The best dry shampoos of all time to suit every hair type and budget

Finding the best dry shampoo for you is a journey. But once you’ve found your perfect match, you’ll never look back. About as close as you can get to a hair wash day, minus the shower part, dry shampoos have our back on those mornings when we promised we’d get up and wash our hair but chose to stay in bed instead. 

Much like the best shampoo and conditioners, dry shampoo offers cleansed roots, an extra dose of volume, and can help create a natural-looking texture. Plus, by extending the life of your style, you avoid unnecessary damage from overwashing. But how to know when you've found 'the one'? According to Errol Douglas, Living Proof Pro Expert, "A good dry shampoo should soak up excess oil from the hair to leave it feeling, smelling, and looking clean." He warns, "Unfortunately, not all options take care of cleaning the hair, many soak up oil and sweat and leave behind a powdery residue that can sometimes be hard to remove.” 

There are an overwhelming number of dry shampoos out there, from the best dry shampoo for oily hair to those specifically designed for each hair color. So, we've got our hands on a huge selection from top brands and put them to the test to narrow down which is the best dry shampoo for every hair type. 

How we tested the best dry shampoos

As with any of the best hair products, the right dry shampoo for you is one that suits your hair type and needs, so we used several testers to make sure each dry shampoo was trialed on the hair texture it was designed for. Our testing team consists of opinionated, experienced beauty experts who really put the products through their paces, to ensure we really narrowed down the very best products. 

We applied each dry shampoo on hair that was at least one-day post-wash (sometimes more than three days) to assess its oil-absorbing powers, then inspected our strands, roots, and scalp at the end of the day for any chalkiness or residue. The options listed below were the undisputed champs of the dry shampoo world. 

The best dry shampoo, tried and tested by our beauty team

A wonder product that restores dirty locks to a fresher-feeling state and gives hair a generous volume boost – regardless of how clean it is. Unlike most dry shampoos, which can only absorb oil, this soaks up sweat and odor, too. The lightweight finish makes it impossible to create white patches as very little residue is left in the hair. There’s not really a downside to this dry shampoo, except maybe the price, which is pretty steep when you consider there are several options on the market that cost a couple of dollars. But if you can afford it, we’d say it’s absolutely worth it. 

As well as the original formula there is also a snazzy update, Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo (which happens to be number 11 on our list) How to choose between the two? After trying both, our testers found that the original version had the edge. It does leave more residue behind compared to the new update, but, from a styling point of view, it's this texture that a lot of people depend on to give their locks that all-important grip and volume. Think of it as a volume booster, texturizer, and dry shampoo in one. 

The scent is also far more noticeable in this original formulation and we’ve become so familiar with it that we really like the hit of fragrance. Go for this one if a product that adds texture, as well as oil-absorbing, is your idea of the best dry shampoo. It's so many of our testers' overall favorites that we've crowned it the best dry shampoo overall. 

This millennial pink dry shampoo is something of an overachiever. Considering that it is the cheapest product in this round-up by quite some way, we found that it soaked up excess oil well and, perhaps equally importantly, doesn't leave any powdery white residue once you've brushed or rubbed the formula in with your hands – which meant it earned extra points from our darker-haired testers. Plus, this is a vegan brand, so if you're already using the best vegan shampoo and conditioner and want to add dry shampoo into the routine, this would be a great option. 

For those readers who like an added volume boost in fine hair or whose roots seem determined to lie flat, we found that it does give your strands a little lift. The smell is also very chic, thanks to elegant notes of rose and bergamot, while the flamingo-clad packaging is a fun touch without looking too loud on our dressing table. 

After multiple tests and comparing it to some of the other dry shampoos we trialed for this feature, we would say that, yes, there are formulas out there that'll make your hair feel even cleaner than this does. But considering that buying this can will leave you with a lot of change from 10 bucks, and that it does its job pretty well, we say it's a very worthy mention in our edit of the best dry shampoos.

If you’ve only ever tried one dry shampoo in your life, then it’s likely to have been this. The Batiste brand has been pushing back hair-washing for over 50 years and unsurprisingly is many people’s go-to when they need to stave off oily roots in a hurry. 

The price is unbeatable and the amount you need to spray onto the hair to get a clean effect is minimal – it is very powdery and sits in the hair to assist with volume. This product is worth every penny (and some!) as when directed at the root, it soaks up a vast amount of oil and makes hair feel instantly fresh, even on day three, and if you’re pushing it, four. 

However, when we repeatedly used the product, we will say that hair starts to feel quite dense as the textured powder it leaves behind is palpable – which isn't for everyone and meant that some testers prefer the newer offering. But, while it leaves a fair amount of residue in the hair and overzealous spraying can lead to white patches, we are still loyal fans of this affordable, dependable product, and we can forgive its shortcomings. Batiste also has a newer, lighter offering, which you can find a little further down on the list. 

