12 Best Drugstore Products That Will Change the Way You Look At Hair Care

Name a better feeling than walking out of a hair salon with a fresh and healthy ‘do — go on, we’ll wait. There’s just something so luxurious about leaving it to the pros and allowing them to work their magic to transform battered strands into vibrant, lively ones. 

But just because your hair is being handled by a professional stylist doesn’t mean you can’t achieve the same results at home. Here’s a little secret we’ll let you in on: A healthy head of hair all comes down to the right formulas and how you use them to style your mane.

The process doesn’t have to be so complex nor will you have to break the bank for high-end hair care. In fact, a simple visit to your nearest drugstore’s beauty aisle will have everything you need to treat your hair woes.

So if you’re interested in getting salon-style results at home, get your shopping cart ready because we’re letting you in on 12 of the best drugstore hair products that will change the way you look at hair care, below. 

1. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls No Build-Up Curls Micellar Shampoo

When your hair is feeling extra limp and heavy, reach for this innovative micellar shampoo. Specially formulated for folks with wavy and curly hair, the sulfate-free shampoo transforms into a light-as-air foam and acts as a magnet to remove dirt, oil or any product build-up. In addition to purifying your scalp, it features hyaluronic acid and castor oil to intensely moisturize hair, leaving you with light and bouncy curls. 

2. L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Shampoo

Fact: Great hair starts with a great hair care system. So consider incorporating this drugstore must-have into your in-shower routine. 

The shampoo is enriched with botanical-derived ingredients and free of harsh chemicals, making it a great option for people with color-treated hair and sensitive scalps. It not only gently cleanses your tresses but also prevents fading without stripping hair of its color. The shampoo is safe to use daily and is truly effective at delivering a healthy-looking mane. 

Editor’s tip: When paired with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Conditioner, you’ll find that your damaged strands feel refreshed, renewed and more hydrated.

3. L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones

Gone are the days of trying to salvage day-old hair with dry shampoo only for your roots to be covered in a white residue. This tinted dry shampoo is specifically created to cleanse and refresh all brunette and black hair without weighing it down. It maintains the richness of darker hues while absorbing excess oil, sweat and odor. 

Not a brunette? The L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Light Tones is a great option for those with blonde or red hair.

4. L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Conditioner

Sometimes coloring or bleaching can wreak havoc on your hair, leaving you with weak, fragile and damaged strands. That’s why it’s important to trade in your usual shampoo and conditioner for ones made to be used on color-treated hair.

When used with the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Shampoo, this daily conditioner helps intensely nourish damaged hair and strengthen weak hair bonds. After just six uses, your hair will feel silky-smooth and protected from future damage.

5. L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing In-Shower Acidic Glaze

As far as hair care products go, this one-of-a-kind in-shower treatment is a must for folks with color-treated hair. Because coloring and chemical processes can alter hair's ideal pH range, this acidic glossing treatment is made with acidic pH technology that helps tone color, seal hair's cuticle and intensify shine. Bonus: It's formulated with argan oil, another moisturizing ingredient that works wonders on hair. 

For best results, use the glaze two to three times a week in between the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced and L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced. 

6. L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Signature Masque, Color Care Hair Mask

On days when your hair is feeling parched, use a hair mask in place of your usual conditioner. Hair masks are a great way to add a dose of much-needed hydration to dry hair and a must for achieving a healthy mane. 

Try this sulfate-free and vegan hair mask: It’s made with good-for-hair ingredients — including rose extract — that help enhance shine, revitalize colored hair, restore smoothness and intensely moisturize. So in other words, the hair care staple does it all.

After shampooing, distribute the mask through damp hair and leave in for up to five minutes before rinsing. Only use it a few times a week for best results.

7. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm Rinse-Out Mask

If you're dealing with dull hair, this rinse-out hair mask is just what the (hair) doctor ordered. This rich formula — which contains almond oil and a repair concentrate with protein — instantly penetrates damaged hair to deeply condition and restore strength. No joke, you’ll want to add it into your hair care routine, stat.

Unlike other hair masks, this one is effective when used every day. The more you use it, the more likely you'll see visible results faster.

8. L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free 21-in-1 Color Caring Spray

What if we told you that you can get the look of a healthy head of hair with just one product? Then, look no further than this hydrating leave-in spray. Formulated with almond milk and rose extract, this superhero product delivers a whopping 21 essential benefits in a bottle. 

It helps preserve color vibrancy, detangles unruly strands, provides heat protection, reduces the appearance of split ends, controls frizz, instantly moisturizes — just to name a few benefits. Best part of all, the leave-in spray is free of harsh chemicals (see ya, sulfates and parabens!), making it a great option for color-treated and any other hair types.

9. L'Oréal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water Lamellar Hair Treatment

In just eight seconds, this hair treatment will whip your damaged strands back into shape. It acts as a primer to help your tresses feel smoother, silkier and easier to style. The wonder water is formulated with moisturizing ingredients which take action to instantly revive ravaged hair without weighing it down. 

To use, apply the treatment to the lengths of wet hair after shampooing. Massage it through for eight seconds before rinsing, and follow up with a conditioner.

10. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi-Use Treatment

We’re suckers for multitasking products that cut our beauty routines in half, and this multi-use treatment doesn’t disappoint.

Featuring a Repair Concentrate with Protein, this lightweight formula can be used as either a rinse-out co-wash conditioner to simultaneously cleanse and moisturize your hair or a leave-in treatment. Everyone from straight to curly-haired folks can reap its benefits, too.

If you'd like to use it as a rinse-out treatment, leave the product on wet hair for a minute and then rinse. For a leave-in treatment, just apply an ample amount to dry or wet hair and style as usual.

11. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-In Conditioner

Anyone with curly hair knows that caring for and maintaining curls can be quite the task. But with the right products — along with a lot of patience — beautiful, bouncy spirals and coils are totally doable. You’re just going to need to add this magic-making product into your curly hair routine.

This leave-in cream is infused with hyaluronic acid and castor oil to help sculpt, protect and revive all types of curls. Plus, it can be used from day to night to deliver head-turning results.

For all-day definition, run the styling product through wet or dry lengths before going out. You can also use it before bedtime to wake up with more manageable tresses. It acts just like a silk pillowcase by reducing tangles and breakage and retaining moisture. 

12. L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant

Ask any hairstylist and they’ll confirm a heat protectant is a must if you’re planning to style your hair with hot tools. To get that coveted salon blowout look, use this nourishing primer before grabbing your blow dryer. It provides up to 450 degrees of heat protectant and 48 hours of frizz control. The treatment also helps keep hair looking healthy, smooth and shiny without weighing it down. 

Next: 9 Hair Care Mistakes to Stop Making Today

Written by: Sophie Dweck, Photo Credit: Crystal Simone