The Best Shampoos for Healthy, Strong, Silky Hair Are Actually All at This Unexpected Store
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You don’t need to spend a lot of money to score an effective shampoo formula that can cleanse your strands of dirt and debris while also supporting hair goals like volume, growth, and repair. In fact, you can find some of the best shampoos at Walmart for ultra-cheap (we’re talking less than $5, in some cases). But, before picking up a bottle that makes big promises, there are a few things to consider to ensure you get a formula that can actually work its cleansing magic.
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Best Shampoos at Walmart, at a Glance
Best Overall: Aveeno Strength & Length Shampoo, $11
Best Strengthening: Native Strengthening Shampoo, $10
Best for Hydration: Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo, $6
Best for Volume: Dove Volume and Fullness Daily Shampoo with Biotin Complex, $6
Best With Biotin: OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Volumizing Shampoo, $6
Best for Scalp Health: Mielle Rosemary Mint Nourishing Strengthening Daily Shampoo, $10
Best for Oily Scalps: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo, $50
Best for Blondes: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Nourishing Purple Shampoo, $5
Best Repairing: Earth Clean Beauty Moisture and Repair Shampoo with Argan Oil & Aloe, $5
Best Hair-Growth Shampoo: Not Your Mother’s Way to Grow Long and Strong Shampoo, $8
Best for Frizzy Strands: Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Salon Sulfate Free Shampoo, $11
Most Versatile: The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair Shampoo, $17
“Budget-friendly shampoos can be harmful to the hair and not fulfill the repair that a professional product can if you don’t choose the right one,” Mario Solis, a celebrity stylist and entrepreneur at The Hair Studio tells us. When shopping for budget-friendly formula, Solis says to be weary of those with a lot of sulfates and silicones which can have a drying effect and result in build-up on strands. “These ingredients can lead to future issues like coloring or evening lightening hair and, sometimes, may even slow down hair growth due to build-up.”
Sharon Dorram, a celebrity colorist and owner at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon, seconds this and says it’s ultra-important to pay attention to shampoo ingredients since not all budget-friendly shampoos are created equal and “harsh chemicals will dry hair and make it brittle.” On top of that, they can shorten the life of hair color, which results in dull, faded strands that lack that luscious commercial-worthy shine.
What to Look for in Budget-Friendly Shampoo, According to Experts
When shopping for the best budget-friendly shampoos, Rogerio Cavalcante, a stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon, says to first consider the overall purpose. “Select a shampoo that aligns with your hair goals,” he explains. Cheap shampoos don’t always have the same premium formulas as their more expensive counterparts, but opting for one designed with a specific purpose in mind (and considering the ingredient lineup—more on that below) can get the job done and help you get one step closer to your hair goals.
Solis says it’s always worth keeping your hair type in mind. “Determining what kind of hair you have will make it so much easier to find an ideal product,” he explains. “For example, fine hair will most likely require a volumizing shampoo, while thick hair [needs] something more smoothing and hydrating.” It’s also a good idea to evaluate your scalp and, depending on whether it’s dry or more oily, reaching for a shampoo formula that can help support your scalp health, too.
Ingredients, of course, are a key player when it comes to the best budget-friendly shampoo formulas. Once you hair an idea of the type of shampoo formulas that address your needs and goals, Solis says to look on the back of the bottle for more insight into what the shampoo is made from, as some ingredients can dehydrate the hair and others can actually overprotein the hair and eventually make it brittle. Depending on your needs, Dorram recommends looking for ingredients such as biotin, coconut oil, aloe, panthenol, olive oil, or argan oil, “which support strong and healthy hair.”
If your hair is professionally colored, Dorram says some shampoo ingredients (especially harsh chemicals) can shorten the life of your hair color. To err on the side of caution, she recommends looking for shampoos that are marked color-sage since these “can help keep your color looking great for longer between salon visits.”
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Walmart is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
The Best Shampoos at Walmart
BEST OVERALL
Aveeno, Strength & Length Shampoo
If you’re looking for the best budget-friendly shampoos at Walmart, the Aveeno Strength & Length Shampoo is our top pick for the bes overall formula. This shampoo is enriched with plant proteins, vegan keratin, and chia seeds to smooth frizz and revitalize damage strands while also strengthening with deep nourishment. The formula is also free from harsh chemicals and low-quality ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and dyes that can cause further damage. And, its formula is designed to soothe and nourishing the scalp, too.
Key Ingredients: Plant proteins, vegan keratin, chia seeds
Fragrance: Macadamia nut, tonka bean, and amber
Best For: Frizzy, damaged hair
Pros
Free from parabens, sulfates, and dyes.
