View Full Version : your favorite budget-friendly conditioner?
homeschoolmama
April 21st, 2008, 12:48 PM
I finally made the switch to cone-free conditioners. I'd been wondering how my hair would do, and promised myself that I'd watch for a cone-free conditioner as soon as I finished up what was in the shower.
I found a bottle of White Rain's Energizing Citrus at the dollar store, and my hair seems to like it - I'm adding roughly half what I would usually use into my ACV rinses and my hair is coming out soft, shiny & tangle-free. But the list of ingredients is a mile long! And there are things in there that I would hesitate to try & pronounce. So I'm wondering what else is nice out there & has a few less "weird" ingredients, but hopefully not TOO expensive? $8 for 4 ounces is a bit out of my price range.
I suppose it might help to know hair-type, huh? DD & I will be using the same conditioner, and we both have baby-fine, somewhat dry, fragile hair.
love,
mom
wintersun99
April 21st, 2008, 01:00 PM
I think I've fallen for Mane and Tale (haven't tried the shampoo) but my hair really likes the conditioner, right now, and the bottle is huge - I run out of the VO5 stuff really fast.
Violeta
April 21st, 2008, 01:03 PM
I’ve been using Nature’s Gate Chamomile and Pomegranate conditioners for about 2 years almost … mainly because of the none cone thing and not a strong smell, I hate products that kill your nose.
Also there not too expensive, about $4-$5 a bottle.
LeaM07
April 21st, 2008, 02:32 PM
I like Suave conditioners ($1-2?) for everyday CO or WC and Aussie "Deeep" ($3-4?) for deeper conditioning, once or twice a week. I've read lots of people recommend the VO5 ones, but I'm pretty wavy and need that extra bit of slip that Suave gives me.
Riot Crrl
April 21st, 2008, 02:48 PM
Do you have Whole Foods? I swear by the store brand, 365 Everyday Value conditioner. It's cone-free, paraben-free, and you can even get it totally unscented.
I use it to co-wash and detangle, and I do normally follow it with something ridiculously heavy. But, I'm a curly with peroxide damage, lol. If you are doing OK with White Rain then 365 should be plenty moisturizing.
Edit: It's 3 bucks and change for a big old bottle, like around twice the size of normal conditioner bottles.
chloeishere
April 21st, 2008, 03:22 PM
Trader Joe's Nourish Spa conditioner is FABULOUS. 16.9 ounces for $2.49 at any Trader Joe's store. It's supposed to be similar to Giovanni's Smooth as Silk conditioner (which is $7.99 for 8.5 ounces), and I definitely believe it. I have a different form of Giovanni conditioner (50:50 which is VERY thick), and I like it... but for the price difference, the Trader Joe's works literally as well, and smells very similar too. I'd highly recommend it. It's cone-free, but does have some soy protein. It also gives a lot of slip, for a cone-free conditioner!
Shanarana
April 21st, 2008, 03:36 PM
I use Suave, or V05 conditioners for my no-cone choice, shampoo as well. Lot's of yummy flavors. :)
Islandgrrl
April 21st, 2008, 03:47 PM
I'm really loving Nature's Gate Hemp Oil Conditioner. Leaves my hair super soft & shiny!!!
GlassEyes
April 21st, 2008, 03:48 PM
I use Suave or VO5 for conditioner, but I wouldn't touch their shampoos. Too harsh.
Beyond which, I don't use shampoo anymore anyway. xD
1nuitblanche
April 21st, 2008, 04:03 PM
Right now, I'm using tres semme. It seems alright. I got it because the bottle was huge and it didn't cost much--something like 900 ml for 5$.
AlleyKitten
April 21st, 2008, 04:08 PM
Another vote for V05 here.
Delenn
April 21st, 2008, 04:11 PM
Suave and VO5 here, too. Can't get much cheaper, especially when they're on sale. ;)
renarok
April 21st, 2008, 04:11 PM
I know Nioxin isn't cheap, but I use the scalp therapy on my scalp, and VO5 green tea on the length and my hair is very happy, and I hardly shed anymore. I use a little shampoo on my scalp about once a week.
Morticia
April 21st, 2008, 04:15 PM
Sally's Beauty Supply has a brand called CureCare that is fragrance and cone free. It's $8 a gallon and it lasts me a long time.
homeschoolmama
April 22nd, 2008, 06:45 AM
Oooh, thank you!!! Looks like I'm going to have to check out a bottle of VO5. And the Suave Naturals too - with any luck "Natural" may have fewer ingredients?
