We love the month of October! It starts with National Hair Day, and ends with Halloween!
So to kick it off, we asked our TODAY editors to weigh in with some of our favorite shampoos, conditioners, styling products, scrubs, elastics and brushes. From beauty mavens who spend ample time getting ready in the morning to busy moms who get ready on the go, here are the hair products we can't live without.
After all, a good hair day is priceless.
This list starts off with the least expensive (but equally wonderful) products and ends with our beauty splurges.
Goody SlideProof Hair Tie Elastics, $4, Amazon
My pet peeve is having my thick hair bunched up around my neck, especially on humid days. So, I basically live for these hair ties. They never rip or split. They hold my hair back into a messy bun. And, they last forever. — Donna Freydkin, Digital Producer
Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Soft Waves Sea Salt Spray, $5, Amazon
A celebrity hairstylist introduced me to this gem. It does exactly what the name says: It takes my unruly hair, which is neither wavy nor straight but some weird combo of both, and makes it look like I just spent the day in Montauk, in salt water. Without actually getting wet. — Freydkin
Batiste Dry Shampoo in Beautiful Brunette, $6, Amazon
This is the go-to standard for dry shampoo and there’s a reason why. It’s cheap, it smells nice and it helps me feel human when I go too long between hair washes — which, let’s be honest, as a busy mom of two is way more often than I’d like to admit. The brown color means I don’t have to worry about white spray in my hair. (I have enough of a challenge hiding my grays, so I don’t need my dry shampoo working against me.) The brown color does lead to some build-up on my scalp after a few days, but whatever — I do wash my hair. Eventually. — Rebecca Dube, Head of TODAY Parents
Another TODAY staffer is also a fan of Batiste Dry Shampoo:
I used to be embarrassed to go two days without washing my hair because it would look disgustingly oily. That changed when I started using this dry shampoo. It doesn’t leave a white residue on my hair (like most dry shampoos do) and it actually sucks up all the oil on my hair, making it look like it was just washed. And the $6 price tag doesn’t hurt. — Danielle Wolf, Associate Guides Editor
L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Permanent Hair Color, 7G Dark Natural Golden Blonde, $7, Amazon
I chose this brand because it looked like Elizabeth Hurley was on the box. Look, I’m not a child — if I were, I would not need this product — I know that Liz is a paid actress who probably gets her hair color done in a really nice salon by really expensive professionals. I just know that if there’s anyone I want to emulate when it comes to aging like a boss, it’s Elizabeth Hurley. I trust her. I know I’ve just fallen prey to clever advertising, but also this hair color is easy to use, doesn’t dry out my hair and gives me the exact shade I want. So thanks, Liz. — Dube
Invisibobble Traceless Hair Ring, $7 (Pack of 3), Amazon
Also available for $8 at Sephora and for $14 at Walmart.
When using a regular hair tie, my hair creases almost immediately after it’s put up. These funky looking hair ties solve that problem. I can throw my hair up in a ponytail or bun and when I take it down my hair doesn't look crimped at all. — Wolf
Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil, $8, Amazon
Ever since I tried the pricey Moroccan Oil line, I’ve been a fan of hair oils. When I found this $8 oil from Suave, I never turned back. I use it on wet hair to ensure smoothness, and I even use it on my ends once dry to tame any frizz. — Sarah Bracy Penn, Editorial Assistant
Everpro Gray Away root touch-up magnetic powder, $8, Amazon
I started going prematurely gray in my 20s. OK, that was a few years ago and I’m not sure my grays are technically “premature” anymore, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I try to keep up with the color, but honestly it’s a lot of work and I’m pretty lazy about beauty, so there’s usually a week or two when I rely on this powder so I don’t look like that 1,000-year-old sorceress on "Game of Thrones" (my beauty goals are pretty low). It’s easy to use and it stays on until you wash it out. — Dube
OGX Morrocan Sea Salt Spray, $10, Walmart
Both my parents are from a small Portuguese beach town. So, I'm convinced my hair looks best when I'm near the beach, where the air smells of salt water (due to genetics). Whether or not that's true, I live in New York City, where the air smells of hot dog carts. So, the only way I can attain tousled beach hair with nice waves and a pleasant smell is artificially, with this spray. — Aline Peres Martins, Associate Commerce Editor
