21 Best Hair Styling Products, According to Experts

“Dry shampoo works great for weave wearers, silk presses, bangs, and short cuts,” says Angela C. Stevens, Emmy award-winning celebrity hairstylist and founder of Conscious Curls. “It works to absorb excess oil,” which can often weigh down your strands. And this pick is an Amazon customer favorite, formulated with nutrient-rich ingredients like argan oil and silk proteins. 

“Apple cider vinegar rinses work to clean debris and buildup,” says Stevens. “It’s a good pre-treatment and can work well for kids.” This rinse also works to soothe the scalp and detox the hair, while repairing damaged follicles. The brand recommends using it twice a week to also help reduce breakage and split ends. 

“When it comes to styling fine hair types—a root lifter/volumizer is a must,” says Stevens. Customers also love this spray because it creates body in the hair without feeling sticky or stiff. This dry finishing spray is also crafted for all hair types and creates instant volume and texture for a sexy bedhead look. 

This leave-in conditioner spray has received a 4.7-star rating and over 6,000 rave reviews from Amazon customers. It’s crafted to add shine, detangle, and prevent breakage. Its formula also works to minimize frizz and lock in moisture by sealing the cuticles. “Nothing else untangled my processed aging hair better than this—I’m seeing barely any hair left on my brush, which is a massive plus for me. 

Tinted color sprays are quick and easy to use, especially when you’re in need of a root touch-up. This best-selling magic root spray will become your new go-to! It’s designed to cover up gray roots in seconds and its lightweight formula won’t leave behind any sticky residue. Choose the shade that best matches your hair color from the 11 options available. 

Listed as one of Steven’s favorite hairsprays, this pick is another great option to have on hand when styling your hair. Its formula provides a great hold that won’t leave your strands feeling crunchy. Its formula includes amp copolymer, an ingredient that provides heat protection, and pro-vitamin B5, which helps to thicken and build volume in the hair. 

“This is a must-have for all hair types,” says Harper. “It creates a barrier between the environment and the style,” he explains. This spray works to combat frizz and humidity, meaning your hair will be protected throughout any climate (cold or high temps). It also includes vitamin E, which nourishes the strands and helps make the hair stronger.  

“​​This is my go-to for so many of the textured styles I work with,” says Harper. “I love that this product gives off a brilliance without the weight.” Its key ingredient is platinum fiber, which coats the hair with a platinum-like shine without adding extra weight. It also works to lift the hair’s natural reflective properties to the surface, leaving behind a glossy finish. 

If you frequently wear your hair in protective styles (braids, weaves, wigs), it’s important to oil your strands from time to time, since it becomes harder for the scalp’s natural oils to reach the tucked away hair. This pick is perfect for keeping your scalp and locks nourished. Crafted with shea butter, tea tree, and jojoba oil, it encourages healthy hair growth while conditioning the scalp.

“One of my favorite hairsprays to work with is this one,” says Dorsey. “I like it because it gives you a billowy and soft finish.” The formula provides 24-hour control that can hold up in high humidity. It also won’t ever leave your hair feeling stiff or crunchy. The brand recommends spraying it on damp hair to build extra body.

“Sometimes, I use this conditioner as a styling agent,” says Dorsey. “It’s great to use in-between washes to add moisture and hydration back into the hair.” The formula is infused with a blend of silk proteins, shea butter, and castor oil. It’s also designed to help strengthen the hair while preventing damage and breakage when using hot tools. 

“This curl gloss is amazing,” says Kendall Dorsey, celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Alicia Keys. “It’s a gloss, but it has a jelly consistency and is super light,” he explains. Formulated with a blend of Brazilian extracts, including passion flower, jicama, and cupuacu, all the ingredients work together to fight humidity and deeply condition for soft and defined curls that hold all day. 

This thickening powder can be used on dry hair to give fine, flat hair types a mega boost. You can apply it to the roots or sprinkle it throughout your hair to add body and texture. The formula is also colorless, odorless, and residue-free, making it safe to use on all hair types and colors.

“I really like this humidity control gel because you can use it on all textures and in all climates,” says Dorsey. Ouidad upgraded their best-selling gel formula by adding in anti-frizz nano technology to prevent the strands from frizzing up while outside. According to the brand, the gel is designed for curly hair textures and works to seal every strand, lock in moisture, and lockout humidity.

This flat iron is a best seller on Amazon and has over 51,000 5-star ratings. It’s designed with high-quality ceramic plates that feature tourmaline crystal ions that help create a shinier and silky finish. The one-inch plate is also great for straightening bangs and targeting hard-to-reach areas at the back of the head. 

Amazon customers love this product for its versatility. You can use it on both your body and scalp to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and debris. It’s formulated with sugar, coconut oil, and a lovely-smelling rose fragrance. “I bought this scrub as a replacement for my very expensive scalp scrub,” wrote one reviewer. “And I might not ever go back. I like the rich texture, gentle fragrance, and it’s a great value in price per oz.”

Designed to treat all types of hair ranging from straight to coily, this spray works like a mini keratin treatment to transform damaged strands. Its ingredients include a unique proprietary anti-humidity complex that helps prevent frizz, add mirror-like shine, and provide heat protection.

With over 25,000 5-star global ratings, this top-rated hair product deserves a spot in your bathroom cabinet. It’s a leave-in styling cream that reduces frizz (up to 72 hours), hydrates, and protects all hair types. “This bond smoother is my secret weapon,” wrote one satisfied Amazon customer. I have bleached over-processed blonde hair, which is thin and prone to breakage and split ends. This product eliminates all frizz, has strengthened my hair, and prevented breakage from styling.”

You read that correctly: This curling iron costs only $21, and you can get it at the drugstore! “This iron has been in my kit for years, and has held up to a ton of abuse,” said Hope Russo, a hairstylist in Mobile, Alabama in a previous interview for Prevention.com. “I love the variable heat settings and the 30-second warm-up time. It’s a steal at the price.”

When it comes to styling your hair, a detangler brush is necessary. And Amazon customers can’t stop writing about this pick, giving it a 4.8-star rating. This brush is designed to gently untangle knots, thanks to its unique soft IntelliFlex bristles. Not only do the bristles glide through the hair easily, but it also massages the scalp while stimulating blood flow, helping to encourage hair growth. The best part? It’s only $8. 

These innovative, handy hair wipes from Nexxus are infused with argan oil for instant frizz taming anytime. Customers loved that they were “so small, they could be tucked in a pocket” and “discreetly tamed flyaways during the day.”