14 Best Drugstore Conditioners

Hairstyles

14 Best Drugstore Conditioners

Hair care giant Pantene was all over the list, but did it nab the no. 1 spot?

September 24, 2009 | by Anna Jimenez | 55 COMMENTS

To most, shopping for anything is a thrill. Being bombarded by an insane amount of brightly colored hair care product options all colorfully lined up and begging you to buy them is not. We all want to have choices, yes, that's true, but not when they all look the same, make the same claims and cost about the same. Then it just feels like hair care "Sophie's Choice" -- if you choose one conditioner over the other, hair will suffer.

Skip to see the 14 best drugstore conditioners for healthy hair now.

We all want the same thing: soft, silky, shiny, manageable hair. And we're pretty sure we also all need (or prefer to) to save some cash, especially in this economic climate. The solution: drugstore conditioners. We compiled a list of Total Beauty readers' favorite budget-friendly conditioners. Readers say the conditioners on this list gave them salon-worthy hair at bargain bin prices; now that's a perfect combination. See, we just made shopping fun again.

To get you psyched for the best drugstore conditioners list, we thought we'd share a couple reviews we found to be quite convincing:

"Since using this shampoo and conditioner, it has become like a second honeymoon! My husband just keeps getting closer and closer to sniff my hair, and always compliments not only how it smells, but how good it looks!"

"I have spent tons of money on everything from salon brands to store brands and nothing has ever made as much of a difference as this! If you have dry frizzy hair ... this is THE product for you."

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 14: L'Oreal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner, $5.99

1 of 15

products mentioned

L'Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner

7.5

Aveeno Nourish + Moisturize Conditioner

8.3

Suave Professionals Humectant Conditioner

8.4

Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series Moisture Renewal...

8.7

Aussie Moist Conditioner

8.7

Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Conditioner

8.7

Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Frizz...

9.1

Aussie Catch the Wave Conditioner

9.0

TIGI Bed Head Superstar Conditioner

9.1

Sunsilk Hydra TLC Conditioner

9.3

Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural Dry to Moisturized...

9.0

Herbal Essences Hydralicious Reconditioning Conditioner

8.7

TRESemme Color Revitalize Conditioner

7.9

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner

8.7

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Not a huge fan of the Triple Moisture from Neutrogena. Maybe I have contrary hair, but I love L'Oreal Total Repair 5.

by fujiko_mine Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 11:04PM Report as inappropriate

I disagree,Sunsilk has been discontinued for years. I used to use the thermasilk line good stuff. I do not know why they discontinue.

by lin44 Monday, January 28, 2013 at 01:48PM Report as inappropriate

I have never tries this one, but I have tried the Suave Moroccan oil conditioner and its really hydrating and nourishing.

by lin44 Monday, January 28, 2013 at 01:41PM Report as inappropriate

i used some of these and they work great on my hair

by aishak55 Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 09:00AM Report as inappropriate

I've been using aussie for three years now, but I'm trying to find another brand now!

by schien Monday, November 12, 2012 at 11:43AM Report as inappropriate

I am very hesitant to buy any drugstore cosmetics and/or hair care products.

by robyne00 Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 05:57PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried any of these. Might want to try the Neutrogena one.

by Chris213 Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 11:48AM Report as inappropriate

Very good products. Especially herbal essences!

by Cupcake900 Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 09:02AM Report as inappropriate

I like several of Pantene's conditioners, but I'm not a fan of their shampoos.

by MissPoison Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 10:30AM Report as inappropriate

They show alot of Herbal Essences conditioners! I personally think those conditioners dry out my hair

by heidihannibal33 Monday, September 3, 2012 at 08:15PM Report as inappropriate

I love Pantene's shampoos & conditioners. I think they are just as good as the more expensive lines. My hair stylist would disagree. I just laugh when she tells me how nice my hair feels. She would fall over if I told her it's because of my Pantene Smooth Vitality conditioner. But I'm not a fan of the Aussie or Herbal Essences line. They don't seem to work that well on my hair.

