Dry shampoo is a quick, effective way to refresh hair between washes—absorbing oil, boosting volume, and extending the life of your style. As a mom, it’s a weekly lifesaver in my routine. Especially if you remember to apply it before you need it, dry shampoo can make a noticeable difference in how your hair looks and feels. That said, moderation matters: too much can cause buildup, while the right amount helps maintain a fresh, clean finish. Choosing a formula that suits your hair type and needs is key.
Below, we outlined our best tips for using dry shampoo as well as the very best dry shampoos on the market, from budget-friendly options to dark hair picks that won’t leave that pesky white residue, as well as best-smelling options and Earth-friendly selections. In short, here are the very best dry shampoos and how to use them to get that good hair feeling more often.
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How we chose the best dry shampoo
Choosing the best dry shampoo for your hair can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options. But fear not! The key is to consider your hair type, texture, and specific needs. If you have fine hair, you’ll want a gentle, residue-free option like Dove. In need of a quick mid-day refresh, especially post gym? Try K18 Airwash™.
If you have darker hair, finding a product that doesn’t leave a white residue is crucial. Try Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones, designed specifically for darker locks. Beyond hair type, think about the ingredients, fragrance, and price point. Some dry shampoos come with delightful scents, while others focus on natural ingredients. Choose what aligns best with your preferences, budget, and needs.
How to use dry shampoo for the best results
Getting the most out of your dry shampoo is all about technique. Here’s a foolproof method to ensure your hair looks fresh and fabulous:
- Shake It Up: This ensures the formula is mixed well and ready to work its magic.
- Spray Smart: Hold the can 4-6 inches from your head to evenly distribute the product.
- Massage In: Use your fingertips to massage the product and absorb oil effectively.
- Let It Sit: Give it a minute or two to fully absorb. Patience here pays off with cleaner, fresher hair.
- Brush It Out: Use a brush or comb to distribute the product evenly and remove any excess powder.
- Style Away: Now, style your hair as usual. You’ll find it easier to manage and with added volume.
The best dry shampoo overall
The Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo ($29)
This is the ultimate staple for a healthy refresh between hair wash days. Infused with nutrient-rich sea buckthorn, the product’s invisible-finish formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and certified free from sulfates and mineral oil—all the icky things you won’t want anywhere near your hair. The best part? It offers all the dry shampoo benefits without the white residue that leaves you wishing you hadn’t bothered at all. Just make sure to massage your scalp after use to get the best results.
The Bondi Boost Dry Shampoo ($28)
Another fan-favorite pick, this dry shampoo adds volume to all hair types, with a clean, talc and benzene-free formula tinted with rosemary—a botanical that invigorates the scalp. Each use will help your hair grow longer and healthier, without any buildup or irritation that often plagues hair products. You’ll definitely want to add this one to your routine.
Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo ( $33)
Living Proof PhD Dry Shampoo earns its place as best overall thanks to its advanced formula that truly refreshes hair without leaving behind that chalky residue common in many dry shampoos. It absorbs oil exceptionally well, extends between-wash styling, and leaves hair feeling clean and lightweight rather than heavy or sticky. Bonus points: It has a subtle, fresh scent that makes your hair smell as good as it looks.
“It has a subtle, fresh scent that makes your hair smell as good as it looks.”
The best dry shampoo for post-workout
The R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist ($32)
This dry shampoo is unlike any other formula on the market. Instead of your typical powder formula, this liquid spray suspends cleansing powder in a micellar formula. The result is a more watery spray that never feels like your hair is getting overwhelmed with powder.
My personal favorite way to apply this is to spritz all over to make my hair just slightly damp, and then give it a quick blow-dry to really activate the formula. This is a great option for a mid-day refresh, especially after a workout or anytime you get particularly sweaty. It also works well as a texture spray to add volume and refresh hair.
“This is a great option for a mid-day refresh, especially after a workout or anytime you get particularly sweaty.”
K18 Dry Shampoo ($48)
This is a non-aerosol dry shampoo that balances scalp health with oil control—the best of both worlds. The newly added odorBIND™ smart-release biotechnology works to combat those not-so-pleasant odors that affect us all post-workout. After the product is massaged or brushed in, it can last up to 3 days, giving all of us active girls what we want most: more flexibility on our hair-washing days.
The best non-aerosol spray dry shampoo
Crown Affair: The Refillable Dry Shampoo ($42, $32 for refill)
This product comes with pretty unique packaging. The talc-free, refillable dry shampoo powder comes with a Kabuki brush, allowing you to pick up as much as you need and use it wherever needed. I can honestly say that this is my favorite way of applying dry shampoo because it makes it so incredibly easy to only use it where needed. While the product is expensive, a little goes a long way (I’m several months into my first container and still have plenty of formula to use). And, even better, it’s refillable, so you just need to buy the initial packaging one time.
The formula uses persimmon powder, which acts as a natural deodorizer and has a subtle scent of bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass. Tapioca starch helps to absorb oils, while tsubaki seed oil hydrates and prevents irritation. It keeps my oily scalp at bay, all without any itchiness or irritation that some formulas can cause.