I checked the distance to the closest Trader Joe's (30 miles, yikes!) & Whole Foods, and it looks like there's a Whole Foods less than 10 miles from my house - and it just happens to be less than a mile from my husbands route to work! I'll definitely give their store-brand a check too. I usually shop at a tiny HFS 2 miles from my house, but all they carry for shampoo is Burts Bees & Avalon Organics - and they're NEVER on sale.
Thank you ALL :)
love,
mom
Patrycja
April 22nd, 2008, 07:03 AM
yet another vote for Sauve.I love the coconut,smells heavenly(cone free too!)
tomm
April 22nd, 2008, 08:03 AM
I found a bottle of White Rain's Energizing Citrus at the dollar store, and my hair seems to like it - I'm adding roughly half what I would usually use into my ACV rinses and my hair is coming out soft, shiny & tangle-free. But the list of ingredients is a mile long!
If you like White Rain, why not try White Rain Extra Body? All of the White Rain products use the same basic formula, most of that "mile long list" of ingredients are minute amounts of extracts.
I think that Walgreen's still carries WREB.
I hope this helps.
Carolyn
April 22nd, 2008, 11:48 AM
White Rain for CO'ing @ a buck a bottle is great. I also like any of the Trader Joe's and Whole Foods 365 conditioners. The have bang for the buck and smell nice too. Can't beat that. Sally's Cure Care is great if you are looking for a protein conditioner. It can also double as a shave cream and a body lotion. :thumbsup:
redhead_rachel
April 22nd, 2008, 11:51 AM
a tub of solid pure coconut oil- which is what I'm now using as a conditioner with my Lush reincarnate solid shampoo
99 pence for 125ml :) And my hair LOVES it!!!! :)
Irishred
April 22nd, 2008, 12:14 PM
For conefree conditioner, I prefer VO5. I also use Suave and White Rain but not real fond of the citrus myself. Of course if my DD helps to pick it out then it is pink or purple :lol: whatever flavors those are ;)
Currently I am using a coney conditioner but my hair seems to like it ok and hey, it was a gift from my sister :)
Bene
November 26th, 2008, 01:00 AM
suave and V05... can't beat a giant bottle for 1.79 and it makes my hair feel nicer than other (far more expensive) conditioners i've tried in the past :D
edit: now that i think about it, i'm sooooo grateful that my hair has cheap taste :p
sahiba
November 26th, 2008, 02:32 AM
Vo5 gets voted from me too.:)
Vitalai
November 26th, 2008, 02:39 AM
Yet another vote for V05. Yummy-smelling and I can stock up at the 99 cents store.
GibsonGirlV
December 2nd, 2008, 07:17 PM
Trader Joe's Nourish shampoo and conditioner is HEAVEN. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!!! They smell wonderful and leave my hair softer and shinier and healthier looking than anything else I've used. I only wish they made a deep conditioner version!
Elphie
December 2nd, 2008, 07:42 PM
I've been a fan of Suave's coconut for years, long before I even discovered LHC. I bought it because it was cheap, I've kept using it because it works and it smells great.
teela1978
December 2nd, 2008, 07:49 PM
I'll add votes to trader joes and whole foods store-brand conditioners. For more coney types I LOVE loreal nutra gloss in the light pink (not dark pink) bottle. It has amodimethicone but its a few ingredients down the list.
marajade
December 2nd, 2008, 07:55 PM
I'll vote for Vo5. I really enjoy all the flavors. Also, for a big bottle for about 5-7 dollars, you can get Mane and Tail conditioner which is awesome.
Sally's Beauty Supply has a brand called CureCare that is fragrance and cone free. It's $8 a gallon and it lasts me a long time.
I'll have to try that-- thanks Morticia!
Tangles
December 2nd, 2008, 08:29 PM
Trader Joe's Nourish Spa conditioner is FABULOUS. 16.9 ounces for $2.49 at any Trader Joe's store. It's supposed to be similar to Giovanni's Smooth as Silk conditioner (which is $7.99 for 8.5 ounces), and I definitely believe it. I have a different form of Giovanni conditioner (50:50 which is VERY thick), and I like it... but for the price difference, the Trader Joe's works literally as well, and smells very similar too. I'd highly recommend it. It's cone-free, but does have some soy protein. It also gives a lot of slip, for a cone-free conditioner!
