Dry shampoo is a warm weather staple, a must-have if you travel, and a lifesaver in all the worst hair situations.
Ever since I wrote How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?, I’ve received tons of emails and some comments wanting dry shampoo recommendations. Over the past few months, I’ve been on a quest to test them all out, and have finally decided on my top 5 favorite dry shampoos ever.
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What is dry shampoo?
For those of you who don’t know, dry shampoo is a powder, usually in a spray can, that absorbs oil in your hair and leaves a fresh scent. It gets rid of greasy “second day” hair, adds volume, and makes hair look and smell fresh and clean, minus the need for water.
Why use dry shampoo?
There are a so many reasons why dry shampoo is amazing.
First of all, if you’re blonde, it’s the best for getting rid of greasy hair and even lightening up your roots! (This is personally why I’m obsessed with it.)
Second, it’s perfect if you have damaged hair that you don’t want to shampoo every day. Daily shampooing, blow drying, and styling can stress your hair even more, causing extra damage and breakage. By shampooing only 3-4 times a week and using dry shampoo in between washings, your hair will be less damaged and prone to breakage.
Third, it’s perfect if you travel or just wake up late and need to get ready fast. A quick spray and your hair will be good to go, no shower necessary.
The Top 5 Best Dry Shampoos
Cheapest Option: Batiste Dry Shampoo
Don’t let the old school packaging fool you – this stuff is as good now as it probably was in the ’80s when they designed the label. Batiste Dry Shampoo comes in a bunch of scents, but I only tried Original and “Blush”. Original smells clean, lemony, and a little bit chemically, but once it’s on your hair the scent disappears. Blush smells powdery and floral, but not too overpowering. At only $5.99/can (and available to buy in bulk on Amazon!), Batiste is a budget-friendly dry shampoo that works well.
You can buy Batiste Dry Shampoo for $5.99 at Amazon.
Best scent: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo
I’m in LOVE with the lemony scent of this product! It’s definitely pricey, at $11 for a tiny bottle, but pricey is what you have to expect with Oscar Blandi. As far as results go, this worked just as well as the cheaper brands at eliminating oil and leaving hair looking fresh. If you only plan to use dry shampoo once in a while and want to splurge on something that smells amazing, you have to try Oscar Blandi.
You can buy Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo for $11 at Amazon.
Most Stylish: VERB Dry Shampoo
If you want your vanity (or sink, or desk, or dresser, or wherever you keep your products) to look extra chic, just add a bottle of VERB Dry Shampoo. The packaging is so stylish and the pointed tip makes it easy to apply. As a bonus, this stuff works great, and doesn’t leave a whitish cast on hair if your strands are darker! Although it’s not really economical at $16/bottle, if you’ve got the funds, we highly recommend it.
You can buy VERB Dry Shampoo for $16 at Sephora
DIY version: Baby Powder
If you don’t want to shell out the money for any of the products above, and want to use something you might have around the house, you can use baby powder instead. Just sprinkle some baby powder on your roots, turn your head upside down, and brush it out, and your hair will look and smell nice and fresh. As a bonus, baby powder comes in huge containers that last FOREVER.
If you don’t want to smell like baby powder, I highly recommend the Calming Lavender scented powder available on Amazon which smells lovely and works just as well as regular.
You can buy Calming Lavender Scent baby powder for $9.99 on Amazon.
Best Overall: Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo
Klorane Dry Shampoo is my favorite of all the ones I’ve tried. It’s definitely pricey and can be hard to find in stores, but it’s worth it for the scent, the fact that it’s natural, and how well it works. It makes hair look clean and fresh, but doesn’t build up or make hair look dull the way other dry shampoos can. Klorane is also great because it’s natural and contains fewer toxic ingredients than other products on the market. It’s also perfect for darker hair, as it doesn’t leave any white residue. Highly recommended!
You can buy Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo for $20 on Amazon.
Related reading: The Best Drugstore Shampoos for Oily Hair
Your thoughts?
