The "drugstore dupe" thread

wavynwild16 · October 2011

I haven't done much searching to see if there is a thread like this already, but I thought it would be a great idea to start a thread where you tell us your favorite, more inexpensive duplicate of an expensive, high end, or hard-to-get product!

That way, we can save money skipping the expensive stuff or experimenting to find that perfect dupe.

I'll start...I'm not a high-end product kinda gal, but I did splurge a little and get some Shea Moisture stuff one time when it was on sale, and I find that I could replace my Smoothie with a little bit of some apricot or coconut oil, which is cheaper and probably more versatile than the Smoothie. It's good to have around, but I won't repurchase (I could whip some homemade concoction up like that, too, since I also have Shea butter sitting in the fridge

). The one expensive product I haven't really found a replacement for yet is a sample of Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream. I think the Free and Clean sulfate free shampoo I ordered from Essential Wholesale comes close, but it's not as cleansing. But, I think it's still a halfway decent alternative.

So, your turn! Share your favorite dupe for that more expensive product.

Mountaincurl · October 2011

It's funny that you started this thread. I was just thinking about how similar FSG is to Curl Keeper and how Garnier PC is similar to KCCC. hehe!

wavynwild16 · October 2011

Ha! That is awesome! I always wanted to get KCCC because it looks and sounds so awesome and intriguing!

At least I know what it's similar to now (and it's something I have tried -- WOO!!

). And I guess I wouldn't like Curl Keeper then -- FSG is kinda a one hit wonder for me. Works great the first time, and then it doesn't like me anymore.

Thanks, MC!! That's so cool. Anyone else care to share, too?

oh.hi.its.steph · October 2011

I agree with Garnier PC being like KCCC! I love it.

I've also found that Spray Gels work like hairspray for me.

My hair is tough to weigh down so I may be the only person that works for, but it's cool since I don't enjoy all the alcohols and such in most hair sprays.
Other than that... hmm. Sleek and Shine is more moisturizing than the Rusk confitioner I spent $20 on.

asianrunner · October 2011

hehe I've got to say the obvious, the GVP conditioning balm is the Sally's dupe of Biolage!

AOMM reminds me of SS CEJ but definitely not the same.

maycon55 · October 2011

I love the gvp conditioning balm. Great moisture without weighing down my hair

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BrettyU · October 2011

I actually just tried joico k-pak revitaluxe and it's almost an exact match for Dove's Intensive Repair in the damage therapy line (I actually prefer the scent compared to joico)

wavysue · October 2011

oh.hi.its.steph wrote: »

I agree with Garnier PC being like KCCC! I love it.
I've also found that Spray Gels work like hairspray for me. My hair is tough to weigh down so I may be the only person that works for, but it's cool since I don't enjoy all the alcohols and such in most hair sprays.
Other than that... hmm. Sleek and Shine is more moisturizing than the Rusk confitioner I spent $20 on.

I've read around here people comparing Ecostyler to KCCC as well. When people compare products this way YMMV because the ingredients are never alike so it's more how the product performs in their hair. I get very different results from KCCC vs Ecostyler because the ingredients are completely different so to me they are nothing alike. Sally's has their versions of "salon quality brands"

wavynwild16 · October 2011

I shouldn't have started this thread -- I'm getting too many good ideas that won't cost me much, and I feel like going on a PJ buying spree!!

Ha ha! It's so funny that you mentioned the GVP, Asianrunner, because I didn't even think about that one when I started the thread, and that's probably the most obvious one!

Steph -- I so have to try spray gels! I experimented a little with them yesterday because I was losing hold and crunch rapidly then, so I sprayed some into my hands and scrunched into dry hair. Turned out okay, but I felt like it didn't really do anything special except make my hair smell nice. I'll probably wind up liking it, since it's an old Suave spray gel that's probably been discontinued since it was sitting under my sink for who knows how long!

I just thought of another one. IAgirl's gelatin PT for Aphogee 2-step. Not that I've tried the actual Aphogee stuff...just her homemade gelatin knockoff.

crwritt · October 2011

wavynwild16 wrote: »

I haven't done much searching to see if there is a thread like this already, but I thought it would be a great idea to start a thread where you tell us your favorite, more inexpensive duplicate of an expensive, high end, or hard-to-get product! That way, we can save money skipping the expensive stuff or experimenting to find that perfect dupe.

I'll start...I'm not a high-end product kinda gal, but I did splurge a little and get some Shea Moisture stuff one time when it was on sale, and I find that I could replace my Smoothie with a little bit of some apricot or coconut oil, which is cheaper and probably more versatile than the Smoothie. It's good to have around, but I won't repurchase (I could whip some homemade concoction up like that, too, since I also have Shea butter sitting in the fridge ). The one expensive product I haven't really found a replacement for yet is a sample of Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream. I think the Free and Clean sulfate free shampoo I ordered from Essential Wholesale comes close, but it's not as cleansing, and the shipping prices are a little steep, but I think it's still cheaper in the long run.

