Hair products sell on AliExpress by a huge margin compared with most other categories: simple clips and hair ties go by the tens of thousands, and dryers and stylers by the hundreds and thousands. We picked the eight best-selling items with a rating of 95% or higher, from small buys under £2 to a multi-styler that tries to replace a hair dryer, curling tongs and a round brush all at once. Prices and sales figures come from AliExpress data as of 12 November.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, the site earns a small commission from AliExpress, and the price you pay stays the same.
Small buys under £1 that sell by the thousand
1. Small hair clip set
The undisputed leader of the list, with more than 35 thousand sales. It is a set of small beige clips that you can order in packs of 5, 10, 20 or 30. They are handy to keep in a bag, the car and the bathroom: to pin back a fringe while washing your face, gather strands around your face or secure a child’s fine hair. The colour is neutral, so the clips don’t stand out. They also make a good small gift to go with something bigger. Price: £0.83.
Price on 12 November: £0.83
Sold: 35088+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
2. Simplicity Stretch scrunchies
Fabric scrunchies crease hair less than thin silicone bands and pull less when you take them out. The seller stresses the high elasticity, so you can also wear one on your wrist when you don’t need it in your hair. It has more than 6 thousand sales and a 96% rating, and costs £0.89, less than most takeaway coffees. If hair ties keep disappearing, it makes sense to buy several colours at once.
Price on 12 November: £0.89
Sold: 6307+ pcs, positive reviews: 96.1%
View on AliExpress
Clips and brushes under £2
3. 5.5cm acetate claw clip
Acetate claw clips look more expensive than plastic ones and usually survive drops onto tiles better. This clip is small, 5.5cm, rectangular, with a tortoiseshell pattern. It suits a half-up style, where only the top section of hair is gathered, and fine or medium-thick hair. For very thick and long hair, look for a bigger claw. Sales are above 9 thousand. Price: £1.44.
Price on 12 November: £1.44
Sold: 9067+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
4. Vented styling brush
A hollow brush with nylon bristles and through-holes lets hot air pass, so hair dries faster under the dryer. The handle is ABS plastic, and the seller specifically mentions a comfortable grip. The description says the brush also works on human hair wigs, but most people buy it for everyday styling: more than 12 thousand sales at a 95.3% rating. A good, cheap companion for any hair dryer. Price: £1.16.
Price on 12 November: £1.16
Sold: 12738+ pcs, positive reviews: 95.3%
View on AliExpress
5. CALIYI massage comb
A classic cushion brush: the soft base flexes, so the bristles scratch the scalp less and tear tangles less. The seller claims an anti-static effect, which is especially welcome in winter, under hats and in heated homes. The shape is oval, and the brush suits daily brushing before bed and after washing your hair. Almost 6 thousand sales and 98% positive reviews. Price: £1.53.
Price on 12 November: £1.53
Sold: 5873+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Styling tools
6. Tinsol 2-in-1 straightener
A flat iron that both straightens and curls. The plates are ceramic and wide, and there is ionisation and temperature control. The temperature control is the key feature here: fine and coloured hair needs a lower temperature, thick and coarse hair a higher one. Wide plates are better for long hair, while a short cut and a fringe sometimes call for a mini straightener. More than 1200 sales and a 98% rating. Price: £7.70.
Price on 12 November: £7.70
Sold: 1287+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
7. 2000W ionic hair dryer
2000W is enough to dry long hair in a reasonable time. The dryer has hot and cold air, an ionisation function and five modes, and a comb comes in the box. A cold blast at the end of drying helps set the style, and ionisation reduces static. If the old dryer at home already hums and smells of burning, this is one of the most affordable replacements: £15.83 and almost a thousand buyers.
Price on 12 November: £15.83
Sold: 955+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
8. SenCiciMen X9 Multi multi-styler
The most expensive item on the list and still one of the most popular, with almost 1900 sales. It is a styler with several attachments: curling tongs, a hot-air brush, a curl barrel and a hair dryer mode. The idea is the same as with the well-known expensive multi-stylers: one device instead of several. At £48.01 it costs several times less than the branded alternatives. It suits people who style their hair regularly and want to free up space on the bathroom shelf.
Price on 12 November: £48.01
Sold: 1866+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
How to avoid buying the wrong thing
- Look at sales and ratings, not photos. Every item on the list has more than 900 orders and at least 95% positive reviews, which is a good filter against duds.
- Check the plug on electrical items. Many sellers let you choose the plug type when ordering. Choose a UK plug so you don’t need an adapter.
- Temperature control matters more than “ions”. For straighteners and stylers it is the key setting that protects your hair.
- Buy small items in sets. Clips and hair ties are cheaper in sets, and they get lost quickly anyway.
- Check the claw clip size. Small clips of 5 to 6cm won’t hold thick, long hair.
What to pick in the end
If you want a quick upgrade for pennies, start with the vented brush, the massage comb and a set of scrunchies: together they cost less than one trip to a beauty shop. If your old appliances have given up, the 2000W dryer and the Tinsol straightener cover most everyday jobs. And anyone who has long been eyeing a multi-styler but won’t pay for a branded one should look at the SenCiciMen X9 Multi: it is the most popular affordable version of such a device in our selection.
