Hair Serums protect the hair from pollution and harsh weather to frequent heat styling and hair colouring. There are numerous reasons as to why the hair might be damaged, breakage-prone and frizzy. And not to mention the seasonal change that is also one of the reasons for hair damage. It doesn’t matter if you oil your hair, shampoo it, and use conditioner, because it is important to finish that hair care routine with a hair serum that jam packs all the moisture and vitamins in your hair. They act as the barrier to keep the moisture and protect the hair from the dirt and pollution.

Hair serums come in various price ranges. However people believe that the quality of the product depends on the price, that is, higher the price range, better the quality. This is neither false nor true. Yes, products with a higher value are good in quality because of the brand value and formulations used, whereas, that does not indicate that the product that is inexpensive isn’t of a good quality. There are numerous products in the market that come under the budget-friendly price range and still have excellent quality with great formulations, it all depends on trial and error, reviews and influencer reviews. Here are some budget-friendly hair serums that are great in quality:

1. BBlunt Moisture Hair Serum

This serum definitely has quite the reputation in the hair care industry for its brand value and quality. The BBlunt hair serum comes in a 75ml bottle with a pump that helps keep the product in the bottle sanitary and easy to use. It gives hair the ultimate protection from not just dirt and pollution but also from the heat that is used in styling the hair. This can be used after showering, on wet hair or before styling your hair.

Price: Rs. 390/- for 75ml

2. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum

Garnier has been in the hair care industry for over a decade with alot of ups and downs. Their products are not all chemical free, despite which they have been in demand for the quality and outcome for using their formulated products. Among these is their fructis sleek and shine anti frizz hair serum. This product is the best for, as the name suggests, to handle and tone down the frizziness of the hair. It is best to use this serum during the monsoon season, when the hair tends to get frizzy due to the humidity change. Though the price range may seem quite high, the quantity of the product will last about 2 to 3 months, regardless of factors such as hair length, hair volume and hair texture. One pump of the serum can go a long way when applied perfectly to the hair in strokes.

Price: Rs. 1,220/- for 100ml; Rs. 1,875/- for 150ml

3. Innisfree Camellia Essential Hair Oil Serum

Innisfree is a South Korean cosmetics brand owned and founded by Amore Pacific in 2000. The brand name derives from Irish poet W. B. Yeats’ poem, ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’. This brand aims to live in harmony with nature, that is all their products are eco-friendly and natural. Their products show the benefit of using what is available in nature to help achieve a better, healthier and natural glowing skin and hair. Their most famous hair care product is their ‘Innisfree Camellia Essential Hair Oil Serum’ which offers double treatment with fermented camellia oil to provide nourishment to damaged hair and Jeju camellia oil that is absorbed deep into damaged hair to coat the cuticles. It also gives protection and a luscious look to heat styled hair.

Price: Rs. 900/- for 100ml

4. Livon Hair Serum

Livon hair serum has been in the market for as long as hair serums were introduced in the market. It controls frizz, static hair, and protects the hair from any external damage such as heat styling, hair breakage while combing, etc. Most commonly used to detangle the tangled hair avoiding hair fall and hair damage. It is till date considered one among the best hair serums at the lowest price. They have a range of hair serums as per requirement of the consumer and hair types, which make it convenient to choose from the lot, what best suits the individual’s hair. The quantity of the product will last upto 2 months with just 2 to three drops of the serum.

Price: Rs. 120/- for 50ml

5. L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Lipidium Serum

Who has not heard of L’Oréal? It was launched in the year 1909 and has been a favourite for many over the years, and definitely a personal favourite for many hair stylists in the makeup and film industry. They came out with their ‘Absolut Repair’ hair care collection in 2015 and have had a hike in their hair care sales ever since. Among those products the one that made it to every hair enthusiast list was the ‘Absolut Repair Lipidium Serum’ which was specially formulated for dry and extremely damaged hair. Their price range may seem on the higher side, but on using it is evident that the quantity of the serum nearly lasts for 45 to 50 days, easily.

Price: Rs. 620/- for 50ml

6. Matrix Biolage Smoothproof 6-in-1 Deep Smoothing Serum

Biolage serums are one of the best serums when looking to bring moisture to your hair. Their serums are 6 in one, where it helps fight dryness, frizzness, repairs damaged hair, adds shine and gloss to the hair, and so much more. What makes this product even more desirable is that it is completely paraben free. The serum is enriched with avocado and grape seed oil which helps keep the hair moisturised and healthy.

Price: Rs. 299/- for 100ml

7. Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Peptide Repair Rescue Nutri-Shield Serum

Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Peptide Repair Rescue Nutri-Shield Serum is a double-benefit formula that works for total repair and heat protection. It refills inner hair structure, resurfaces irregularities and protects hair from styling heat of up to 220 C, as well as UV rays. This product is most suitable for hair that is damaged, dull, porous and prone to breakage from chemical treatments or distressed from mechanical processes.

Price: Rs. 440/- for 58ml

8. Streax Professional Vitariche Gloss Hair Serum

This hair serum consists of macadamia Nut oil, almond oil and vitamin E which help nourish the damaged hair follicles, reduce frizziness, moisturise the hair and keep it protected from the sun rays and heat due to styling tools. The presence of macadamia nut oil and vitamin E give the hair a high glossy shine without making it look oily. This serum is to be used on wet hair and can also be used before you style your hair with the heat tools. The quantity of the product lasts easily for 3 months, no matter the hair factor.

Price: Rs. 210/- for 100ml

Hair serums can protect the hair from heat, add volume, shine, texture and can make hairstyle last longer—but not all are created equal. We put together an edit of the best ones that won’t hurt your wallet.