Have you ever noticed that your hair looks better on the day after you’ve washed it? In fact, a lot of women in the world who swear by this thing called the “second-day hair”. In a way, it makes sense too because freshly washed hair doesn’t have the benefit of natural oils that the second-day hair does.
After all, you’ve just washed your hair and removed the oil buildup, while on the next day, your scalp has had 24 hours to get those juices flowing again. As a result of this, second-day hair looks healthier and more vibrant. Further, it usually has more bounce, volume, and texture.
At the same time, it is important to realize that second-day hair will only look better than freshly washed hair if it is styled in the right way. To do this, you’ll need to manage the grease and oil in it. Expert stylists everywhere recommend using a good dry shampoo before styling your second-day hair for this reason.
However, you can only use a dry shampoo properly if you understand how they work because they’re unlike any other hair product you’ve used in the past. In fact, you not only need to understand dry shampoos before using them but also before choosing them. There are a lot of options available online which makes it very easy to choose the wrong one and end up with a head full of residue.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Batiste clean and classic original Dry shampoo |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Volume: 6.73 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $0.93 |
| A pocket-friendly dry shampoo that is available in multiple variants ensuring that everyone gets one that suits them. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 5.4 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $4.81 |
| An excellent argan oil-based dry shampoo that is specifically designed for people with light-toned hair such as blonde, platinum, and grey. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 2 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $8.50 |
| A powder-based completely natural dry shampoo that produces the best results and lasts for months. |
| Check Amazon |
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll give you a quick primer on dry shampoos before reviewing the best options available in the market. Here is an easy-to-use navigation panel that you can use to jump around the page.
- What Are Dry Shampoos and What Do They Do?
- How Do Dry Shampoos Work?
- How to Use Dry Shampoos?
- How to Buy Dry Shampoos?
- Top 10 Dry Shampoos Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Dry Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Dry Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Dry Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
What Are Dry Shampoos and What Do They Do?
Dry shampoos are hair products that make your hair look clean and fresh. They’re different from traditional shampoos because they don’t need water to work. Hence, the term “dry” in their name. Since they save tons of time and effort, they’re mainly used by people who don’t have time to wash their hair every morning.
You, basically, spray or pour some dry shampoo into your hair, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then rub it in before brushing your hair normally. The entire thing, at most, only takes ten minutes. Further, the rise in the popularity of dry shampoos has paralleled the increase in people’s awareness about hair care.
For instance, people have not only started realizing that normal shampoos are harmful because they contain sulfates, parabens, and other harsh compounds that dry hair but also that too much moisture can damage hair. Therefore, to reduce how often they wash their hair, people have started using dry shampoos.
How Do Dry Shampoos Work?
Dry shampoos don’t really clean the hair and scalp the way that normal shampoos do. They degrease it, instead, i.e. they remove excess oils and grease from the hair.
Therefore, if your hair is dirty because you were stuck in a dust storm or because you spent the day at the beach, a dry shampoo will not work for you. On the other hand, if you’ve just worked out or come back from a run, you can use a dry shampoo to take away that greasiness that comes from a sweating scalp. Similarly, if your hair gets too greasy or oily the day after a wash, a dry shampoo can help you rebalance it.
So, how does a dry shampoo work? It works by absorbing excess oils in your hair and scalp. Dry shampoos contain alcohol, starch, or both, and these ingredients are very good at absorbing oils. Therefore, when given a little time in your hair and scalp, these ingredients nullify the excess grease.
Another benefit of dry shampoos is that they add volume, body, and texture to limp and lifeless hair. They do this at the same time that they absorb excess oils. In fact, it’s almost a side effect of their primary action. As they absorb excess oils, the starch molecules in the product start expanding. This prevents your hairs from sticking to each other and lying flat on the scalp. As a result, they separate and give your hair more body and volume.
How to Use Dry Shampoos?
Dry shampoos are very different from the usual hair products. As a result, even people knowledgeable about haircare and experienced with various types of hair products can make mistakes with dry shampoos.
While very different, they’re not difficult to use. You just need to know the basic process. Here is the step-by-step process you need to follow.
- If you’re using an aerosol dry shampoo, shake it well. In fact, shake it for 10 to 20 seconds non-stop.
