —Rebecca

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two sizes and 22 colors).

    4. An OGX leave-in conditioning cream that'll define your natural curls and have them bouncing around all day long. Just apply some to your towel-dried hair and let the cold-pressed argan oil work its magic.

    Promising review: "I'm a senior with a hypothyroid issue, so you can imagine how dry my hair usually is, especially the last few inches. My hairdresser led me to this brand because her other customers love it. This is a lovely scented, thick cream, that's very easy to apply, and I don't need much because it doesn't drip off my hair. I scrunched it into wet but not dripping hair, then let it air dry. I am so happy with the results! My waves/curls are beautifully defined and "piece-y" with no frizz, and my hair is incredibly soft and shiny." —Wendy

    Get it from Amazon for $5.61.

    5. Shea Moisture anti-frizz mousse for anyone who comes this close to throwing their hair brush out of the window every morning. The lightweight yet super hydrating formula will have your strands feeling manageable, silky smooth, bouncy, and voluminous all at the same time. Sometimes dreams really do come true.

    Reviewer's hair after using Shea Moisture mousse
    Reviewer's hair after using curling anti-frizz mousse

    Promising review: "This magic foam is epic! I never thought a hair product would change my life but this one did. It's so incredibly lightweight, you feel like there is nothing in your hair. I get volume and definition without any of the drawbacks of normal products." —Kathy C.

    Get it from Amazon for $8.69.

    6. A leave-in conditioning spray by Marc Anthony to help you grow the long locks of your dreams. It's made with biotin, caffeine, and ginseng, so it's basically like an espresso shot to your scalp. Get ready to take one of those "how it started vs. how it's going" photos.

    Promising review: "I have been using this set for about two weeks now and I have noticed thickening of my hair and growth around my ears. My hair normally takes forever to grow. So seeing any kind of growth at all in two weeks to me is a miracle. It also smells wonderful and makes my hair feel amazingly soft!!" —Robin C.

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

    7. A super fluffy mousse that lets you air-dry your way to perfectly defined curls. It absorbs super quickly, so it's a must for those days when you're already running late to work but still need some time to grab an iced coffee on the way.

    Reviewer's hair after using Lotta Body mousse
    Reviewer's hair after using Wrap Me Lotta Body mousse

    Promising review: "I have permed hair with 3b curls, and this is the best mousse I have found! It does not leave my hair sticky or stiff, it’s very moisturizing, and the foam is a great consistency. The scent is light and pleasant, and this is my new go-to for both freshly washed hair or the day after re-boost. So glad I found this!" —Tonii

    Get it from Amazon for $3.87.

    8. hair-finishing stick with a unique mascara-like applicator to keep flyaways and cowlicks at bay when you don't have time to mess around with creams or serums.

    Reviewer's hair before using finishing stick
    Reviewer's hair after using finishing stick

    Promising review: "I have super-fine hair with lots of breakage. No matter how I put my hair up I have bad flyaways. This stuff is great! So easy and it stays better and looks smoother than stiff hairspray." —Jill Stilfield

    Get it from Amazon for $6.78.

    9. wildly popular Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo that uses ketoconazole 1% to fight dandruff and relieve itchy scalps.

    Reviewer's hair before using Nizoral shampoo
    Reviewer's hair after using Nizoral shampoo

    For best results, the brand recommends using it every three to four days for up to eight weeks.

    Promising review: "MIRACLE PRODUCT!!! If you have dandruff, flaky scalp, scabs, etc... BUY THIS! I was about to go to the dermatologist if this stuff didn’t work. Thank goodness I saved myself hundreds of dollars by giving this product a shot. I used it four to five times (over a month), and it cleared my scalp almost completely. One more use and my scalp will be 120% healed! This stuff blew my mind. Totally worth it." —chris

    Get it from Amazon for $14.84.

    10. A Cantu curling cream with a droolworthy ingredient list —I'm talking coconut oil, shea butter, almond oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and mango seed butter all stuffed into a jar of hydrating goodness. You can even use it on dry hair to revitalize your curls when you have zero time to jump in the shower.

    Reviewer's hair after using Cantu curling cream
    Reviewer's hair after using curling cream from Cantu

    Promising review: "You have to try it! I've been looking for something like this for a long time! I put it in my hair while it's still wet and go to bed with it in. In the morning I literally wouldn't have to touch my hair… It's already perfect as is! Wow!" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $5.93.

    11. An OGX air-dry leave-in cream so you can get perfectly tousled waves without the use of any styling tools — so it's essentially a bottle of pure magic.

    Reviewer showing results of using OGX air-dry cream
    Reviewer after using air-dry cream

    Promising review: "I'm so grateful that I found this product. My hair is wavy and frizzy. Every once in a great while my waves resemble curls but the frizz is always there. I've only used this product one time so far and I never want to be without it. I put some on after towel drying (no brushing) my hair, and my waves actually resembled curls! It wasn't instant so I was skeptical but after about 15 minutes I caught a glimpse of my hair in the mirror and I was amazed. It looked styled rather than a ratty mess. I slept on it and it still looked great in the morning!!!" —mich0610

    Get it from Amazon for $6.97.

