Not all dry shampoos are created equal – the best dry shampoo goes further
Greasy hair is just a big no-no. No matter who you are, pulling off the greasy roots look is tricky. Which is why the best dry shampoo has become such a beauty staple.
You can use the best shampoo for greasy hair if you really struggle with excessive oil, but having a really good dry shampoo in your arsenal is ideal for getting you from one wash to another. If you’re wondering if dry shampoo works, then put your worries to one side. We are big believers in these hair refreshers.
The best dry shampoos on the market, though, are so much more than a spray that gets rid of greasy hair. Don’t get us wrong, the good ones do that extremely well. But the best ones are smarter.
There are the ones specifically designed to deal with fine hair, that have been created not to weigh the hair down. The ones that don’t dispense white dust, but come out in a darker shade to match your hair colour. And then there’s the super duper clever ones that are like skincare for your scalp.
Like the best shampoo for hair loss, say, or the best purple shampoo for the blondes among us, a great dry shampoo is a beauty investment well worth making in our book. Here’s why.
How does dry shampoo work?
Dry shampoos use either alcohol or starch to absorb excessive oil from the roots of your hair. Whilst they disguise the greasy look, they shouldn’t actually replace your normal shampoo. If used too regularly, you will find you have product build up at the root, which can cause itchiness and dandruff.
How to use dry shampoo properly
Sure, part of its appeal is spray on, comb through, and dash through the door. But in order to avoid residue and keep your scalp in good nick, there is such thing as dry shampoo best practice.
Aside from finding a dry shampoo that best matches your hair colour (Batiste do a great lighter option for blondes, while Moroccanoil have one of our top picks for dry hair), always shake your dry shampoo before use, and always hold it four to six inches away from your roots when spraying.
Like that old trick of only applying the best foundation where it’s needed, the same should go for dry shampoo. Spray it only where hair is greasiest (without going overboard on one patch). If you’re wondering how much dry shampoo to use, we recommend using it sparingly and building up.
Then, and this is a key part that so many miss, you have to leave it to set for a moment for it to truly work its magic. Don’t run your hands through it straight away. Doing this disrupts the work being done. Once you’ve left it for about a minute or two (go and brush your teeth or put your shoes on), then you can start massaging it into your roots with your fingertips. Voilà! Refreshed hair done right.
Are you ready to shop our pick of the best? Keep scrolling for our Beauty Editor-approved edit of the best dry shampoos to buy now.
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk. £6.75 | Lookfantastic
Ask any chic French woman which dry shampoo she uses and she will roll her eyes at such a ludicrous question, because of course the answer is Klorane. A French pharmacy favourite. Proving that oat milk is not just for your lattés, not only does this dry shampoo absorb dirt and oil, it moisturises and softens the hair.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
Because the brand created the very first dry shampoo in 1971.
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark, £15.45 | Feelunique
For a long while dry shampoos only seemed to cater to those with lighter hair. If you had dark hair, you'd have to really work the white powder into your roots to get it to blend. Well those days are over, because now the formulas have been given an update and when sprayed onto the roots, they quickly dissipate.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval: It's brilliant at diffusing the appearance of grey roots.
Batiste Hydrating Dry Shampoo, £3.99 | Amazon
We couldn't compile a dry shampoo piece and not include Batiste. It was one of our hair award winners. If we really think about it, Batiste made dry shampoos a bathroom cabinet essential. We love their low prices, as well as their efficacy. This is the best dry shampoo for dry hair, thanks to the avocado extracts, it nourishes dry stands and makes them super strokeable.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
It's reliable and affordable.
Hair by Sam McKnight Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo, £19 | Net-A-Porter
Princess Diana's post-divorce hair stylist has created a fantastic two-in-one product. It completely transforms days-old hair, as well as making a really good styling product that lifts hair at the root for unrivalled volume.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
Adds texture exactly where you need it.
Bumble and bumble Prêt-à-Powder, £23 | Boots
This is hands down the best for fine hair. The last thing you want to be doing when your hair shafts are thin as anything is add weight. This finely-milled powder is dusted into the root, then massaged in. It's like fairy dust.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
Allows you to control how much product you use.
Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo, £24.50 | Cult Beauty
Not only will Aveda's dry shampoo make your hair look cleaner, it will feel cleaner too, thanks to its 25 pure flower and plant essences and volumising ability. The dispenser allows you to spritz powder where it's needed. (Plus the 'puff' is really satisfying. Trust us.)
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
It smells like a spa - divine.
Neighbourhood Botanicals Hair Sunday Morning Dry Shampoo, £17 | Feelunique
If you're after a natural formula, then look no further. Simply dust onto the root, then brush through.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
Neighbourhood Botanicals is a carbon-negative brand.
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, £41.50 | Cult Beauty
If you're already a fan of Oribe's Dry Texturising Spray, then you're bound to love this too. It is a little more spenny than the others on the list, but once you go Oribe it's tricky to go back.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
Has an invisible finish - leaves no trace.
R+C Death Valley Dry Shampoo, £24.50 | Cult Beauty
Yes this is a cracking good dry shampoo that rids your roots of oiliness. But by god, it's its fragrance that sets it apart That'll be the bergamot, wild fig, cyclamen, lotus flower, cedar wood and tonka bean.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
The perfect product to give you cool-girl next-day hair.
Virtue Refresh Dry Shampoo, £16 | Feelunique
This is a rather clever dry shampoo. It contains Alpha Keratin 60ku™. (Don't worry, we didn't know what it was either at first.) That special ingredient heals and repairs distressed tresses. No bad, eh?
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
Gentle enough for colour-treated hair.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PHD) Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo, £23 | Cult Beauty
Living Proof's iconic dry shampoo has had a very smart upgrade. If you can believe it, it's the closest to freshly washed hair that you can get in a bottle. It now contains more conditioners that make the hair look and feel healthier, without leaving behind any residue. It's a big yes from us.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
Actually cleans hair.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo, £21.50 | Cult Beauty
If you have a super sensitised scalp, the last thing you want to use is a dry shampoo that causes further irritation. Luckily, this one from Briogeo is kind to the scalp. Not only does it refresh hair, but it also draws out impurities from the scalp encouraging a healthy head of hair.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
Tackles recurring oiliness.
Dry Shampoo Shaker for Fair Hair, £33 | Tabitha James Kraan
This dry shampoo contains an expert blend of therapeutic botanicals which will help balance oil production and soothe the scalp. The easy to wear formula is finished with an exquisitely scented, mind soothing infusion of certified essential oils to leave you feeling like you just stepped out the shower.
Why it gets the Marie Claire seal of approval:
It can be used as a cleanser and/or styling product. Win win.
