Confused about how to use dry shampoo? I get it. People rave about how amazing it is, but unless you’re using it right it seems to be pointless or just weighs your hair down.
Chances are, you’ve been using it off and on for years. But have you really understood the best way to use it? Does your hair feel clean and fresh or just overloaded with product, greasy and heavy. Or worse, do you end up with chalk white roots?
I used to think that I knew the right way to use it until I talked to my hairstylist (the lovely Jenna from Cajah Salon)! I told her how I used it every once in a while but it didn’t work for my hair.
Turns out I was not only using it wrong, but there are so many more ways to use it than just in the morning to soak up some extra oil!
There are also lots of common mistakes people make when using it ā many of which I was doing! Tune in below for some dry shampoo tips and tricks!
What Dry Shampoo Does For Your Hair
Dry shampoo (as the name implies) is a type of product that reduces hair greasiness without having to wash your hair. It comes in a variety of forms: there’s powder dry shampoo, foam dry shampoo, dry shampoo paste and spray dry shampoo, but you can most commonly find it in aerosol cans.
Dry shampoo is made up of ingredients that absorb excess oil, grease, and build-up. Dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair, so it’s important to not use it as a replacement for regular hair washing. Apply dry shampoo to your scalp between washes to extend time between wash days.
Dry shampoo can freshen the smell of your hair, and it can also add volume and texture. It can be a great addition to your hair care routine.
Dry shampoo usually contains a mixture of powders that absorb oil. You’ll find corn starch, rice starch, or silica. If you are unsure if you want to spray these products on your hair, you can also make your own! You can very easily find DIY recipes for dry shampoo to try.
How To Use Dry Shampoo The Right way
Lets break down some easy tips for how to use dry shampoo so it is most effective and keeps your hair looking its best! Here are a few tips and tricks and some of my favorite brands!
Choose The Right Kind
There are a variety of different types of dry shampoo from aerosol, spray, powder, and foam. Depending on your hair type, and your goals, you’ll want to get different types of dry shampoo.
Fine hair (like mine) does best with an aerosol or spray version. You don’t want something that will be heavy and weigh your hair down, and these versions are great because they dry fast and add volume.
Powder versions are great for thicker or oilier hair. There’s even color tinted dry shampoos so you don’t have streaks of white in your black hair!
Men can also benefit from dry shampoo, whether they want more texture in their style, want a boost after a workout, or feel like their hair falls flat in the middle of the day. They should also choose their product type based on their hair type and goals.
Your best bet is to read the care label of the dry shampoo bottle because like most hair products, it will tell you the type of results you should see.
Apply it Shampoo to Your Scalp
When using dry shampoo in the morning on day-old (or few-day-old) hair, first shake up the aerosol can. This helps mix up the shampoo, preventing too much white residue and helping the shampoo work best.
Then apply it all over your scalp. It’s best to separate your dry hair into different layers or sections.
I typically pull all the hair from mid-ear up out of the way and spray my scalp. Then I go up a few inches, apply, and then finish with the top layer.
Make sure you’re actually getting in on your scalp and not just on the hair. Don’t get the ends of your hair, that won’t do anything if you’re trying to eliminate excess oil!
Hold the Can 10-12 Inches Away
Hold the dry shampoo 10-12 inches from your scalp, and then spray it. If you get it too close, you’ll likely end up with too much product on your scalp, which will cause buildup.
Be sure to also spray it lightly, and don’t go overboard. Think of it like spray painting ā you don’t want a messy layer of product that will drip down and cause a mess.
Apply it to the spots that are more oily, and start with a little rather than a lot. You can always add more.
Use a sweeping motion when spraying to make sure it’s not concentrated in one spot. You don’t want a big white patch on your head!
Let It Sit Before You Touch Your Hair
This next step is one that most of us forget to do. Let the dry shampoo sit and wait a few minutes to allow it dry. You want to give it a minute to work! It needs time soak up the oil and do it’s job!
Massage Or Brush It In
After you’ve waited a minute, use your fingers to work it into your scalp. This helps it actually do its job rather than just sitting on the surface.
If you still have some visible residue, comb or brush through your hair to distribute it more evenly. Better yet, some professionals recommend doing a quick blow-dry to up the volume and get rid of any residue from your scalp.
When It Works Best (And When It Doesn’t)
Dry shampoo works best on hair that has not been washed for 2-3 days. If you have exercised, sweat, or typically have oily hair you may want to use dry shampoo as early as day 2. If you have a drier scalp and haven’t sweat much, you may not want to use dry shampoo until day 3!
