Greasy hair is just a big no-no. No matter who you are, pulling off the greasy roots look is tricky. This 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 has 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 are 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 excess 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 does a great lighter option for blondes, while Moroccanoil has 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.
Best dry shampoo of 2022:
Are you ready to shop our pick of the best? This is our Beauty Editor-approved edit of the best dry shampoos to buy now. Our Senior Beauty Editor (who admits to having pretty greasy roots at times) tested each of the below, paying close attention to how well it absorbed oil, fragrance, how it felt in the hair and price.