    12. A deeply conditioning hair mask by TGIN with castor oil and biotin to promote hair growth and papaya to reduce shedding. You can leave it on for up to an hour for maximum results, so go ahead and throw on a sheet mask while you're at it.

    Promising review: "My scalp felt invigorated after applying. I left the masque on overnight and when I rinsed the next morning my scalp felt refreshed and clean. I actually think this product also aided in elongating my curls. Hair looks hydrated as well! I plan to use every two weeks." —Dawn M.

    Thank God It's Natural is a Black-owned, woman-owned small business based in Chicago, Illinois.

    Get it from Amazon for $15.99.

    13. A microfiber towel to make drying your hair less of a hassle. Just wrap it around your head, secure the towel with the button in the back, and let the microfiber magic soak up all the excess water without causing extra frizz.

    Reviewer wearing microfiber hair towel
    Reviewer wearing microfiber hair towel and holding thumb up

    Promising review: "Love love love these! I have long hair (almost up to my waist) and I hate to have my hair dripping water right after shower, but I do not want to use my hair dryer at all times, so I just keep this wrapped up for a while and it does wonders! My hair is almost fully dry when I take this off (15–30 minutes max) and I feel relieved that I don’t have to carry the weight of a full towel around! The button is nicely placed and it’s easy to just wrap it around your head. I have one and my stepdaughter has the other, and we both love it!!" —Ana R.

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.96 (available in 11 color choices).

    14. Or a Kitsch scrunchie-towel hybrid made of microfiber so you can put your hair up in a pony and dry it at the same time, so it's basically a multitasking miracle.

    Reviewer wearing microfiber towel scrunchie
    Reviewer wearing microfiber scrunchie

    Promising review: "I ordered this because I was sick of keeping a towel on my head for so long while my hair dried, and if I didn't have a towel, my shirt was soaking wet from my hair after a shower. For reference, I had very long, thick hair and it takes a while to air-dry — and I'm so happy I found this scrunchie! It's a lot bigger in person than it looks in the image, which is great because it covers more of your hair to help dry it. No more heavy towels on my head or tight towel wraps." —Meghan

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $12.47+ (available in eight colors).

    15. A massaging brush that not only invigorates your scalp and helps break down any product buildup, but also just feels a-ma-zing after a long day.

    Model using massaging scalp brush
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I am pleasantly surprised. I was definitely a little skeptical that this thing would help me, versus hurt me. I have scalp psoriasis and was worried that the 'soft' bristles wouldn’t be soft enough, or not sturdy enough to comb out the flakiness. It doesn’t hurt my psoriasis at ALL, and actually feels great. My scalp feels cleaner than ever, I’m going to use this every time I wash my hair!" —Mallory Caforia

    Get it from Amazon for $7.98+ (available in nine colors).

    16. A deeply nourishing Girl + Hair mask with aloe vera and castor oil to tame frizz and add softness without weighing down your natural texture.

    Jar of Girl + Hair Curl Cloud with model showing before-and-after results
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I'm a natural hair girl! I often struggle with finding a product that helps me manage and keep my hair safe for the next styling. Although I wear protective styles, the in-between time really counts, so this mask is a lifesaver. I love to see the hydration of my natural curls and I feel this product gives them the love they truly deserve! This product has helped me redefine my hair experience. Love it!" —Ashley Jennings

    Girl + Hair is a Black-owned, woman-owned small business.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    17. A daily hair treatment by TGIN — it's basically the perfect combination of a moisturizer and a styling cream. It's formulated with shea butter to add the perfect amount of hydration for natural hair, while the creamy texture makes it ideal for maintaining shiny two-strand twists and twist-outs.

    Reviewer holding jar of TGIN Butter Cream
    Reviewer showing results of using TGIN Butter Cream in hair

    Promising review: "Sooo awesome! I was nervous about using a daily cream on my fine, medium density, curly hair, but it is FANTASTIC! A little goes a long way (especially if you have fine hair) but I haven't noticed any yucky build up or residue, and my curls stayed soft and pliable all day long. A little mist of water, a dab of cream, and a paddle brush, and BAM! Brings my curls to LIFE." —Bibliophilia

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

    18. A bestselling and surprisingly inexpensive argan oil hair mask to have your mane looking ridiculously glossy in just seven minutes. Yes, you read that right — seven 👏 minutes!

    Reviewer showing hair before using argan oil mask
    Reviewer showing hair after using argan oil mask

    Promising review: "My hair is very thin and curly. The ends are damaged from heat and color, causing my hair to look even more unruly. I do oil treatments once a week and only wash my hair two to three times a week but NOTHING has made my hair feel like this product does. There is an immediate difference as soon as this product touches my hair. It leaves my hair feeling so silky, even after I rinse it out and dry my hair." —Melissa

    Get it from Amazon for $12.95.

    19. Or an Elizavecca rinse-out hair treatment that became super popular thanks to TikTok, which might explain the impressive 18,000 5-star ratings. Its blend of ceramides and collagen will add smoothness and shine to your hair in just five minutes, making it perfect for those of us who care about our hair but not enough to devote extra time to it.

