The Best Dry Shampoo for Every Hair Type
These sweat-tested and runner-approved picks will save you tons of time washing and restyling your hair.
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For some of us, finding the time to run is no problem. It’s finding the time to run, then shower, then restyle our hair from scratch that makes it easier to find excuses. A quick, 30-minute lunch run can easily turn into an hour and a half routine if you let it.
So here’s the good news: You don’t need to wash your hair every day, says Lauren Thompson Baxter, stylist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City. “The natural oils are good for your scalp and your hair, especially those with naturally dry, frizzy hair or dry scalp” she says.
Instead, skip the wash and spray in some dry shampoo. The trick is to spray it underneath where you part your hair and all through the crown of your head, Baxter says. “Dry shampoo is [usually] powder-based, so avoid spraying it right on top of your head so you don‘t see the powder.” After, massage it in with your fingertips or brush through with a comb to distribute it evenly—and voilà: Greasy hair turns into a refreshed style in seconds.
While this product can save you literally hours of washing and restyling your hair each week, it’s not totally foolproof—there are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind. For one, if you’re applying dry shampoo directly after a workout, Baxter recommends blasting your roots with a hair dryer first to evaporate the sweat. “The dry shampoo will not absorb the oil effectively if your roots are wet and sweaty,” she says. “Also, concentrate on spraying the dry shampoo around the hairline and underneath the nape of the neck, where you sweat the most.”
And if you like to work out at night or simply want to extend the life of a blow dry, Baxter’s pro tip: Spritz in dry shampoo before bed. This will allow the product to soak up grease that’s produced overnight, she says.
We put an entire gym bag full of dry shampoos to the sweat test. Below, find the best dry shampoo options according to your hair type.
We’ve been recommending this classic dry shampoo for years and don’t know anyone who also doesn’t also love it. (For proof: There’s one sold every nine seconds across the world.) The oil-absorbing combo of corn and rice starch soaks up grease on your strands while the soothing oat milk protects your scalp. The aerosol applicator sprays evenly, preventing that dusty, white look that happens with other dry shampoos. While this works for brunette hair, there's also a tinted version available.
Philosophy Amazing Grace Dry Shampoo Best Fragrance
If you’re worried that skipping washes might result in your hair smelling less than lovely, try a dry shampoo with fragrance like this one from Philosophy. It features the brand’s signature clean, fresh floral scent (think: running through wild flowers on a warm, spring day) and revives your style at the same time. And if that’s not enough, the philosophical blurb on the bottle can help motivate your next run.
For a dry shampoo that won’t break the bank, it’s hard to beat Batiste. This tried-and-trusted starch formula eliminates oily roots and adds body back to hair postrun. Plus, you can find it in most drugstores for less than nine bucks a bottle in a pinch.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo Best for Blonde/Light Hair
The name—Perfect Hair Day—says it all. This spray does more than just mop up grease—it actually removes dirt and sweat, too. The formula features a proprietary polymer called OFPMA that works together with rice starch and cellulose to absorb oil and odor while hydrated silica dries up perspiration—making it a perfect pick for athletes. Spray it in, leave it for about five minutes, then brush it out to sweep away dirt and oil. The only downside is that it shows up fairly white on dark hair so it works best for lighter hair colors.
Paul Mitchell Invisiblewear Brunette Dry Shampoo Best for Brunette/Dark Hair
Brunettes know: There are few things worse than the powdery look dry shampoo can give dark strands. This super-fine formula has a tiny bit of tint for brown for dark hair. Shake it up, then spray it in to absorb oil post-workout or refresh your style.
If you regularly color or heat style your hair, you’re probably struggling with some damage and dead ends. This dry shampoo formula features keratin, a protein naturally found in your hair, that bonds to your strands and smoothes down the cuticle so hair appears silkier, smoother, and healthier. Plus it smells amazing, so it makes you look and feel refreshed (even if you’re still sweating).
Created by Jen Atkin, hairstylist to the stars, this option will give lifeless strands a big boost of body and texture without any white residue. And if you’re used to plumping your hair up with mousses and sprays, it also neutralizes product build-up so you can squeeze out an extra day or two before washing.
If you’ve got curly hair or texture, then you know that too much washing and fussing actually wreaks havoc on your curls. The curl pros at Devachan salon in New York City strategically created this botanical-infused conditioning spray for that exact reason. Spray it in on the go to rehydrate and revive your style without water.
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