by Feline44mom Friday, July 20, 2012 at 01:51PM Report as inappropriate

As an ex cosmetologist, I was always told that quality products cannot be found in the grocery store. I am no longer a believer of this old school train of thought Pantene seems to have a lot of good products and I cant wait to give them a try!

by flirtygirl214 Friday, July 6, 2012 at 09:52PM Report as inappropriate

Best conditioner I've ever used is Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner. I use the shampoo too, the argan oil works like a charm on my dry and frizzy hair!!!

by laura_wolfhart Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 07:47PM Report as inappropriate

Pantene makes fabulous shampoo & conditioners. I love Suave for their dry shampoo, shine spray & hair sprays though.

by pynkNymphette Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 12:07AM Report as inappropriate

I have had some of my best luck with Pantene and Garnier for my thick long hair.

by beautybody Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 10:46PM Report as inappropriate

I've been seriously eyeing the Neotrogena triple moisture conditioner and shampoo... hmmm. I also REALLY like the Pantene Pro V Restore Beautiful Lengths. BUT. There are two versions, i like the breakage defense better than the frizz control.

by catalinahx Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10:17AM Report as inappropriate

A few of these conditioners have been terrible for my kids...I wish I could agree with more of these!

by powerwoman033 Monday, March 19, 2012 at 11:05AM Report as inappropriate

I totally agree about the Pantene beautiful lenghts. I also use the shampoo and conditioner in the lil jar. They all work wonderful! I have thick coarse hair and after all the blow outs and iron work I do every day it really helps and makes a big difference. It is well worth the small price to help get your hair back to healthy!

by bayoukris Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 09:56AM Report as inappropriate

right now im using suave conditionr and it looks pretty well i guess but i want to try the triple moisture i hear some people like it and others hate it let see what it does to may hair :) and tresemme moisture conditioner works wonders but right now im trying others to see which one works really well with my hair

by Nicole2814 Friday, November 18, 2011 at 08:43AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for this! Its "super broke week" at our house & I just finished my coveted Nexxus Split End mender shampoo & conditioner, so I'll def be checking a couple of these out!

by ChandraCarver Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 11:25AM Report as inappropriate

informative!

by gisellemarie Monday, September 12, 2011 at 02:24PM Report as inappropriate

The entire Neutrogena Triple Moisture line is great!

by vfalkow Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:55AM Report as inappropriate

adding these to my shopping list

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 01:48AM Report as inappropriate

I'm on my way to the drug store!

by Only1KimmieD Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 12:42PM Report as inappropriate

I will have to try some of these out!

by selma Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 09:35AM Report as inappropriate

I have tried most of these, none of them worked for me!

by MissPurple Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 10:49AM Report as inappropriate

All of these are so much cheaper than what I'm using now; I'm definitely checking a few of these out. Thank you!

by bukiyounahito Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 09:50AM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried any of these! I used to love the old Herbal Essences shampoos and conditioners, but haven't tried them since they've changed the packaging. My hair definitely needs a good conditioner!

by LipglossandSpandex Monday, April 11, 2011 at 08:22PM Report as inappropriate

ok gotta try some of these!

by yckitsmary Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 09:44PM Report as inappropriate

I want to try Neutrogena's conditioner now; I've never seen their products on the shampoo aisle except for the clarifying shampoo after searching.

by mkgx7 Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 11:52AM Report as inappropriate

ok so i love pantene relaxed and natural, and ive heard great things about aussie. i will definately try it on my next drug store run.

by AmandaAmanda Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 04:30PM Report as inappropriate

love AUSSIE's THREE MINUTE MIRACLE! it is a life saver to my hair after a week of swimming

by lelalu100 Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 01:16PM Report as inappropriate

Most of those conditioners work so well

by ChrisanneSkye Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 01:33AM Report as inappropriate