Thanks for recommending. I am desperately seeking something with slip that is also cone free.
nappywomyn
December 2nd, 2008, 08:56 PM
Sally's Beauty Supply has a brand called CureCare that is fragrance and cone free. It's $8 a gallon and it lasts me a long time.
Eight dollars for a GALLON? Oh, wow! I'll definitely have to see if I can find that!
Buddaphlyy
December 3rd, 2008, 10:17 AM
Eight dollars for a GALLON? Oh, wow! I'll definitely have to see if I can find that!
Yep, I have the SalonCare version called Wild Cherry and I actually got it on sale for less than $7. Sally really does have good deals on products, especially when you buy in bulk or the professional sizes.
intothemist1999
December 4th, 2008, 06:10 PM
White Rain is/was my all time favourite. I could only find a couple of scents locally and my favourite was the Extra Body. Alas, they just stopped selling it in Canada.
At the moment I'm taking some of the pricier ones I have and that I usually use only on the ends (either because of the cost, or the heaviness) and diluting them to see if I can find a replacement for my beloved WR.
cobblersmaid
December 5th, 2008, 09:17 AM
I really like Trader Joe's conditioners, and they are very well priced for as natural as they are. VO5 is alright in a pinch, but I find they cause gunky build up if I use them for too long (and I use shampoo).
Angelina15
December 5th, 2008, 05:28 PM
Right now I'm using the VO5 shampoo and conditioner. My hair loves it, but it seems I run out of it sooo fast. Suave is also pretty good.
Sissy
December 6th, 2008, 08:29 AM
Yep, I have the SalonCare version called Wild Cherry and I actually got it on sale for less than $7. Sally really does have good deals on products, especially when you buy in bulk or the professional sizes.
Oh, cool... I'm going to have to look into Cure Care too. I have a Sally Beauty Card but when I looked there the other night it seemed like they had a lot of cone products. I must have missed the Cure Care... I hope my local Sally's has it!
chrissy-b
December 6th, 2008, 07:06 PM
I recently bought Nature's Gate Hemp Oil Conditioner and out of all the Nature's Gate conditioners, it is by far my favorite. For about $4, it is relatively cheap.
~GypsyCurls~
December 7th, 2008, 06:27 AM
I'm a V05 girl...originally I thought they wouldn't be moisturizing enough, but since I use them to do co washes and don't use shampoo, they work. I do go through bottles pretty quickly, about one every 4 or 5 days but it's so cheap that it doesn't hurt my wallet...I wish I could use Suave since the texture is a bit creamier, but all the ones I've seen have 'cones in them.
I've used many, many conditioners in my time, both cheap and expensive, but V05 works the best for my hair.
~GypsyCurls~
December 7th, 2008, 06:28 AM
crissy-b, I *love* that Hemp conditioner!
morguebabe
December 7th, 2008, 06:31 AM
Yes to Carrots.
I think it's budget friendly its about 7 bucks.
saoriiroas
December 7th, 2008, 10:15 PM
Aussie 3 minute miracle gets my vote! The Aussie moist line is pretty awesome.
I also like Dr. Bronner's Organic liquid soaps. They are 10 dollars a bottle, but you are supposed to dilute it. One bottle lasts me all year, it gets your scalp clean and moisturised. I put vinegar and colloidial silver water in my Dr. Bronners and it turned the soap gelatinous and white. My itchy flaky scalp almost acts normal with regular use.
Alia
December 7th, 2008, 10:40 PM
Suave and VO5 here, too...because they are nice to my hair, smell yummy, and are CHEAP!:joy:
ancilla
December 7th, 2008, 11:12 PM
Suave Tropical Waterfall. I love it because of the scent and because it is surprisingly deep conditioning.
I never thought, ever, that these cheaper conditioners would work so well for my hair.
RocketDog
December 7th, 2008, 11:51 PM
My favorite 'everyday' conditioner is Whole Foods' proprietary brand, 365 Value, the Peppermint formula. It keeps my length soft and frizz-free without weighing down my VERY fine hair. LOVE IT!
I've used the Suave clarifying shampoo/conditioner combo with decent results, but this peppermint stuff has worked wonders since I started using it in October :cheese:
rileysmama32208
December 8th, 2008, 12:07 AM
Sally;s Salon care apple pear... it smells soooo yummy, and i dilute it, so it lasts a while!
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