Beauty

7 Great Dry Shampoos and How to Use Them

No time to wash and dry your hair? No worries, dry shampoo is your new best friend

By Catherine Tse /

Learn the proper way to use dry shampoo and refresh that second-day hair

Dry shampoos are quickly becoming a staple product in hair kits, helping to quickly transform limp, greasy strands into voluminous, fluffy hair. The basis of all dry shampoos is a starch that absorbs excess oil and residue left from styling products. Most come in an aerosol form, which makes it easy to spot clean – perfect for those who find their fringe gets particularly oily after swishing against the forehead all day.

Why You Need Dry Shampoo

It’s quick, easy and requires absolutely no water at all. Think of it as dry cleaning for your hair. While it’s great for putting life back into second day hair and making you feel refreshed, it’s not a substitute for actual washing.

But if you’re off to a summer festival or a backpacking trip or a long-haul flight, dry shampoo will definitely help keep you feeling fresher longer. Even hospitals are starting to use dry shampoos in between patient cleanings. It’s the perfect secret weapon to revive listless locks after a long day in the office (or beach) before heading out to dinner.

A lot of people also turn to dry shampoo as a way to extend actual washings, ideal especially for those with colour treated/processed hair. Less frequent washing are not only healthier for your hair, but it’s the green choice, helping to conserve gallons of water for each time you don’t wash your hair in the shower.

Dry Shampoo as a Texturizer

Hairdressers have also noticed that beyond its ability to dry out oily hair, it’s a great styling tool in itself, giving limp, thin hair tons of volume and lift. They’re especially useful if you have slippery hair and can never keep your hair in a top knot or braids. Blast your strands with some dry shampoo to give it some good grip.

How to Use Dry Shampoo

If you’re using dry shampoo for its intended purpose, there’s a trick to using it. Dry shampoo is definitely not a spray-and-go product. To use it successfully, follow these steps:

  1. You’re aiming for the roots where the oil is, so section off hair as needed to have better access. The oilier the hair, the more detailed you want to be at this stage. Spray in a well ventilated room, about 30 cm away from your head, using short bursts.
  2. After you’re done, leave the dry shampoo alone for two minutes to give the starch a chance to absorb the oil. For anyone who’s ever complained of white residue on dark hair, you need to give the product enough time to absorb the oils.
  3. After waiting, use your hands to massage the roots of your hair (as if you were washing your hair) to help the rest of the product do its magic.
  4. Brush out your hair to help distribute any excess product through your hair. This is particularly important if you have dark hair as it will remove any ashy colour that might otherwise remain.
  5. If you feel your hair looks too matte, use a few drops of a hair oil (favourite: Live Clean’s Monoi Oil treatment) but only at the ends. Adding oil beyond the ends will simply get you back to square one.

Now that you know how to use it, read on for seven fabulous dry shampoos to try.



Credit:  Batiste
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Batiste Dry Shampoo

Long considered the original dry shampoo, Batiste consistently remains the No. 1 selling dry shampoo in the UK. This is a basic, no-nonsense product that simply delivers what it promises: to de-slick your hair and give it a bit of oomph.

Available at London Drugs and other select drug stores
Cost: $9.99



Credit: Rene Furterer

Rene Furterer, Naturia Dry Shampoo

This luxury dry shampoo uses a patented formula of kaolin clay, silica, rice and cornstarch powders for incredible oil-absorption, as well peppermint, caraway and basil oils to soften hair. It’s excellent at both refreshing the hair while providing volume and texture, and the essential oils keep your hair from becoming too matte. This one also doesn’t leave you with an itchy scalp. Naturia is definitely worth the investment.

Available at select hair salons
Cost: $20



Credit: Pantene

Pantene Pro-V Dry Shampoos

Pantene‘s new dry shampoos use tapioca to absorb oil and dirt from hair to leave it dry and refreshed. These were a big hit backstage at the last Vancouver Fashion Week, helping hair stylists create near gravity-defying up-dos.
There are three in this lineup: Original Fresh, which provides the most oil-absorption so best for those with truly oily hair; Blowout Extend, which is great as a style aid so best for those looking to add texture and volume; and Root Reboot, which provides the best of both worlds so best for those who need an all-in-one, does-everything product.

Available at London Drugs and other select retailers
Cost: $5.99



Credit: Marc Anthony

Marc Anthony 2nd Day Clear Dry Shampoo

For those with dark hair and who really struggle with an ashy residue (even after following the directions on the first page), Marc Anthony’s clear dry shampoo is your answer. While it’s absolutely foolproof, it’s a bit light on performance, working best on shorter hair. If you have hair longer than shoulder-length, this isn’t for you.

Available at London Drugs and other select drug stores
Cost: $9.98



Credit: Klorane

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat or Nettle Extract

Klorane‘s dry shampoos feature rice and corn starches as well as other naturally absorbent microspheres. This product is best used as intended – as a dry shampoo – rather than as a hair texturizer. Both versions are great at refreshing the hair, although the one with Nettle extract is better suited for those with particularly oily hair. Both are lovely, mildly scented, effective products.

Available at London Drugs and other select drug stores
Cost: $15.25



Credit: LUSH

LUSH No Drought Dry Shampoo

LUSH‘s dry shampoo is the only one in this lineup that isn’t in an aerosol can (for those looking for an alternative). No Drought comes in a small bottle that you simply invert to sprinkle out the powder. For this reason, you’ll want to apply it before getting dressed as the powder tends to travel. It’s worth it though – this lovely, lightly citrus-scented powder does a great job at absorbing oil. It’s best applied by sprinkling into hands, rubbing them together, then distributing onto hair.

And don’t let the small bottle mislead you – it’s a fantastic value. For anyone who’s ever gone through a can of dry shampoo and wondered where it all went after a few weeks, try this one next. Also, it’s size and simplicity make it a great choice if you’re catching a flight.

Available in-store and online at LUSH
Cost: $13.95



Credit: göt2b

Got2B Rockin’ it Dry Shampoo

göt2b‘s dry shampoo is definitely a drugstore gem, delivering an effective product at a great price. It’s a top performer, absorbing excess oil quickly and beautifully. You’ll get great results from this product, though you may have to spend a bit more time rubbing and brushing this product through your hair, as it tends to linger more than others. But it’s definitely worth the effort especially at this price.

Available at London Drugs and other select drug stores
Cost: $5.98