OGX Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo, $10, Amazon
I still remember the first time my hair stylist introduced me to a product containing argan oil because the scent was so yummy. Since then, I've been on the hunt for products that have the same rich smell without the salon price tag. This shampoo has been my go-to for years because it keeps my hair shiny, can be found at most drugstores and, of course, smells phenomenal. — Courtney Gisriel, Commerce Editor
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner (4 oz), $12, Amazon
I’ve been using this for about eight years, maybe even longer. I love it because it does 10 things in one and if I had to take just one product with me, this would absolutely be it. For me, it’s the ultimate detangler. — Jordan Muto, Associate Editor
Ouai Wave Spray, $12-$26, Nordstrom
It’s hard to find a wave spray that gives you that beachy, tousled look, but doesn’t make your hair feel crunchy. This does just that. While I love it for enhancing my natural wavy texture, I also use it as a volume spray. I simply spritz my roots with it before blow drying for instant volume. It’s always in my bag when traveling because it's the one product that can give me two completely different looks: beach waves or a voluminous blowout. — Muto
Biolage Smoothproof Serum for Frizzy Hair, $18, Amazon
This smells so good. I think it works? It does make my hair feel really smooth and I think it makes my hair more shiny, but the real reason I love it is that the smell just makes me happy in the morning when I put it on. I just want to go around tossing my hair dramatically all day so I can smell it. Once I put a few drops on my son’s hair because he wouldn’t take a bath and his hair smelled rank, and bingo — pure, angelic-smelling child. — Dube
CHRISTOPHE ROBIN Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt Mini, $19, Sephora
I love a good scalp massage. In fact, it makes me melt. But I'm a single working parent, so there isn't much time to get one during the average work week. This scrub by French hair maestro Christoph Robin comes close. I run the granules through my tresses for just a few minutes of real relaxation to get the day started. — Freydkin
Evo Haze Styling Powder, $19, Amazon
It’s no secret that I love hair with lots of volume. This is my secret weapon to getting a lift when my hair just falls flat. Whether I’ve just washed my hair and it’s not doing quite what I want, or I’m trying to salvage a blowout that’s a couple days old, this is my go-to for an instant fix. Put a little at the roots, work it in and you’re good. A little goes a very a long way. I’ve been using the same small bottle for over two years. — Muto
Ouidad Climate Control Gel, $20, Amazon
Like most people with curly hair, I’ve tried countless products in an effort to get soft, frizz-free curls. I keep coming back to this. It dries a little crunchy, but softens when you break it up. Nothing I have tried fights frizz as effectively for my curl type (2C). — Lisa Tolin, Special Projects Editor
Fatboy Hair Perfect Putty, $20, Amazon
My son is seven, but he has very specific tastes. And those relate to his hair. He likes to have it slicked to the side, but just so, and have texture, but not too much. We both love this paste because it delivers. — Freydkin
Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo and Conditioner, $20, Amazon
I discovered this product after reading a TODAY.com article about blue shampoo. A co-worker suggested using purple shampoo when I mentioned I was trying to get my color to last between hair appointments, but I was skeptical because I read it made hair look brighter. I wanted mine to be toned down, so I tried blue shampoo instead. I use it about once a week, and it instantly tones down my brassy hair. I can’t recommend it enough for brunettes with highlights. — Muto
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, $20, Walmart
I have never found a dry shampoo that I’ve loved more than this one. I’ve tried a ton (since I always go at least four days between hair washes). But, this is the only one that doesn’t leave residue, isn’t greasy, smells lovely and leaves my hair looking like I washed it that day. — Brooke Sassman, Lifestyle Editor
BRIOGEO Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray, $20, Sephora
Also sold at Dermstore
Given that my kid is usually pounding on my bathroom door in the morning with emergencies like an uncharged iPad, I don't exactly have time to condition my hair on a daily basis. This spray smells ever so delicately of roses and leaves my layers smooth, supple and shiny — with no residue. — Freydkin
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, $21, Amazon