You’ve seen my favorite dry shampoos, now I want to hear your recommendations. Do you use dry shampoo? If so, let me know which one is your favorite in the comments section!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2009; it was completely revamped in 2017 to reflect our current favorite products.
Sephora does not sell klorane dry shampoo is there anywhere else
I absolutely love the Batiste dry shampoo!! As I don’t have time to wash my hair before school I can give it a quick burst in the morning and I’m good to go, so quick and easy to use! Also, it’s easily affordable for a teenage girl like me!:)
I love KMS California (@ Cosmo prof beauty supply) & TRESemmé dry shampoo for straight & curly hair (@ wal-mart)
I have only tried one, and I like it do much I probably won’t try others. The Got2B dry shampoo is around $3 and works great. The smell is Eh, but could be worse. I never brush it out.. Just spray then finger comb a little. It’s not noticeable on my auburn hair either!
thanks for all information, I use dry shampoo when I was young, but I ‘m searching for my grandougther,she is 16 and have african and caribian hair. I only can pay one a month for her hair, I need something in betwen. thank againg.
suave professionals dry shampoo (silver can with yellow cap) is AWESOME and super affordable. it helps give your roots volume, smells great, and dries up grease super fast! just rub it in a little and it leaves no color at all, even on my dark brunette hair. it doesn’t look like dandruff at all because it’s a super-fine powder spray. i won’t use anything else now!
You guys need to check out shampoo caps. They are awesome! Just slip them on your head, massage for a couple of minutes and your hair is shampooed, conditioned and towel dry! The ones I use are from a company called Synergy Health:
http://www.synergyonlinestore.com/personal-bathing-aids/RSC905SU.html
When my friend at work recommended Shielo Volumizing Shampoo and I tried it – I was sold on it. I
Here’s about me: I have used some of the best volumizers in the past. I used stay at home a many of days very upset with my flat, lifeless hair. I would see other girls and they had the most beautiful head of hair. I tried all the mousse, gel, spritz, you name it – I have probably used it.
Not now though, Shielo Volume Shampoo made my hair is so full and shiny. I can just blow dry a litttle and go. All day lasting fullness. I tell all my friends about it, and even went as far as to give it in gift bags for the women in my family for this past christmas. I was put off at the price at first, but a little tiny drop makes your whole hair later – and its last longer than the cheaper bottles i used to buy…way worth it!
I personally use the tony & guy refreshing dry shampoo, Its great as it doesn’t leave a white residue, i bought it from coles for 13.95 It is 180g bottle. Great if u ask me
I just picked up Klorane at Shoppers Drug Mart for the regular price of $8.99, not sure why it’s so much at Sephora! Love it.
You have to shampoo only 3-4 times a week and using dry shampoo in between washings? I don’t think so. I wash my hair 2 times a week and it’s enough. Of if you wash your hair daily is damaged. I have very long hair and the whole process ( wash, dry, style) takes me 2 hours. Girls with long hair I think they know what I’m talking about, so I don’t think anyone will stay everyday to wash her hair, unless she doesn’t have smth else to do. I never used dry shampoo….so I can’t say if it’s ok or not. I like the idea but it’s ridiculous to say that it can be used 3-4 times a week + plus your regular hair wash.
i forgot the website! www.shampowder.com or target.com
I use a product called Shampowder. It ROCKS! it is a light vanilla scent and cool applicator.
I read about dry shampoo in a magazine over the summer & couldn’t wait to try it. I purchased Batiste blush from Sally’s & fell in love immediately. The original scent smells too much like aerosol for me. The blush does have a floral smell that is a little strong (I don’t like perfume smells) but mostly wears off & it lasts well throughout the day. I have never tried using it 2 days in a row though. It is a fairly small can (in my opinion), goes quickly, & the price is more expensive than $5.99 when purchased in-store. Despite the negatives, I would definitely recommend it.
bastiste i use it always wouldnt change, its a goood un 🙂
I also have to say, it’s great that you have actually tried these products. As opposed to just suggesting random things.