I'm Just a Girl Who Needs a Dry Shampoo That *Actually* Works: These 8 Are It

No time to shower? No problem.

Best Dry Shampoo
(Image credit: Sabrina Talbert; @leatngu)
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I have an oily scalp, so I sometimes feel like I'm waging an eternal war against greasy roots. Let's say I wash and style my hair on Sunday. There's a 90% chance my hair will need to be washed and styled again by Tuesday (if not sooner). I have some tricks for disguising grease—namely, hats, headbands, and frequent brushing with a boar-bristle brush to distribute oil down to my dry ends, but of course, I'm no stranger to dry shampoo.

Actually, that's an understatement. Dry shampoo is so pivotal to my hair routine that I experience a genuine sense of unease whenever I'm low on it. Not only does it refresh and volumize my flat hair, but it also extends the life of my hairstyles so that I can go longer between shampooings. That's important to me. After all, washing and styling my hair takes up a lot of time. That's not to mention the whole hair-health and heat-damage components. If I can cut down on exposure to hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners (and save on split-end treatments), I will.

That's not to say that choosing a dry shampoo is simple. Actually, it's deceptively difficult. Some weigh down the roots. Some feel thick and chalky. Some sop up only a little bit of oil, leaving an oil-slick shine behind. Others still irritate my scalp and cause my hair to feel even drier than normal. Ahead, see the eight best dry shampoos that are hairstylist-recommended, editor-tested, and approved.

The Top Picks

The Best Dry Shampoos

Best Overall: Ouai Super Dry Invisible Dry Shampoo

Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock holding Ouai Super Dry Shampoo.

Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock holding Ouai Super Dry Shampoo.

(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

Best Affordable: Batiste Original Dry Shampoo

Best for Flat Hair: Nexxus Refresh Volume Dry Shampoo

Assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert holding Nexxus Refresh Volume Shampoo.

Assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert holding Nexxus Refresh Volume Shampoo

(Image credit: Sabrina Talbert)

Best for Dark Hair: Unite U:Dry Clear Dry Shampoo

Best Non-Aerosol: K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk

Dae Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo

How to Use Dry Shampoo

"There are a few different ways I like to use dry shampoo, not just for absorbing oil but also for creating texture and hold without the hair feeling like it has too much product in it," Puncerelli says. "I always section the hair out and apply it to the roots (never to the hair shaft, as this will make your hair very dry)."

The proper technique comes down to your specific hair texture. "If you have finer hair, you’re going to want to apply the dry shampoo a little at a time until you achieve your desired goal. Sometimes I recommend using a fine-tooth comb to shimmy it in the roots. For medium to thicker hair, you can be a little bit more generous with the application, but again, you want to make sure you’re using a dry shampoo that becomes translucent so your hair doesn’t have a white cast over it."

How We Chose

For all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our curated lists based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best dry shampoos, we consulted a professional hairstylist. We also leaned heavily on original testing and our knowledge as beauty experts. Lastly, we considered several important factors, such as size, efficacy, and key ingredients. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to call out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.

Why Trust Us

For almost 20 years, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted beauty, style, and shopping resource.

Kaitlyn McLintock
Kaitlyn McLintock
Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.

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