Use your best judgment – just be careful to only use it when you need it. You don’t want to clog your hair follicles by overuse. Remember, you still need to have good hair care!
Another simple tip is to apply it before bed. The night before your second- or third-day hair, brush your hair and then apply dry shampoo at the roots. (Use the method I mentioned above to get it throughout your hair.)
I often pull it up into a loose top bun with a scrunchie to help keep some volume in it too!
Doing this helps absorb oil as it’s produced. That way you’re not waking up to more oil on your scalp, because it’s working while you sleep! If you feel like your hair is a bit greasy when you wake up, you can add more in the morning if needed.
This trick has transformed my hair! When I do this, I wake up with volume in my hair rather than having it flat and limp. This is my favorite trick!
Using It For Volume, Texture, and Styling
Dry shampoo is a great option for extending a blowout and for aiding in other styling!
Apply a dry shampoo that has some grip or hold for added texture. This way it can double as a texture spray and eliminate one more product you need to add (and one less product to purchase).
I apply this not only at the scalp but also within my layers to add volume throughout my hair. If you’d rather not use dry shampoo throughout your hair, you can check out volumizing powders.
You can also spray dry shampoo on bobby pins or other hair accessories before putting them in your hair to give them a little extra grip. This is helpful for people with fine hair whose accessories tend to slip out.
Apply your dry shampoo at your roots before back combing. This will help to keep it from slipping out! I do this when I put my hair extensions in. Nobody wants a weave falling out at dinner! š
Back combing is great for adding lift and volume to your hair. When you marry that with dry shampoo you can fake a ton of volume super easily!
Want to add (fake) thickness to your hair? Spray a dry shampoo all over your hair (not just the roots) before braiding or putting it in a top knot. After it dries, do whatever hairstyle you wanted to do. Then, gently pull on the outer stands of the braid or bun to get a bulkier look.
As you pull out the strands, the product will prevent it from all falling out and causing you to start over. Be sure to tug gently so you don’t overdo it!
I love this trick for my favorite hairstyle ā it’s my secret weapon to fake thick hair!
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Having trouble with your dry shampoo? These might be a problem:
- Spraying too close to your scalp or too much will give you a chalky texture. Brush out as much as you can, rub with your fingers, and brush again.
- If your hair is at all damp do not use dry shampoo! It will not absorb what it needs to. If your hair is sweaty try blasting it with a blow dryer before using dry shampoo.
- Make sure you are lifting sections of your hair so you are spraying directly towards your roots in order to get the maximum effect.
- Be sure to wash and condition your hair regularly to prevent excess buildup.
Best Dry Shampoos and Dry Texturizing Sprays
If you’re looking for a new dry shampoo or dry texturizing spray, you’re in luck! I’ve tested 13 dry shampoos for you to check out!
I tested a variety of dry shampoos at different price points. I also tested both powder and aerosol sprays! This list will help you find the right dry shampoo for YOUR particular hair type and hair texture. One of these options will help you keep your hair looking its best.
Dry Shampoo FAQ
You can use dry shampoo on clean or dirty of hair if you are wanting to use it for styling or to add texture.
Whenever your hair is feeling oily or you need a lift you can use it! Typically this is best on day 2 or 3 (or even 4 or 5) hair.
Any type of hair can use dry shampoo, however, if you have brunette or curly hair you may need to be more cautious in the type of dry shampoo you use. Brunettes will want to look for a tinted dry shampoo. If you have curly hair, be cautious in what you in order to avoid having to use a hair brush.
Dry shampoo can extend the time between washing, but it is not a replacement for using regular shampoo.
I hope this helps you find a brand that you love and officially know how to apply dry shampoo!
Now that you know how to use dry shampoo correctly, let’s tackle some other hair products! Check out this post for everything you need to know about using purple shampoo on dry hair, and here is info on the best hairspray to hold curls.
For more hair tips, check out this post for 9 mistakes that are destroying your hair! I also have some great tips to help make your curls last.
Thanks so much for reading!
With love,
Jen
Oh this is good advice…I must have been using dry shampoo wrong because no matter which one I try I end up with extra greasy roots after using it. And I never know exactly where to spray it y’know – on my hair part? Do I part it a few different ways and spray on each part?
Maybe I should just watch a Youtube tutorial, haha!
Yes! Separate your hair into sections and spray the scalp. Let it dry for 2 minutes and then use your fingers to rub it in!