- Keep it eight to 12 inches from your hair and spray directly onto the roots in areas where you think your hair is especially oily (pay close attention to the area above your ears). Most dry shampoos will have instructions on the bottles explaining how far you need to keep the can from your head.
- Once you’ve applied the dry shampoo, let it sit for a minimum of two minutes. After the time has elapsed, massage the shampoo into your scalp. You can also choose to apply the dry shampoo in the night and sleep with it in your hair too. It will only make the dry shampoo more effective.
- Finish by brushing your hair thoroughly. This will take the starch and oil out of your hair.
As is evident, applying dry shampoo is a very simple process. What is difficult is the judgment you’re expected to make every time you use the dry shampoo.
You have to strike a balance between removing all the grease in your hair and not having to deal with residue. For instance, you need to be very careful about how much shampoo you spray. If you spray too much, you’ll see residue. If you spray too little, you won’t see the degreasing you expect.
This is where your judgment will come into play. To make the right decision, you’ll have to know the absorption power of your chosen dry shampoo as well as have a good idea of how oily your hair can get at different times between washes.
Similarly, you’ll need to judge whether your hair needs to be degreased along with your roots. You’re supposed to apply dry shampoo to the roots because it prevents residues from forming but sometimes the hair strands themselves can be oily and in need of some degreasing.
It is a constantly changing scenario that you need to be very careful about. Every time you err in your judgment, you’ll see the residue in your hair. Depending on the product you use, the residue can be visibly white or invisible but sticky.
How to Buy Dry Shampoos?
When buying a dry shampoo, you need to consider five variables. While all the variables are important, different people will prioritize different ones. This is why you need to understand dry shampoos well before choosing one.
Your Hair Color
The first is whether the dry shampoo is suited to your hair. Most dry shampoos are best used on light-colored hair because they can leave behind a white residue.
At the same time, there are dry shampoos that are tinted to suit people with dark-colored hair. These tinted dry shampoos will still leave a residue but it will not be visible in the natural dark tones of your hair.
Residue in Hair
Premium-quality dry shampoos don’t leave the white residue typical of these types of products. However, they can leave an invisible sticky residue in the hair. With this kind of a residue, you’ll have to forego touching your hair as it is will feel gritty and dirty. It would still look fresh, clean, and voluminous.
Texture, Body, and Volume
It is also important to note that most dry shampoos add texture, body, and volume to hair. The kind of texture and how much body they add will vary from brand to brand and hair type to hair type. Therefore, you’ll need to analyze dry shampoos from this perspective and determine how much texture and volume you want in your hair.
Ingredients
The two most common ingredients that dry shampoos are based on are alcohol and starch. The cheapest and most affordable dry shampoos will contain a mix of both along with a slew of other ingredients.
This is why the cheapest dry shampoos can end up irritating the scalp. Alcohol is known for drying the scalp which can lead to inflammation and irritation, especially if the scalp is already sensitive. Therefore, if you have a sensitive scalp then you need to avoid dry shampoos with alcohol in them.
Mid-market to premium-segment dry shampoos will exclusively be based on starch. The starch can be sourced from potatoes or rice. Lightweight dry shampoos will have potato-based starch while heavy-duty options will have micro-size or ultra-thin rice-based starch.
Many premium-quality dry shampoos will also contain silicones to give hair more texture and body. Silicones can be damaging to hair in large quantities but do bring out the best texture and body. Therefore, if you can manage your use of dry shampoos, you can go for these types of products but avoid them if you plan to use the dry shampoo every other day.
Lasting Capacity
You may want to consider the cost too.
The majority of dry shampoos come in an aerosol form like hairsprays. Aerosol products are very easy to use but tend to finish really fast. This means that if you buy an aerosol hair product, you should be prepared for quick refills. Over months, their cost can add up quietly. Therefore, even though you think you’re buying a cheap product, you’ll end up spending a lot.
On the other hand, powder dry shampoos are very long-lasting but very time-consuming to use. Therefore, if you buy a powder dry shampoo, you should be prepared for a steep learning curve and more time applying them.
You should also know that aerosols are not considered very environment-friendly because of the gases they release.
