| Beauty
✨ Let’s get into it ✨
💡 TLDR
Slay alert: Your drugstore shampoo game is stronger than you think. Ever notice how those “budget” shampoos somehow make your hair look like it’s been to a salon? Turns out, the clean beauty movement …
Slay alert: Your drugstore shampoo game is stronger than you think. Ever notice how those “budget” shampoos somehow make your hair look like it’s been to a salon? Turns out, the clean beauty movement didn’t kill sulfates and silicones—it just gave them a second chance. Now, these ingredients are the secret sauce for shine, suds, and sassy hair. So, what’s the real deal? And which drugstore shampoos are actually that good? Let’s spill.
First up: Pantene Extreme Damage Care. If your hair’s been through a hurricane of heat tools and winter weather, this one’s your new BFF. It’s packed with argan and jojoba oil to hydrate brittle strands, and it’s sulfate-free (so your color and keratin treatments stay intact). Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor raves about how it leaves her hair “softer than a cloud” and “bouncier than a TikTok trend.” Bonus: It’s a cult favorite for dry, coarse hair that’s begging for a spa day.
Then there’s Head & Shoulders Bare Pure Clean. Yep, it’s still the OG dandruff slayer, but now it’s a full-on scalp detox. Zinc pyrithione (ZPT) tackles flakes without stripping your hair, and dermatologist Hadley King says it’s gentle enough for daily use. Senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen swears by it for her product-packed curls—double-washing with it makes her hair “weightless and shinier than a disco ball.”
For oily hair, Eva NYC’s Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo is a dream. It’s a no-frills cleanser with amino acids and coconut-derived surfactants that restore shine without stripping. Sarah Hoffmann, who’s got curly, fine hair, calls it the “Goldilocks of shampoos”—just enough to keep her hair light and bouncy without overdoing it. And don’t worry, blondes and brunettes, it’s color-safe.
💫 Kara McGrath, who bleaches her hair, says it’s the only volumizing shampoo that doesn’t feel like a “dry, sad hair” moment.
Lastly, Odele’s Volumizing Shampoo is a flex for chemically treated hair. It’s cucumber and ylang-ylang scented, with rice protein to strengthen flat strands. Kara McGrath, who bleaches her hair, says it’s the only volumizing shampoo that doesn’t feel like a “dry, sad hair” moment. Pair it with the conditioner, and your hair will look healthy, not flat.
Key takeaways? Drugstore shampoos can match salon-quality results with the right formula. Look for sulfate-free, hydrating ingredients tailored to your hair type (dry, oily, curly, color-treated). And trust the testers—these shampoos aren’t just marketing hype; they’re real solutions for real hair issues.
Now, girlies, which drugstore shampoo are you gonna try first? Drop your fave in the comments!
❓ People Also Ask
Are drugstore shampoos as effective as expensive ones?
Drugstore shampoos can be just as effective for most hair types. They often contain strong cleansing agents and are affordable, making them a great alternative to high-end brands.
What makes drugstore shampoos look expensive?
Drugstore shampoos look expensive due to sleek packaging, pleasant scents, and marketing that suggests premium quality, even though they are budget-friendly.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