At Shop TODAY, the bulk of our job is trying out the latest and greatest products, all in the hopes of finding something actually worth recommending. Many of these picks eventually become tried and true products in our daily routines. From makeup to fashion, our arsenal is top-notch. But most notably, it's the hair care products that we've tried that have given us the most jaw-dropping results.
Whether you’re hoping for a curl that lasts for hours or a serum that makes your scalp feel squeaky clean, we have an answer for you. From a dandruff shampoo that works fast to a hair tool that gives salon-like styles at home, our editors have something for everyone — and the picks start at just $8.
Scroll on to see our editor-approved picks, all of which will likely give you that good hair day that always seems hard to come by.
Editor-loved game-changing hair products to shop
Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
- Lessens dandruff
- Leaves dry hair feeling dryer
Product type: Shampoo | Size: 4.5 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Salicylic acid | Best for: All hair types, primarily straight hair
"I've struggled with an oily scalp for about four years and have tried countless products to try to improve it," admits senior partnerships editor, Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. "This salicylic acid shampoo was originally recommended to me by my dermatologist as a way to balance my scalp. I use it about once a week and have definitely been seeing a difference!"
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner Spray
- Little goes a long way
- Great for detangling
- Some had trouble with bottle
Product type: Spray | Size: 6 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Rice complex and superfood oils (avocado, buriti and marula) | Best for: All waves and curls
Former editorial intern, Hamsini Sivakumar noted a little goes a long way with this product, that she says detangles curls while leaving them noticeably softer.
It's formulated for all types of curls and coils, no matter if you have 2A or 4C-type hair. And, it even doubles as a heat protectant when you're ready to give your hair a salon-like blowout.
Saltair All-in-One Heat Protectant Spray
- Makes hair feel soft
- Has a strong scent to it
Product type: Spray | Size: 7 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Panthenol, botanical-based polymer, hemisqualane, coconut, monoi and pracaxi seed oil complexes | Best for: All hair types
"I never used to remember to put heat protectant on my hair before blowouts, but now I look forward to using this one from Saltair," says commerce writer, Danielle Murphy. "It not only smells amazing, but it also makes my hair feel extra soft after a blow-dry. Plus, it decreases my chances of frizz."
Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream with Taming Wand
- Great for on-the-go use
- Has a built-in wand
- Some say it is good for edges
- Can be a bit flaky
Product Type: Cream; stick | Size: 20 ml. | Key ingredients: Dragon fruit, cactus flower extract and prickly pair seed oil | Best for: All hair types
Slick back hairstyles are made for the mornings you're rushing out the door and need an easy hairstyle. This 2-in-1 stick makes it even easier, due to its wand applicator that does the work of taming flyaways.
I personally use this styling cream and taming wand combo before going on a run, because there's nothing more bothersome than unruly hair while trying to workout. It's simple to use, too, thanks to its mascara-like wand applicator.
Blake Brown Sandalwood Vanille Fundamental Strengthening Shampoo
- Pleasant scent
- Hair is easy to comb through
- Bulky packaging
- Non-squeeze design
Product type: Shampoo | Size: 14 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Vanilla, sandalwood, amber, jasmine | Best for: All hair types
Cocchi Zabloudil tried the entire Blake Brown line of hair products, praising their ability to leave her hair feeling lightweight.
"When I let my hair air dry, I’m left with an enhanced, slightly volumized version of my natural waves, with strands that are soft to the touch," she says. "And oh my gosh, the scents! I feel like I’m at a luxury salon every time I use these products.”
Color Wow Curl Snag-Free Pre-Shampoo Detangler
- Hair feels squeaky clean
- Detangles hair during wash
- Reviewer noted less hair loss
Product type: Shampoo | Size: 10 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Glycerin | Best for: Curly and coily
When you think of shampoo, an exaggerated image may come to mind. One with dozens of bubbles and a head covered with a layer of soap. That’s exactly what Color Wow is aiming to do with this pre-shampoo product, that “lathers really nicely,” according to editorial operations manager, Jill Ortiz.
Its overall goal is to ensure a tangle-free experience before moving on to shampoo and condition curly or coily hair, providing a “satisfying clean.”
