There’s a lot of debate online about whether salon-quality or drugstore curly hair products are best. You’ll see some stylists saying, “Drugstore products are fine,” and others saying, “If it’s not salon-grade, it’s not worth it.” Meanwhile, there’s you, standing in the Target aisle, staring at Cantu, Shea Moisture, Garnier, and Aussie, wondering what’s actually going to work for your curls and not break the bank.

The truth is, where you buy your hair products has nothing to do with the quality. It’s all about ingredients and how concentrated the formula is.

As a curly hair stylist in Jacksonville, I’ve seen every routine under the sun, from full-salon product lineups to $3 bottles from CVS. So, let’s finally break the debate.

Disclaimer: I am not here to shame you for shopping at Target, Walmart, or Walgreens. It’s completely okay to buy drugstore curly hair products. Not all “drugstore” brands are bad and not all salon-quality products will be right for your hair.

Why Concentration Matters

A full bottle is filled with the things you actually need and want for your curls, not just water and filler. With concentrated products, a little goes a long way. You’re not squeezing out giant handfuls of shampoo or half a bottle of gel just to see a result. 

So yes, you may snag a product for $3, but you’re going to use more of it to get the same results. When you start using a bottle a week or going through three bottles a month, that price starts to add up quickly. By the time you’ve replaced that bottle a few times, you might as well have invested in a more concentrated product that actually lasts. Most of my clients are shocked when they switch and realize one bottle can last them months instead of a week or two.

Not All Alcohols (Or Silicones) Are Evil

Here’s where things get confusing if you’re trying to figure this out alone. You’ll see people on TikTok yelling, “No alcohol! No silicones! No this, no that!” and it can feel overwhelming. Chemists use different types of alcohol for different reasons. Some are naturally drying and can roughen up the hair cuticle over time. Others are “fatty alcohols” that are actually conditioning and help your curls feel soft and smooth. Some are used as binding agents to keep the product stable, so they’re not there to dry your hair out — they’re just supporting the formula.

Silicones are similar. Some stylists and influencers love them because they make the hair look shiny and frizz-free. Others avoid them because they can build up if you’re not clarifying and can make hair feel coated. There isn’t one universal rule here. Some ingredients don’t work great for certain curls and some absolutely do. You’ve got to find what works for your hair, not just what works for a stranger on the internet.

Drugstore Curly Brands I Actually Like

All that said, I am not anti-drugstore. There are some genuinely good options on the shelves if you know what to look for and you pay attention to how your hair responds.

Rizos Curls

Rizos Curls is one of my favorite curly hair brands. You can find it at Target, and their formulas are generally curl-friendly without needing half a bottle to get slip or definition. They have a nice range of products, so most curlfriends can find something that fits their routine.

The Doux

The Doux is another line I like, especially their curly styling products. They’ve got gels, custards, mousse, and foams that give a good range of hold and definition when you pair them with a solid washday routine. If you like a little more structure to your curls or you’re playing with definition versus volume, The Doux can be a fun option.

Miss Jessie’s

Miss Jessie’s is a brand I haven’t personally used, but a lot of my clients really like it. You’ll typically find Miss Jessie’s at Walmart, Target, or Walgreens. I’d say they lean one tick closer to “heavy,” so if you have very fine hair you might not love that feeling. But if your hair thrives on richer products, they can work really well.

Redkin

And then you have Redken, which is technically a salon brand, but you can find it at Walmart, Walgreens, Amazon, pretty much everywhere now. That’s a good example of salon-quality formulas living in a drugstore space — so the location doesn’t always tell you everything about the quality.

For the record, I’m not directly affiliated with any of these brands, though I do have an Amazon affiliate store, so I can recommend anyone I truly like. (Not that I’m opposed to an affiliate setup with my favorites that I use everyday in the salon…hint hint, guys.) 

It’s Not About Price, It’s About What Products Work For You

You don’t have to throw away every product you own and start from zero. It is okay to buy drugstore products. Truly! You just want to be mindful of your ingredients, how your hair feels, and how fast you’re going through that bottle.

If your curls feel dry, coated, or like they only look good on day one and then fall flat or frizz out, it might be time to upgrade what’s in your routine, even if it’s just one product at a time.

To make it easier, I’ve put together an Amazon list of my favorite curly products. You’ll find options at different price points and some that you can also grab locally at places like Target and Walgreens, so you’re not locked into one budget or one store.
And if you’re in Jacksonville, FL, come in for the Signature Curl Experience. We’ll go through your current routine, try out some different brands together, and find the products that actually work for your curls, your lifestyle, and your budget. Better quality doesn’t have to mean complicated — just more intentional, more concentrated, and a whole lot kinder to your curls.