Swapping the suds for a few sprinkles of oil-absorbing powder is hardly a new concept. Women back in the Victorian era used arrowroot powder, and who hasn’t reached for a bit of baby powder in a pinch? Now that third-day hair is officially en vogue, we have our pick of products designed to lift limp locks and mop up greasy scalps, but when it comes to dry shampoos, it’s not a matter of one size fits all.
Here's how to find the perfect tress-freshening formula for you.
If you have fine hair, a lightweight powder that adds texture and volume could become your new best friend since it gives hair instant lift (even in height-sapping heat and humidity). Make sure to choose one that’s featherweight and won’t build up or clump, like Matrix Design Pulse Mega Dust.
If you have curly hair, you’re facing two dilemmas: first, you don’t have the luxury of brushing dry shampoo through your strands, and second, you’ve got to fight those dreaded frizzies that can be a tell-tale sign of dirty roots. Try a cleansing mousse instead of spray or powder to help reshape curls and freshen roots, like TRESemme Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo.
If you have dark hair, choose a starch-based clear spray to avoid the whitish cast that can make hair look dull, or worse, gray. Try Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray.
If you have a sensitive scalp, try a formula that's free of parabens and contains ingredients that are soothing and gentle to relieve the itchiness that can accompany a less-than-clean scalp. Oat extract is a great one for calming irritation, and you can find it in Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo.
How do you keep oily strands at bay?
Calida Li
April 24, 2012
My hair is so thick that I don’t have to use dry shampoo, just comb/brush it thoroughly each day. I tried dry shampoo once on my very thick and dark hair and it was very bad! lol. I gave my dry shampoo to my thin-haired friend, hopefully it worked out for her!