Top 10 Dry Shampoos Comparison Table
| Product Name | Volume | Cost per ounce (*Approx.) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo | 2 x 7 ounces | $0.66 per ounce | Check Price |
| Batiste Dry shampoo | 6.73 ounces | $0.93 per ounce | Check Price |
| Dove Dry Shampoo for Oily Hair | 5 ounces | $0.98 per ounce | Check Price |
| OGX Refresh & Balance + Tea Tree Mint Dry Shampoo | 5 ounces | $1.80 per ounce | Check Price |
| Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo | 5.4 ounces | $4.81 per ounce | Check Price |
| SEXY HAIR Big Dry Shampoo | 3.4 ounces | $5.57 per ounce | Check Price |
| Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray | 8.5 ounces | $5.65 per ounce | Check Price |
| Living proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo | 4 ounces | $6.25 per ounce | Check Price |
| Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo | 3.5 ounces | $6.57 per ounce | Check Price |
| Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder | 2 ounces | $8.50 per ounce | Check Price |
Top 4 Budget Dry Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
1. Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
While there are dry shampoos in the market that are cheaper than this one, this is the most affordable one you can get without compromising on quality and effectiveness.
Like most dry shampoos, the Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo is based on a mix of alcohol and starch. It does a good job absorbing excess oil and odors from your hair while simultaneously lifting and adding volume to it. The only catch is that you need to use a lot to get the results you desire. This creates two problems.
The first is that you finish the dry shampoo really fast. This isn’t that big a concern because of how low this product’s price is. The double-pack, incidentally, is even cheaper than the single bottle. The other problem is bigger.
When you use a lot of this dry shampoo in a single application, you run the risk of heavy residue which will make it seem like you’re aging prematurely. The white residue is common with dry shampoos so it should be expected but this product’s residue requires a lot of brushing to remove. Further, while this product is suitable for all hair types, the residue likely shows up more in people with darker hair.
In terms of the smell, this dry shampoo leaves the hair with a clean and fresh scent. However, there are issues with the smell too. The first is that it is very strong and overpowering. Therefore, if you’re sensitive to strong scents, you need to stay away from this product. Also, the scent comes off as the kind of artificial smell that many people wouldn’t want in their hair.
At the same time, there are lots of other variants of this dry shampoo available in the market, with the Beach Babe version being quite popular as well. The variants offer different scents and textures.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the cheapest effective dry shampoo possible, get this double-pack from NYM.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 2 x 7 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Alcohol, starch, and silica |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Alcohol and starch-based dry shampoo |
| Absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Gives hair volume and body |
| Suitable for all hair types |
| Has a clean and fresh scent |
| Available in two different packs |
| Can be had in other variants |
| Incredibly cheap |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Need to use a lot to get the right results |
| Leaves residue when used in large quantities |
| Its smell is a little too strong and artificial |
2. Batiste Dry Shampoo (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The Batiste Dry Shampoo is incredibly famous in the United Kingdom since it is a UK brand. However, this same dry shampoo has also become very popular in the US.
In fact, it competes with many other dry shampoos in America for the number one spot in the market. This is because it is one of the better dry shampoos in the budget market segment when it comes to its primary purpose i.e. absorbing dirt and grease. Additionally, it also gives hair extra volume and texture like all good dry shampoos.
However, it is better than a lot of its competitors because it doesn’t leave the same amount of residue in the hair that they do. Moreover, whatever residue it does leave behind goes away if the user brushes their hair properly.
Also, this white residue will only become visible if you have dark hair. However, if you do have darker hair, you can always choose other tone-based variants of this dry shampoo. In fact, this dry shampoo comes tinted to suit different hair colors such as divine dark, beautiful brunette, and brilliant blonde.
The company says that this dry shampoo has a “classic” smell. In our opinion, the smell is clean and reminiscent of baby powder. It also has notes of lavender and musk. However, if this smell doesn’t appeal to you, there are quite a few other smell-based variants of Batiste available in the market as well. These are tropical, blush, fresh, wildflower, bare, sweetie, tempt, and cherry.
Apart from these, there are a couple of functional variants available too such as heavenly volume and XXL volume. If you take all the variants together i.e. color, smell, and volume, you’ll find that there are 14 different types of this dry shampoo available in the market.
The best part, as we’ve already mentioned earlier, is that this is a very pocket-friendly dry shampoo. While you may take a while to find one best suited to your hair type and expectations, the effort will be worthwhile in the long run because of this product’s low cost.