I had no idea Neutrogena made hair care products. Must try them out sometime!

by pynkNymphette Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 05:26PM Report as inappropriate

great info!!

by Bon_Bon Monday, February 21, 2011 at 03:26PM Report as inappropriate

Definitely picking up Aussie's Catch the Wave & Neutrogena's Triple Moisture today!

by allyislovexo Monday, February 21, 2011 at 07:51AM Report as inappropriate

I am definitely going to try some of these conditioners out the next time I go shopping.

by Nanette1970 Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 05:15PM Report as inappropriate

I'm soooo happy to see herball essences colour me happy on the list :) I love it!

by judyangel101 Monday, February 14, 2011 at 02:05PM Report as inappropriate

I so agree. The L'oreal EverPure is GREAT. The whole line is just the best. And it smells divine.

by Agrimony Friday, February 11, 2011 at 03:17AM Report as inappropriate

I will definetly be trying some of these. The prices are amazing! I use Paul Mitchell's Smoothing Shampoo and Treatment but its hard to wash out completely, plus its like 5x's more expensive!

by makeupbyjanalyn Friday, February 4, 2011 at 04:00PM Report as inappropriate

these are all really amazing hair conditioners!

by kenya Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 10:37PM Report as inappropriate

i'm looking for a new conditioner to try because my other ones aren't working as well since i got my hair died. I'm going to use this when i go shopping.

by littlebeauty408 Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 09:22PM Report as inappropriate

I almost always use Neutrogena Triple Moisture Conditioner! It really helps my hair get back its smoothness and sheen that has been greatly missed! My split ends have disappeared and I now have my mother using this product!

by grilo Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 11:20AM Report as inappropriate

@Kaymarie.. Yes, that is an unfortunate misconception in our culture. Perhaps you would do better to refer to your hair as curly or kinky-curly..as all healthy hair is indeed GOOD hair :]

by kortneyrenee Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 11:21AM Report as inappropriate

I LOVE Morrocan Oil and the Treatment line from Bumble and Bumble....any product in the Morrocan Oil line is phenomenal! My hair had gone through hair extensions being removed, and bleached hair....with serious attention to using these products, my hair is finally healthy...good luck, bad hair sucks!

by flyblondemom Monday, March 22, 2010 at 05:19PM Report as inappropriate

absolutly correct , hippchick31 your hairdresser is absolutly correct, So much wax build up in those products, again I will say that chemicales, such as colors and perms default due to this build up-this is why hair feels soooo soft , and professional product do not cost -ounce per ounce much more that over the counter shampoos , and your hair dresser gives you

by annica Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 05:43PM Report as inappropriate

I used Pantene, Dr Miracle, and Olive Oil products, I am still searching for a product that will work well with my hair. I have medium length thin hair. I am a black person, but as they say in my culture, I have good hair. However, I need a product that will minimize the need to get a trim every time I relax and that will give me shinny silky hair, longer hair.

by Kaymarie Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 08:18AM Report as inappropriate

I have semi long dark brown thick hair. I love to have my hair looking healthy and I do not spend gobs of money on all this other stuff. I do use Pantene and have for over 10 years. The one thing that make my hair very healthy, shiny, strong, and not too many split ends is.......................I put Jergen's in my hair after I towel dry. Not too much, I put about 3-4 pumps and rub it thoroughly on my hands and bend over and rub it evenly through my hair from head to ends. People with thin hair may want to experiment first.

by Camry09 Friday, February 5, 2010 at 09:06AM Report as inappropriate

Lets face it... something new, we women try it. I have used everything under the sun! Pantene was one of the best ones for me, but my stylist freaked out because she said it has so much wax in it an thats why you think you're getting positive results. I now use Biolage by Matrix. You can usually get it in liter bottles so it lasts a long time and a little goes a long way. This is the best shampoo/conditioner combo I've found that really works on its own, without all those hair serums. I too am a blowdryer, flatiron, highlight/lowlight person as well. This product is wonderful! Once you try it, you won't go back to anything else!