I have the kind of hair that's super dry for a few hours after showering and then suddenly looks like I bathed it in oil. Sounds counter-intuitive (and might actually be), but I've found that putting a tiny bit of oil into my hair actually stops it from over-producing its own oil throughout the day. This serum smells nice and adds that small hint of shine (aka oil). — Peres Martins
Drybar Prep Rally Prime and Prep Detangler, $23, Nordstrom
I have naturally curly hair, so taming the mane can be a challenge just out of the shower. This is the only detangling spray I’ve used that makes running a brush through my hair painless. — Sassman
Drybar The Kicker Finishing Spray Wax, $26, Ulta
I needed something to put in my hair before running out the door on the extremely humid mornings we had all summer in New York City. I love this product because the wax helps my hair stay in place and not immediately frizz once I step outside. — MC Suhocki, Social Media Editor
Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream, $28, Jet.com
Also available at Sephora
I seriously have no idea what's in this stuff, but whatever magic potion Living Proof created, it just works. You know those days when you need to get out the door, and have zero time to play around with a flat iron or a dryer to smooth out unruly ends? Meet your new best friend. — Freydkin
Ouai Air Dry Foam, $28, Ouai
I have a short bob with a texture in between wavy and curly, and this product is a major time saver. It’s reduced the number of products I use to enhance my curl pattern, decrease frizz and add definition from three to one. It’s the only product I’ve been able to use to air-dry seamlessly. — Helen Ray, Social Media Editor
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, $28, Nordstrom
Also available at Sephora.
I couldn’t tell you why this works, but it does. I put this on damp hair before styling and my hair holds the style (without frizz) much better than when I don’t use it. I know it may seem expensive for a hair cream, but one bottle of it has lasted me more than a year. — Wolf
Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil Vata, $29, Amazon
I find most hair oils to be too greasy and gloopy. They leave me looking like I haven't met a bottle of shampoo in weeks. This dry oil solves the problem. I use it on my body, and then rub it between my hands and run it through my hair. It gives it a lovely sheen, without any ickiness. — Freydkin
Hot Tools 1-inch Curling Iron, $30, Amazon
For the last eight months, I've been rocking a style some might call a lob (aka long bob). This tool is essential for creating the beachy waves that prevent me from looking like a long lost Hanson brother. The barrel of this curling iron is small enough to use on my shoulder-length style, but was equally useful when I had chest-length tresses. — Gisriel
Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream, $30, Walmart
I've used this product forever — close to 15 years — and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. It’s another one of those where a little goes a long way. It instantly smooths out my ends and is a lifesaver when I’m in between haircuts. It’s the only thing that really gets me through when my ends start to get crunchy, split and frizzy. — Muto
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Volume Texture Spray, $31, Sephora
Dryspun: The product I turn to when I want to pretend that my hair actually does something (as in, doesn’t just hang flat off my scalp). This gives my hair lift and fullness without making it feel all gross. — Rheana Murray, Senior Lifestyle Reporter
Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Wash, $36, Amazon
I might be a lot of things, but a natural blonde is not one of them. I spend a lot of time (and money) keeping up my blond shade, and a purple shampoo has proved a great way to keep the color bright and avoid brassiness between color treatments. I’m a big fan of Kevin Murphy’s Blonde Angel Wash, the lavender-infused version of Kevin Murphy’s highly regarded Angel Wash formula. It smells a little bit like Fruit Loops in the best possible way, and it creates a rich lather, which I love. — Penn
Amika Polished Perfection Straightening Brush, $120, Sephora
This is my absolute holy grail hair tool. I would happily give up all of my other straighteners, flat irons and blow dryers (and there are a lot of them) in exchange for this one straightening brush – It makes my hair looks like I just got a professional blow out in five minutes flat. But I wouldn’t necessarily call this a “straightening brush” since it doesn’t leave hair stick straight and without volume. It’s meant to be used on dry hair and the plate and center bristles heat up to straighten hair while brushing through it. — Wolf