My hair and I are currently in a long-distance relationship with my stylist. I traded New York City for the suburbs and I haven't found a local pro who gets my hair like my tried and true. This means my extra-long, thick hair gets cut only once or twice a year.
When e.l.f.—a brand I've relied on for years for makeup and skin care—announced it was getting into hair care, I had a feeling the products might be exactly what I need to keep my hair healthy between appointments. The collection promises elevated, crowd-pleasing formulas with ingredients I'd expect to find in products with much higher price tags—somehow every item costs $10 or less.
As a beauty writer, I considered it my professional obligation to try the whole lineup (not that I needed much convincing). Let's just say my hairstylist might start wondering whether I've been seeing someone else behind his back. Here are the e.l.f. Hair products I'm loving and how I use them.
When My Scalp and Ends Are Moisture-Deprived
To be honest, I've never considered shampoo and conditioner the most important part of my routine—I tend to think if they lather and condition, they're getting the job done. But this duo reminded me how much the right formulas can influence the rest of your hair day.
If your shampoo leaves your hair stripped or your conditioner isn't moisturizing enough, every styling product you reach for afterward isn't working to its full potential. The Never Thirsty Moisturizing Shampoo has a luxe lather and leaves my scalp feeling refreshed without that tight, squeaky-clean feeling, while the Never Thirsty Moisturizing Conditioner gives my dry lengths enough slip that detangling doesn't feel like a tug-of-war. Pro-vitamin B5 replenishes moisture, argan oil keeps it locked in, and a vegan protein blend leaves hair feeling softer, stronger, and shinier without weighing it down. Best of all, on the days I skip the rest of my routine and let my hair air-dry, it stays smooth with far less frizz than I'm used to.
When Frizz Is in the Forecast
If I'm taking the time to blow-dry my hair, I really prefer it if my style lasts longer than my walk to the mailbox. When my weather app predicts rain, I generously spritz Humidity Hero Anti-Frizz Spray onto clean, towel-dried hair before any other products and before blow-drying. Because it's heat-activated, applying it first allows it to evenly coat every strand, creating an invisible barrier against humidity for the best frizz-fighting results. The formula was inspired by the lotus flower, which is able to thrive in extremely humid environments, helping inspire a formula designed to perform beautifully even in high humidity.
What really sold me, though, was how weightless it feels. There is no sticky residue, no crunchy finish, and no helmet hair. My hair stays soft enough to run my fingers through—it just looks like the best version of itself, even on those brutally humid days.
Shop the e.l.f. Hair Collection
e.l.f. Hair Never Thirsty Moisturizing Shampoo
e.l.f. Hair Never Thirsty Moisturizing Conditioner
e.l.f. Hair 3-in-Wonder Magic Styling Cream
e.l.f. Hair 3-in-Wonder Magic Styling Cream Wand
e.l.f. Hair Gloss Mode Treatment Oil
e.l.f. Hair Humidity Hero Anti-Frizz Styling Spray
When Dull Hair Needs a Glow-Up
I almost always finish styling with hair oil—and Gloss Mode Treatment Oil is nothing like the heavy, greasy formulas I grew up avoiding. I warm three to five drops between my palms and apply them from mid-length to ends before I blow-dry; the formula completely disappears into my hair and gets to work. It's formulated with a blend of squalane, jojoba, and vitamin E for a lightweight finish that won't weigh hair down. The appeal lies in its instant results: My ends appear less scraggly, my frizz settles down, and my hair has that healthy shine I usually only see in the first week or two after a haircut.
Bonus points for the warm vanilla-and-peony scent, which makes this $10 hair oil feel luxe. And can we talk about the bottle? It's cute and compact—it barely takes up any space in my toiletry bag, so it's become one of those products I automatically throw in before a trip for shiny hair on the go.
When My Style Needs Staying Power
As a mom of two young kids, I have about 10 uninterrupted minutes to get ready each morning, so I love a product that multitasks. I smooth the 3-in-Wonder Magic Styling Cream through damp hair before blow-drying for a sleeker finish or work a little through dry hair to tame flyaways. It can also be used on curly hair to enhance definition. It contains creatine which helps strengthen hair, plus the formula provides up to 450°F heat protection.
Then there's the 3-in-Wonder Magic Styling Cream Wand, which has become one of the most-reached-for products in my routine. It's the same creamy, strengthening formula as the tube, just packaged with a tiny mascara-like wand that's perfect for taming flyaways along my hair line and part. It's small enough to live in my purse, so touch-ups after a sticky commute or a windy afternoon run outside take just a few seconds.
Final Thoughts
I still plan on seeing my hairstylist (eventually). But until then, this routine has made my hair look healthier, shinier, softer, and significantly more cooperative. Whether your goal is glossy lengths, smoother blowouts, fewer flyaways, or simply making wash day feel a little more luxurious, this collection proves you don't need a big budget to get there.
Christa is the Lead editor of Birchbox and freelance beauty writer. Born and raised Jersey girl living in a New York state of mind who left her heart in Paris.
