I’m a dry shampoo convert. It's one of my all-time must-have beauty buys. Why I hear you ask? Dry shampoo helps to refresh, thicken, and revive your locks. Used correctly they will help to give you a few extra days out of your blow dry and if you choose the right formulation it won’t leave with a white, powdery mess. Ideal for travel, the gym bag or the office drawer when you need to dash out from work. Here’s our pick of formulas, and the do’s and don’ts on getting the best result when using dry shampoo.
Don’t: Spray too close to your scalp
Dry shampoo should only be sprayed at the roots only, six to eight inches from the head is a good rule of thumb. Spray any closer, and you’re going to create too much build-up on the scalp, which stops you from being able to evenly distribute the product through your hair.
Tinted dry shampoo
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark tones, $45.
Brunettes you will love this option. There is no white residue left in the hair with this formula because it’s tinted. Moroccanoil has two coloured versions,one for brunettes, which is brown, and a violet-hued option for blondes. It offers just enough texture and hold to revive flat-looking hair and zero residue.
Do: Choose a residue-free formula
I prefer a totally transparent mist that uses technology like micellar water will remove dirt, oil, and greasy residue without that telltale white residue. Never use dry shampoo on wet or damp hair. It won’t work. It’s called dry shampoo for a reason, to absorb oil in dry hair to give your dry style instant lift.
Colab Extreme Volume Dry Shampoo, $10.
The brains behind this residue-free dry shampoo is UK beauty blogger Ruth Crilly. One shot of this spray into roots and it absorbs oil without leaving that white cast at the roots. You can expect fresh-feeling, bouncy locks in seconds. There are seven scents.
Residue-free formula
Do: Use dry shampoo to add volume to your hair
For fine, thin hair, dry shampoo is a great way to plump up volume and give your hair instant lift. I often use a small amount of dry shampoo at roots to create a bit of texture and grit on floppy, freshly washed hair.
Volume boosting dry shampoo
Davines Hair Refresher, $32.
Softly scented this formula adds instant volume, fast. As well as that just-washed, feeling in the hair, it leaves no white residue. To use shake the can and spritz about 20 cm, into the roots of the hair, wait a few minutes, and then brush your hair. To boost volume further blow-dry the roots of your hair with the cold air setting of your hairdryer.
Do: Wait a few seconds, before you massage dry shampoo into the roots
Let the dry shampoo sit on the roots for a few minutes, and then massage, or brush it into your hair. This distributes the dry shampoo evenly, helps remove the excess product to gives hair that fresh, clean feeling. If you’ve sprayed on too much, use your blow dryer, turn it on a low heat setting, and apply the heat to help work the formula into your locks.
Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-powder Très Invisible Nourishing Dry Shampoo, $50.
Another invisible wonder your greasy locks will vanish and feel nourished thanks to hibiscus extract and UV filters. It also leaves hair delicately scented. Simply spritz and massage into the roots to get that instant freshly-washed feeling.
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Don’t: Just use dry shampoo and never wash your hair
Despite the name, dry shampoo will never take the place of actual shampoo and water. It's effective at absorbing excess oil and refreshing your style or extending your blow out, however, your hair and scalp still need cleansing. Relying on dry shampoo alone will cause a build-up of residue on the scalp that can clog your follicles and cause hair loss.