If The White Company made a dry shampoo, then we predict it would be very similar to this offering from Klorane. The minute you spray it onto the hair, you feel its luxurious, cashmere-like effects. Emulating the sensation you receive when you get into a bed with freshly washed sheets, this cleans the hair with a light cotton scent and leaves strands feeling soft yet textured. 

Its gentle, oat milk-based formula was specifically formulated with sensitive skin in mind and it's been dermatologically tested. Sore scalps aside, we think it could easily be used on strands that are very prone to grease, too, as we found it particularly effective on day three of not washing our hair.

The only downside with this particular buy is its corn and rice starch-based formula, which we found does tend to leave white patches when the spray is applied too closely and quickly. But when we took our time and sprayed it from an arm's length and brushed it through, it efficiently absorbed oil from the root without leaving an unsightly residue. We were also very impressed by the price for what feels like a high-end luxury product. 

You know how your hair feels and smells when you leave the salon? The Philip Kingsley brand has managed to capture this in a can. This is a surprising factor as the main objective of this dry shampoo is to care for flaky, dandruff-prone scalps. We half expected it to feel a little clinical and give us no enjoyment at all, but we were wrong. We absolutely loved using this. 

The lightweight solution is brilliant at soaking up oil and contains several skin-caring ingredients to counteract any potentially irritating qualities. The brand does point out that dry shampoo isn’t the best product to use if you want to know how to get rid of dandruff, but also understands that most people want to use this kind of product from time to time – which is why they’ve created a product that allows sensitive scalps the chance to use dry shampoo and not feel guilty. 

And what about its effectiveness, we hear you ask? Even if you told us that this was a normal non-sensitive formula, we’d still be impressed. It’s brilliant at tackling oily roots, the texture it leaves is minimal, and we had no issues whatsoever with white patches. And as we already mentioned, we’re completely obsessed with the scent. 

Anyone with dark hair who has used dry shampoo will have created a big white patch on their hairline at some point. It’s mainly an issue if your hair is very dark, thick, or textured – or all three. You may have sworn off the stuff altogether, so if that’s the case, we think that this product could change your mind. 

We absolutely love this dry shampoo because made our testers' hair feel so clean while providing the right amount of texture and volume to strands. Unlike so many sprays we tried, this one kept our locks looking luminous, which is probably down to its argan oil-based formula. Granted, it does sound counter-intuitive to include oil in a product that’s trying to remove it, but the spray is amazingly light and left our tester very impressed by its touchably soft feel on the hair.

The best bit, in our opinion, is that there is absolutely no chance of creating white patches as it has a dark tint that filters seamlessly throughout your strands. But our blonde testers weren't totally left out, as the brand’s original dry shampoo is tint-free and just as excellent. If you’re reading this and you have lighter-colored locks, we wholeheartedly recommend you give that one a try. 

We trust Olplex more than most of our family members, so when we saw they had added a dry shampoo to their product lineup, we ran to try it. As with all Olaplex products, the dry shampoo contains the brand's patented Bond Building Technology which helps to keep strands strong and healthy. Also featuring rice starch to absorb oil, the formula works to repel odor and pollutants without leaving any white cast. 

Even as Olaplex addicts, we had a slightly cynical reaction to this new launch - do you really need an Olaplex Dry shampoo? Our new answer is yes. We can't vouch for how much difference the bond builder for hair element actually makes on hair health - we'd rely on their actual standalone treatments for that - but it's a brilliant dry shampoo all on its own. The completely invisible spray settled itself into our scalps and gave our hair a new lease of life. It's truly invisible, absorbs grease quickly, and is not even the tiniest bit powdery. It also smells gorgeous.

Providing a large helping of volume and keeping hair fresh for a least a couple of days, this dry shampoo was one of the most impressive we tried. It’s also worth noting that it didn’t weigh our strands down at all, keeping it feeling light as air.

Many people love Batiste's classic Dry Shampoo. It is arguably the best-known brand for the stuff. But if you've tried the original isn't to your taste, may we introduce you to this buy from the brand's Naturally line? It's a totally different ball game. 

The first thing we noticed when spritzing this newbie is its very gentle scent; sweet chamomile with a hint of green tea, it's fresh and not at all overpowering. In fact, we think it's rather comforting. This speaks to the formula's credentials, which contain 100% natural extracts for a truly plant-powered hair refresh. 

As for its shampoo-emulating capabilities? Whereas the original formula adds a lot of powdery grip and texture to the hair, this Naturally formula is close to invisible and much lighter on strands – you'll barely be able to feel or see it. It cleans nicely without the mega bulking effect you might associate with other Batiste buys. Whether this is a positive or negative is very much up to you. Our tester who has never been particularly keen on the originals fell head-over-heels in love with it, and it's now up there as one of her go-to buys. Keep your eyes peeled for it at the drugstore, because we say it's well worth checking out.

