43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (2025)

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 Shampoo and Conditioner for Dry Hair

Herbal Essences BioRenew Hydrate Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner

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

Pros
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (3)Great drugstore value
  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (4)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.

    2

    Best Salon Professional Shampoo and Conditioner

    Kérastase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo and Conditioner

    43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (5)

    Pros
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (6)Boosts hair thickness
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (7)Weightless feel
    Cons
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (8)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.

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    3

    Best Lightweight Shampoo

    Garnier Whole Blends Legendary Olive Replenishing Shampoo

    43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (9)

    Pros
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (10)Effective cleansing and conditioning
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (11)Not heavy on hair
    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (12)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.

      4

      Best Hair Thickening Spray

      Kristin Ess Instant Lift Thickening Spray

      43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (13)

      Pros
      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (14)Gives instant volume and thickness
      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (15)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.

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        5

        Best Hair Smoothing Cream

        Garnier Fructis Style Smooth Blow Dry Anti-Frizz Cream

        43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (16)

        Now 67% Off

        Pros
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (17)Affordable
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (18)All-day anti-frizz effects
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (19)Non-greasy

        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.

        6

        Best Hair Gloss

        John Frieda Precision Colour Refreshing Gloss

        43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (20)

        Pros
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (21)Delivers salon-like shine
        • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (22)Refreshes hair color
        Cons

          Like lip gloss for strands, hair glosses like this GH Beauty Lab test winner from John Frieda impart a shade-boosting hint of color and shine. Tops with testers, this color gloss (in shades for blonde, brunette, red and black hair) was loved for its "easy" application and "super-shiny" results that "extend the life of hair color."

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          7

          Best Flat Iron

          CHI Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron

          43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (23)

          Pros
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (24)Heats up quickly
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (25)Best at fully straightening hair
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (26)Keeps hair smooth for a full day
          Cons
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (27)Pricey

          This state-of-the-art speed hair straightener from CHI earned a rare 100 out of 100 from GH Beauty Lab expert evaluators in flat iron testing. It heated up to 96% of its maximum temperature in 60 seconds, and it scored best for fully straightening hair and keeping it frizz-free all day.

          8

          Best Leave-In Conditioner

          Biolage Advanced Keratindose Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray

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

          Pros
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (29)Proven to be highly conditioning
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (30)Smooths damaged hair
          • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (31)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 Lightweight Leave-In Conditioner

            Garnier Whole Blends Gentle Detangling Hair Milk

            43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (32)

            Pros
            • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (33)Easy-to-use spray
            • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (34)Lightweight
            • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (35)Softens strands
            Cons

              This milky Garnier mist, a GH Beauty Award winner, melts through knots and nourishes hair with botanicals like oat and rice extracts and aloe juice. The spray leaves hair feeling soft and keeps it from looking dry, yet doesn't weigh it down, 90% of testers in a study reported. “It was feather-light, and I could comb damp hair with almost no effort," a tester said.

              10

              Best At-Home Hair Color

              Clairol Nice 'N Easy Permanent Hair Color

              43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (36)

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

              Pros
              • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (38)Reduced chemical scent
              • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (39)Softens and adds shine
              • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (40)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.

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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 (41)

                Pros
                • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (42)2-in-1 saves time and money
                • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (43)Strengthening, smoothing and softening
                Cons
                • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (44)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 (45)

                Pros
                • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (46)Bargain price
                • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (47)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 Hair Growth-Enhancing Product

                  KeepItAnchored Essentials Kit for Women

                  43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (48)

                  Pros
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (49)Boosts scalp health to minimize hair loss
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (50)Produces visible results
                  Cons
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (51)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.

                  14

                  Best Anti-Frizz Hair Product

                  Kérastase Discipline Anti Frizz Smoothing Spray

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

                  Pros
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (53)Keeps hair free of frizz all day
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (54)Not sticky
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (55)Lightweight
                  Cons
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (56)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.

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                  15

                  Best Shine Treatment

                  L’Oréal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water

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

                  43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (58)

                  Pros
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (59)Boosts hair shine and smoothness
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (60)Not heavy
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (61)Great value
                  Cons
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (62)Not a strong conditioner

                  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.

                  16

                  Best Hair Touch-Up Wipes

                  Nexxus Frizz Defy Anti-Frizz Sheets

                  43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (63)

                  Pros
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (64)No-mess and portable
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (65)Smooths hair on the go
                  Cons
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (66)Best for touch-ups, not everyday styling

                  These innovative, handy hair wipes from Nexxus, a GH Beauty Award winner, are infused with argan oil for instant frizz taming anytime. Testers loved that they were “so small, they could be tucked in a pocket” and “discreetly tamed fly-aways during the day.”

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                  17

                  Best Scalp Treatment

                  Nexxus Scalp Inergy And Scalp Treatment Clarifying Hair Scrub

                  43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (67)

                  Pros
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (68)Purifies scalp skin
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (69)Removes flakes and buildup
                  Cons
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (70)Sugar may take time to rinse out of hair

                  An exfoliator for your scalp, this GH Beauty Award-winning sugar-based Nexxus scalp scrub sloughs away flakes and buildup to boost strands. “My scalp felt deep-cleaned, but not dry,” a tester found, thanks to ingredients like aloe and keratin.

                  18

                  Best Product for Wavy Hair

                  Suave Professionals Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Curl Defining Cream

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

                  Pros
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (72)Softens and lightly shapes
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (73)Works on damp or dry hair
                  • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (74)Great value
                  Cons

                    Work a dollop of this rich Suave leave-in conditioner-curl styling cream hybrid through damp waves or spirals to enhance texture while nourishing with shea butter and coconut oil. “My curls felt soft and held their shape,” a fan reported. “I used it to touch up dry hair too.”

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                    19

                    Best Hairspray

                    It's a 10 Miracle Super Hold Finishing Hair Spray Plus Keratin

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

                    43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (76)

                    Pros
                    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (77)Proven to hold hairstyles in place
                    • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (78)Not crunchy or flaky
                    Cons

                      Keep your style in place from morning to night by spritzing It’s A 10: It won the GH Beauty Lab’s test for having the best hold of all hairsprays tested. The spray ranked highest for ability to hold hairstyles in Lab evaluations. “Even with humid days, it kept my hair looking great,” and “It made my hair feel and look natural without any white, flaky dryness I’ve gotten using other hairsprays,” two testers said.

                      20

                      Best Hair Gel

                      Dove Amplified Textures Shine & Moisture Finishing Gel

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

                      Pros
                      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (80)Adds definition and smoothness
                      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (81)Not tacky or stiff
                      • 43 Hair Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money (82)Great value
                      Cons

                        No ’80s gel here: This Dove alcohol-free version with hydrators like glycerin, castor oil and aloe defines and smooths strands sans stickiness or crunch. Used on damp or dry hair, the GH Beauty Award-winning gelfeels featherlight, gave my hair bounce and tamed flyaways,” a tester noted.

                        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 (2025)
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