43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (2024)

43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (1)

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The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test hundreds of hair products every year, from shampoos and conditioners to hair masks, leave-in conditioners and every hair styling product on the market, including hair serums, mousses, hairsprays, dry shampoos and more. To find the best of the best, each product undergoes a rigorous testing process to determine which haircare and styling products really work.

To start, our scientists send label-masked products to a panel of thousands of readers across the country, who then use them in their day-to-day lives and evaluate them on everything from performance to packaging to scent. Meanwhile, in the Beauty Lab, GH analysts and chemists use state-of-the-art tools to scientifically measure the products' efficacy, like an Instron machine, which gauges a product's conditioning capacity, and a swatch-wash station to calculate a shampoo's ability to cleanse or protect against color fade. We also conduct weathering procedures to mimic hair exposure to UV light and heat styling and an environmental chamber that exposes hair to high levels of humidity to test frizz-fighting claims.

So, what products should you actually use in your hair? According to GH Beauty Lab testing, here is a definitive list of the absolute best hair products and haircare brands that are proven to work, including top picks for all hair types and textures (curly, natural, wavy, long, short, dry, damaged — you name it!).

1

Best Anti-Frizz Hair Product

Kérastase Discipline Anti Frizz Smoothing Spray

43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (2)

Pros
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (3)Keeps hair free of frizz all day
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (4)Not sticky
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (5)Lightweight
Cons
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (6)Expensive

Great for anyone averse to heavier styling products, Kérastase, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-frizz styling products test, provides potent frizz-fighting power in a lightweight liquid spray. The mist stopped frizz on testers for a full day and on hair swatches in the Lab humidity chamber, and it didn’t feel tacky on hair. “This single bottle worked better than the three-product combination I was using,” a tester said. “It smoothed out my frizz and broken ends without leaving any film or crunch behind.” More than half of users raved about its “pretty” floral scent.

2

Best Hair Dryer

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Hair Dryer

43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (7)

Pros
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (8)Dried hair faster than other models
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (9)Powerful airflow
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (10)Easy to use
Cons

    The BaBylissPro tool dried hair fastest of all the hair dryers in the GH Beauty Lab’s test. In calculations of drying time of standardized prewashed hair samples, it earned a perfect score, outperforming every other hair dryer tested. It also got high marks for strong airflow and easy-to-use buttons and attachments. “It is elegant-looking, not too loud yet powerful, and it works wonderfully!” an evaluator marveled.

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    3

    Best Hair Volumizing Spray

    ColorProof SuperPlump Thickening Blow Dry Spray

    43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (11)

    Pros
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (12)Instantly boosts fullness
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (13)No weight or crunchiness
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (14)Makes styling easier
    Cons

      Get an instant lift and noticeable volume with ColorProof's featherweight, fast-acting mist, the winner of the GH Beauty Lab's hair volumizing sprays test. Hair was “immediately bigger, fuller and thicker” and “looked the best it ever has,” two testers said. 100% of users agreed that the spray didn’t weigh down hair or make it feel crunchy, and it scored on top for ease of styling.

      4

      Best Lightweight Conditioner

      Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume Foam Conditioner

      43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (15)

      Pros
      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (16)Boosts body
      Cons
      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (17)May not be conditioning enough for thick, textured, or damaged hair

      Perfect for the conditioner-averse, Pantene’s first-ever foam version feels as airy as a cloud, making strands supple and bouncy. The formula conditioned well in GH Beauty Lab testing and 95% of users reported that the formula didn’t weigh hair down. "It worked wonders for my fine, limp hair — it had more body,” a tester said.

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      5

      Best Shine Treatment

      L’Oréal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water

      43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (18)

      43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (19)

      A GH Beauty Award winner, this innovative L’Oréal Paris liquid treatment with wheat protein imparts weightless silkiness and shine to even damaged hair in seconds. 83% of GH Beauty Lab testers found that it made strands feel silkier; 88% reported that it didn’t weigh hair down.“I couldn’t believe how incredibly shiny and smooth my hair was,” one said.