So, your turn! Share your favorite dupe for that more expensive product.

I was just about to buy more Shea Moisture Smoothie (buy one get one 50% off til Nov 5 at Walgreens) and then I read this. How are you using
the Coconut Oil? I've been using the Smoothie as an overnight pre poo and as a leave in.
I've used Coconut oil as a pre poo as well. Never used the Apricot oil. How are you using that?

IAgirl · October 2011

WavyNWild, you can make your shampoo into something very like the JC Cleansing Cream by doing this:
Mix your sulfate-free shampoo about 50-50 with the YTC conditioner. Or maybe 40-50 or 50-40.
Add a little apricot oil (or canola or whatever you have) 2-6 drops

You could use another conditioner, but the YTC has some oils and de-frizzing stuff in it. Judging from the ingredients, this will be very similar to the JCCC.

Auntie Bubbs · October 2011

Is that Yes to Cucs or Yes to Carrots?

IAgirl · October 2011

Auntie Bubbs wrote: »

Is that Yes to Cucs or Yes to Carrots?

Yes to Carrots, but I think either would work.

wavynwild16 · October 2011

crwritt wrote: »

I was just about to buy more Shea Moisture Smoothie (buy one get one 50% off til Nov 5 at Walgreens) and then I read this. How are you using
the Coconut Oil? I've been using the Smoothie as an overnight pre poo and as a leave in.
I've used Coconut oil as a pre poo as well. Never used the Apricot oil. How are you using that?

I use the coconut oil a couple of different ways, though I haven't touched it much lately (darn OC'ing!). I LOVE LOVE LOVE it for pre-poos, and that's my favorite way to use it. I also like it to SOTC with, although I think I like apricot oil a little better for this purpose. One time I layered some over my gel when my hair was feeling very dry, and it turned out amazing! I'm sure it would work great underneath as a moisturizer, too. I use my apricot kernel oil to seal with, to SOTC with, and sometimes when my hair is dry and looking a little wonky, I will scrunch some of that in and it looks and feels so much better! I love the stuff so darn much -- it's nice and light and so perfect and moisturizing! But, I use both oils in pretty ordinary ways.

IAgirl -- thank you for the suggestion! It sounds so tempting, but every time I put condish on my scalp, I get itchy.

BrettyU · October 2011

^^ Wavy have you tried an ACV rinse (75-25 water/tea to vinegar) on your scalp to get rid of the condish? I HAVE to or it will itch to high heavens, then I just reapply a little conditioner or my leave in to the length of my hair (to avoid the smell.)

wavynwild16 · October 2011

BrettyU wrote: »

^^ Wavy have you tried an ACV rinse (75-25 water/tea to vinegar) on your scalp to get rid of the condish? I HAVE to or it will itch to high heavens, then I just reapply a little conditioner or my leave in to the length of my hair (to avoid the smell.)

That is really interesting! I might have to try that! Do you do that every time you wash? I think I would have to, which scares me a little, but I do love doing them from time to time. My scalp has been needing good cleansing every time I wash, too, so I'm not sure if the extra condish would just make me greasy. Also, I have been kinda seeing a correlation between ACV rinses and bad hair, LOL! But I will have to try it at least once and tell you how I like it!!

Thank you for the tip! That is very interesting and I've never thought about doing that.

BrettyU · October 2011

wavynwild16 wrote: »

BrettyU wrote: »

^^ Wavy have you tried an ACV rinse (75-25 water/tea to vinegar) on your scalp to get rid of the condish? I HAVE to or it will itch to high heavens, then I just reapply a little conditioner or my leave in to the length of my hair (to avoid the smell.)

That is really interesting! I might have to try that! Do you do that every time you wash? I think I would have to, which scares me a little, but I do love doing them from time to time. My scalp has been needing good cleansing every time I wash, too, so I'm not sure if the extra condish would just make me greasy. Also, I have been kinda seeing a correlation between ACV rinses and bad hair, LOL! But I will have to try it at least once and tell you how I like it!! Thank you for the tip! That is very interesting and I've never thought about doing that.