Who’s it for: If you want the best dry shampoo in the budget market segment, feel free to experiment with the 14 different variants of Batiste.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 6.73 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Starch, alcohol, and clove oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Alcohol and starch-based dry shampoo |
| Absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Gives hair volume and texture |
| Suitable for all hair types |
| Smells of lavender, baby powder, and musk |
| 14 different variants available |
| Incredibly cheap |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Leaves residue when used in large quantities |
| Some people may not like its smell |
3. Dove Dry Shampoo for Oily Hair
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Dove is a well-known toiletries brand that manufactures everything from shampoos to soaps. Their dry shampoo offering does its job well and is aimed solely at people with oily hair.
In fact, it is accomplished at absorbing and nullifying excess oil in the hair and scalp which helps refresh the hair while, simultaneously, adding volume to it. Like most dry shampoos, their offering is starch and alcohol-based. Unfortunately, like most budget dry shampoos, the Dove Dry Shampoo for Oily Hair also leaves behind a white residue.
This particularly happens to people who either spray too much of this dry shampoo in their hair or spray it too close to their hair. The white residue, though, can be handled easily with some extra brushing.
The dry shampoo is good at what it does but it stands out more for its scent. It is one of few dry shampoos that have a distinctly floral scent. Not only is the smell flowery but it is also very strong. The smell is divisive for two reasons.
The first is that everyone doesn’t like their hair smelling like flowers. People who do will love this dry shampoo while those that don’t will hate it. Further, the scent of this dry shampoo has a subtle artificial or perfume-like note to it. This can put off those with sensitive noses.
This dry shampoo from Dove will be within the financial range of most potential users, especially since it also comes in a value pack. The value pack consists of three five-ounce bottles while the normal pack has a single bottle.
Who’s it for: If you like your hair smelling of flowers and want a dry shampoo, go for this one from Dove.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Alcohol, starch, and silica |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Alcohol and starch-based dry shampoo |
| Absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Gives hair volume |
| Suitable for all hair types |
| Has a strong floral scent |
| Available in two different sizes |
| Incredibly cheap |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Leaves residue when used in large quantities |
| Its smell may be too strong and artificial |
4. OGX Refresh & Balance + Tea Tree Mint Dry Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Most dry shampoos are developed for people with very oily hair. However, what if someone doesn’t have very oily hair but still wants to skip hair washes without ending up with a bird’s nest on their head?
Such an individual would need a milder, gentler dry shampoo than what is normally found in the market. The OGX Refresh & Balance will suit such an individual.
This dry shampoo is one of the more lightweight dry shampoos you can get but that means that you can’t use it more than a day or two after washing your hair. If you want to use it on the second or third day, you’ll have to use a lot more of it to get the desired result.
This will automatically lead the bottle to finish off much faster than you’re accustomed to. Financially, it shouldn’t bother you because, even though this dry shampoo isn’t the cheapest out there, it is fairly affordable. So, even if you need quick refills, your bank balance should be fine.
The problem, however, is that when you use a lot of this dry shampoo, you end up getting a huge amount of white residue in your hair. The residue is also quite resilient and normal brushing doesn’t get rid of it. It is important to note that because this dry shampoo is so lightweight, most people tend to use too much of it. This is why so many of them complain about its white residue.
On the other hand, if you have dry to normal hair, then this dry shampoo will be perfect for you. It will not only absorb extra oil in your hair but will also add texture to your hair along the way.
Additionally, it will make your scalp tingle and your hair smell nice, depending on which variant of this dry shampoo you have. We’re reviewing the tea tree and mint variant here which leaves a fresh and clean scent in the hair.
The scent, incidentally, is quite strong. Therefore, if you don’t like strong scents, you should try some other variants. The other variants you can get are argan oil of Morocco, biotin & collagen, charcoal detox, and coconut miracle oil.
Who’s it for: If you don’t have very oily hair and want a mild dry shampoo, go for this one from OGX.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Alcohol, starch, argan oil, silk amino acids, and silica |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Alcohol and starch-based dry shampoo |
| Absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Gives hair body |
| Lightweight formula |
| Suitable for all hair types |
| Has a minty fresh and herbal scent |
| Available in five different scents |
| Fairly affordable dry shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Need to use a lot to get the right results |
| Finishes very quickly |
| Leaves major white residue |
| Some people may find its smell too strong and harsh |
Top 3 Value Dry Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
5. Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Cheaper dry shampoos almost always leave behind a white residue. It is only when you go a little higher up the price bracket that you get dry shampoos that are residue-free.
