Style Hair The Holy-Grail Hair Products Our Editors Can’t Live Without Including a miracle blow-dry spray, blonde-boosting repair mask, and drugstore dry shampoo that doesn't dry out your strands. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on January 9, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Southern Living The only way to figure out what hair-care products are going to give you the results that you want is to try them out on your own strands. A task that can be nerve-wracking if you're attempting a new styling mousse before heading out to dinner plans or expensive if you're blindly buying every product on the shelf. That's why when we find something that works—or has worked for our mothers and best friends—we tend to stick to it. If you're looking to refresh your hair-care routine or find something new, these recommendations have been dubbed "must-haves" by the Southern Living editors, whether it's a blowout spray that gives major shine, a hair mask that boosts your blonde, or a drugstore dry shampoo that doesn't dry out your strands. Here are the best hair products Southern Living editors buy again and again. L'Oreal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water 4.5 L'Oreal Paris View On Amazon "This is my cost-savvy secret weapon to looking like I got a salon blow-out. It's super affordable and really makes your hair so smooth and silky," says Senior News Editor Rebecca Angel Baer. "I actually need to order some more right now." Price at time of publish: $10 Pureology Hydrate Shampoo 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Sephora "I have used this shampoo and conditioner for years, and it's the BEST. I can always tell a difference in my hair texture—smoother, softer—when I use it." —Assistant General Manager Anna Price Olson Price at time of publish: $36 Bumble and bumble Don't Blow It Fine Hair Air Dry Styler Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Walmart View On Sephora "I am not a fan of blow-drying my hair (or really styling it at all), but this air-dry cream makes me look like I did. You don’t need a ton of product, so it’s a good investment that lasts and lasts. Plus, it smells amazing, which is a non-negotiable for me." —Associate Digital Editor Mary Shannon Wells Price at time of publish: $32 OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Decadent Creamy Mousse Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ulta "This is the only product for curly hair I use now, and I've tried probably every single one on the market," says Senior Digital Editor Kimberly Holland. "It defines the curl without making it crunchy, and the second-day curl still looks well-defined." Price at time of publish: $8 L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target "Hair spray is one thing that doesn't need to be fancy, as long as it works. I've yet to find a more reliable and easy-to-find option than the classic L'oreal Elnett Satin. It's beloved for a reason." —Associate Digital Editor Kaitlyn Yarborough Price at time of publish: $13 Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sephora "If you have fine, flat hair, this is so worth it. It's the only thing that can give my hair any kind of 'oomph,' and it smells great." —Homes and Features Editor Betsy Cribb Price at time of publish: $24 Verb Ghost Weightless Hair Oil 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sephora "My hair with this hair oil versus my frizzy, dehydrated hair without it? Those are two different manes. It's weightless, super smoothing, and works great on both wet and dry hair in my experience. I won't go out of town or to an event without it." —Associate Digital Editor Kaitlyn Yarborough Price at time of publish: $20 Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Purple Intense Repair Hair Mask Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sephora "This mask is made for blondes, and my hair looks visibly brighter after using. Use once a week!" —Assistant General Manager Anna Price Olson Price at time of publish: $40 Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase 4.8 Sephora View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart "I think sleeping on a silk pillowcase is one of the kindest things I have done for my hair. I have always been a part of the frizzy-hair club, and for whatever reason, the Slip silk pillowcase helps tame my fly-aways," says Editorial Fellow Mary Alice Russell. "My mom gave me mine for Valentine's Day a few years ago, and I am a forever fan!" Price at time of publish: $88 Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart "When I wear my hair curly, it gets pesky little knots everywhere. This stops the knots—and my tears, because I'm very tender-headed!" —Senior Digital Editor Kimberly Holland Price at time of publish: $37 OGX Extra Strength Refresh Revitalize Argan Oil of Morocco Dry Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart "It's not uncommon for me to try to put off washing my hair as long as I can manage, and dry shampoo is the only thing that saves my flat roots. This argan-infused drugstore option doesn't leave my strands feeling dry as the desert, but still absorbs oil and gives new lift at the roots. Plus, you can usually find travel sizes to take on-the-go!" —Associate Digital Editor Kaitlyn Yarborough Price at time of publish: $11 Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora "This says it's for blowouts specifically, but it works for all heat styling, so I use it with my hot comb all the time. It protects my hair like no other heat styling product, and I've tried many. It's a splurge, but worth it for someone who uses damage-producing hot tools often." —Senior Digital Editor Kimberly Holland Price at time of publish: $69 Freatech Shampoo Brush for Scalp Care and Hair Growth Amazon View On Amazon "This might sound odd, but this shampoo brush (also scalp massager) has totally became a staple in my shower routine. As someone who uses dry shampoo regularly, product build-up is real, so this helps lather shampoo way more effectively than I ever could with my hands. Plus, it's said to stimulate hair growth!" —Associate Digital Editor Kaitlyn Yarborough Price at time of publish: $8 Conair Infiniti Pro Flat Iron Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Belk.com "This straightener is hands-down the best one I’ve ever used. I’ve tried much more expensive tools and always return to this one that I’ve used since high school," says Digital Editor Jenna Sims. "I have naturally curly, frizzy hair, and this straightener quickly removes frizz and my hair stays straight for days after use." Price at time of publish: $31 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit