Over the years, I’ve tried my fair share of dry shampoo brands and if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that all dry shampoo is not created equal. In fact, at first I thought dry shampoo wasn’t legit because of the first couple of brands I tried but thankfully my determination to not wash my hair led me on a search for the perfect dry shampoo. I quickly realized the full potential of its amazing ability to refresh my hair, prevent it from looking like a greasy mess and, in the case of some brands, actually clean it and remove dirt and oil as well. Heck yes!
In today’s blog post, I thought it would be fun to do a rundown of five of the different dry shampoos I’ve tried through the years and rank them according to how well they worked, the way they made my hair feel and whether or not I continue to purchase the brand regularly and use it in my daily life.
I am placing them in order from my most-loved dry shampoo to the brand that didn’t work well for me at all and would love to hear about your favorite dry shampoo brands (or the brands you swear you’ll never buy again!) in the comments section of this post!
5 Dry Shampoos: Ranked
I’m kicking off this list with my beloved Living Proof Dry Shampoo because it is, hands down, my favorite! It’s the brand I use most and I love the way it not only eliminates the appearance of greasy hair but also absorbs and removes oil, sweat and odor. (<— It’s basically a fitness fanatics dream dry shampoo!)
When I first used this dry shampoo, I did not read the instructions and was a little put off because it was slightly white on my scalp but when I read the directions that said to wait 30 seconds and then brush your hair gently to remove the dry shampoo, it worked like a charm and I was completely blown away by its ability to truly make my hair look and feel clean. (Side note: I also feel like the dry shampoo gives my hair a little extra oomph and volume at the roots which is typically much-needed if I don’t wash my hair every day!) This dry shampoo can honestly help me go five days between hair washes without my hair looking like a hot mess and that is saying something since my fine blonde locks tend to look oily and flat the very next day!
This is a very close runner-up to my favorite dry shampoo and is one I would whole-heartedly recommend, especially if you’re someone who cannot handle a lot of fragrance. It’s sulfate, paraben and sodium chloride free and uses oat milk to soften, protect and moisturize all hair types while extending the time you can go between shampoos!
I initially discovered this dry shampoo through a Birchbox delivery (along with Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo which I also love!) and fee like it adds body and volume to my hair while making it feel clean and eliminating the appearance of and oily scalp. I absolutely love it and still continue to purchase this brand regularly! Klorane Dry Shampoo also makes my hair feel more lightweight and less weighed-down than other brand which is a definite plus. (FYI for my brunette friends, Klorane also makes a tinted version especially for brunette locks!)
I received a sample of this dry shampoo years ago in a blog conference goodie bag and almost didn’t bring it home with me because at the time I was using baby powder on my roots on occasion when I was desperate to eliminate the appearance of grease and didn’t realize dry shampoo was the “thing” I was missing! Once I began reading about dry shampoo in magazines, and after I tried a couple of cheap brands I stumbled upon at Target, a light bulb went off in my mind and I remembered this sample I had stashed away! I think of BlowPro Faux Dry Dry Shampoo as my first proper foray into the miraculous world of dry shampoo because it actually worked well (10,000x better than baby powder) and made me a believer!
I still love this brand and have a travel-size bottle on hand right now but wish the bottle was a little different. You squeeze it to release a small puff of dry shampoo which is fine but I feel like this makes it not quite as easy to control the amount of dry shampoo during each use. This dry shampoo is virtually fragrance-free which I know some people really appreciate (my sensitive-nosed husband included).
I’m pretty sure TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo was the first brand of dry shampoo I tried because it was available in a travel size at Target and I wasn’t sure I wanted to make the commitment to a full-size bottle of dry shampoo before I knew if it really worked. Well, had I only tried this dry shampoo, I’m not sure I would be the believer I am today (and it seems like Amazon reviewers agree)! On the positive side, it is very affordable compared to other brands but I do not think it works very well.