In the mid-market segment, the Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo is the best of this group. It is a dry shampoo that has been specifically formulated for people with lighter hair. This means that this dry shampoo is a good option for you if you have silver, blonde, or platinum hair.
It is primarily based around ultra-fine rice starch particles but also contains large quantities of alcohol. The two ingredients work well to absorb excess oil from the scalp while staying invisible.
To a certain extent, this dry shampoo also doubles up as a purple shampoo. It contains very subtle violet shading that helps neutralize early brassiness. Further, this dry shampoo also protects the hair from ultraviolet rays. All this means that this product is also a good option for people who color their hair.
The biggest advantage of choosing this dry shampoo is that it won’t leave a residue. However, that is only if you don’t use it on darker colored hair. If you have darker hair, we suggest choosing an appropriately tinted dry shampoo.
The smell of this dry shampoo is the same as that of all Moroccanoil hair products. Its third-biggest ingredient is argan oil which is why it exclusively smells of this oil. The argan oil scent is strong and lingers in the hair for a long time. If you like argan oil and don’t mind strong smells, get this dry shampoo but if you don’t, stay away.
While not the most expensive dry shampoo, it is still priced a little on the expensive side. This puts it in the mid-market segment, especially since you can get it in a larger bottle. The larger bottle contains 5.4 ounces of this product while the smaller only has 1.7 ounces.
Who’s it for: If you have platinum, silver, or blonde hair and don’t mind the argan oil scent, get this Moroccanoil dry shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 5.4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Rice starch, alcohol, and argan oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Alcohol and starch-based dry shampoo |
| Absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Specifically formulated for light-toned hair |
| Excellent for colored hair |
| Protects against ultraviolet rays |
| Counters brassiness |
| Doesn’t leave a residue |
| Smells strongly of argan oil |
| Available in two sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Some people may not like the argan oil smell |
6. SEXYHAIR Big Dry Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Sexy Hair’s hairspray is very popular amongst the ladies. While hairsprays have a different purpose than dry shampoos, it seems that Sexy Hair has tried to combine the two types of hair products through its Big Dry Shampoo.
Hairsprays are great for holding the style in place, while dry shampoos are supposed to absorb excess oils from the hair and give them volume. This product seems to do both.
It removes oils from the scalp while giving it awesome volume and leaves the hair stiff and sticky. Naturally, this keeps the hairstyle in place but affects its texture adversely. Therefore, this stickiness and stiffness can be seen as a flaw by people who only want their hair cleaned and not stuck together.
The formula of this dry shampoo contains silicones in place of starch while the job of removing excess oils in this formula is handed to alcohol. We think the stickiness and stiffness come from this product’s silicone content. The fact that this product contains a lot of silicones means that you can’t use it as often as you may like. Silicones, after all, are known for drying out the hair excessively and building up in the scalp over time.
While this dry shampoo may leave a sticky residue in the hair to keep the hairstyle together, it doesn’t leave any white residue. This is good because, with the sticky residue, it would be very difficult to brush your hair.
Another property that this dry shampoo seems to share with hairsprays is that it finishes very quickly. Most people would see this as a flaw because this product isn’t the cheapest in the market.
In terms of scent, this product smells the same as most Sexy Hair products. The scent is unique and subtle but it comes off as artificial. Its artificialness is why some people don’t like it.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking to remove excess oils from your scalp while simultaneously keeping your hairstyle in place, go for this product from Sexy Hair.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 3.4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Alcohol, silicones, and sunflower seed extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Alcohol-based dry shampoo |
| Absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Gives hair volume |
| Doesn’t leave a white residue |
| Suitable for all hair types |
| Has a subtle perfume scent |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| Finishes very quickly |
| Leaves an invisible sticky residue |
| Can leave hair stiff and gritty |
| Some people may not like its artificial smell |
7. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
On most product lists, Oribe products will feature on the expensive side. However, there are so many expensive products in the dry shampoo market that Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray becomes a “value” offering.
However, regardless of which price bracket this product is positioned in, it still benefits from the famed Oribe quality. In fact, like many Oribe products, this one has won awards with the 2019’s Glamour Best in Beauty award being the most significant.