MoroccanOil Curl Enhancing Shampoo
- Enhances curl shape
- Assists with manageability
- Small bottle
Product type: Shampoo | Size: 8.5 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Argan oil | Best for: Curly
"This shampoo has assisted me on my wash days when I want to style my hair," says editorial assistant, Madison San Miguel. "I find that it has boosted the styling power of my styling products by enhancing my curl shape during and after the shower. It helps that it’s meant to hydrate your curls, so the healthier my curls are, the better they shape!"
The brand promises curls free of frizz and a clean formula, with the key ingredient argan oil working to promote healthier hair.
dpHUE Glossy Glaze
- Gives former color more life
- Improves hair softness
- Highly moisturizing
- Might be heavy on fine hair
Product type: Conditioning glaze | Size: 4 oz. | Key ingredient(s): N/A; made with vegan and clean ingredients | Best for: All hair types, including hair extensions
Has it been a while since your last hair appointment? Associate editor Kamari Stewart recommends touching up with this conditioning glaze, that adds subtle color to strands.
Swap your conditioner with this glaze that leaves your hair feeling just as soft and moisturized, says Stewart — just with a bit of "blended" color.
Dr. Groot Miracle In-Shower Treatment
- Makes hair soft and light
- Thoroughly cleanses scalp
- Has a strong-ish scent
Product type: Serum | Size: 8.4 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Salicylic acid, rosemary oil, niacinamide | Best for: All hair types
Murphy credits this product for helping her achieve clean, voluminous hair, that remains that way even a couple days after use. The overall goal of this serum is threefold: to cleanse and hydrate the scalp, while also providing a number of other benefits thanks to the ingredients within.
"Post-application and blow dry, I could feel a difference immediately," she says. "My head felt lighter somehow, but the formula didn’t take away the fullness of my naturally thick hair."
Briogeo Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil
- A pre-wash or overnight serum
- Users say non-greasy
- Pricey for size, users say
Product type: Scalp and hair oil | Size: 3.4 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Rosemary oil, castor oil, tea tree, bisabolol | Best for: Dry hair
A laundry list of impactful ingredients work to ensure a more moisturized scalp and hair. Ingredients that San Miguel appreciates especially on non-wash hair days. “My dry ends instantly felt quenched,” she says of this easy-to-use product.
The inclusion of rosemary oil promotes hair growth, while castor oil further moisturizes the hair. Tea tree and bisabolol works in tandem to smooth the scalp and hair, according to the brand.
Aavrani Scalp Detox Jelly Cleanser
- Reduces oil and build-up
- Convenient applicator
- Feels a bit stripping
Product type: Gel cleanser | Size: 8.4 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Lotus, vitamin E, glycolic acid | Best for: All hair types
"I use a weekly clarifying shampoo for two reasons. The first is because I have fine, oily hair. And the second is because I need to remove the build-up of the dry shampoo I use to combat my fine, oily hair," explains associate partnerships editor, Lauren Witonsky. “This cleanser is a pro at solving both issues. It creates a great lather (especially for being sulfate-free), has gentle exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid to break down product and the built-in scrubber is just so convenient. I also love how it makes my scalp feel tingly clean from the peppermint oil! Most importantly, I definitely feel like my hair feels less oily in between washes right after using it."
Ouai Hair Gloss
- Pleasant scent
- Improves softness
- Some didn't notice difference
Product type: Hair gloss | Size: 6 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Hyaluronic acid, rice water | Best for: All hair types
This multipurpose hair product saves you time in the shower — production associate Audrey Ekman says she swapped her usual conditioner for this product instead, for shinier, healthier hair.
It even acts as a heat protectant for up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's encouraged by the brand to style your hair with heated products after use.
"I figured the glossiness of my hair would be comparable to my usual post-blow dry hair, but the difference was shocking — most noticeably at the ends, which makes sense since that’s mostly where I applied it," Ekman says.
Dyson Chitosan Pre-Style Cream
- Holds style
- Enhances shine
- Refillable packaging
- Dispenser is finicky
Product type: Styling cream | Size: 3.38 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Chitosan, argan oil, grapeseed oil | Best for: All hair types and textures
No detail was overlooked by Dyson when creating their Chitosan line, because you select the product based on your hair texture and needs.
With options like straight-to-wavy rich conditioning to curly-to-coily light conditioning, Murphy appreciates how "it made every single strand feel extremely soft, and it still feels that way days later.”