“I can honestly say that this is my favorite way of applying dry shampoo because it makes it so incredibly easy to only use it where needed.”
Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo ($32)
The non-aerosol dispenser makes this more environmentally friendly (because it can be recycled more easily), but the formula is also notable. It uses tapioca starch and cosmetic clay to absorb oil, with a beautiful fragrance from vanilla and star anise.
Odele Oil-absorbing Dry Shampoo ($11.50)
This is a budget-friendly and eco-conscious option that supports scalp health and adds volume. The shampoo’s plant-based formula is dermatologist-tested and includes Algae, Green Microalgae, and Lavender to reduce itchiness and dryness. Odele is a hair brand that—if you don’t already own their products—you absolutely need to add to your rotation.
The best dry shampoo for darker hair
Captain Blankenship Refresh Dry Shampoo ($26)
As someone with darker hair, I’ve found that a lot of white dry shampoos leave my hair looking ashy if they can’t blend in properly. If you also have this issue, Captain Blankenship is a must-try. Available in both a light and dark formula, the simple ingredient list uses arrowroot, organic glacial marine clay, and aluminum-free baking soda to refresh your hair.
There’s a subtle scent of rose geranium and palmarosa as well, giving you volume, clean locks, and great-smelling hair. On top of that, I love the way it dispenses product. You simply dispense a bit into your hands and rub it into your hair. It makes it easy to get just the right amount, so you aren’t applying too much.
“There’s a subtle scent of rose geranium and palmarosa as well, giving you volume, clean locks, and great-smelling hair. On top of that, I love the way it dispenses product.“
Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo ($30)
Another option for darker tones, Moroccan Oil dry shampoo cleanses and refreshes the hair while protecting its natural color. Ultra-fine rice starches absorb oil and product buildup while leaving no unwanted residue—especially on dark hair. Plus, this product also protects against harmful UV rays.
The best dry shampoo for volume
Klorane Dry Shampoo ($34)
For a gentle formula that will absorb oil from even the most intense between-shampoo days, Klorane dry shampoo is your pick. The key ingredient for Klorane’s formula is oat milk, which helps to soothe, protect, and help with irritation. The oil is absorbed with a combination of corn and rice starch, as well as silica.
All of these together help to cleanse the hair and soak up any excess oil. For me, the really winning quality is how much volume this gives your hair. The formula is powerful, and adding a bit to your roots will create plenty of lift even on the most lifeless of strands.
“For me, the really winning quality is how much volume this gives your hair.“
The best-smelling dry shampoo
dae Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo ($30)
When it comes to amazing-smelling hair products, no one does it quite like dae. The majority of their products come in a signature citrus scent, with notes of citrus, orange blossom, and vanilla. And the Fairy Duster shampoo is no exception, packed with the embodiment of the scent of summer.
But, aside from the great scent, the product itself really performs. It’s talc-free and transparent, with a fairly powerful non-aerosol spray. A little goes a long way, so you can spritz where needed for easy oil absorption and volume.
The best drugstore dry shampoo
Kristin Ess Hair Style Reviving Dry Shampoo ($15)
For a drugstore option, this one is pretty hard to beat. The formula is great at absorbing oil with a super-powerful aerosol spray that will get a concentrated amount wherever you need it. I like to spray this all over and then rub it in with the heat of my fingers to really work it into the roots for some extra volume. The scent of this one is also great, with notes of sandalwood, pear, and magnolia that smell extra fresh.
Dove’s Shampoo Spray ($13.62)
For another option, you can never really go wrong with Dove. This product does everything a good dry shampoo should—absorbs oil, restores volume, and cleanses the scalp—with only a few puffs (and far less stress on the bank). Once brushed in, this dry shampoo will let you extend time between hair washes without letting grease build up.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Dry Shampoo
While dry shampoo is a lifesaver, there are a few common mistakes that can hinder its effectiveness. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Overuse: Using too much can lead to buildup and residue. Less is often more.
- Skipping the Shake: Not shaking the can well can result in uneven distribution.
- Spraying Too Close: Holding the can too close can cause clumping and white residue.
- Skipping the Massage: Not massaging the product into your scalp can reduce its effectiveness.
- Using on Wet Hair: Dry shampoo is designed for dry hair. Using it on wet hair can cause clumping and a sticky residue.
By avoiding these pitfalls and following the tips above, you can make the most of your dry shampoo and keep your hair looking its best.
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Morgan Flaherty, Contributing Writer
Morgan is a full-time writer, editor, and mom. She lives in New York with her husband, two kids, and one very sassy cat. Along with her work as a contributing writer for The Everymom, her writing has appeared in Business Insider, InStyle, Scary Mommy, Byrdie, and Cubby.
Alina Orozco, Commerce Editor
Alina Orozco is the Commerce Editor at The Everymom, where she combines her editorial experience with a love for finding products that make everyday life easier and more stylish. To The Everymom, Alina brings over 10+ years of editorial publishing and digital storytelling experience, as well as snippets of her real-life mom style, making fashion trends accessible and fun for every mom. She now lives in a cozy beach town in Southern California with her husband and their two boys, but she’ll always be a Philly girl at heart.
