When it comes to beauty brands, it’s a common misconception that you have to spend more to get better results. Don’t get me wrong, as a beauty editor, I’ve tried a lot of luxury products over the years, and while some are really worth the investment, I still believe that affordable beauty can be just as good (if not better). This is especially true when it comes to hair care. Whether I’m collecting the best shampoos, conditioners, hair masks or hair tools (Revlon’s £50 blow-dry brush is still an all-time favourite), I always say you don’t have to spend cash to get salon-worthy results.
That being said, with so many brands on the market, what do affordable haircare brands really offer? Well, that’s where I come in. After testing some of the most popular brands out there, I know a thing or two about drugstore products that rival their pricier counterparts. So much so that I thought it was time to share my short edit of the most affordable haircare brands that I would recommend to everyone I know.
Below, you’ll find my tried and tested affordable heroes, as well as some other Team Who What Wear UK favourites, all costing under £20. For endless good hair without spending a fortune, keep scrolling…
The best affordable haircare brands according to the editors
1. L’Oréal Paris Elvive
This brand needs no introduction, does it? L’Oréal Paris has created some of the best Offering affordable skin care, makeup and hair care to the market, and the brand’s constant innovation ensures that its products remain at the forefront of the industry. You’re pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to hair care; However, if I Was To choose from, the best ranges have to be Elvive Glycolic Gloss and Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic, both of which focus on delivering hydrating, glowing results.
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loreal paris
Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Moisture Boosting Shampoo
Think of this shampoo as skin care for your hair. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, it visibly hydrates hair, adding lift, body and shine. At less than a tenner, I know I’ll continue using this shampoo for years to come.
loreal paris
Elvive Glycolic Gloss Rinse-Off 5 Minute Lamination Treatment
It may be a little more expensive, but there’s a reason we consider it the best hair gloss ever. Glycolic acid is added to the rinse-out formula to strengthen hair and add shine. Seriously, after using this everyone will be asking you which salon you went to.
2. Pigeon
If you don’t know, Dove recently launched one of its biggest hair innovations yet, marking a shift to a scalp-first approach. “Scalp + Hair Therapy” range uses popular Skin care ingredients to restore the scalp barrier and create an optimal environment for hair growth. beauty contributor micah ricketts Big fan of the density and growth range, especially since experiencing postpartum hair loss.
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Pigeon
Density and Growth Shampoo
“The new Dove Density and Growth range focuses on helping to strengthen your hair and scalp at an impressively low price,” says rickets. “The shampoo in particular has helped nourish and thicken my hair while taking care of my scalp, which is often prone to flaking.”
Pigeon
Density & Growth Scalp Serum
Scalp serums can often set you back a small fortune, but Dove’s impressive formula is only £10. Amino complex, zinc and biotin all work together to increase hair density and aid in the growth of existing hair.
3. John Frieda
Did anyone else use John Frieda’s Frizz Ease Serum like it was going out of fashion when they were younger? The brand has been shining brightly since then with new formulations and new packaging. However, it’s the new Infinite Smooth range that has me hooked, leaving my hair smooth, soft and impossibly shiny.
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john frieda
Infinite Smooth Duo Bundle
For under £20, this shampoo and conditioner bundle delivers truly smooth, shiny hair that feels soft and healthy.
john frieda
Frizz Ease The Controller Extra Strength Serum
Yes, frizz ease serums still exist, and this extra strength formula is perfect for smoothing my thick hair.
4. Garnier
Another brand that needs no introduction. In fact, Garnier’s affordable haircare products were some of my favorite products and remain in my collection to this day. Sure, they’re not the fanciest products on the market, but the impressive formulas and delicious scents mean I find myself returning to nourishing hair masks and treatments again and again. A great example of continued innovation by a brand, new launches, e.g. The Diamond Sleek Smoothing Spray has also recently stolen my heart. Garnier has an impressive range of products for curly hair, and as someone with natural waves, I’m a big fan of them.
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garnier
Keratin Sleek Diamond Spray
This product is viral for a reason. An easy-to-use spray that softens, reduces flyaways and delivers impressive shine.
garnier
Recipe for Curl Mask
A hydrating mask packed with nourishing ingredients to add moisture to curly hair types, without damaging the hair.
5. Archive
Created by renowned hairdresser Adam Reed, Archive will always be in my edit of the best affordable haircare brands on the market. Each product not only looks incredibly attractive, but its formulas smell amazing In fact Work. I personally think that brand is ideal for those of you who want to upgrade your Hair care routine, with a concise range of products that have clear uses depending on your individual hair needs.
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Archive Headcare
all day everyday shampoo
If you’re someone who likes to wash your hair every day, this mild, gentle formula cleanses the roots without stripping your hair of moisture.
Archive Headcare
Movement Dry Texturizing Spray
Do you want that messy, cool-girl ending? This texture spray adds effortless movement to hair without the dreaded frizz.
6. TRESemmé
TRESemmé is all about bringing salon-worthy formulas to your shower at home, which is why it’s long been one of the most affordable haircare brands on the market. I’ll admit, I often moan about bulky bottles, but when you’re getting effective formulas for less than a fiver, you can’t really complain, can you?
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tresemme
Shampoo Lamellar Shine
Although there are lots of ranges on offer, my personal favorite is the Lamellar Shine range. If you can’t tell by now, I love anything that makes my hair shine, and shampoo and conditioner do exactly that.
tresemme
conditioner lamellar shine
I swap between this and hair masks from the same range for best results.
7. Monday
A relatively new brand on the block (it launched in the UK in 2021), Monday Haircare has already caught the attention of many people. Most products are around £5, which costs less than your morning coffee. Who What Wear UK team members are fans of the shampoo and conditioner formulas, and the pretty pink packaging is just a bonus…
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monday child care
smooth shampoo
If you’re looking for smooth, soft, shiny hair, you’ll probably want to try the popular Smooth range, which is enriched with ingredients like wheat protein and avocado oil.
monday child care
moisture conditioner
The Moisture range is another bestseller, where ingredients like hyaluronic acid, coconut oil and shea butter work together to nourish dry ends.
8. Cantu
As mentioned, my hair is very thick, naturally wavy, and when I want to embrace its natural texture, I reach for Cantu products. I’m personally a fan of the Curl Activator Cream, but you’ll also find us raving about the Cleansing Cream Shampoo in our roundup of the best. Affordable shampoo in the market.
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but
Shea Butter for Natural Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo
A super moisturizing formula that is perfect for thick, curly and frizzy hair.
but
Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
If you want to enhance your natural curl pattern without leaving your hair feeling dry and crunchy, this cream will do the trick.
why trust us
At Who What Wear UK, we know beauty isn’t one size fits all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years – across skin care, makeup, hair and nails – and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver results, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selections are based on real results, ingredient information, and what we would actually recommend to a friend.
