Hairstylists and beauty editors have tried their fair share of products (likely hundreds, if not thousands, over the years). So it’s safe to say they know the best dry shampoos, volumizers, creams, and gels for all hair types. In need of some new products to try? Ahead, the 20+ hair products experts and editors love from both the drugstore and department store.
Few dry shampoos get as much beauty editor love as this one. It all comes down to the brand’s OFPMA molecule, which actually leaves hair feeling clean (not just dry.) Add in how easily it brushes out, the totally absence of chalky white residue, and the subtle, fresh scent it imparts that’s almost (almost) as good as sudsing up your strands, and it’s easy to see why everyone is obsessed.
This thickening spray can be used on wet or dry hair to give fine, flat hair a little boost. The result is hair that looks thicker and fuller for hours, but still feels soft to the touch.
For I-just-got-back-from-the-beach texture, this pretty cerulean bottle is a stylist must-have. “I like that the natural oils and minerals give the hair almost a matte look, as though you’ve actually been on the beach, but it isn’t so heavy that it diminishes natural volume and shine,” says hairstylist Alex Polillo, who has worked with Elisabeth Moss and Felicity Jones.
Fine hair types, your days of fearing shine serum are over. This spray on version goes on so ultra-light that even wilt-prone strands won’t go limp, while those with more buoyant tresses will appreciate how easily and evenly the formula spreads through their hair.
“I love anything rose-scented and this is very discreet!” says hairstylist Lona Vigi, who styles Reese Witherspoon’s craveable waves. “For amazing volume, you either mist it on before a blowout or apply wet and air dry. Just remember to ‘fluff’ your hair by flipping over, grabbing the roots and scrunching upwards.”
A step beyond the usual frizz fighter, this treatment goes on before your hop in the shower, soaking in to keep hair smooth and sleek for up to five washes without weighing strands down.
Forget your mother’s ’90s helmet hair—nowadays, hairspray is all about movement. “This hairspray has flexible hold, exceptional memory, and can take heat and repeated brushing. If I could only have one product in my kit, this would be it,” says Ryan Richman, Sarah Hyland’s go-to hair guru.
Colorists have been crazy for Olaplex’s salon products in recent years, thanks to its hair-coddling formula that helps reform some of the molecular bonds within hair that break down during dyeing and other chemical processing. This at-home treatment uses that same formula to keep dry, abused strands looking and feeling healthy between stop-offs with your stylist.
Great hair starts with great tools, like this brush, which uses ionic technology to amp up your shine. “This is always getting stolen from my kit. It tames frizz, flyaways leaves the hair super shiny and bouncy. As soon as I use it, my clients that have longer hair want it immediately,” according to Sascha Breuer, who works with Ellen Pompeo and Sofia Boutella.
Pump up the volume with this velvety spray-on powder, which melts into hair like magic, giving strands lots of grip and texture—a must for everything from ample blowouts to messy buns that won’t fall apart midday.
“This oil is always finding its way out of my bag and into my clients’,” says stylist Matthew Monzon, who works with Anna Kendrick. “It’s one of my all time faves for making hair just a bit undone, but keeping it somewhat controlled.”
“I seriously cannot keep this in my kit,” says Mark Townsend, whose products are purloined by the likes of Gal Gadot and Elizabeth Olsen (not to mention her sisters) “Any time I’m with Mary-Kate and Ashley, I know to bring extra. It’s not just clients that want this—it’s the makeup artists, stylists, and everyone else on set that sees how amazing it works.”
If “gel” gives you flashbacks to crispy, crunchy, ramen-noodle styles of yore, it’s time to open your heart and bathroom cabinet to this silky styler. Infused with a touch of coconut oil, this gel adds soft, touchable definition for perfect beachy waves.
Prep your beach bag the right way, with this smoothing, knot-defying styler. “This is the best detangling spray!” says hairstylist Bobby Eliot, who works with Karen Gillan. “It’s super light and great for blondes that easily tangle. It also has sun protection, so it’s great for after the pool.”
For updos, section styling, and adding some extra oomph to every day looks, consider this teasing brush your secret weapon. “I am obsessed with this brush!” exclaims Aviva Perea, who styles for Rashida Jones and America Ferrera. “The pointy end is amazing for sectioning and the brush is a mix of boar bristles and tourmaline nylon bristles. The nylon bristles do the teasing duty and the boar bristles smooth with ease.”
Curly types can struggle with dry, breakage-prone strands, but not with this rich moisturizer/styling cream combo. Packed with olive and castor oils, this dense cream keeps hair and scalp hydrated and has enough heft to add definition to all sorts of coils.
Miracle is a big claim to throw around, but for those who struggle with knots and flyaways, this drugstore spray is a game-changer. “It is incredibly affordable yet clients often tend to ‘borrow’ it indefinitely,” says Gina Rodriguez’s stand-by stylist Paul Norton. “I love it because it eliminates a huge amount of tangles in seconds when styling from wet or damp hair.”
This hairstylist favorite (we can’t even count the number who’ve recommended it to us) gained its cult status thanks to its ability to give effortless tousled texture that looks like you spent hours on it. “It smells amazing and gives that perfect bed head texture like no other product on the market,” says Gregory Russell, who works his wave magic on Chloe Grace Moretz, Hailee Steinfeld, and Lily Collins.
Moisture and volume is a tough combination to master, but this hair-enhancing elixir pulls it off effortlessly. “I have at least three bottles with me at all times. Recently I worked with a celebrity who took a picture of it, ordered it from her phone, and then I gave her the half empty bottle I was using on her.” says celebrity hairstylist Roque, who has worked with Camilla Belle and Idina Menzel.
For those times you can’t make it into the salon for your regular root touch-up, this subtle powder helps disguise grays and other growing pains. “Every one of my clients is obsessed with this product,” says celebrity stylist Jen Atkin. “It helps to fill in the hairline in a pinch and can even give quick and temporary highlights or lowlights.”
Fight flyaways and those tough-to-tame spots around the hairline with this multi-purpose stick that will keep everything looking neat and orderly. “The smell alone gets client addicted,” says Norton. “Nothing on the market better to control baby hair and edges of highly textured hair.”
“I use it for everything from wig wraps to giant voluminous hair. It’s a great all around product for all hair types because it’s easy to work with and never flakes,” says Luke Chamberlain, who has styled for Zoe Kravitz and Selena Gomez.