      6

      Best Hair Smoothing Cream

      Garnier Fructis Style Smooth Blow Dry Anti-Frizz Cream

      43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (24)

      Now 73% Off

      Pros
      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (25)Affordable
      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (26)All-day anti-frizz effects
      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (27)Non-greasy
      Cons

        This argan oil-infused Garnier Fructis cream, a winner of the Beauty Lab's test of smoothing styling products, effectively fends off frizz and makes strands sleek. The formula earned high marks with testers for daylong frizz defense and for immediately smoothing hair with no oily or sticky effects. “It rained for almost a solid week, and I didn’t have a problem with frizz,” a user revealed. “I love the texture it left my hair with — smooth and bouncy,” another said.

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        7

        Best Travel Hair Dryer

        Drybar Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow Dryer

        43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (28)

        Pros
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (29)Dries hair fast
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (30)Powerful airflow
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (31)Easy to use
        Cons
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (32)Expensive

        The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s travel hair dryer test, Drybar’s top-of-the-line model delivers fast-drying power in a portable package. It scored perfectly in Lab evaluations for having easy-to-use controls, dried hair samples quickly, had strong airflow, and was easiest to maneuver and comfortable to hold. This "light" tool "is the right size and could do double duty for home or away,” users noted.

        8

        Best Leave-In Conditioner

        Biolage Advanced Keratindose Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray

        43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (33)

        Pros
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (34)Proven to be highly conditioning
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (35)Smooths damaged hair
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (36)Verastile for different hair types
        Cons

          Double up on hydration by applying this GH Beauty Lab test-winning Biolage protein-infused spray moisturizer on damp hair. In Lab testing, it came out on top for its conditioning ability and for making damaged hair samples feel smooth.

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          9

          Best At-Home Hair Color

          Clairol Nice 'N Easy Permanent Hair Color

          43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (37)

          43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (38)

          Pros
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (39)Reduced chemical scent
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (40)Softens and adds shine
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (41)Less irritating
          Cons

            A GH Beauty Breakthrough Award winner and Good Housekeeping Seal holder, Clairol’s game-changing hair color kit solves the biggest dye gripes with a gentler, less chemical-scented, conditioning formula. In Lab evaluation, testers found that the color gave a natural look and good gray coverage, 79% said it left hair soft and shiny and 90% said it didn’t cause irritation. “Easy to apply and left hair extremely soft, even without conditioner," a tester said.

            10

            Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Dry Hair

            Herbal Essences BioRenew Hydrate Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner

            43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (42)

            Pros
            • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (43)Great drugstore value
            • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (44)Highly conditioning
            Cons

              Herbal Essences’ products, made with coconut extract and aloe, boasted the highest level of conditioning in the GH Beauty Lab’s test of hydrating shampoos and conditioners for dry hair, with this pair performing best in a test with the Lab’s Instron machine which gauges combing force through wet hair, proving strong conditioning benefits. Consumer testers loved these infusions, too: “My dry hair was much more moisturized,” one tester marveled.

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              11

              Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Damaged Hair

              Joico Moisture Co-Wash Whipped Cleansing Conditioner

              43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (45)

              Pros
              • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (46)2-in-1 saves time and money
              • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (47)Strengthening, smoothing and softening
              Cons
              • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (48)May be too rich for finer hair

              A sulfate-free 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner with a higher ratio of conditioning ingredients, Joico's cleansing conditioner was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's cleansing conditioners and co-washes test for giving parched, damaged hair a nourishing cleanse. “My hair is noticeably softer and healthier-looking than with my regular formulas," a tester said. In Lab testing, it rated highest for making hair feel stronger and look smoother and less frizzy.

              12

              Best Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner

              Garnier Fructis Full and Plush Shampoo and Conditioner

              43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (49)

              Pros
              • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (50)Bargain price
              • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (51)Instant volumizing effects
              Cons

                Get bigger, bouncier hair with this Garnier pair, which tied for best in the Beauty Lab’s volumizing shampoo and conditioner test. “My hair felt fuller after just one use," a tester raved. In Lab evaluations, these came in highest for noticeably upping hair’s volume.

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                13

                Best Lightweight Shampoo

                Garnier Whole Blends Legendary Olive Replenishing Shampoo

                43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (52)

                43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (53)

                Now 43% Off

                Pros
                • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (54)Effective cleansing and conditioning
                • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (55)Not heavy on hair
                • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (56)Good value
                Cons

                  It may be “blended” with olive oil and argan oil, but Garnier’s Legendary Olive shampoo — along with its conditioner — was a GH Beauty Lab test winner for its nourishing cleansing with no heaviness. The pair tied for second in the combing test for conditioning, yet more than 90% of users said it didn’t weigh hair down. The pair made hair “manageable,” “supersoft” and “bouncy,” testers said. Almost all gave the “fresh” scent a perfect score.