I gave it a 3/10 because I would still rather have it on hand to use in a pinch when I cannot wash my hair as opposed to nothing, but it’s not something I prefer to keep in my bathroom for regular use. (FYI, I’ve heard good things about the newer formula of TRESemme’s Volumizing Dry Shampoo – as well as the affordable Batiste Dry Shampoo and Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo – so those might be worth a try if you’re looking for budget-friendly options!)
I think this affordable option was the second dry shampoo I tried because I still didn’t want to spend much money before I knew if dry shampoo was going to work for me… All I can say is that it was terrible enough for me to throw away after a couple of uses when I realized it wasn’t doing anything positive to my hair and, if anything, I felt like it made it look almost wet and more greasy. No thank you!
Question of the Day
- Dry shampoo fanatics: What brand of dry shampoo do you absolutely swear by? Have you ever tried a certain brand of dry shampoo that didn’t work well for you at all?
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I admittedly have not tried the Living Proof dry shampoo, but swear by Batiste which was recommended to me by my hairdresser. It’s like $6-7 a pop and is magic. I personally skip the scented ones and just buy the original – I buy at Target in the Charlotte area! ??
I swear by the Not Your Mother’s brand! I have dark hair and it works perfectly.
Agreed! Im super blond and its my favorite! ( also is really reasonably priced, easy to find in stores, and smells good! )
I’m so glad you made this post! I’m slowly boarding the dry-shampoo train, but I find the times I can use dry shampoo are too scarce to incorporate it into my daily routine! I’m a fan of wet-ponytail workouts and find when I get home with soaked hair, I feel a bit gross if I don’t wash it properly. But I can definitely see myself using dry shampoo on days where the workouts aren’t as sweaty 🙂 The living proof one will definitely be the first one I purchase because I’ve heard so many good things!
I had to come back and comment again and share a trick I picked up from a friend 😀 after a workout, she sprays her hair with dry shampoo, then showers without washing her hair, and after her shower blow dries her hair while brushing out the excess product. Don’t know if that’s a common way of doing things but just thought I’d share because her hair always looks great! 🙂
P.s. What is the “right” way to use dry shampoo post workout??
How long would you say a bottle of Living Proof dry shampoo lasts you? I use Batiste and Pantene (another cheap option that works extremely well), but have heard nothing but good things about Living Proof.
I still use baby powder when I’m in a pinch! (I like to put it on my roots before I sleep so that it has time to absorb and I brush it out in the morning.) I have a few bottles of Dove’s and Suave’s dry shampoo in my cabinet right now. I really like the Suave one, but the Dove one has not let me down and it is on sale often! 😀 The Suave one is my favorite, because it has keratin, a light fragrance that I like, and helps keep my hair soft. (If I use the Dove one for multiple days, I can feel the build-up a bit.)
I do find that with any dry shampoo/powder I use, sleeping on it helps a lot, even for more lackluster formulas and baby powder! As someone with thin, easily-weighed-down-by-grease and easily-greased-up hair that is also dyed (so I don’t want to wash it as frequently), dry shampoo is a must!
Thanks for sharing your list! I’ll definitely have to check out the Living Proof one you keep recommending!
I do the same thing at night! I’m brunette and I put baby powder at the roots before bed so I can wake up, brush out and go. I’m hesitant to try living proof based on my experience with the #2 spot, Klorane. I also received that in a birchbox and that is what turned me away from dry shampoo. It’s a spray not a powder and it just didn’t seem to do anything. It felt like pretend hairspray (??)
Is there a brand that shakes on rather than spray?
Maybe I’ll give Batiste brand a try before investing 😉
Ahhh that’s true. I am so happy with my drugstore brand ones so I am also very hesitant to go in on a higher-end dry shampoo! (Even trying them out at Sephora I’m like ehhhhhh…)
But I should maybe give Batiste a shot, I’ve heard a lot of good things about them! And the barre place I tried out carries Not Your Mother’s, so maybe I’ll see how that works after my next workout there, too!
