10 Iconic Hair Products—and Their Super-Affordable Drugstore Dupes

Hunting down the
perfect hair product (or entire regimen for that
matter) deserves its own Olympic category. First of all, there are
about 2.5 million products out there boasting just as many—or
more—lofty prerogatives. Heck, even if we’re just looking for the
most basic of shampoos or hair serums, we’re met with aisle after
aisle of glittering options and little guidance save for very
alluring, often too-good-to-be-true product claims and lots (and
lots) of at-home trial and error. Thus, if you’ve managed to nail
down the perfect hair routine for your hair type, you’re clearly a
talented sorceress—please share!

Of course, there
are some hair products so well-known and equally beloved by
nitpicky consumers and hair pros, they’ve essentially earned icon
status within the hair industry. Totally fabulous if you have the
financial flexibility to add them all to your hair queue, but
totally frustrating if you’re seeking A+ results with limited
budget bandwidth, which, let’s be honest, is quite a few of
us.

Static-prone, dry-hair season is on the cusp of arrival, so we
decided to kill two birds with one stone here by not only
celebrating 10 of the best hair formulas in the industry but
offering up 10 similar drugstore formulas mimicking said spendier
sisters in formula and results. Keep scrolling for 10 amazing hair
products and their top-notch dupes that await your thirsty
tresses.

Savings:
$15. How they’re similar: Despite the fact there’s a new dry
shampoo launch practically every day, Drybar’s beloved formulas
still remains a consistent best seller. But considering how much
dry shampoo we spritz, $23 per pop ends up being quite the hair
investment. The formula is so good it’s definitely worth it, but if
you’re looking to save some money, this one from OGX has a similar
scent to Drybar’s signature mix of sandalwood, vanilla, and
jasmine, and it’s also fortified with protein and collagen-rich
plant-derived ingredients to absorb oil and boost volume.

Savings:
$31. How they’re similar: Beauty lovers and pro-hair artists alike
fawn over anything and everything bearing the Davines name, but
this ultra-smoothing formula (which is extra great for those with
thick, curly, or frizz-prone hair) is one of the brand’s all-stars.
However, this set from Garnier features the same hero ingredient
(olive!) to saturate hair with shine-promoting vitamins and
nutrition.

Savings:
$59. How they’re similar: Like Christophe Robin’s iconic
rose-spiked duo, this new debut from Carol’s Daughter also targets
limp, volume-lacking hair and utilizes cactus rose water to infuse
the hair with a lush hit of volume, moisture, and body.

Savings:
$25. How they’re similar: Trust us when we say no other Sunday
night self-care ritual is quite as luxurious as an OG hot oil
treatment. Like Phyto’s luxe ampoule’s VO5’s cult-faves feature a
rich blend of vitamins and nutrients to transform lank,
moisture-deprived strands almost instantaneously.

Savings:
$18. How they’re similar: We love a good root concealer to help us
procrastinate booking our next color appointment, and even though
there are lots of different formulas (from powders to pens to
liquids), we think sprays work best. We’re obsessed with Rita Hazan
holy-grail formula, but considering the immense savings, this
cheaper version from L’Oréal offers a similar range of colors and
a satisfying result.

Savings:
$4. How they’re similar: Okay, okay so the savings
here aren’t THAT significant, but if you find yourself in closer
proximity to an Ulta or drugstore (versus a Sephora), you can snap
up this fan fave from It’s a 10 and gain all the mane-transforming
hair perks. Both formulas contain strategic healing ingredients
like almond oil, algae extract, and vitamins galore. And on a
personal note, this drugstore mask singlehandedly kept the hair on
my head after a bleaching disaster years ago.

Savings:
$28. How they’re similar: Actually, this heat-protecting spray from
TRESemmé might be even more famous than its similar sister from
IGK. That said, both are heat-activated, designed to smooth and
defend the hair against heat damage, and replicate the in-demand
benefits of spendy professional keratin treatments.

Savings:
$21. How they’re similar: You’re either team salt spray or not, but
if you’re into perfectly salty beach waves, chances are you’ve
heard of (or own!) Bumble and Bumble’s cult-classic formula. Not
Your Mother’s makes a super-comparable dupe that’s also made with
dead sea salt and kelp for that perfectly imperfect mermaid
finish.

Savings:
$32. How they’re similar: To be honest, this affordable spray from
Kristin Ess is the best dry texturizer I’ve ever used, and I know
plenty of other beauty editors (with all different hair types) who
150% agree. That said, Oribe’s is legendary and amazing as well.
Alas, if you’re looking to save some money this winter and still
reap the perfect piece-y result, this Target find is a must.

Savings: $20.
How they’re similar: Both of these curl-elongating formulas are
fabulous and have the same intention: to minimize natural cirl
shrinkage and to deliver shiny, ultra-defined twists and coils. The
main difference comes down to their formula—Devacurl’s favorite
relies on coconut oil while the latter option from Shea Moisture
utilizes cocoa butter, flaxseed oil, and red palm oil to achieve a
similar result at a fraction of the price. Up next: The 7
Most-Wanted Face Creams—and Their Less Expensive Drugstore
Dupes