There are so many new hair care products to try. What should you choose? Well, it depends upon your hair goals and your scalp condition. From transitioning curls to dealing with dandruff there are affordable and yet luxurious products to try. Moisturize, clarify, protect your color, soothe your scalp, make hair shiny…and more. There’s something for everyone in this advicesisters.com affordable hair care story. They’re just waiting for you!
Maui Moisture is a Wow-ie:
I couldn’t resist using the coconut I had in my kitchen for a prop. But Maui Moisture Hair Care Castor and Neem Oil Shampoo, conditioner and Curl Oil Gel are the thing for damaged hair and hair that is transitioning curls. These are made with soothing aloe as the first ingredient. There is a refreshing peppermint scent as well.
The shampoo is sulfate and surfactant-free. but the conditioner simply says that it is silicone-free. The press literature says that you can expect up to 80% stronger curls and less breakage after jus two washes.
I did try the shampoo and conditioner. Although I am not transitioning curls, I experienced soft, shiny hair. That’s not a bad thing!! The Jar of Strength & Length + Castor and Neem oil Curl Oil gel in my photo above says it is also for damaged and transitioning curls. It is also vegan, paraben and silicone-free.
I think I counted 11 different types of products to enhance curls from light to medium to heavy. None are more than $10 (depending upon where you buy them). Impressive and affordable pampering. Visit the Maui Moisture Hair Care website
OGX Affordable Luxury Color, Thinning Hair:
These products are affordable luxe, and OGX shampoo and conditioners really do keep your hair soft and super-shiny. When I think of OGX I think of Fashion Week in NYC. But I digress! For all fashionistas OGX delivers professional quality products at ridiculously low prices.
For example, the OGX Anti Fall + Coconut Caffeine Shampoo and Conditioner are protective, and yet they’re just about $7 each for 13 fl. oz. You don’t have to suffer from damaged, breaking, or thinning hair to love these. For starters, they smell like a glorious coconut mocha latte. I admit I took my time in the shower because I loved the scent! But in all seriousness, the products are infused with caffeine, white tea extract, coconut oil, and coffee extract. Of course, there are no sulfates or parabens. These are the products your roommates (significant other/family members) will borrow, and be reluctant to return!
The OGX ColorGlam Shampoo + Conditioner: HUGS hydrating shampoo and KISSES Conditioner is a great choice to protect your hair color That’s particularly important to protect your investment of time and money if you’ve recently colored your hair. But they also help to nourish treated and damaged hair. The scent of these richly hydrating products is fruity but not super sweet. When you need a color-protecting, hair pampering shampoo, and conditioner (under $8) these are a great choice. Even if your hair isn’t color-treated, these will deeply moisturize and make your hair shiny.
Find them at Target and other mass-market retailers. You can also visit the OGX website to see the variety of products they have to offer.
Send Your Scalp to New (Neutrogena) Therapy!
I never realized how many different types of shampoos Neutrogena has for itchy and sensitive scalp until I received the four in my photo above. I was already aware of the effective TGel collection for dandruff control. But what I didn’t know what that there is another collection called Neutrogena Anti-Dandruff Medicated Scalp Therapy with various levels of salicylic acid to deal with itchy sensitive scalp and dandruff.
A lot of dandruff shampoo simply smells awful. However, I opened and sniffed all four shampoos. The Medicazteed Extra Strength Shampoo is fragrance-free but the other three smell lovely. You’d never suspect someone was using a medicated shampoo. They’re also sulfate, dye, paraben, and alcohol-free.
What is Salicylic Acid:
Salicylic acid is present in most dandruff control haircare. It helps you get rid of dry skin and dandruff. The intended result is less irritation and itchiness. Salicylic acid can also help if you have dermatitis. This is a condition on your skin that makes it feel itchy and dry.
Testing:
To be fair, I only have one head, and my only issue right now is an occasional itchy scalp. But I can say from experience that Neutrogena makes excellent products and these are the terrific four for itchy scalp and other scalp issues.
As a test, I tried the Neutrogena shampoo in the lower right-hand corner of my photo. It’s the Anti-Dandruff Medicated Itchy Scalp Shampoo. It has 2.5% salicylic acid. If you don’t need the regular “big guns” of the T-gel collection, this one is a welcome alternative with a light fragrance and a shampoo that barely needs a conditioner while keeping hair soft and shiny. The press literature touts a pleasing cooling sensation. I didn’t sense it, but I did like the shampoo a great deal.
Three Others from Neutrogena Scalp Therapy:
However, if you do have occasional bouts of dandruff, the Neutrogena Scalp Therapy Anti-Dandruff Buildup Control has apple cider vinegar and 2.5% salicylic acid. It clarifies your scalp and gets rid of buildup. To my nose, it smells like hard cider!
For more medicated help, the Neutrogena Mediocated Extra Strength Shampoo has 3% salicylic acid. It’s fragrance and alcohol-free/. If I really start to feel as though my itchy scalp is getting out of control, this is the one I’d reach for. There is absolutely no telltale “dandruff shampoo” scent in it at all. What a blessing for those who need it/
Finally, if you really don’t have much in the way of scalp issues or you have gotten things under control, one way to keep it that way is with the Medicazted Daily Control Shampoo with 1.8% salicylic acid. Like all the others, it leaves you with shiny smooth soft hair. This one (to my nose) smells a bit tropical, very softly of fruits and coconut. Your nose may differ, but no matter what you smell, it will make your hair look, feel and smell fresh and lovely.
You can get Neutrogena products in all sorts of drugstores and mass-market retailers such as Walmart. This collection is new, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find it.
New Soothing Aveeno Plant Protein Blend:
This dynamic duo of shampoo and conditioner helps to keep hair strong, But it is also for damaged, chemically or color-treated hair. If your hair is dry and prone to frizz like mine is, the products work to moisturize and keep frizz away. Like almost if not all Aveeno products, the shampoo and conditioner are infused with Aveeno’s signature colloidal oatmeal (their big thing) as well as plant protein, vegan keratin & chia seed.
- I am not getting paid for this endorsement other than the product. However, I may receive compensation if you purchase through a referral code. I hate to have to continue to say this, but here goes: If you are pregnant, nursing, have any type of health issue or are just unsure about whether or not a product will be right for you, consult your medical professional. Thanks to a woman who wrote that her toddler got a rash from a product I suggested (FOR ADULTS) I’m saying this again: Most of the products on advicesisters.com are for adult humans, not babies. Check with your pediatrician before you use any skin or hair care product on your baby or toddler. Also, please read our “reviews and safety” section in our Privacy Policy and Disclosure.