Plus, social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo noticed an immediate shine too, and added hydration in spots where strands were formerly dry.
Dyson Chitosan Post-Style Serum
- Holds and defines style
- Adds shine and smoothness
- Great for all hair types
- Dispenser is finicky
Product type: Styling cream | Size: 3.38 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Chitosan, hyaluronic acid, amino acid blend | Best for: All hair types and textures
Associate editor Shannon Garlin found the post-style serum to be "lightweight and smoothing," noting that her at-home blowout lasted through the night with no touch-ups needed the next morning.
Key ingredient hyaluronic acid works to decrease frizz, while chitosan (derived from oyster mushrooms) is what gives it longevity for looks that last all day.
T3 Aire 360 Multi-Styler and Blowout System
Product type: Hair tool | Size: N/A, comes with 3 attachments and a storage bag | Best for: All hair types and textures
For voluminous, lifted locks, Murphy recommends this T3 styling brush after putting three others to the test. Immediately after use, Murphy's hair had a noticeable shine, which she credits to the CeraGloss ceramic surface the brush is made of, saying her hair had a "just-got-back-from-the-salon look."
Award-winning hair products to shop
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque
- Affordable
- Repairs damaged hair
- Could be more moisturizing
Product Type: Mask | Size: 12 oz. | Key Ingredients: Biotin, aloe vera, honey and essential oils | Best for: Thin hair
"The ends of my hair tend to look dry, but this hair mask has helped it feel softer and look smoother," says former Shop TODAY page, Laura Millar. "For the price, it comes with so much product. I have a feeling this will last me a while before I get to the bottom of the jar, but I would definitely consider buying again."
This strengthening mask won the award for best budget hair mask during our Shop TODAY 2024 Beauty Awards.
NatureLab Perfect Clean Scalp Balancing Sake Rinse
- Restores the scalp
- Removes product build-up
- Lightweight
- Some aren't fond of the smell
Product type: Scalp rinse | Size: 6.7 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Sake water | Best for: All hair types
“This is probably the first treatment that I’ve used that’s actually worked to improve the current state of my head (I have oily patches intermingling with a dry scalp — how does that make sense?!),” says senior SEO editor, Jess Bender. “The user experience is pleasing enough with a bottle design that’s easy to squeeze and the nozzle being thin enough to easily create accurate parts in my hair. It also feels incredibly cooling and tingly after you massage into your tresses, which is always a perk when it comes to an everyday shower product. From initial use, though, I started to notice a significant difference in how my scalp felt after washing and felt less of an urge to scratch at my irritations.”
Bender also notes that this product allows her to go longer between hair wash days, since her roots aren’t getting greasy as fast. Plus, it won best overall scalp treatment during the Shop TODAY 2024 Beauty Awards.
Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream
- Defines and holds curls
- Doesn't weigh hair down
- Non-greasy
- Some do not enjoy the scent
Product type: Cream | Size: 10 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Aloe vera, coconut oil and shea butter | Best for: Wavy, curly and coily hair
Shigo claims this curl cream is her secret to good hair days, saying its formula helps her curls remain perfectly intact all day, rather than returning home from work with a knotty mess.
A little goes a long way, notes Shigo, who also says her hair was "noticeably shinier and ultra-curly" just one hour after use. This also took home the award for best overall curl cream during our Shop TODAY 2024 Beauty Awards.
Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo
- Sulfate-free; lathers well
- Cleanses thorougly
- Great for fine waves/curls
- Some still noticed frizz
Product type: Shampoo | Size: 10.1 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Babassu oil | Best for: All waves and curls
For an immediate difference in the frizziness of your hair, this editor-loved and award-winning shampoo does “not disappoint,” according to commerce editor, Amanda Fama.
“I have very frizzy hair, but after using this shampoo and blow-drying, I experienced way less frizz,” she says. “My hair was softer than usual, too, and it smells wonderful!” This shampoo earned the award for best overall shampoo for frizz-prone hair during the Shop TODAY 2024 Beauty Awards.
How we chose
The game-changing products featured in this article were recommended by editors, who previously tried and tested them across a number of articles — included single product odes, for our annual Beauty Awards, or within comparison pieces.
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
Why trust Shop TODAY
The Shop TODAY editors and writers scour the internet to find the best products currently available. For this article, we used our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag