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The 10 Best Dry Shampoos, Crowned After Weeks of Testing

Skip wash day with top picks from Living Proof and Moroccanoil.

A collage of dry shampoo we recommend, from Moroccan Oil, Living Proof, Oribe, and Amika, on a grey background

Byrdie / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Whether you're looking to maintain a blowout, pump up your volume, or refresh your roots between washes, a good dry shampoo will have you covered—without leaving behind an unsightly powdery residue. Board-certified trichologist According to Dr. Kari Williams, dry shampoo should absorb sweat and oil, and mask the smell of, shall we say, less than fresh hair. If it also adds volume and texture, that's a winning formula.

To help you find the best dry shampoo for your hair type and color, we tried over 40 dry shampoos at home and in The Lab, our testing facility in New York City. We tested each product on hair that wasn't freshly washed to see how effective it was at making our hair look cleaner. We also evaluated the shampoos for ease of use, oil-absorbing abilities, volumizing power, formulation, texture, and finish. Ahead, we're sharing which ones performed the best, earning the Byrdie stamp of approval.

Compare Our Top Picks

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk
Best Overall:
Klorane Dry Shampoo
5.4 ounces Generic Powder Yes All
Kristin Ess
Best Drugstore:
Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo
4 ounces Fresh Aerosol No All
Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
Best for Oily Scalps:
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo
5.5 ounces Light Powder No Oily
Billie Floof Dry Shampoo
Best Powder:
Billie Floof Dry Shampoo
1.2 ounces None Powder Yes Light Colored Hair, Fine
Dove Care Between Washes Brunette Dry Shampoo
Best for Dark Hair:
Dove Care Between Washes Brunette Dry Shampoo
5 ounces Clean Aerosol Yes Dark Colored Hair
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones
Best for Light Hair:
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones
5.4 ounces Clean/Fresh Powder Yes Light Colored Hair. Thicker
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
Best for Volume:
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
5.3 ounces Fruity/Vanilla Aerosol No Oily
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
Best for Fine Hair:
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
8.7 ounces Côte d'Azur Powder No Fine
OGX Extra Strength Refresh & Restore + Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo
Best for Dry Hair:
OGX Extra Strength Refresh + Restore Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo
5 ounces Coconut/flora Aerosol No Dry
nexxus dry shampoo
Best for Daily Use:
Nexxus Dry Shampoo for Volume
5 ounces Fresh Aerosol No Chemically Treated
What We Like
  • Award-winning formula

  • Excellent volume

  • Excellent oil absorption

  • Blends well

What to Consider
  • Temporary white residue

Size: 5.4 ounces | Scent: Generic | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dry shampoos don't always hit all the notes that they should, but this one by Klorane sure did. Of all the dry shampoos we tested, it impressed us the most—it absorbed oil exceptionally well, enhanced volume, and looked invisible in the hair after massaging it in. Suitable for all hair types, the ultra-gentle, plant-based formula calls on starch and silica to tackle oil and odors, while organically harvested oat milk soothes the scalp.

We loved that the fine powder soaked up grease from the roots but didn't leave hair feeling dry or chalky—it felt like we didn't use dry shampoo at all. It does leave a bit of a white cast upon application, but it's easily brushed away.

What We Like
  • Sets quickly

  • Invisible upon application and finish

  • Strengthening with keratin and pea protein

What to Consider
  • Not ideal for daily use

Size: 4 ounces | Scent: Fresh | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Kristin Ess dry shampoo is a great option if you're late to a work function or dinner date and need to pick one up at the drugstore on your way. We enjoyed its absorbency and invisibility in the hair and loved how it sucked up excess oil and gave a bit of volume. You can even use it when you have a ton of product buildup and need a refreshed look.

In addition to absorbent starch, the sleek, moody can is chock full of strengthening ingredients like keratin, wheat protein, and pea protein which will make your hair look healthier over time. Since it contains alcohol, we suggest using it somewhat sparingly to avoid drying out your scalp (aka not every day).

What We Like
  • Removes dirt, sweat, and oil so your hair legitimately feels clean

  • Soft shine upon application

  • Invisible and fast-absorbing

  • Safe for color treated hair

What to Consider
  • Spray nozzle is a little intense

Size: 5.5 ounces | Scent: Light | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you've never been able to go more than a day or two between washes, say hello to your new best friend. This advanced formula from Byrdie beloved Living Proof truly makes your hair feel like you just stepped out of the shower and got a sweet blowout. The magic here lies in the fast-absorbing powders that spray out of the nozzle in such a way that keeps any white residue from touching your locks. Pretty cool, huh?

Not only did it leave our hair feeling legit cleaner and softer it also managed to add shine, so in a way, it feels apropos to call this a dry shampoo and conditioner in one. We love that it never left our hair feeling crunchy or weighed down, although after using it for three days in a row, it was definitely time for a real wash. We also fell for the product's light scent which was never overpowering but lasted all day. The only thing that irked us was the extreme power of the spray nozzle, which sometimes made it hard to control where the product ended up.

Before and After portraits of a woman using Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo

Byrdie / Allison Hirschlag

What We Like
  • Two shades available

  • Excellent oil absorption

  • Blends well and easy to use

What to Consider
  • Didn't love the texture


Size:
1.2 ounces | Scent: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you'd prefer an aerosol-free powder, Floof is your best bet. Powders are typically shaken directly onto the scalp and then massaged into the hair until they appear invisible. This dry shampoo—which comes in a cute, round bottle—absorbs grease effectively with baking soda and rice starch, then works on strengthening your strands with biotin. We were surprised by how easy it was to apply—it comes out of the bottle via a small hall to minimize mess.

It also comes in a light- or dark-hair option, and upon trying the brunette version, we noted that the brownish-clay color blended beautifully, which we didn't expect based on how it looked coming out. The only thing we didn't love was the texture, which felt a bit grainy.

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Sets quickly and blends seamlessly

  • Nice texture and leaves hair softer

What to Consider
  • Not suitable for lighter hair shades

Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Clean | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Calling all dark-haired beauties! Dove's wallet-friendly Between Washes Brunette dry shampoo received top marks for its invisibility on brown shades. We noticed it leaves a brown cast instead of a chalky white residue that disappeared into our locks almost immediately.

It's a middle-weight product in terms of absorption capability and volume, but it's a light-as-air formula that sets quickly and leaves hair feeling clean, so we can't complain. It distributed any remaining oil in the hair and left it feeling super soft—a huge plus when you're between washes.

What We Like
  • Helps neutralize brassy tones

  • Volumizing and adds shine

  • Invisible finish

  • Protects against sun damage

What to Consider
  • Potentially too heavy for fine hair

Size: 5.4 ounces | Scent: Clean/fresh | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have blonde, platinum, white, or gray hair, we suggest trying Moroccanoil Light Tones. We especially appreciated that the powdery formula sprays purple out of the can, like an in-shower purple toning shampoo that cancels brassiness—a big plus for platinum blondes. The formula includes rice starch, which soaks up grease and product buildup brilliantly, while argan oil nourishes and smooths for healthier-looking strands.

This dry shampoo seriously floored us thanks to how well it tackled excess oil, how weightless it felt on the hair, its invisible finish, and its volume-boosting power. Just a heads up though—the oil content might weigh down fine hair.

What We Like
  • Excellent oil absorption

  • Creates lasting volume and texture

  • Invisible finish

What to Consider
  • Leaves hair slightly stiff

  • Nozzle is tricky to press

Amika's Perk Up Dry Shampoo is not only effective at absorbing oil that can weigh down hair, but it adds extra oomph to the hair, making it look like we just applied volumizing hairspray too. After application, we noticed that our hair had a good amount of extra volume and body (although it also left it a bit stiff). We also love the formula's clear finish which makes it completely invisible regardless of your hair color. It does have a heavy vanilla scent, though it dissipates throughout the day, similar to perfume.

The nozzle can get a little stuck sometimes (like with hairspray) so we recommend cleaning it before use if you notice any buildup. Also, because this formula contains aerosol, you'll have to take precautions about where you store it. Keep it out of direct sunlight and avoid storing it on top of heated surfaces like a car dashboard or radiator.

Size: 5.3 ounces | Scent: Fruity/vanilla | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo displayed on a white counter in front of a mirror

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

What We Like
  • Cleans and adds texture

  • Invisible finish

  • Smells amazing

What to Consider
  • Most expensive on our list

Size: 8.7 ounces | Scent: Côte d'Azur | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love a dry shampoo that doesn't weigh down fine hair, and Oribe's nails achieve that with aplomb. Hairstylist Sophia Nawabi is a big fan of it. "It absorbs product buildup, oil, and impurities with translucent powders," she tells Byrdie. It was a huge hit during testing, too: It earned high marks for its absorbency, volumizing power, and invisibility.

Though it's undoubtedly pricey, it might be worth the splurge. It looks and feels luxurious. Most importantly, it was seriously effective at absorbing oil while also adding volume to our roots without adding stiffness. We thought that the signature Côte d'Azur scent was pretty incredible, too.

What We Like
  • Coconut oil adds moisture and shine

  • Perfectly invisible finish

  • Surprisingly absorbent

What to Consider
  • Potentially too heavy for fine hair

Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Coconut/floral | Cruelty-Free: No

Dry hair doesn't always love dry shampoos since, spoiler alert, they're designed to draw out scalp oil. But this one from OGX is different. As the name suggests, the formula contains coconut oil which helps nourish the hair while adding shine and softness. It also smells like you've been vacationing in the Caribbean, which we weren't mad about.

When we tried it out, it scored super high marks for how it left our hair feeling and its invisibility. It also added a nice, soft volume. However, the coconut oil might make this one too heavy for folks with thin hair. However, it never left us with greasy hair and did a great job refreshing second-day hair.

What We Like
  • Won't weigh down fine hair

  • Invisible finish

  • Strengthening with keratin and wheat protein

What to Consider
  • Not exceptionally absorbent

Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Fresh | Cruelty-Free: No

Dry shampoo can cause product buildup if used every day, but this one from Nexxus is light enough that we think you could get away with it (for a few extra days between washes, at least). While some dry shampoos can weigh down thin strands, this stellar formula does not but does work to soak up grease and sweat, strengthen with keratin and wheat protein, and leave you with a subtle volume boost.

We gave it a perfect invisibility score and felt it added a nice texture. It's not the best at absorbing all the oil on your scalp, but that reduced drying component makes it less likely to make your hair feel dirty if used frequently (which is exactly what we wanted to do after trying it!)

Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist for Volume sitting on a counter in front of a mirror

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

How We Tested

We took our time researching dry shampoos, reading product reviews, and interviewing multiple experts, including a trichologist and a hairstylist, for recommendations and insight into formulations. Our in-house team selected more than 40 formulas and tested them in The Lab on different hair types, lengths, textures, thicknesses, and colors.

Each product was rated on a scale of one to five based on its ease of use, oil absorption, texture/feel, volume, and visibility/chalkiness. Then we compiled our insights and narrowed down our favorites.

Woman spraying dry shampoo into another woman's hair

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

What to Look for When Buying Dry Shampoo

  • Ingredients: Whether alcohol- or starch-based, dry shampoos deliver drying agents like silica, clay, charcoal, tapioca, or baking soda to absorb oils, refresh your hair, and make it appear cleaner. We love the Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, which contains starch and rice powder to help zap up oil. Our top pick, Klorane Dry Shampoo also contains starch and silica for oil absorption, with the added benefit of oat milk to help soothe the scalp. If you have a sensitive scalp, you might want to avoid using a dry shampoo that contains a fragrance. We love the Billie Floof Dry Shampoo, which is scent-free and also does not contain aerosol. Aerosol sprays, which often contain butane or propane, can also be irritating—fortunately, there are dry shampoos available in gel, foam, and tinted powder form. 
  • Color and Finish: Depending on your hair color and personal preferences, you may want a clear finish, a tinted formula, or something in between. Those with blonde hair might opt for a tinted formula like the Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones, which has purple undertones and works as a toner to ice out any brassy tones. Bear in mind that many dry shampoos leave a chalky residue, and while this can work for those with blonde, platinum, silver, or otherwise light hair, the dark-haired set will want to look for a dark-tinted or "invisible" dry shampoo to avoid a powdered-wig look.
  • Scent: Some dry shampoos are heavily fragranced—if you're sensitive to strong perfumes, it might be best to opt for an unscented formula. On the flip side, if masking the odor of second- or third-day hair is your endgame, try an option with a fresh, clean scent (we won't tell if you don't). We love the vanilla-scented Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, for its delicious fragrance that lasts all day long.
Person spraying dry shampoo into their hair while looking in a mirror

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

FAQ
  • How does dry shampoo work?

    Dry shampoos typically work by depositing oil-absorbing ingredients like silica, rice starch, charcoal, clay, or volcanic minerals into dry hair, generally at the roots. These absorb shine and excess product build-up without the need for water. The result is hair that looks and feels lighter and more voluminous.

  • How do you apply dry shampoo?

    Hold your product six to 10 or inches away from your head, spray into the root area (or wherever you want to reduce grease), and wait a full two minutes. Once done, work into the hair with fingers, a brush, or your hairdryer, then revel in your full, soft, clean hair.

  • How often can you use dry shampoo?

    The overuse of dry shampoo can result in buildup on your scalp and even lead to inflammation, acne, or dandruff. Most hair experts warn against using dry shampoo for more than two days in a row and recommend using a clarifying shampoo or double cleansing your scalp on wash days to ensure that you're rinsing away any residue.

  • Is dry shampoo bad for your hair?

    No, however, you must use it in moderation for best results. Too much dry shampoo can cause irritation or build-up in some hair types, so be sure to treat it as a backup to hair washing and not as a replacement (as tempting as it may be). "Long-term use of dry shampoo can cause a dry, itchy scalp," says Dr. Williams. Consider alternating between regular hair washing and dry shampoo to maintain a healthy scalp and keep your locks from getting dry and brittle.

  • When should you use dry shampoo?

    When you use dry shampoo at night, before bed, it can help absorb oil while you sleep, so you wake up with a fresh head. Having said that, you can use dry shampoo anytime you need to add volume, absorb oil, or revitalize your tresses.

  • What hair types and textures does dry shampoo work best on?

    People with all hair textures can use dry shampoo. However, it's also important to shop for products specifically created for your hair type. For example, formulas made especially for oily or fine hair types help add volume without weighing hair down, and formulas for textured hair should be lightweight and hydrating. Do note that people with tight coils should opt for a formula suited to natural hair, like the Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo.

  • Where should you store dry shampoo?

    Any dry shampoo that contains aerosol should be stored away from heat (like radiators or in direct sunlight). You should also avoid storing any products containing aerosol on the dashboard of a car or in a gym bag where it can get too hot.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and copywriter specializing in cosmetics. With insight from a board-certified trichologist and a hairstylist in mind, she compiled testing insights from The Lab, combed through product specs, checked ingredients lists, referenced several peer-reviewed studies, and rounded up our favorites. From the above, she is a fan of Klorane, Oribe, and Amika. Theresa covers haircare, skincare, makeup, and fitness products at Byrdie.

Ally Hirschlag is a Senior Beauty Commerce Editor who has tried her fair share of dry shampoos since she likes to wait a good few days between washes.

To learn more about what to consider when buying dry shampoo, Theresa also consulted with an expert:

  • Dr. Kari Williams, a board-certified trichologist, licensed cosmetologist, Black hair care expert, and the creator of Goddess Locs.
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
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  2. Patel, Deepa P et al. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin appendage disorders vol. 3,3 (2017): 166-169. doi:10.1159/000462981

  3. Freers SO. Absorbent Starch Delivery Systems. Delivery System Handbook for Personal Care and Cosmetic. 35.4.2

  4. Faria PM, et al. Hair Protective Effect of Argan Oil (Argania spinosa Kernel Oil) and Cupuassu Butter ( Theobroma grandiflorum Seed Butter) Post Treatment with Hair Dye. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications. 40-44. 10.4236/jcdsa.2013.33A1006.

  5. Gavazzoni Dias MF. Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. 2015;7(1):2-15. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450

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