This post was so popular I decided to separate my beauty and fashion posts into their own blog.

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From working in a pharmacy, I’ve learned that Brand isn’t always better.  There are tons of cheap alternatives out there if you only look at the ingredients.  Here are some that I use and keep my hair care costs down.  (Note:  Images not to scale)

Brand: Biosilk Smoothing Serum, 5.64 oz, Amazon.com:  $19.19

Alternative: FX Silk Drops Serum 4 oz. Amazon.com:  $3.79

It has the main silicone-based ingredients as Biosilk plus Vitamin E , Panthenol Vitamin B5, Retinyl Palmitate Vitamin A and Silk Protein, as well.  Smells great!

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Brand: Federick Fekkai Straight Away Straightening Balm, 4oz,  Bath and Body Works:  $17.50

Alternative: Loreal Artec Kiwi Color Reflector Blow Serum, 8.4 oz, Beauty-Mart.com:  $9.69

With the same main smoothing and heat protecting ingredients, hydroxypropyl guar and demethicone, Kiwi Color provides a great no-build up, light fruity smelling product.  I got it for $5 on sale at my local convenience store and the bottle is twice as big as my Fekkai tube.

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Brand: CHI Keratin Mist, 12 oz., Target:  12.99

Alternative: One ‘n Only Ceramic Silk Curling Iron Glaze, 8 oz.,  Sally Beauty:  $5.99

Amino Acids from Protein in hair products is overrated.  It’s the glazing and protection that matters.  Ceramic Silk does it just as well as the well-known CHI brand.

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Brand: TIGI Catwalk Headshot Reconstructive Intense Conditioner 6.76 fl oz, Drugstore.com:  $16.50

Alternative: Tresemme Smooth & Silky Deep Smoothing Masque, 8 oz., Amazon.com:  $3.49

Newsflash!   You can’t “repair” damaged hair.  It’s already dead.  But you can use emollients, Keratin Amino Acids, Vitamin E, Vitamin H and Silk Proteins to smooth frizzy and unruly hair.  In just 5 minutes, this rinse out treatment will leave your hair smoother, shinier and more manageable.

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Brand: Expensive shampoos and conditioners: Matrixx, CHI, Biolage, etc. Everywhere: $alot

Alternative: The best shampoos and conditioners I’ve used is Infusium.  It’s in most grocery and convenience stores and it’s about half the cost as those huge name brands.

Tressemme shampoos and conditioners are also good if you’re on a budget.  They have huge 64 oz bottles of professional quality shampoo and conditioners for even cheaper than Infusium.

Hope this article helped.  Post comments if you have hair tips or product raves of your own!