We’ve all seen the memes – “I’m 90% dry shampoo at this point” or “I dunno what dry shampoo is but the way girls talk about it, I’m guessing it’s saved more lives than antibiotics” – but it was recently brought to my attention that some people still aren’t obsessed. Gasp.
I’m willing to bet this lack of adoration is due to an incorrect application process, which is why I consider it my solemn duty to inform you all of the “proper” ways to do it. Read on for all my dry shampoo application tips, but be warned, this is coming from someone who strictly washes their hair just once a week – exercise, beach and sweat be damned – with dry shampoo saving my hair on all other six days. So, after reading this, there’s a fair chance that you too will be just as obsessed…
WHAT IS DRY SHAMPOO?
Before we begin, it’s worth noting that throughout this article, I’m referring to aerosol dry shampoos only. There are plenty of other types out there these days – read: pastes, mousses and powders – but I’m fortunate enough to try everything, and I always find myself reaching for an aerosol. After speaking to a handful of hair stylists, I found their sentiments to be much of the same; aerosols give you more control and even coverage. Some also add volume and texture – ideal if you’re after a bit of “grip” and don’t fancy a salt spray, though other dry shampoo types can give a similar effect.
So, what actually is dry shampoo? It’s a starch-based formula that soaks up excess sebum from your scalp. In this way, it doesn’t actually clean anything – think of it as a metaphorical band-aid – it simply prolongs the inevitable eventual wash, making your hair look freshly blow-dried in the meantime. This is ideal if you need to make a quick getaway in the morning and don’t have time for a full shampoo, condition, mask and blow-dry, but beware – experts recommend applying dry shampoo around twice a week max to prevent a build-up of product and subsequent issues like flakes, infections or acne. In this way dry shampoo is similar to makeup – you wouldn’t slather layers upon layers of makeup on, day after day, without giving your skin time to breathe in between. The same goes for dry shampoo. It is not a replacement for real shampoo, but it does give you more time and styling prowess in between washes.
DRY SHAMPOO APPLICATION TIPS
Nobody wants an ashy whitecast or gritty texture ruining their hair, which is where these tips come in. Follow these and I guarantee you’ll have soft, voluminous hair in between dreaded wash days.
Find your colour
Firstly, you want to pick the right tone. If you have blonde hair and you pick up a brunette dry shampoo, you’re going to end up with discoloured roots. If you have dark hair and you choose a light one, you’re going to get a whitecast or dullness. Some tinted sprays can even help to cover greys in between dye appointments. Win-win.
I have raven-black hair, and my favourite tinted formulas are the Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones and the Batiste Dry Shampoo With A Hint Of Colour Divine Dark.
Batiste Dry Shampoo With A Hint Of Colour Divine Dark, Dhs22.50, SHOP NOW
Give it a shake
Shake it, baby! If you feel like you’re spraying and spraying but the formula just isn’t doing anything, then you might be forgetting to shake it before application. Sometimes the starch can settle at the bottom of the can, leaving nothing to actually soak up your grease.
Section your hair
If you spray dry shampoo on just the top of your head or parting and go, you’ll be left with a dull halo and no revitalising lift. What you really want to do is section your hair into pieces and spray the scalp underneath these sections. This will get to the very root of the issue (pun intended). Also make sure you’re spraying from 12 whole inches away. This ensures even coverage and absorption, rather than creating random spots of product build-up. Less is more, too – apply when and where you feel greasy, unless using for volume, in which case, go wild and spray wherever you want some va-va-voom. As a general rule of thumb, thicker hair will need more product to soak up excess oils, and thinner hair will need less.
Patience is key
Don’t forget to leave your hair alone for at least two minutes whilst you let the dry shampoo get to work. Once a few minutes have passed, you’re good to massage the product in and then brush it out, but more on that below.
Remove excess product
Give yourself a little massage before you brush out any excesss. If you don’t massage it in and brush it out, you’re just asking for a dull, gritty finish. Using your fingertips to work it into your scalp ensures no excess product is wasted on your hair. Make sure to wash your hands so that you aren’t depositing any dirt or oils from them onto your head.
Then grab a brush or a comb and brush everything through. An extra stylist’s tip is to give your hair a quick blast with a hairdryer. This will disperse the product through to your mid-lengths and help with volume. If you’re creating an updo, you don’t have to worry about brushing and hair drying so much, as the excess product will give you extra grip to work with.
@wittlestar the best Dry Shampoo Hack that ACTUALLY works 🚨✨🤌🏻 #dryshampoo #dryshampoohack #greasyhair #beautyhacks @Redken
Hit the hay
Finally, the ultimate dry shampoo hack is to sleep in it for a blowdry-like result. You can use dry shampoo at any time, but using it at night will really boost its performance – it’ll absorb oils as you sleep so that your tresses look refreshed and ready to go in the morning.
OUR FAVOURITES
Here are some of our favourite formulas to provoke your hair care love affair…
Pureology
You just cannot go wrong with Pureology. This formula is a winner thanks to its added UVA/UVB sun protection.
Olaplex
When this landed on my desk I could barely contain my excitement. A dry shampoo with OLAPLEX’s signature bond-building technology that doesn’t clog pores and calms the scalp? Count me in.
OUAI
When it comes to scenting your strands, OUAI wins every time. This dry shampoo will intoxicate all who wear it with OUAI’s iconic ‘Melrose Place’ scent – a delicious cocktail of bergamot, lychee, white musk and champagne.
Living Proof
On the subject of smell, this dry shampoo makes the cut due to its innovative time-release fragrance technology, which releases a fresh and clean scent throughout the day. Though not tinted, Perfect Hair Day also works well on darker hair due to its no-residue formula.
Vegamour
After using their TikTok-famous serum, I’m a full Vegamour devotee. I have no doubt that this dry shampoo will visibly improve hair density with continued use – ideal for those who’re worried about thinning.