by hippychick31 Friday, February 5, 2010 at 12:32AM Report as inappropriate

I have allways had trouble finding the right hair shampoo and conditioner for my hair ,i would pay top dollar for hair products till one day my friend told me about Tresemme and i tried it and hanen't stop using it since ,,I blowdry my hair in the morning and before i go to bed every night and my hair has never been so healthy and shiny,I am not a professional hair dresser ,but i will say all my family now uses it ,,My grand daughter has long straight hair and was using dove shampoo and conditioner and it was so dull and dry and i introduced Tresemme to my daughter in law and they too have started using it,,and my grand daughter 's hair it so beautiful and shiny and silkey,,tresemme has repaired the damage that dove had done to her hair ,I personally rate it as an exellent product and appreciate all the comments that my whole family gets on how pretty our hair looks ,i suggest trying the product and it speaks for it's self.

by countrymouse Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 10:33PM Report as inappropriate

I have to comment on the comment left by the stylist MDDarden. As a professional stylist, which I am also, she should know that there is no way to "repair" hair. Once hair emerges from scalp it is dead. There is no fixing once damaged. Therefor all you can do is use products to conceal the damage. As for which one to use... what ever makes you feel better. Whether your product comes from a salon or the dollar store they ALL do the same thing, coat the hair shaft to create the illusion of soft, silky, healthy hair. The hair is dead and once it is damaged it will remain that way till you cut it off. Sorry to be so blunt but ....it is what it is!

by joyride Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 08:55PM Report as inappropriate

I must say, the brunette expressions has done wonders for my hair. I've always been told that pantene destroys your hair, and dries it out, but my hair has never been healthier. I don't ever have it trimmed, because my hairstylist is in Tennessee and I am in Maryland, I constantly blow dry it to keep from getting sick from wet hair in the winter, I pull it back everyday while I'm cleaning and doing odd jobs around the house, and I just flat out abuse it. But since I've started using the brunette expressions, my hair is shiny without putting any product in it, I have no split ends, it doesn't break and the color is phenomenal (and it's been almost 3 months since I last had it colored.) I recommend this for anyone with dark hair, and the blonde expressions for anyone with light hair (the blonde expressions helped bring my best friends hair back to life after repeated highlighting and bleaching.) Only FYI, it runs at a little more than $4.89, I buy both the conditioner and shampoo for about $6.50 each.

by jordankelseyy Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 06:04PM Report as inappropriate

I would like to know if these products also work for no offense; a lot of black folks hair. vs caucasion hair because of the oilyness that some caucasions have, and dryness that most black folks have?

by blessedwoman Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 03:55PM Report as inappropriate

I've used Pantene ProV for about 5 years and my hair never was soft or silky. I only used it because it was the best I could get my hair to be. Then when Dove came out with their new line, my mom had me try it and I've never had better looking hair. I blow-dry and straighten my hair everyday and color it about every three months and still my hair is soft and silky. It also shines more than it ever has. I was surprised to not see that product on here, Dove Intense Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner, because I think that it outshines[no pun intended] Pantene ProV by far.

by clairecrystall Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 03:44PM Report as inappropriate

i am a professional stylist and in my professional opinion i would say that i cant recommend any of the these products. the only reason that make hair feel soft and silky is because they form a wax coating on the hair shaft and give the illusion of soft and silkiness. i would recommend using a professional product such as Paul Mitchell because they offer several lines of hair care products that will fit anyones budget and needs. they are even available in the salons inside of Walmart. you get can any better than that when people are pinching pennies and shopping there on a tight budget. they are affordable and of course PROFESSIONAL. they even have a guarantee printed on the bottle that is only guaranteed if sold by a salon professional. dont sell yourself short when it comes to your hair! professional products will give your professional results.

by MDDarden Monday, October 26, 2009 at 02:16AM Report as inappropriate

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