Is it better to spend money on shampoo or conditioner?
Life is expensive, and as much as we want (and deserve) to treat ourselves, cultivating a $200+ haircare regimen isn’t realistic. One question I get asked a lot is whether it’s better to spend money on shampoo or conditioner. For the longest time, I exclusively used drugstore hair products, and my hair was fine. It wasn’t until I started spending more money at the salon getting highlights (more on that here) that I started to become more thoughtful about what products I was using at home because I wanted to keep my hair color fresh, make it last longer between salon visits, and keep my hair healthy.
I slowly but surely started testing out everything - salon-specific, higher end lines carried at Sephora or Ulta, and newer drugstore lines - to see exactly what made my hair look best. I’ve alternated between expensive shampoo/ cheaper conditioner, all expensive, all drugstore, and cheaper shampoo/ expensive conditioner to see what gives you the best results.
In short, spending more on shampoo versus conditioner depends on your hair type and hair goals. Below, I explain it all and give you my best product recommendations - those that are worth the money as well as the best budget-friendly options.
is it better to spend money on shampoo or conditioner?
First things first: there are great shampoos and conditioners available for all budgets. I’d never say a product is bad just because it’s cheaper.
In general, it’s better to spend on conditioner than shampoo. The main purpose of shampoo is to cleanse your hair; avoid anything with sulfates (which are horribly drying for your hair), and you’ll find something that will cleanse your hair well enough. Conditioner is on your hair longer and is going to be more impactful than shampoo in combating dryness, dullness, breakage, smoothness, and tangles.
A good conditioner can make up for some shampoo, but an expensive shampoo won’t be very impactful if your conditioner isn’t great.
That being said, you might want to spend more on shampoo if:
You have an oily scalp or your hair is prone to product build-up.
Clarifying shampoo will fix that, but some formulas will strip your hair and cause more harm than good. I always recommend spending more on a clarifying shampoo; a little goes a long way so one bottle will last a long time (especially since you only use it every few washes/ 1x a week or every other week).
You have certain scalp conditions like dermatitis or dandruff.
It’s worth it to spend more on formulas that are specifically made to target those conditions.
Prioritize your budget on conditioner instead of shampoo if:
You use hot tools often, especially if you use a straightener a lot.
Your hair is dry, coarse, damaged, color-treated, or curly.
You’re prone to tangles.
You spend a lot of time outside in the sun or in the pool/ ocean.
Below, I break down my favorite shampoos and conditioners for all price points. These are products I’ve used regularly, repurchased more than a few times, recommend to friends, and genuinely enjoy using.
shampoos worth the money
hydrating shampoo
Davines NouNou Shampoo - This is my go-to shampoo because it’s gentle, doesn’t dry out my hair/scalp, and keeps my hair color looking fresh. You can find it online (no need to go into a salon), but the person who does my hair allows me to buy it in a jumbo size which helps.
Amika the kure strength repair shampoo - I love this shampoo; it’s easier to get than Nou Nou because you can find it at both Ulta and Sephora, as well as online (I personally subscribe to it on Amazon to save a little extra). The smell is heavenly - a rich vanilla that isn’t too empowering or girly; my boyfriend loves this shampoo, too. It’s incredibly hydrating without weighing your hair down, and if you like a thicker shampoo consistency, you’ll like this more than Nou Nou. A little goes a long way, and is gentle enough for daily use without stripping your hair.
toning shampoo
Davines Alchemic Shampoo Silver - I’ve always said that I prefer toning conditioners over toning shampoos because they’re gentler on your hair yet still effective, but this Davines toning shampoo made me a believer. It tones your hair without drying it out, and won’t stain your scalp like so many other toning shampoos do. It’s easy to wash out, and a little goes a long way so you can trust that your investment in this will last you a while.
That being said, another option is their Heart of Glass Silkening Shampoo for Blondes, which is technically a brightening shampoo rather than toning. It’s not too purple, yet not too blue, so it will brighten up a variety of highlight tones (whether you’re icy blonde or prefer a warmer, sun-kissed look). The scent isn’t my favorite; it’s just a little too floral-y, but it’s thankfully subtle. The product title mentions blondes, but my hair is still pretty brunette on the bottom and I love it; my mom is salt-and-pepper grey and this really takes her hair to the next level, too.
clarifying shampoo
Ouai Detox Shampoo - It’s good to use a detox shampoo every week to 10 days to remove product buildup, and this is one of the best. The formula is effective yet gentle, and it never dries out my scalp (even in the winter or dry climates). A little goes a long way, and it suds beautifully without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
best budget shampoos
hydrating shampoo
Herbal Essences Honey Sulfate Free Moisturizing Shampoo - The is genuinely a great shampoo; it’s sulfate-free, which is what you want to prioritize when it comes to all shampoos (not just drugstore). It doesn’t strip my hair color yet makes my hair feel clean, and I like the scent. If you’re struggling to get a good lather (suds), add more water, not shampoo - that’s a little hack for all sulfate-free shampoos.
toning shampoo
dpHUE Cool Blonde or Cool Brunette Shampoo - I like that dpHUE is one of the few drugstore brands to offer toning shampoos for both blondes and brunettes, and it’s the only toning option I’ve found from the drugstore that doesn’t dry out your hair too much (Kristin Ess is another great option). That being said, it’s still more drying than the Davines version I mentioned that is a little pricier, so always use a hydrating conditioner or hair mask after using these toning shampoos. My fine hair is more prone to breakage, so I’ll also finish with a drugstore leave-in conditioner, too.