I prefer the “shake on” kind too, and I really like the Oscar Blandi brand. At first I thought it was kind of expensive, but the tiny 1 oz. bottle I first tried lasted me about a year and it works really well on my fine, dark hair. It turned out to be a good deal after all. I recommend it! 🙂
With my dark hair, I struggled with the white halo for a long time. Hands down Moroccan Oil dry shampoo for dark hair is the best. It leaves your hair feeling clean, light and smells great. A few brands I’ve tried leave a terrible residue. This dry shampoo is totally different- a game changer!
I bought Living Proof after seeing it on your blog and LOVE IT! So true it definitely adds volume and I love the smell. Not a huge fan of the price though. So I also occasionally use Batiste.
I swear by the DryBar’s detox dry shampoo. I get it at Sephora and is the best I’ve ever tried! I had the same issue with treseme but refused to give up. I might have to give the living proof one a try next time though!
YES! I just discovered it and I am OBSESSED! and I have tried many other dry shampoos!
I’m a brunette and have had major issues with the DryBar detox dry shampoo! The white residue never comes completely out of my hair so it’s not worth the trouble of scrubbing my scalp intensely to get rid of it. It does smell amazing though…
I’ve never used dry shampoo routinely, but you are starting to convince me to try it out again. Less time washing my hair throughout the week? Yes, please!
I’m new to dry shampoo but have thin fine hair similar to yours. When do you find yourself using dry shampoo? Is it mainly on days where you don’t shower but don’t want oily hair? Or do you keep your hair dry in the shower sometimes- in which case, how do you manage that? Thank you!!
Love Not Your Mother’s dry shampoo!! With Avery active one year old, I have very limited time to shower and get ready. And it takes FOREVER to dry my hair. My hair is long and thick. I first tried Aussie and it was terrible. I also use Herebal Essence Naked in a pinch. Smells good and works well.
If you think Living Proof dry shampoo is a 10/10, you will think Elizabeth and James Black Nirvana dry shampoo is a 500/10!! I was a Living Proof addict until I tried Elizabeth and James, and now I’ll never go back! (P.S. – the Elizabeth and James brand is pricier than Living Proof, but it lasts me so much longer, so I think it’s worth it!)
Too funny! I have tried both Salon Grafix and Tresemme dry shampoos you mentioned, and I also wasn’t a fan of either one, especially the Salon Grafix. I feel like it just looked shiny, sort of like I just sprayed hair spray on my roots. Not exactly the desired effect, haha.
I actually swear by the Batiste brand dry shampoo, which you can find at Target for about $6 or sometimes even the beauty section at TJMaxx. It does a great job of absorbing all of the oil and giving my hair some volume (I sound like a commercial probably but I really do love it). I’m curious about the Living Proof brand though and may have to give it a try one of these days to compare.
If that TRESemme’ is the kind that I have, I agree. It’s TERRIBLE! Is it like a foam instead of a powder? My mom keeps telling me that she has it when I buy new dry shampoo (Batiste is pretty good), but I just can’t use it, because it doesn’t do anything for me.
I’ve been using Batiste Divine Dark for the last few months, and it does a pretty good job. I find that if I put it on before I go to bed, that helps it to rub in nicely, and all I need to do in the morning is brush my hair. I also had good experience with Suave, though I can’t find it at Walgreens anymore, which is why I switched to Batiste.
Living Proof is the only kind I buy! The smell is amazing and I really feel like it is cleaning my hair. It allows me to go 2-3 days between shampoos. I will say I am definitely not ashamed of using some lavender scented baby powder when I’m in a pinch though! Haha 🙂
I have a sample bottle of the Living Proof one and maybe I am just not using it correctly, but it leaves my hair stiff. It doesn’t look as greasy, but I still have to put my hair into a ponytail as it feels awful, and by the end of the day it looks greasy again! I spray all over, wait, then shake out…Any tips?
I swear by Batiste Dry Shampoo, as it comes in a dark brunette version that works perfect for my dark hair.
I bought Living Proof thanks to you and I’m in love. I have dark hair and used to use Not My Mother’s dry shampoo, but it didn’t work for me. Living Proof is amazing and worth every penny!