                  14

                  Best Color-Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner

                  TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo and Conditioner

                  43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (57)

                  Pros
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (58)Prevents hair color fading
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (59)Salon-quality at great value
                  Cons

                    The Tresemmé duo tops the Beauty Lab’s test of hair color-preserving shampoos and conditioners. Post-use, hair sample color faded least after 20 washes and 10 hours of UV exposure in Lab testing. One tester marveled that they were "like expensive salon products.”

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                    15

                    Best Salon Professional Shampoo and Conditioner

                    Kérastase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo and Conditioner

                    43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (60)

                    Pros
                    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (61)Boosts hair thickness
                    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (62)Weightless feel
                    Cons
                    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (63)Pricey

                    A salon splurge that’s worth it, Kérastase’s indulgent duo tied for best in the GH Beauty Lab’s volumizing shampoos and conditioners test for thickening strands using ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid. Testers “loved” this fine-hair “Holy Grail” that “truly worked” for “all-day body.” These won for thickening strands and making styles fuller compared with other shampoos and conditioners, data revealed, and also earned top points for weightlessness.

                    16

                    Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo

                    OGX Shampoo Fade-Defying +Orchid Oil

                    43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (64)

                    Pros
                    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (65)Sulfate-free formula
                    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (66)Prevents hair color fading
                    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (67)Great value
                    Cons

                      To keep your shade vibrant, suds up with OGX’s sulfate-free shampoo, a GH Beauty Lab test winner for preserving hair color along with the matching conditioner. In tests on hair samples, these ranked near the top for preventing color fading after 20 washes and 10 hours of UV exposure, and for conditioning ability. “I didn’t notice any fading while using these,” a tester marveled.

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                      17

                      Best Purifying Shampoo and Conditioner

                      DOVE HAIR Nutritive Solutions Daily Moisture Shampoo

                      43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (68)

                      Pros
                      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (69)Doesn't weigh hair down
                      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (70)Effectively cleans and leaves hair manageable
                      Cons

                        This light, refreshing Dove shampoo (used with the matching conditioner) was by far the tester favorite in the GH Beauty Lab’s test of hydrating shampoos and conditioners, with 100% stating that they would continue using it. “The effects were wondrous,” a fan raved. “My hair was fantastic — brushable, silky and flowing.” In Lab evaluations, the formulas rated best for leaving hair clean and easy to style.

                        18

                        Best Hair Growth-Enhancing Product

                        KeepItAnchored Essentials Kit for Women

                        43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (71)

                        Pros
                        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (72)Boosts scalp health to minimize hair loss
                        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (73)Produces visible results
                        Cons
                        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (74)Takes time to see results

                        A GH Beauty Award winner for its breakthrough technology, this KeepItAnchored shampoo and scalp serum set helps maintain hair’s fullness by improving the scalp’s condition with ingredients like niacinamide, zinc and caffeine. In a clinical study on the technology, users of it had about 2,400 more hairs on their scalp after six months than those who used a placebo, according to GH Beauty Lab data analysis.

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                        19

                        Best Hair Thickening Spray

                        Kristin Ess Instant Lift Thickening Spray

                        43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (75)

                        Pros
                        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (76)Gives instant volume and thickness
                        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (77)Lasting effects
                        Cons

                          Inject lasting body and fullness into fine or flat hair by misting this GH Beauty Lab thickening spray test winner from hairstylist Kristin Ess. 91% of users agreed that it made hair look instantly voluminous, and it was tops for thickening. “Fantastic volume that lasted two days!” a tester raved.

                          20

                          Best Hair Serum

                          Goldwell Kerasilk Control Rich Protective Oil

                          43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (78)

                          43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (79)

                          Pros
                          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (80)Non-greasy
                          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (81)Adds shine
                          Cons
                          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (82)May be too heavy for fine hair

                          Goldwell’s dry hair oil was a strong smoother and the top shine booster in the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-frizz styler test. “It actually works — and wasn’t greasy!” a tester raved. Hair was “very shiny” and “never frizzy over many uses," others said. The oil blocked frizz on hair samples in the Lab’s test and tied for #1 at keeping users’ hair frizz-free all day.

                          43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (83)

                          April Franzino

                          Beauty Director

                          April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.

                          43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (2024)

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