13 Best Dry Shampoos in 2024 to Use Between Washes

While every dry shampoo will take care of dirty, oily hair and let you go a day (or two) longer without washing your hair, some are formulated with styling ingredients that add volume, thickness, and texture. Some are also spiked with nourishing ingredients like conditioning glycerin and shine-enhancing antioxidants to target brittle texture, lackluster finishes, and itchiness.

How do you apply dry shampoo?

If you want a step-by-step guide on how to apply your dry shampoo, we have a full expert-approved tutorial on how to use dry shampoo correctly for you to check out. But, here’s the gist of everything you need to know from it:

Step 1: Prep your hair and the dry shampoo

Before you even touch your hair, Los Angeles-based hair stylist Chris Appleton previously told Allure that prepping the product itself is key to a residue-free look. “This will make sure the product’s formula is evenly distributed inside of the bottle, making for even distribution on your scalp,” he said.

After your product is ready to go, grab a comb and part your hair into sections, starting with the oiliest ones first.

Step 2: Ready, set, spritz

News flash: you’re probably holding your dry shampoo bottle too close to your roots. Each product does have its own directions for use, but a rule of thumb is to spray the dry shampoo a full 12 inches away from your head, aiming for the roots as you spritz. “Keeping the proper distance between your hair and the aerosol bottle is so important,” Appleton said. Remember to only apply the dry shampoo onto oily areas to prevent product build-up and unnecessary waste.

Step 3: Let it sit

Do you tend to brush your hair immediately after applying dry shampoo? Well, stop doing that. “It’s really crucial to let the dry shampoo sit for a few minutes so it can work its magic properly,” Appleton said. “After you’ve let it sit, you can massage it into your scalp with your hands to really activate the ingredients that soak up the oil.”

If you used too much product, no need to panic. Just simply run a brush or a comb through your hair from root to tip to disperse any build-up, et voilà.

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing hair care products, we also take into account testers’ experience levels. For instance, an innovative new blow-dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.