After trying several different hair products over the years I found some that don’t cost a lot but perform really well for my hair. I’ve incorporated those products into my relaxed hair regimen at one time or another and each product is under $20. Yes, under $20.
Shampoo
1. ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo
This is a great clarifying shampoo but it doesn’t strip my hair of all moisture. So it lives up to the claims of gently cleansing and removing buildup while not stripping away natural oils, leaving the hair soft, tangle-free, moisturized, and with shine.
This treatment claims it “moisturizes and strengthens over-processed hair from within the hair shaft with essential oils, organic amino acids, and Vitamin B5 for added moisture and strength” It also says that “fragile hair prone to breakage will be rejuvenated with moisture and elasticity to mend split ends and provide incredible body and shine.”
Where to purchase
The Aussie 4 Minutjust e Miracle Deep Conditioner can be used as just a deep conditioner or as I use it a pre-poo. You can also sometimes get digital or paper coupons for this deep conditioner making it even more budget-friendly.
If you want to know more about what I think about this shampoo you can read my full review.
Where to purchase
Where to purchase
2. Design Essentials Agave & Lavender Moisturizing Hair Bath Shampoo
This shampoo was a surprise to me. It lathers like no other shampoo I have used but it also gets my hair clean without making it feel dry. It also lives up to the claims of providing intense hydration, softening, moisturizing, and smoothing the cuticle.
Where to purchase
Where to purchase
3. ion Hard Water Shampoo
This shampoo is chelating as it helps eliminate mineral build-up from hard and well water but it can be used to clarify the hair. Removing all of the hard and well water build-up helps to reduce dryness, damage, dullness, and discoloration from the hair. I’ve used this shampoo with no negative impact on my relaxed hair.This is a great, sulfate-free, and protein-free shampoo for relaxed hair. The reason it’s so great is because it does a really good job of cleaning the hair while not leaving it feeling dry or stripped of moisture. When I use this shampoo it actually feels like moisture is being added back to my hair.
Where to purchase
Where to purchase
5. Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo
While not a traditional shampoo, having a good dry shampoo on hand, especially in warmer climates or in the summer, is a must.
I use this dry shampoo to freshen up my scalp and hair after a workout and I’ve been sweating. It’s really cost effective and one bottle lasts for months.
This is an aluminum-free dry shampoo that does a good job of absorbing oil and sweat. It claims to leave hair “feeling soft and clean as freshly washed in a matter of minutes.” Unlike with other dry shampoos, I don’t have residue left in my hair after using it.
Where to purchase
I use this dry shampoo to freshen up my scalp and hair after a workout and I’ve been sweating. It’s really cost effective and one bottle lasts for months.
This is an aluminum-free dry shampoo that does a good job of absorbing oil and sweat. It claims to leave hair “feeling soft and clean as freshly washed in a matter of minutes.” Unlike with other dry shampoos, I don’t have residue left in my hair after using it.
Where to purchase
Treatment
6. Aphogee Two Minute Intensive Keratin Reconstructor
This is a one-step protein treatment that has a concentrated blend of keratin amino acids, botanical oils, and vitamins. It helps to restore strength and softness to the hair, including relaxed hair. It also helps to repair damage caused by chlorine and hard water.
I use it regularly, once a week when I wash my hair. When I use it my hair does feel softer, stronger, and smoother.
Where to purchase
I use it regularly, once a week when I wash my hair. When I use it my hair does feel softer, stronger, and smoother.
Where to purchase
Related read: How To Save Money When Buying Hair Products
7. ORS Hair Mayonnaise
I’ve never used this before but have seen it mentioned as a protein treatment many relaxed hair women use and several of them have gorgeous long hair.
This treatment claims it “moisturizes and strengthens over-processed hair from within the hair shaft with essential oils, organic amino acids, and Vitamin B5 for added moisture and strength” It also says that “fragile hair prone to breakage will be rejuvenated with moisture and elasticity to mend split ends and provide incredible body and shine.”
Where to purchase
8. ion Repair Split End Mender
The purpose of this treatment is to help seal the cuticle to “repair” (temporarily) split ends. It has keratin, panthenol, and quinoa to help create unique structural bonds, repair the cortex, and strengthen the hair.
I used it for a while when my hair was damaged and it did help to smooth out my ends when I couldn’t get them smooth without using high heat on a flat liron.
Where to purchase
I used it for a while when my hair was damaged and it did help to smooth out my ends when I couldn’t get them smooth without using high heat on a flat liron.
Where to purchase
Deep conditioner
9. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner
This drugstore deep conditioner claims to be “hydration heaven” and to “banish dry hair in just 3 minutes.”
It also claims it “absorbs quickly to transform struggling strands into silky, shiny waves” and the “rich, creamy formula is infused with avocado and Australian jojoba oil and is great for all hair types.”
I love this hair mask/deep conditioner because of how much hydration it brings to my hair and how it leaves my hair feeling soft and smooth. It doesn’t contain any strong proteins. Instead, it has biotin to help strengthen the hair.
It claims to be formulated to restore “life to dry, damaged, or color-treated hair” It helps to smooth and soften the hair, improve shine and manageability, lock in moisture, repair damage, and help reduce shedding and breakage.
Where to purchase
It claims to be formulated to restore “life to dry, damaged, or color-treated hair” It helps to smooth and soften the hair, improve shine and manageability, lock in moisture, repair damage, and help reduce shedding and breakage.
Where to purchase
Related read: 10 Top Deep Conditioners For Relaxed Hair
11. Not Your Mother's Naturals Matcha Green Tea & Wild Apple Blossom Butter Masque
This is a great hair masque to use when you’re traveling because it doesn’t need to stay on your hair long to feel the results. It’s also a good hair masque if you’re looking for a protein-free one.
That’s how I stumbled on the Not Your Mother's Naturals Matcha Green Tea & Wild Apple Blossom Butter Masque. I was looking for a deep conditioner or hair masque with no protein in the ingredients and this is one of the few I could find.
It claims to deeply condition and aid in restoring damaged strands, preparing hair for a purified, fresh style. When I use this hair masque my relaxed hair feels so soft and smooth.
Where to purchase
That’s how I stumbled on the Not Your Mother's Naturals Matcha Green Tea & Wild Apple Blossom Butter Masque. I was looking for a deep conditioner or hair masque with no protein in the ingredients and this is one of the few I could find.
It claims to deeply condition and aid in restoring damaged strands, preparing hair for a purified, fresh style. When I use this hair masque my relaxed hair feels so soft and smooth.
Where to purchase
12. TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask
This is probably the most popular of the TGIN hair masks. It's formulated to improve and restore life to dry, damaged, or colored hair. It claims to improve the shine, softness, and manageability of the hair while locking in moisture and repairing damage.
It’s no secret, that Mielle is one of the hair brands I like to use on my relaxed hair. This particular product has really good reviews At first, I didn’t care for it but over time I came to like it and realized that it does live up to the reviews.
I like that the Mielle Avocado Moisturizing Hair Milk is a thick hair milk but it’s not so thick that it weighs down my hair. It also adds a lot of moisture to my hair and helps give me smoother roller-set results. When I tried substituting another leave-in conditioner for this Mielle hair milk I noticed a real difference in moisture, smoothness, and no frizz.
Where to purchase
I like that the Mielle Avocado Moisturizing Hair Milk is a thick hair milk but it’s not so thick that it weighs down my hair. It also adds a lot of moisture to my hair and helps give me smoother roller-set results. When I tried substituting another leave-in conditioner for this Mielle hair milk I noticed a real difference in moisture, smoothness, and no frizz.
Where to purchase
14. Mielle White Peony Leave In Conditioner
This is a lightweight liquid leave-in conditioner that can be used daily. It moisturizes, conditions, and smooths the hair shaft, and helps protect hair from heat damage.
I use this Mielle liquid leave-in conditioner mainly on my wet hair right after shampooing. I like how this leave-in smells, how I don’t feel it on my hair, and how smooth, shiny, and lightweight my hair is after it’s dried.