Yep ACV every time I wash, I will say that I only wash once a week it could be either a lo-poo or co-wash depending on the week (I alternate.) but from day to day I wash with just water and reapply my conditioner and styling products. My scalp gets itchy and irritated if I attempt to cowash daily or leave conditioner on my scalp. My hair desperately needs the conditioner. To avoid AVC rinses more than once or twice a week if my scalp feels like it needs cleansing or greasy feeling after I just washed I'm a huge fan of using a bit of a waterless shampoo (keeping it off my hair as much as possible) . I really like TRESemmé Fresh Start's waterless foam shampoo for curly hair (not exactly CG it has cocamidopropyl betaine, but I don't really mind because I'm not using it on my hair) My hair thanks me because it gets the benefits of cowashing without the itchy scalp.

I hope that wasn't too confusing.

IAgirl · October 2011

Okay, I have one: Suave Captivating Curls Spray gel (sprayed or poured into your hand, then applied as a regular gel) as a substitute for Deva Care ArcAngel.

Not exactly the same, no glycerin and no oat/wheat peptides or plant extracts - but pretty close. The lack of plant extracts is good for allergy folks anyhow! About $6 for the Suave for 7oz vs around $18 for 12oz for ArcAngel. So $0.85 per ounce vs. $1.50 per ounce.

Not that great a savings per ounce, but they are kind of comparable, hold-wise.

wavynwild16 · October 2011

BrettyU -- I totally see what you're saying now! I might have to incorporate some of your ideas into my routine! Thanks a bunch for explaining that! I actually have Tresemme's waterless foam shampoo for curly hair -- it's been sitting on my dresser collecting dust for a long while! I remember last time I used it, it made me itchy, but I might have to try it again if no "itchy" ingredients jump out at me this time. I remember it leaving my hair a little waxy feeling until it dried, though. Hmm. Oh, and BTW, I couldn't see your avi for the longest time 'cause I was on my Ipod, but your hair is absolutely gorgeous! I love it!

IAgirl -- too cool! The Deva ArcAngel is a regular gel -- no spray -- right? And you know I like the "no plant extracts" part about the Suave, too!

curlybran · November 2011

What is garnier pc? Thank yall so much for this topic!!!!! I am all for things I can get at walmart/Target/cvs/walgreens that's not going to cost me an arm and a leg!!!
I guess I am an odd ball here or maybe its just I've never had the right products but I like my hair crunchy, to me if its not crunchy I think its frizzy/poofy/gross looking it may all be in my head also

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curlybran · November 2011

And when yall are talking about oils, shea butter? I saw Castro oil and coconut oil a lot! Like Castro and coconut cooking oil? I'm so lost!

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Mountaincurl · November 2011

Wavynwild I know this is a bit off topic but i LOVE GF PC! Thanks for convincing me to give it a chance

curlybran · November 2011

Right now I'm switching btwn nutrius cultivate shampoos and conditioner and invigorate shampoos and conditioner, either Michael o'rourke, mane n tail, or suave coconut for leave in conditioner, Aussie freeze or suave gel occasionally suave moose if I'm outta gel, and rave hairspray. If its an Important thing I will use tigi curls rock amplifier instead of gel. wash my hair usually Monday thur and sat, Monday I usually put a lot of conditioner in and leave it and just wear my hair in a pony tail took thur, thur and sat I'm usually going out so I fix it.

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wavynwild16 · November 2011

OMG, MC I am SOOO HAPPY for you!!!!! It's so awesome that you're liking it so much!! You just made my day!!

Mountaincurl · November 2011

I'm so glad

I used it 3 days in a row without having to rotate, which is saying a lot because my hair gets satiated on product pretty easily. I use it over SM C&H curl milk usually.

wavynwild16 · April 2012

Bumping, since I still think this thread needs more love! And...I feel like experimenting with products lately.

Marci Pie · April 2012

Queen Helene Curl Creme is definetly a dupe of KCCC. It's only $4.88 at Food 4 Less (Kroger) and $7.99 at Whole Foods.

diaspora · April 2012

Is the Queen Helene Creme really a cream? KCCC takes way too long to dry in my hair (I don't diffuse), but I loved the effect it had. Cream products tend to dry faster in my hair, though this seems counterintuitive...

smasters467 · April 2012

diaspora wrote: »

Is the Queen Helene Creme really a cream? KCCC takes way too long to dry in my hair (I don't diffuse), but I loved the effect it had. Cream products tend to dry faster in my hair, though this seems counterintuitive...

No, it's more of a gel/gelee. It's not snotty like KCCC, but I get the same curl enhancement. I didn't notice any additional drying time with it either. The biggest difference I noticed is that I don't get the same shine as I do with KCCC and it doesn't promote clumping like KCCC does in my hair.

beeduh · April 2012

I actually really like a few devacurl products. Does anyone know a good dupe for them? I already noticed Suave Captivating Curls is similar to ArcAngel. My hair really likes protein though.

The "drugstore dupe" thread

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