A gentle formula that nourishes and soothes the scalp.
Strengthens strands.
Cons
The nourishing ingredients might be too heavy for fine hair.
BEST STRENGTHENING
Native, Strengthening Shampoo
For damaged strands that need strengthening support, consider the Native Strengthening Shampoo, which comes in the most delicious-smelling almond and shea butter aroma. This budget-friendly shampoo is formulated with just 10 ingredients and free from parabens, silicones, and dyes, making it safe to use on all hair types (though it might feel a little too heavy on some). It’s also a clean beauty shampoo, proving that you can have a highly effective shampoo without harsh chemicals.
Key Ingredients: Not listed
Fragrance: Almond and shea butter
Best For: Strengthening hair
Pros
A paraben, silicone, and dye-free formula.
Clean ingredients.
Formulated for all hair types.
Cons
The formula is a bit heavy for some hair types.
BEST FOR HYDRATION
Pantene, Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo
The Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo is all about adding nutrients and hydration back into the hair — especially if those strands are ultra-dry. Formulated with the brand’s signature Pro-V nutrients (including vitamin B5) plus antioxidants, this shampoo is designed to cleanse the hair and remove buildup while also nourishing strands with a burst of moisture. On top of that, it’s a color-safe formula, so you don’t have to worry about it fading or altering pigments.
Key Ingredients: Pro-V nutrients, vitamin B5, antioxidants
Fragrance: Fresh floral
Best For: Deep hydration
Pros
It’s formulated to replenish dry, lackluster hair with hydration and nutrients.
It costs under $6 for 17.9 ounces.
It’s color-safe.
Cons
It’s not ideal for sensitive scalps.
BEST FOR VOLUME
Dove, Volume & Fullness Daily Shampoo With Biotin Complex
Fine hair types can create a fuller, more voluminous look with the help of the Dove Volume and Fullness Daily Shampoo with Biotin Complex. As its name suggests, this formula is enriched with biotin and designed to provide flat, lifeless strands with an extra oomph. On top of adding volume for a fuller-looking hairstyle, the shampoo also helps reduce frizz and smooths strands for a sleeker finish, too.
Key Ingredients: Biotin
Fragrance: Not listed
Best For: Volumizing hair.
Pros
It smooths strands.
It helps create a fuller-looking ‘do.
Cons
It doesn’t work as well on thick hair.
BEST WITH BIOTIN
Ogx, Thick & Full + Biotin Collagen Volumizing Shampoo
The OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Volumizing Shampoo is our top pick for this category because it combines biotin and collagen together, plus vitamin B7 and hydrolyzed wheat protein to strengthen hair and support growth. On top of that, it doubles as a volumizing shampoo and can help transform hair to create a thicker and fuller effect, all while encouraging it to actually become thicker and fuller.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, collagen, vitamin B7, hydrolyzed wheat protein
Fragrance: Bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla
Best For: Strengthens hair and supports volume
Pros
It’s formulated with biotin and collagen for hair strengthening and thickening benefits.
The formula also adds volume to fine hair types.
It’s sulfate-free.
Cons
The volumizing benefits don’t work as well on thicker strands.
BEST FOR SCALP HEALTH
Mielle, Rosemary Mint Nourishing Strengthening Daily Shampoo
For a shampoo that provides the scalp with a cooling effect, look no further than the Mielle Rosemary Mint Nourishing Strengthening Daily Shampoo. This shampoo formula features aromatic rosemary and mint in its ingredient lineup, which give it its invigorating aroma and help provide a cooling touch on the scalp. On top of that, it also features biotin along with other nourishing ingredients like castor seed oil to encourage hair growth and provide deep nourishment for wavy, curly, and coily hair types.
Key Ingredients: Biotin
Fragrance: Rosemary and mint
Best For: Wavy, curly, coily hair types
Pros
The minty aroma helps create a cooling effect on the scalp.
It’s enriched with biotin for hair strengthening benefits.
It’s also formulated with castor seed oil.
Cons
The shamoo isn’t gentle enough for sensitive scalps.
BEST FOR OILY SCALPS
Paul Mitchell, Tea Tree Special Shampoo
The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo is another cooling shampoo that, in addition for providing a tingly sensation on the scalp, is formulated with ingredients idea for oily scalps. This shampoo formula is enriched with tea tree oil, which is known for its ability to break down oils and can, therefore, target excess buildup on oily scalps. Because of that, it can provide a deeper clean and may even allow you to get to day three hair without the need to rinse and repeat.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, peppermint, lavender
Fragrance: Tea tree, peppermint, lavender
Best For: Deep cleaning oily scalps and targeting excess sebum.
