Dry shampoo 101: A homage to the hair wardrobe essential

Whether it’s second-day hair or even freshly washed tresses, dry shampoo is the not so secret weapon every girl needs in her hair kit. Helping to revive limp locks, prolong blow-dries and of course, revive oily hair, there is a dry shampoo spray for every hair dilemma. But with so many on the market, finding the best one for you can be hard.

But fear not as the All Things Hair team have tried and tested a number of dry shampoos and whittled down the ones you need to know. Read on to find out which ones you need to try!

Dry shampoo: Your 101 guide to the unsung hair hero

What is it?

Dry shampoo is a dry substance that works to absorb oil from your scalp and hair, making it look and feel freshly washed again. However, it’s not meant to replace your go-to shampoo but serves as a means of lengthening the time between washes.

Why you should use it

Want to know some of the mane benefits of using dry shampoo? Well, luckily for you we’ve outlined some of the top reasons why you should use it, below.

1. To be able to shampoo less: Are you guilty of over-washing your mane? If so, you need to know this – being OTT with shampooing can cause dryness. Instead, try using dry shampoo, as it’ll help your mane in between washes and give it a fresh-out-of-the-shower feeling.

2. To give your blow out longevity: You’ve paid a fortune to get that blow out you’re currently slaying, so if you wash your hair tomorrow, it’ll be back to normal again (sigh). You know what we’re going to say? Reach for that dry shampoo spray to help extend the life of your blow out.

3. To add volume: The best thing about this product? Not only does it make your mane feel fresher, but it also gives you a real body boost (which means you can make your thin or flat strands look extra voluminous!).

4. To create Pinterest-worthy braids: Has your attempt at recreating your fave pinned braid completely failed? Well if your strands are on the sleeker side, it could be because you haven’t got enough grip or texture in your mane to hold the look.

How to use it

To do it like a pro, shake it and use your fingers to loosely lift and section the hair, and spray focusing on the root area (aim it 6-10 inches away from your scalp).

Let the product sit there for a minute or two to allow the formula time to soak up all the oil and grime, before using your hands to massage it into your roots. Then if you’ve got any residue left, you can use a natural bristle brush to rake it out of your mane.

When you’re using it to style your mane or want to boost overall texture and volume, there’s no need to focus on your roots. Instead, flip your hair upside down and hold the can a few inches away before spraying the product all over.

Once you flip your hair back, you’ll be left with Brigitte Bardot-worthy tresses (yay!).

The ATH top dry shampoo picks

TRESemmé Instant Refresh Translucent Dry Shampoo

Remove unpleasant odours and extend your style with the TRESemmé Instant Refresh Translucent Dry Shampoo.

The weightless mist revives limp, lank locks by removing excess oil and impurities, making hair smell so clean and fresh, no one will ever guess you skipped the suds – ideal for those morning workouts when you’ve forgotten your hair kit – we’ve all been there.

This professional dry shampoo leaves no visible residue — even on dark hair!

Hair hack: Lightly spritz this dry shampoo spray on your roots pre-workout for fresher-looking locks post-workout.

TONI&GUY Express Reboost Dry Shampoo

Want to know why everyone is using the TONI&GUY Express Reboost Dry Shampoo? Because it adds texture and volume to flat, thin hair and makes freshly washed, fly-away hair more manageable.

The oil-absorbing formula helps to prolong creative styles and boost day 2 volume in between washes.

TRESemmé Instant Refresh Cleansing Dry Shampoo

If you ask us, the great thing about the TRESemmé Instant Refresh Cleansing Dry Shampoo is how perfectly suited it is for popping in your handbag for use in-between washes, or even for a hair emergency pick-me-up.

Hair hack: Spray dry shampoo onto your roots in bursts, before you go to bed. Massage in the product, and then let it absorb any oil or sweat produced overnight. In the morning, you’ll wake up to refreshed-looking locks!