10 best hair care products under £15, according to a beauty writer

This is the best curl cream I’ve ever used, hands down. It’s thick, creamy and a little really does go a long way. One tub lasts around three months if using it twice a week, bringing the cost down to quite a measly amount. Coconut oil, shea butter and honey work as the three key ingredients, alongside glycerin, mango seed butter and a whole host of hydrating oils, making it a dream for dry, dehydrated locks. And the scent is sweet without being sickly, an added bonus for achieving that clean girl aesthetic. After showering, simply rake through with your fingers and allow to air dry. Soft, shiny curls will start to form without any crispiness.

No matter whether you’re a daily curler, straightener or blowdryer or leave your locks au naturale, a set of good clips will always come in handy. With tiny teeth for exceptional grip (even on the shortest, wispiest of hairs), easy opening and a lightweight material that doesn’t drag down in any way, they’re by far one of the best tools I’ve used for an extra helping hand when styling, drying or even clipping up fringes before showering. Coming in at under £10, they’re a real bargain buy that will last an incredibly long time. Just be sure to store them safely lest you lose one.

(Faux) blonde hair is notorious for fading, whether it turns more ginger, brassy or even sometimes even a soft shade of green. But luckily, there are a number of blonde-enhancing products that help to keep the colour looking and feeling fresh, including this fabulous purse-friendly pick from John Frieda.

Created by colourists, it claims to lighten, enhance shine and gently cleanse the hair. And after a few weeks of use, I’m sure I’ve noticed my hair become a bit of a brighter blonde. So, if it can prolong the time between professional colour treatments, it definitely deserves a spot in any blonde beauty buff’s basket.

If you’re looking to truly save on beauty buys, supermarkets can be a great place to shop, and this hair mask is just one great example. Named a repair mask, it does exactly as it says on the tin: revive lacklustre locks, add more shine and hydrate dry ends. Cetearyl alcohol is one of the main ingredients, which, contrary to most alcohol-like attributes, actually helps with hydration and texture. Coconut oil, glycerin and argan oil are also added, helping build moisture levels, and any hair type is sure to reap the rewards of this nourishing cocktail. Using just once a week is enough to see a difference in the level of softness, trust me.

Coily hair products can be incredibly expensive, so it’s great to see Wakati offers a more affordable option. Infused with oils, including olive and jojoba and packed full of glycerin, it’s main aim is to hydrate. As it’s on the heavy side, the brand recommends it for hair types 3a – 4c that can handle this much moisture. Although its main aim is to hydrate, it also reduces frizz, adds shine and boosts slip while smelling rather lovely, so it’s a bit of a one-stop-shop for post conditioning styling.

A paddle brush is an essential for almost every hair type, and this Babyliss option works wonders. With fairly long, firm bristles, it works its way through even thick hair without too much tugging, while a cushioned back helps to add shine. Of course, be sure to follow all top brushing tips: start in small sections from the bottom and work your way up; keep it clean and avoid brushing when wet, and it’s sure to help with your healthy hair routine.

If it’s thicker hair you’re after, take a look at Thix. Formulated for all hair types and genders, the caffeine conditioner combines proteins and vitamins that help stimulate follicle growth and, in turn, leave you with thicker, fuller locks. While caffeine helps to kickstart growth, plant keratin strengthens strands and a cocktail of vitamins C, B3 (niacinamide) and E helps the hair to hold onto moisture, increase blood circulation to the scalp and support healthy hair growth. So a lot of science is packed into one bottle.

It also has a minty fresh scent which really wakes you up in the morning, and, for me, I’ve noticed the small strands of baby hair around the front of my face are less wispy and seem to grow at a faster rate.

No matter if your stands are curly, straight or on the finer side, this finishing cream is sure to work wonders. A styling treatment and leave-in conditioner all in one, it helps heal dry locks and seal split ends while taming frizz and adding shine. It contains a cocktail of hair loving ingredients, including glycerin, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed extract and sea buckthorn oil, helping it to nourish dry and dehydrated strands without weighing them down.

For thicker, longer hair, you’ll want to apply a more generous amount when damp and a little extra when dry to really whip it into shape. And for finer locks, less is more so start off with just one pump and work your way up as needed. It really is a one stop wonder for almost every hair type.

Scalp cleaning has become a bit of a beauty buzz term in recents months with scalp scrubs, drops and oils all being dubbed as must-have hair care buys. A clean scalp will not only rid the hair of any product build up and reduce any unwanted flakes of skin but also help the hair to grow thicker and stronger without any of these things blocking the follicle.

This Hair Proud hair mask is a great first step in any deep clean routine and really easy to use. Once every two weeks, or more if preferred, pop it onto the scalp for ten minutes before shampooing and I promise your hair will feel squeaky clean without being dry or tight.

If you’re after an everyday shampoo and conditioner (or every other day, as we shouldn’t be overwashing our hair), then Dove is sure to tick a lot of boxes. While it may not have the bells and whistles of some of the fancier options, it does keep hair feeling silky soft. Specially tailored to damaged locks, it helps to reduce knots and tangles and keep breakage to a minimum. And, at under £5 for the set, it’s definitely a bargain buy.