Even though the company calls this product a Dry Texturizing Spray, it doubles up as a dry shampoo because it takes away buildup and excess oils in the scalp. However, since it specialized as a texturizing spray, it gives the hair unbelievable volume and texture.
The primary ingredient this spray uses to remove excess oils is Oribe’s patented polymers (zeolite crystals) along with alcohol. The patented polymers are invisible which means that this product doesn’t leave behind the white residue that is common with dry shampoos.
This product’s texturizing properties are a result of a slew of different ingredients highlighted by provitamin B5 which builds volume in the hair and silicones which coat the hair. Its silicone content, unfortunately, means that it makes the hair sticky.
Further, this product also contains the Oribe Signature Complex which incorporates extracts from edelweiss flower, litchi, and watermelon. The Oribe Signature Complex is found in all Oribe products and is responsible for strengthening and protecting the hair.
The same Complex is also responsible for giving Oribe products their unique scent. Oribe products are famed for their subtle, alluring scent and there are very few people who don’t like how they smell. This is true for this product too.
This product’s formula contains many other beneficial ingredients such as kiwi and passion flow extracts which contain antioxidants, ginger root extract for boosting circulation, mango extract responsible for hydration, and sunflower seed extract for shine.
This product is available in two differently-sized bottles. The smaller one contains only 2.2 ounces of the product. If you’re not sure whether you’ll like this product, it can be used for a trial run. The large bottle contains 8.5 ounces of this product and is perfect if you want to save money.
Who’s it for: If you like the signature Oribe scent and want to add texture to your hair while cleaning it, get this spray.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Alcohol, silicones, sunflower seed extract, kiwi fruit extract, aloe vera leaf extract, ginger root extract, mango fruit extract, passion flower extract, watermelon fruit extract, edelweiss flower extract, litchi fruit extract, amber resin extract, and hydrolyzed wheat protein |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Award-winning product |
| Alcohol-based dry shampoo |
| Patented polymers absorb oils and remove odors well |
| Builds amazing texture and volume |
| Doesn’t leave a white residue |
| Suitable for all hair types |
| Has the signature Oribe scent |
| Available in two sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| Leaves an invisible sticky residue |
Top 3 Premium Dry Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
8. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Chemical treatments can make hair very weak and brittle to the point that mainstream products can end up damaging them. This is why people with chemically treated hair have to tread very lightly when it comes to buying products for their hair.
This is especially true if their hair has been treated multiple times. If you’re one of these people then you can’t use any dry shampoo. You need a high-quality one that can protect your hair while removing excess oil and grease from your scalp.
This Dry Shampoo from Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day fits the requirements perfectly. It contains both alcohol and starch to deal with the excess oil, sweat, and hair product building up in your scalp. The company says that its product benefits from its Triple-Action Cleaning Technology.
In the first action, the starch powders in the formula soak and remove excess oils in the scalp. In the second action, the patented Healthy Hair Molecule in the formula removes the spent powders from the hair. In the third action, the odor neutralizers in the formula nullify bad odor. The third action also includes the timed release of fragrance that keeps the smell going throughout the day.
The smell, by the way, is clean, fresh, and gender-neutral. However, it is very strong. In fact, it is strong enough to be overwhelming for most people. This is the biggest flaw of this hair product.
Another flaw of this dry shampoo is that it isn’t completely residue-free. In fact, it not only leaves behind some white residue but also some sticky residue in the hair. The stickiness makes brushing the hair difficult which, in turn, makes removing the white residue problematic.
In addition to these two flaws, this is also a very expensively priced dry shampoo. Not only is it expensive to buy but also to use. It will finish very fast and force you to go for refills far more quickly than if you had another dry shampoo on your shelf.
Who’s it for: If you have chemically treated hair and don’t mind strong smells, get the Living Proof Dry Shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Alcohol, rice starch, cellulose, and hydrated silica |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Alcohol and starch-based dry shampoo |
| Triple-action cleaning technology absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Especially great for chemically treated hair |
| Suitable for all hair types |
| Has a clean and fresh perfume scent |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensively priced |
| Finishes very quickly |
| Leaves some white residue |
| Leaves a sticky residue |
| Some people may find its smell too strong and artificial |
9. Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The Detox Dry Shampoo from Drybar is an award-winning product. It won the Best of Beauty Award from Allure in 2018. It won that award because of two reasons. The first is that it gives hair a unique matte finish and the other is that every single variant of this dry shampoo is impressive. However, to be nominated for such awards, a product still needs to perform its primary duties well and this Detox Dry Shampoo does that.