Pros
It’s enriched with tea tree, which breaks down oils.
It provides a tingly effect on the scalp.
It deep cleans.
Cons
The tea tree might irritate sensitive scalps.
BEST FOR BLONDES
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Nourishing Purple Shampoo
If you have blonde hair and are prone to brassiness, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to revitalize your strands. Instead, reach for this L’Oréal purple shampoo, which costs under $5 at Walmart. The formula is enriched with purple pigments to help cut through brassiness and refresh blonde color as well as salicylic acid to support scalp health. On top of that, it has some additional nourishing ingredients like coconut oil which can help replenish bleached hair for softer, smoother, more moisturized strands.
Key Ingredients: Purple pigments, Salicylic Acid
Fragrance: Not listed
Best For: Reducing brassiness in blonde hair.
Pros
It’s enriched with salicylic acid to support scalp health.
The pruple pigments help cut brassiness in blondes.
Cons
Since it’s enriched with nourishing oils, it might clash with oily hair types.
BEST REPAIRING
Earth Clean Beauty, Moisture & Repair Shampoo With Argan Oil & Aloe
The Earth Clean Beauty Moisture and Repair Shampoo is designed to repair damage-prone hair, thanks to an impressive blend of clean ingredients. Formulated with argan oil, aloe, quinoa protein, rice protein, flaxseed oil, and coconut oil, this budget-friendly shampoo from Walmart restores vital nutrients to help support hair health, while also strengthening and promoting healthier hair with every wash.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, aloe, quinoa protein, rice protein, flaxseed oil, coconut oil
Fragrance: Aloe
Best For: Restoring moisture and repairing damage-prone hair.
Pros
It features lots of nourishing, clean ingredients
It’s free from sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, and dyes.
It protects against breakage.
Cons
We honestly can’t think of any!
BEST FOR HAIR GROWTH
Not Your Mother's Way to Grow Long and Strong Shampoo
Hair experts love the Not Your Mother’s shampoos for their budget-friendly and effective formulas — and the Way to Grow Long and Strong Shampoo certainly impresses. This shampoo formula features key ingredients such as vitamin B5, keratin, and biotin to support hair health while also encouraging hair growth. The ingredients work together to not only create an ideal environment for hair to grow long and strong (hence the name) but they also help stimulate the follicles to help kick things into high gear, too.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B5, keratin, and biotin
Fragrance: Red apple
Best For: Hair growth
Pros
It’s formulated with ingredients that support hair growth.
It lathers well for an easy application.
Cons
Some might not prefer the red apple scent.
BEST FOR FRIZZY STRANDS
Kristin Ess, The One Signature Shampoo
The Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Salon Sulfate Free Shampoo is a go-to for targeting frizz, thanks to its deeply hydrating formula featuring key ingredients such as avocado oil, castor oil, mango seed buter, and sunflower seed oil. In addition to taming frizz, this shampoo can also replenish moisture levels and promote shine for a sleeker-looking ‘do. Plus, it looks and smells like a luxury shampoo formula for a fraction of the cost.
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, castor oil, mango seed butter, and sunflower seed oil
Fragrance: Ambrette seed, magnolia, pear water, night violet, orris butter, new caledonia sandalwood, and white amber
Best For: Targeting frizz, improving moisture levels, and promoting shine
Pros
It features deeply nourishing ingredients.
It promotes shine.
Cons
It might be too heavy for fine hair types.
MOST VERSATILE
The Ordinary, Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body & Hair
If you’re on the hunt for a versatile option and love a two-in-one situation, experts also recommend The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair Shampoo. This shampoo and body wash combo is enriched with a 4 percent concentration of sulphate which can help provide an ultra-deep clean — similar to that of a clarifying shampoo — that is powerful enough to remove buildup. Since suplhates can dry out the hair, we don’t recommend using this on dry or dehydrated strands. Instead, it’s more ideal for scalps with excess oil or product buildup.
Key Ingredients: Sulphate
Fragrance: Citrus and floral
Best For: Deep cleaning hair and body
Pros
It provides a deep cleanse that is powerful enough to remove build-up.
You can use it on your hair and body.
Cons
Sulphates can be drying, so it’s not ideal for parched strands.
Experts in This Article
Mario Solis: A celebrity stylist and entrepreneur at The Hair Studio
Sharon Dorram: A celebrity colorist and owner at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon
Rogerio Cavalcante: A stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon
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