Where to purchase
I use this Mielle liquid leave-in conditioner mainly on my wet hair right after shampooing. I like how this leave-in smells, how I don’t feel it on my hair, and how smooth, shiny, and lightweight my hair is after it’s dried.
Where to purchase
15. TGIN Green Tea Super Moist Leave In Conditioner
When my relaxed hair needs a little moisture pick-me-up I will pull their moisturizer out. It’s protein-free, helps make my hair feel soft and manageable, adds shine, and reduces frizz and flyaways.
This TGIN leave-in conditioner has an ingredient list that includes Green Tea, Shea butter, Sunflower oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Castor oil, and Argan oil all things that my hair responds well to.
Where to purchase
It does a good job of adding hydration to relaxed hair without weighing the hair down despite the creamy texture.
The two main ingredients are Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, so if your hair doesn’t like either of those ingredients you’ll want to stay away from this leave-in.
Where to purchase
This TGIN leave-in conditioner has an ingredient list that includes Green Tea, Shea butter, Sunflower oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Castor oil, and Argan oil all things that my hair responds well to.
Where to purchase
16. Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave In Conditioner
This is a daily conditioning treatment that I used a lot early on in my hair journey. Over time I started to try other hair products and this one fell by the wayside but I still recommend it.It does a good job of adding hydration to relaxed hair without weighing the hair down despite the creamy texture.
The two main ingredients are Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, so if your hair doesn’t like either of those ingredients you’ll want to stay away from this leave-in.
Where to purchase
Related read: Top 7 Leave-in Conditioners For Relaxed Hair
Oil/Serum
17. Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Oil
This oil became very popular as a scalp oil. It claims to be “a nutrient-rich and intense formula that can be used straight from the bottle or as a hot oil treatment.”
I’ve mainly used it a scalp oil and love how lightweight it is so I can apply it and not even feel it’s there. It makes my scalp feel good but I can’t say I’ve seen it increase any hair growth like I’ve seen claimed by some users on social media.
I will caution that if you don’t like products with strong smells that linger you may not like this oil. I try to not use it right before I go out so I’m not leaving a scent trail of rosemary and mint.
Where to purchase
I’ve mainly used it a scalp oil and love how lightweight it is so I can apply it and not even feel it’s there. It makes my scalp feel good but I can’t say I’ve seen it increase any hair growth like I’ve seen claimed by some users on social media.
I will caution that if you don’t like products with strong smells that linger you may not like this oil. I try to not use it right before I go out so I’m not leaving a scent trail of rosemary and mint.
Where to purchase
18. TGIN Miracle RepaiRx Anti-Breakage Hair Serum
This hair serum has great ingredients castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, and peach kernel oil, as well as vitamin E which helps with smoothing frizz and flyaways, adding hydration, sealing in moisture, and leaving hair feeling soft and strong.
It doesn’t weigh down my hair or make it feel greasy. Even when I use it multiple days in a row as a sealant.
Where to purchase
It doesn’t weigh down my hair or make it feel greasy. Even when I use it multiple days in a row as a sealant.
Where to purchase
This hair serum is part of the Generic Value Products line found at Sally Beauty. It’s compared to the more expensive Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum which is a really nice hair serum. I’ve seen a few reviews from women who swore by the Paul Mitchell serum and they say this is a good budget-friendly alternative and one even switched over.
Claims for this serum are it “smoothes and conditions your hair reducing frizz and fly-aways while improving manageability and protects against heat damage from heat styling tools.” As well as providing incredible shine.
Where to purchase
Claims for this serum are it “smoothes and conditions your hair reducing frizz and fly-aways while improving manageability and protects against heat damage from heat styling tools.” As well as providing incredible shine.
Where to purchase
20. Mielle Mongongo Oil Pomade-to-Oil Treatment
This Mielle had to grow on me as I didn’t like it the first time I used it. After I determined the best way to use it for my hair it’s become a staple. A little bit of this oil goes a long way (that was one lesson I had to learn). I use it mainly when flat ironing my hair because I get a nice sleek finish with plenty of shine. My relaxed hair also doesn’t feel weighed down so there is plenty of movement.
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