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Honorable mentions
Photo: Kat Merck
R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo for $37: I liked the landscaping label on the bulk aerosol spray but not the strong smell or lack of effectiveness.
Davy Dry Shampoo, $28: This brand is famous for its products Viral scalp serumbut it makes a lot of other hair products as well, including starch-based dry shampoo. I liked that the Divi formula was free of gasoline and fuels like butane, but it left a heavy white residue that turned into a mess of flakes during mixing.
Davines This is an invisible dry shampoo for $40: Many people I know swear by this vanilla and grapefruit scented dry shampoo. I liked the scent, but I didn’t find it effective in my tests, especially for the price.
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo for $26: I’m a big fan of Heat protectant spray From Oribe’s Gold Lust line, but this powder-based spray was so thick that I looked like I had just finished plastering the house.
IGK Top Grade Charcoal Detox for $34: One tester raved about this formula, but another tester and I thought this charcoal and white tea-based spray left too much white on dark hair that was difficult to blend out. However, the color version made our list.
IGK Direct Flight Style Preserves Matcha for $34: I really like the artistic packaging of this line of sprays, but the oil’s absorbing power didn’t last a full day, and none of the testers (myself included) cared about the scent.
R+Co Bleu Retroactive Dry Shampoo for $52: Housed in a sleek aluminum bottle, this aerosol made my hair look shinier and shinier, but my hair became greasy again towards the end of the day.
FoxyBae Brunette Breeze Dry Shampoo for $12: As a dark-haired person, I’m always on the lookout for an excellent tinted dry shampoo. I appreciated the lightness of this rice starch-based, bulk mist, but despite the “brunette” claim, it seemed like it was almost transparent and didn’t absorb oils well.
Hairitage Lazy Day Dry Shampoo for $9: This is a good starch-based dry shampoo available at the drugstore that turns white and lasts for 24 hours.
R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo, $32: It’s a unique idea for a liquid spray containing suspended starches, but it didn’t seem to have any effect on my hair on day two, let alone day three. However, some other testers liked it, so your mileage may vary.
Chi Vibes Wake + Fake for $20: The powder-based aerosol spray became worryingly thick and chalky, and any attempts to blend it left my hair full of flakes.
R+Co Vapor Lotion to Dry Shampoo Powder for $42: I was excited about this unique cream product, but found it difficult to blend with my dark hair. When I finally did, it left a weird residue that made my hair look even dirtier.
Amica Perk Up Dry Shampoo for $29: I loved the fun bottle of the talc-free aerosol formula, but had a hard time blending it with my dark hair. Small chips were visible when I finally did it.
Not your mom’s original dry shampoo for $9: This basic drugstore aerosol is now too thick, even for third day hair.
Sutra Heat Guard Dry Shampoo for $28: I loved that this dry shampoo worked as a heat protectant, but it became very thick and was very difficult to blend.
Batiste Dry Shampoo, $8: I actually like Batiste for its range of formulas and scents, but Suave does a similar job for less.
Dove Care Between Dry Wash Shampoo for $8: Another strong drugstore, this aerosol spray has proven difficult to blend.
IGK Jet Lag Weightless Dry Shampoo for $34: The smell was somewhat overwhelming, and it wasn’t effective for me or my testers.
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo for $30: I’m a big fan of Drybar, but this lightweight aerosol didn’t absorb oil at all for me.
R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo for $34: This was a close runner-up for Best Powder, but the pump applicator made a lot of mess, and it wasn’t as absorbent as other formulas.
Dry shampoo alternatives
Photo: Kat Merck
Volume Volumizing Iron, $150: Despite its intimidating appearance, this heat tool — which looks like a cross between a waffle iron and a flat iron — is one of the best chemical-free ways to add volume back to second- or third-day hair, especially shorter hairstyles. Lift the top layer of your hair up and use this for one second on the hair underneath; It crimps a dramatic straw type that adds instant volume.
Oribe Oil Control Serene Scalp Shampoo for $52: Perhaps the easiest way to avoid the need for dry shampoo is to reduce oil production in the first place. This shampoo is specially formulated with marine algae and prebiotics to extend the time between washes. Although I felt like it only gave me an extra day, it’s still a viable option for those looking to avoid dry shampoo altogether. Oribe also makes a companion Serene Dry Scalp Shampoo ($46)However, its average effectiveness did not justify its price.
Amika Rising Star Intensive Finishing Spray for $30: If you have straight hair and experience hair loss after a day or two but don’t like the residue that dry shampoo leaves, this lightweight spray might be worth a try. It wouldn’t last all day, but I was impressed with the increased volume it gave my hair day two, and the effect lasted a few hours.
I have been using dry shampoo for over 20 years. In this guide, I tested over 25 popular and widely available formulas on my thick, long, heat-straight dark hair several times over the course of about four months. I used it just like I would any dry shampoo during my daily life, after workouts, during busy work weeks, and on trips. I’ve also sought the opinions of friends and family with different hair types and styles when I needed a second or third opinion. I focused on effectiveness (did my hair still look clean at the end of the day?); Ease of application, no heaviness, stickiness or residue. value; How quickly and effectively you mix dry shampoo; And whether the smell is mild or overwhelming.
Tips for using dry shampoo
Dry shampoo is a great tool for extending your hard-earned hairstyle and will help reduce damage to your hair by reducing the number of heat styling you’ll need. However, dry shampoo can only go so far.
“Dry shampoo releases natural oils and cleanses the hair, but it won’t remove as much product,” notes celebrity hairstylist Garren, co-founder of hair products company R+Co. “It is best used on second or third day hair.” In other words, don’t skip showering for a week and expect the dry shampoo to work its miracle. Dry shampoo should also not be used for more than two days in a row, as using it too often can cause buildup and irritation on the scalp.
Using dry shampoo at night is another technique recommended by many experts, because it can work to absorb oils while you sleep, and this is an especially good option for dry shampoo, which tends to be thick. Jarren also suggests running your hair dryer on cold after using dry shampoo: “If your hair is dyed or overly brittle, and you have too much hairspray or product, and if you apply dry shampoo and don’t blow-dry it with cold air, it can stay on top of the hair.” “This can cause hair to become stiff. It won’t damage the hair, but it will make it dry or stiff.”
What’s actually in this stuff?
There are countless dry shampoos that claim to have revolutionized the dry shampoo experience, but most work the same way: an absorbent starch, a carrier agent, a fragrance, and, in the case of aerosol dry shampoo, a propellant. In the past, many dry shampoos contained talc as the absorbing agent, which was often contaminated with asbestos. Some dry shampoos may still list it as an ingredient, but none of the ones we recommend do.
Some companies add other natural absorbent minerals in addition to the starch, such as kaolin clay, diatomaceous earth, zeolite, charcoal powder, or even volcanic ash. I’ve also tried some unusual formulas like the paste, liquid spray, and lotion, though I haven’t found the latter two particularly effective for my hair. For each dry shampoo we recommend, I’ve tried to help demystify marketing claims by listing the key functional ingredients that help it absorb oil.
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