One tip: If you’re on a budget, use a toning conditioner instead of shampoo if you’re worried about dryness or breakage. It will still tone your hair, but has added hydration that shampoo doesn’t.
clarifying shampoo
Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo - I do believe it’s worth it to invest in a clarifying shampoo because you only use it every handful of washes, so one bottle will last you months, but this is a great cheaper option. The bottle itself feels a little flimsy, but you get a great lather with this and it does remove product build-up without drying out your scalp. To avoid breakage and bring hydration back into your hair, use a deep conditioner and then finish with a drugstore leave-in conditioner, too.
conditioners worth the money
hydrating conditioner
Ouai Medium Conditioner - This softens my hair without weighing it down, adds hydration without leaving a residue, and the scent is beautiful yet not too strong. It’s priced fairly, and I like that it makes it easier to brush my fingers through my hair in the shower to eliminate any leftover tangles. Side note: Ouai’s Fine and Thick conditioners are just as good; Medium is just easiest for me to auto-ship without worrying about stocking problems)
Davines Heart of Glass Rich Conditioner - This is one of their newer products, and it’s a toning conditioner for blondes. I’m not super crazy about the smell (t’s very floral), but a little goes a long way and it leaves your hair very soft and shiny. I prefer this to toning shampoos as it’s a bit gentler, doesn’t dry out your hair, and never leaves a purple/ over-toned tint.
deep conditioner or hair mask
Ouai Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Masque - This mask is deeply hydrating, but isn’t so heavy that it weighs my hair down, and detangles your hair really well. The scent isn’t overpowering, and the mask is easy to wash out, too. The brand is great about running sales, but now that Target has partnered with Ulta, I typically add this to my online order.
Amika the kure intense repair mask - This mask feels like a hair treatment, rather than just a mask. I only leave it in for around 2 minutes, yet my hair is still so soft and tangle-free afterwards. It doesn’t leave a film, and my hair is noticeably shinier after (like I will get compliments from strangers asking what I use). One note: this does contain alcohol, so I’d be wary of using them as my only deep-conditioning treatment for an extended amount of time since alcohol can compromise the integrity of your hair, but it’s great for a 1x a month hair treatment.
leave-in conditioner
Unite Hair 7SECONDS Detangler Leave-In Conditioner - I like that this works as a detangled and leave-in conditioner, so you get multiple uses out of one product. The scent is so fresh and lightweight, and the hydration really makes my hair shine without weighing it down or leaving a film.
K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask - This is a miracle worker for dry hair and a little goals a long way so don’t let the price scare you. After testing a shampoo that led to lots of breakage, I credit this leave-in with preventing my split ends from getting any worse, even as I continued to use hot tools a couple times a week. To get the most out of it, I like to apply it to damp hair in the morning and leave it in all day, really letting it soak in and work its magic; it’s a great weekend self-care treatment that leaves your hair visibly stronger, shinier, and softer.
best budget conditioners
hydrating conditioner
Kristin Ess The One Signature Conditioner - This is a really underrated drugstore conditioner, and I love that you can get a huge bottle for under $25; Target also places it on sale quite often. This is color-safe, vegan, and free of sulfates, parabens + phthalates - you can’t ask for more, really. I can use it daily and my fine hair is still bouncy, shiny, and soft, but it also provides plenty of nourishment to prevent dryness or breakage, especially since I highlight my hair regularly.
Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner - My boyfriend keeps this in his shower, so I sometimes use it when I’m over there. I love that you can get huge sizes at Costco, and this doesn’t leave a film that sometimes happens with extra-hydrating conditioners. It can be a little heavy if I use it regularly, which is why I prefer the Kristin Ess formula more.
deep conditioner or hair mask
Hair Chemist Macademia Oil Deep Repair Masque - I cannot recommend this enough, and it’s only $10 on Amazon. I’ve purchased this 20+ times over the years, and it works just as well as higher-end options. It does leave a bit of a residue if you use it exclusively and too frequently, but if you’re spending lots of time in the sun or swimming in the summer, this mask is going to help prevent breakage and keep your hair hydrated. It also helps tame some of the frizz that comes from wearing heavier layers in the winter, too.
leave-in conditioner
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner - This product brings me back to middle school and it seems like it popped up out of nowhere, but it really has stood the test of time. A little expensive for the drugstore, but it’s a really great formula - no junk or filler ingredients, so it’s worth it. I love how lightweight it is; your hair doesn’t get crunchy, but you notice how much softer your hair is when you go to wash it out. This is a staple product for me whenever I travel; it really does go the extra mile to protect against environmental factors your hair might not be used to as well as the harsher hotel water.