I’ve only used Batiste before, and I found it to be just ok. Have you used it before, and how would you rank it?
I am pretty dry shampoo obsessed myself! My go to brand is Suave dry shampoo! (The one in the silver and purple bottle) it’s only $3 and I think it works wonderfully! (For a frame of reference, I also think the tresemme one sucks)
I am clearly the minority but with thin hair I have to wash it after a workout. I get very sweaty and no matter what my head feels and looks gross. Also, I make time to exercise and shower/dry hair/do makeup before my daughter wakes up. Been in that routine since she was born and it’s not that hard. If she wakes up before I’m done she just plays in the bathroom. We are all out of the house by 7:30 for daycare and work.
Out of curiosity do any of you that use dry shampoo use hair product? My hair needs mousse to have some life when I blow it dry. And the mousse itself makes my hair gross overnight, so once sweat it there it’s not pretty.
I guess I’m in the minority too, because I cannot imagine not washing my hair after a workout! I have very thin hair, so I wash it everyday. If someone doesn’t wash their hair for 5 days won’t there be a lot of bacteria and germs?
I love the Batiste brand– I buy it at TJ Maxx/Marshalls!
Have you tried Batiste Dry Shampoo? I’ve tried a ton too and it is by far my fav. For Brunettes they even have one with a tint so you don’t get that white powder look. They also have this tropical scent that’s amazing.
So glad you wrote this post today as I am looking for a dry shampoo. I have tried several and with my thin hair I really feel like they don’t do much for me. But, now I am eager to try some of the ones you have suggested.
I have also heard that instead of hairspray you should spray your hair with dry shampoo and that helps leaving and not feel stiff.
I think you’ve convinced me to try out that Living Proof. I’ve heard about it a few other places too and have heard nothing but great things. I LOVE Lush’s dry shampoo. It’s a grapefruit scented powder that I put right on my brush and just like comb in really hard at my roots. I think it works great and it smells SO good. And it lasts forever and is super reasonably priced. I literally only wash my hair 2x max per week and dry shampoo saves me!
I love love the Batiste dry shampoo in the tropical scent! I stock up every time Ulta has a sale – often they package the big cans with a mini travel-size can, perfect for throwing in my purse or carry-on!
Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo is the best!
Quick question – I have a pixie cut now, so dry shampoo isn’t an issue, but I had terrible terrible oily hair as a teenager. Would dry shampoo be the mid-day solution for that? Thanks!!!
Definitely give Batiste a try, Julie! I’m curious how you might like it, since you have obviously tried so many! I love that it is so affordable, given that I typically go 5 days between washings (and I’m incredibly active so lots of sweaty messes to try to work through). I’m off to Sephora.com to add some Living Proof to my cart…
I’ve been using the Not Your Mothers version and am pretty happy with it… actually used it this morning! I will say that when I use dry shampoo, I feel like I need to wear my hair up because I don’t like the texture of it on day #2. Maybe I need to try one of the brands you mentioned, because the more affordable ones I’ve tried have all felt the same.
I’ve tried MANY dry shampoos and my favorite so far is Batiste in brunette. I’ve debated about purchasing the Living Proof dry shampoos but can’t pull the trigger because of the price. I’m a cheapo. I would definitely recommend Batiste if you’re looking for a budget friendly option.
I keep Tresemme on hand too only because it comes in a travel size but it’s not my go to. My absolute least favorite is Aussie dry shampoo. It turns your hair white and makes it feel super gross. I learned about that one the hard way. Although it may be cheaper, it’s definitely not worth it!
Yes! Batiste is the best. I stock up at marshalls and tjmaxx!
I love the Klorane dry shampoo as well. I feel like of all the ones I’ve tried (which is a lot :), my hair feels the most ‘normal’ after – not stiff or sticky. My second favorite is made by Elizabeth and James, and for a drugstore brand I like Batiste!
I also tried the Tresemme dry shampoo and hated it! Have you tried Suave’s dry shampoo? It’s cheap and works great!
