When one hair product costs $5 at the drugstore, and another $75 at the salon, you can't help but wonder, what's the difference, really? Is that pricy conditioner actually transforming your strands like no cheapy ever could, or is it just a placebo effect?

As it turns out, sometimes there is a drastic difference between high- and low-end hair products. "Premium brands tend to have an edge when it comes to styling and finishing [products]," says cosmetic chemist Donald Frey. It's a much more even playing field for treatment products, like shampoos and hair masks, he says, where ingredients can be nearly identical.

Frey says to think about it like this: "The last thing you put on your hair is going to have the biggest effect on what you see. The further back you go in the process, the more that effect is going to get dampened by other products." In other words, you might want to splurge on a "final touch" styling product, like a texture spray, but can probably get away with saving on shampoo. (Though Frey cautions against skimping on hair color. "Never go cheap on a something that will affect your hair for multiple weeks," he says).

Mind blown? Ours too. So to put this theory to the test, we matched the following hair oils, masks, dry shampoos and more from our favorite high-end brands with similar drugstore products to settle the score. See which drugstore dupes produced luxury results.

Image via Imaxtree

The Contenders:
Philip B. White Truffle Ultra-Rich Moisturizing Shampoo, $54, and Philip B. White Truffle Nourishing & Conditioning Creme, $75, vs. Aveeno Nourish + Volumize Shampoo, $6.49, and Aveeno Nourish + Volumize Conditioner, $6.49

The Breakdown:
Both shampoo-conditioner duos promise to nourish and re-hydrate dry, damaged hair — and both follow through. After using each, my thirsty, color-damaged hair seemed notably silkier and more moisturized.

Some noteworthy differences: The Philip B. shampoo is trickier to use — it requires you to shake well (very well) beforehand, or the product comes out soupy, and it doesn't quite have the lather of the Aveeno.

But the Philip B. packaging is decadent, and the smell herbal and hypnotic, making for a more luxurious wash than the no-frills Aveeno. It's the experience you pay for — not necessarily the results. But at $129 for the pair (compared to $13), it's a sticker shock-inducing one.

The Winner:
Aveeno Nourish + Volumize Shampoo and Conditioner

The Contenders:
L'Oréal Professionnel Infinium 3 Strong Hold Natural Touch Anti-Frizz Finishing Spray, $25.50, vs. L'Oréal Elnett Satin Hairpsray, $14.99

The Breakdown:
L'Oréal Elnett is a timeless favorite among the masses, but stylists swear by the Professionnel. Side-by-side, these hairsprays are almost identical — down to the shape and design of the spray bottle. And the formulas are equally impressive, both providing long-lasting hold, while leaving hair soft and sleek — not hard or sticky at all. Even after I ran full-speed to refill a parking meter in time, my curls (sprayed half with Elnett, half with Pro) were still touchable and intact. Though the Pro has a slightly more salon-like smell, overall, the Elnett is an equal match.

The Winner:
L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairpsray

The Contenders:
Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk, $20, vs. Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo, $6.11

The Breakdown:
In between the hassle of proper washes, a good dry shampoo can be life-saving. Fast absorption into the scalp, volume and that instant clean feeling are all signs of a quality product. But not all dry shampoos meet the criteria.

Klorane's Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk is a hair care staple, and it does a nice job of soaking up oils, and leaving hair feeling fresh and clean. But the Dove achieves the same result, while providing a slightly more voluminous finish. The Dove also seems to absorb a bit faster, requiring less massaging action at the roots. While both products do what dry shampoo should, the Dove outshines its pricier competitor by a hair.

The Winner:
Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo

The Contenders:
Kevin Murphy Smooth Again Anti-frizz Treatment, $35, vs. Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Anti Frizz Creme, $5.69

The Breakdown:
When it comes to fighting frizz, sometimes you can't cut corners. High-end Australian brand Kevin Murphy is available only in high-end salons (or if you stumble upon just the right websites) — but it's worth the hunt to get your hands on a bottle of the Smooth Again Anti-frizz cream, whose amazing frizz-smoothing ability, lightweight texture and mesmerizing smell justify the splurge.

Apply both the Kevin Murphy frizz cream and its Herbal Essences alternative to damp hair, and you'll end up with noticeably sleeker strands. The Herbal Essences is a worthwhile product — a little goes a long way, and it seems to stand up to heat styling slightly better than the Kevin Murphy. But the Herbal Essences is heavier in texture and doesn't fight frizz quite like the Kevin Murphy. You also can't beat the Kevin Murphy scent, whose decadent, almost masculine qualities had our entire office smitten.

The Winner:
Kevin Murphy Smooth Again Anti-frizz Treatment