    Reviewer photo of hair before using collagen treatment
    Reviewer photo of hair after using collagen treatment

    Promising review: "I am obsessed with this conditioner. It's light enough to use every other wash and it smells amazing. I have ultra fine, curly blonde hair that’s extremely prone to breakage and I feel like my hair has grown an inch since using this product. Just bought two more bottles because I never want to run out of this magic." —sgt

    Get it from Amazon for $6.80.

    20. An incredibly popular L'Oréal repairing hair treatment to reverse damage and restore shine in just eight seconds. Apply it after shampoo but before conditioner and let the amino acids and "lamellar water technology" work its magic to smooth your hair without weighing it down. It has over 19,000 5-star ratings — and the before and after photos really speak for themselves.

    Reviewer showing hair before using 8 Second Wonder Water
    Same reviewer showing hair after using 8 Second Wonder Water

    Promising review: "I don’t usually do reviews on products, but for this one I absolutely have to. I have 3c-type hair and struggle with a lot a breakage, unmanageability, and moisture. When my mom mentioned this product to me, I didn’t take her seriously because of the simple fact that we have two completely different hair textures. I never would have thought this brand would work on my hair ... I have never in my 22 years felt my hair like this. I feel like I have a completely different head of hair. This product is so amazing and I will FOREVER be using this product in my hair regimen." —Theressa Hailey

    Get it from Amazon for $8.97.

    21. An Honest leave-in conditioning spray that will detangle unruly hair with a blend of argan oil, shea butter, and quinoa extract. It also smells like a delicious orange Creamsicle, so you'll be looking and smelling like a snack all year long.

    Reviewer photo of hair before using detangling spray
    Reviewer photo of hair after using detangling spray

    Promising review: "This stuff is a holy grail product for me for a reason I wasn’t expecting! I bought this to keep in my beach bag for days out on the boat. My hair is always a tangled mess by the end of the day, so I thought this would help. It definitely helps with tangles, but it also has tamed my frizz so well that I use it every day now! I spray it on right out of the shower and comb through. I have also sprayed it on dry hair on days when I didn’t wash my hair. It’s fantastic!" —Chelsea

    Get it from Amazon for $5.99.

    22. A TGIN styling mousse made with rose water and acai berries to help define your curls and stop them from becoming a frizzy mess by the time the afternoon rolls around.

    Reviewer's hair before using TGIN mousse
    Reviewer's hair after using TGIN mousse

    Promising review: "This is my favorite hair system for my curly, 3a–3c, medium-coarse, very dry hair. This mousse makes my hair soft and bouncy and it hold the curl well. My hair does not get as dry and frizzy as it used to. This gets reactivated easily with the Curl Refresher Spray, and my curls last for days." —ShaniAZ

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

    23. An extremely easy-to-use and downright magical L'Oréal spray that covers your roots in seconds, which might come in handy if you like to cover your grays. Plus, this video of Eva Longoria demonstrating how to use it is pretty mesmerizing.

    Reviewer photo showing hair before using root cover-up spray
    Reviewer photo showing hair after using root cover-up spray

    Although, gray hair is honestly pretty fierce, so feel free to let those silvery strands shine!

    Promising review: "This product is terrific for hiding the pesky gray hairs that start to emerge one to two weeks after coloring my hair. I have dark hair, and a lot of gray around my forehead and temple areas, so any gray hairs are beyond obvious. Once they start to peek out, I use this product and I can last another couple of weeks before coloring." —Carissa K

    Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in 11 colors and a pack of two).

    24. A hair pick by Afropick in various beautiful patterns and an anti-static design that makes it just as useful as it is beautiful. Some reviewers say it's also perfect for combing through beards!

    Afropick hair pick in the pattern
    Amazon

    Afro Picks is a Black-owned, family-owned small business based in New York.

    Each of the designs were created by Afropick's team of independent artists. The pattern featured above is a tribute to the lively energy of Harlem, and there are five other designs to choose from!

    Promising review: "Strong, smooth, stylish, and gentle. Love this Afropick." —Nicholas S.

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in six colors).

    25. A Crave Naturals detangling brush that'll glide right through your hair instead of getting caught in a knotted mess that makes you want to chop it all off and go back to bed. It's helped over 35,000 reviewers tackle tangles with ease.

    reviewer with curly hair that's been brushed out
    Adult and child models brushing hair with detangling comb

    Promising Review: "I'm a single dad of a 6-year-old girl and combing her hair is the hardest part of taking care of her. She gets really bad knots in her hair. This brush is the only thing that has ever worked. Thank you so much. She even likes to comb her own hair now." —Nguyen P.

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in five colors).

    26. And a dry shampoo powder to refresh your hair and provide some impressive volume with just a few shakes. Just sprinkle in your roots, brush through, and marvel at your luxuriously luscious locks.

    Promising review: "I love that this is a powder and not a stinky aerosol spray. That also means that this lasts MUCH longer. I use it every other day when I don't wash my hair since I have very oily roots. I've been using it for almost a month and barely any is missing out of the bottle. A little goes a long way." —R.G.

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes).

    Bad hair day? Don't know her.

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