Thank you for this post! I typically only wash my hair every other day, but now that I’ve been starting to go back to the gym in the mornings before work, it’s such a pain to have to wash & dry my hair there. Or else, I just throw it up in a braid. My first brand was Suave, the silver/yellow can. It was free & I wasn’t a fan. I’m currently using Aussie & it’s ok..it does seem to leave residue, but I am curious to try others!
Double bonus, you can buy the Klorane in 2-packs on Costco.com!
Hi Julie! Great picks! Would you say you have thick or fine hair? My hair is so fine, so I’m always worried about weighing it down with dry shampoo. However, with toddler and busy schedule, I definitely don’t wash as much as I’d like so I’m investigating options.
KMS Hairplay and Amika Perk Up are both great dry shampoos for fine hair!
I truly could not live without Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, which is a dry shampoo powder. Every spray dry shampoo I have tried makes my thin, fine hair feel weighed down and oily. This powder never gives me that feeling, and even absorbs perfectly into my dark hair. My trick is to use a little before I go to bed to pre-absorb any oils that appear while I am sleeping, and then follow up with a bit more in the morning as needed. I seriously swear by this stuff!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Blandi-Pronto-Dry-Shampoo/dp/B000XYPNMS
How long does a bottle last if you use it a lot?
I am trying to decided if the $20 price tag is worth it. I am sure it is because my hair is a hot mess and I don’t like to wash it all the time. I am also dealing with post baby hair loss so those tiny hairs are NOT helping my situation.
can you comment on how you apply the dry shampoo? I have tried several of the brands you listed and still am not a huge believer!
Great post, Julie! I also have fine, light hair, although it’s shorter and I have bangs. Need to try Living Proof for those special days! I love Psssssst for drugstore, it does go on a bit white but it easily brushes in, and I use it every.day. for my bangs, clean or not! I’ve also used Alterna’s Bamboo dry shampoo (available at Sephora, etc) and I think it’s a good mid-range option – I think natural/clean, too.
The women in my family SWEAR by Living Proof products and I have yet to try.
Admittedly, I have the very same bottle of TRESemme dry shampoo in my cabinet & I don’t use it much because I feel like it makes my hair chalky and does not do anything to absorb grease. This is the only one I’ve ever tried…might need to make that switch!
Have a good week!
My personal favorite is the herbal essence dry shampoo. A great choice.
I’m curious how long the bottle lasts when using it a couple times a week?
I just bought the Living Proof dry shampoo last night and can’t wait to try it!
I think the first one that I used is the TRESemme one as well and did not like it at all! I haven’t even bought it since. I do love Batiste. I haven’t found another dry shampoo that takes away the oil and gives a little volume. I have to run to Ulta this week before heading to Mexico so maybe I will check out the Living Proof one!
Thanks for the recommendations! I’m going to try out your top two. Have you tried the Dove brand? I’ve been using it for years and loving it, but for some reason, it seems to be not working as well lately…. I don’t know if it’s a change in my hair or the dry shampoo formulation.
I’ve got a can of Dove at home and thought the same thing. Plus, I’m not loving the smell.
Batiste dry shampoo is the best!!! The tropical scent is my favorite, I always grab a couple when I’m at the drug store so I never run out. It’s not overly expensive either. I have tried other brands and I always go back to Batiste. I’m also blonde and I find that it can help to hide my roots before I get to the hair salon!
I swear by KMS makeover spray! It is the best dry shampoo I have tried and I have tried many!! Doesn’t weigh your hair down or leave a white cast! Refreshes and lets me go multiple days before a hair wash! A def mom time saver!
A lot of my friends swear by Living Proof, but I didn’t think it worked very well with my hair, and it seemed to run out quickly. But everyone reacts differently to different products! I actually love the Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo! It smells a bit different, but I usually spray a small amount of hair spray in my hair after styling, so that kind of covers it up. It gives your roots a good boost though! The Big Sexy Hair texturizing powder is also great and gives a good boost when styling. For a more affordable dry shampoo, I love Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo. Thanks for the post, Julie!