It has a super-absorbent formula featuring micro-fine rice powders that absorb oils and grease extremely well. The powders, being micro-fine, start very small and difficult to spot. As they absorb the oils and grease, they become even harder to see because they go translucent.
Simultaneously, they expand in size in the scalp adding volume and body to the hair in the process. The larger sized molecules, however, aren’t completely invisible. Even so, they remain camouflaged because they’re translucent. Therefore, if there are multiple shades in the hair, the molecules become visible as a white residue.
This especially becomes a problem in darker-colored hair. This is why the company specifically states that this product is best only for light-colored hair. They offer another variant for dark-colored hair. If you have darker hair, we suggest using the Brunettes variant of this dry shampoo. You can also try the Clear Invisible variant if you only want a lighter, more invisible version of this Dry Shampoo.
Overall, this dry shampoo is available in five different variants which are Brunettes, Clear Invisible, Coconut Colada, Lush, and Original. The one we’re reviewing here is the Original.
The scent of the Original variant is a mix of vanilla, sandalwood, and jasmine. In practice, the scent is clean and neutral but super-strong. Its strength could be a problem as some people may find it a bit too overpowering.
Another issue with this dry shampoo is its cost. It is expensively priced which could make it unattractive to a lot of potential buyers.
Who’s it for: If you have light-colored hair and like a matte finish, get this Drybar dry shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 3.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Rice starch, alcohol, hydrolyzed wheat protein, rhodiola rosea root extract, yuzu seed extract, yellow nutsedge root oil, damson plum seed oil, provitamin B5, and clove oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Award-winning product |
| Alcohol and starch-based dry shampoo |
| Absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Gives hair volume and a matte finish |
| Best for light-toned hair |
| Has a strong but clean and neutral scent |
| Five different variants available |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensively priced |
| Can leave residue on darker hair |
| Its smell maybe a little too strong |
10. Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
This Dry Shampoo Volume Powder is unique for two reasons. The first is that it is completely natural and free of all types of synthetic ingredients. The other is that it comes in powder form as opposed to the aerosol form of all other dry shampoos.
While these two properties make it unique, they’re also responsible for its two flaws. The first is that because it is a completely natural product, it is extremely expensive to get. The other is that because it is in powder form, it is difficult to use.
The cost of this dry shampoo is not that big a concern because it lasts an amazingly long time. For instance, the one-ounce bottle will last you up to six months while the two-ounce bottle can last for up to 12 months. The biggest concern with this dry shampoo, therefore, is how difficult it is to use.
You’re supposed to “lightly tap” the bottle close to your roots to get some powder out. Once out, you’re supposed to let it sit before massaging it into your roots. The “light tap” is the problem because it takes practice to know how much powder you need.
In the initial stages, most people struggle with getting the right quantity. Naturally, if too much powder comes out, it becomes visible as a white residue. Fortunately, it is easy to get rid of it with a brush. However, if you can manage the flow of the powder to how much is actually needed, you won’t see any residue in your hair.
The more you struggle with it, though, the better you’ll get at using it. The struggle will be more than worth it too because this dry shampoo delivers excellent results. It will not only remove excess oil from your hair but will also leave your hair voluminous.
It won’t even matter if you have light hair or dark hair because the same product will work on all hair colors and types. The powder, itself, starts as creamy white or light beige. As it absorbs excess oil in your scalp, it will become translucent and all but invisible.
This dry shampoo also has an awesome smell. Its scent is so good that there are barely any complaints about it. It is a subtle, clean scent of lavender and rose. The scent is neither too strong nor does it linger in the hair.
Who’s it for: If you want a dry shampoo that works without synthetic ingredients, then get this product from Hair Dance.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 2 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Organic rice starch, organic oatmeal, silica, lavender oil, and olive leaf |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Completely natural formula |
| Starch-based dry shampoo |
| Absorbs oils and removes odors well |
| Gives hair amazing volume |
| Suitable for all hair types |
| Doesn’t leave a residue |
| Has a light and clean, lavender rose scent |
| Lasts an unbelievably long time |
| Available in two sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Super-expensive product |
| Takes a while to learn how to apply a powder dry shampoo |