This foam-to-powder texture is seriously unique. Despite being formulated by a curly hair brand, this product is suitable for most hair types. Offering a completely different approach to dry shampoo application this foaming formula helps to keep roots looking oil-free and clean. 

After pumping the cloud-like foam into our palms and working into our scalp, we did notice a slight residue on our fingers – but that didn't translate to weighed down hair. After it dried in, the first thing that impressed us about this dry shampoo was its fragrance. The gorgeous scent of mint kept hair smelling glorious all day long and managed to fool everyone (including ourselves) that our hair was truly fresh and clean. We were also impressed to see that it added natural-looking volume and body to our limp, flat hair. If you are someone that hates gunky product build-up then this dry shampoo will really work for you. Leaving no white cast at all on strands, it genuinely looked like we had just washed our hair 

Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it would be cheaper to buy a whole bottle of shampoo and conditioner. But, this really was one of the most impressive dry shampoos we tested. We'd question if any dry shampoo is really worth a price tag this high, but we reckon this just-about swings it. Offering a lazy route to hair hygiene, this dry shampoo left our hair fresh, volumized, and ultimately with that clean hair feeling. 

Let’s start with the all-important question; does it leave a white cast? The answer is absolutely not. The formula spritzed onto strands without any chalkiness and gave our tester the ‘my hair but better’ look, which is all we ever hope for from a hair product. Counteracting any oiliness with absolute ease, this dry shampoo got to work straight away. We didn’t have to aggressively brush our hair through to get rid of any residue either. Win.

After use, we managed to last up to nearly four days without a wash. Plus, it made sure we didn’t look like we needed one immediately. Safe for color-treated, Brazilian blowout-treated, and keratin-treated locks, this dry shampoo will be a godsend for just about anyone and everyone. 

This is the aforementioned, new-and-improved Living Proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo: Advanced Clean. Think of it as a level-up on its predecessor in terms of its cleaning abilities – if you aren't that fussed about your dry shampoo adding volume, and that you just want it to make your hair clean, this is the one of the two to go for. 

It is lighter in pretty much every sense of the word with a lighter scent, and a much lighter formula whose residue is pretty much undetectable once it's worked its magic. There are extra skills on this dry shampoo's resume, too: it helps hair retain shine and softness, which we can definitely attest to and shields it from pollution – great if you're a city dweller as many of the woman&home team are. Compared to the original Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, we did find that we needed to spray more of the product to achieve the same clean feeling, but it is a bit cheaper than the original.

Most importantly, though, its cleaning abilities are undeniable, and easily the most impressive of any dry shampoo that our testers put through their paces. Although it contains oil-absorbing powders, a powder removal system reduces friction on the surface of the hair so that they disappear more easily. The formula also balances your scalp's sebum levels to keep your strands cleaner for longer. This cinched it for our testers whose priority is hair that feels as close to actually washed as possible.

Consider these the face wipes of the hair world, minus the bad rep. We were intrigued about how these cleansing cloths were going to perform and the results were impressive. Not only did the cloths feel like they actually cleaned our hair impressively quickly, but they also smelled like a dream. Our roots felt completely revived and free of any grease, oil, impurities, or product build-up. 

Our curly-haired tester mostly appreciated the 'cleaning' aspect of this buy. When you don't wash your hair daily, product residue can really build up from styling products, which dry shampoo normally contributes to. This felt like it really clarified our curls, rather than just absorbing grease at the roots. They're easy to use, quick, and left roots looking freshly-washed, rather than just dry-shampooed. The convenient format and deep-cleaning formula also mean that this product is ideal for post-workout. 

The one downside is that you slightly flatten your roots as you work through the cloth, but it's not too dramatic, and worth it for that sparklingly fresh and clean feel if you ask us. 

Hugely popular in the US (and having just launched in the UK) we were excited to test this one out. Created with menopausal hair thinning and loss in mind, this little bottle promised big things and we were happy to note that it delivered across the board. Helping people that suffer from thinning hair create thick, full-bodied strands, while caring for the scalp, this dry shampoo is a true volume booster, right from the roots. 

A little of the bergamot-fragranced mist goes a long way and the results were pretty much instant. When applied, this dry shampoo concealed a lack of hair washing for a good couple of days and did a good job of visually bulking out our fine-haired tester's strands. It also felt gentle and non-clogging on the scalp, which is good news as a congested scalp can be detrimental to healthy hair growth. The smell was an added bonus and kept strands smelling gloriously fresh all day long.

It goes without saying that this is at the expensive end of the spectrum. But, we found that we didn’t need to use a lot of product and the small bottle lasted what felt like forever. Know that you are getting your money’s worth with this purchase, in addition to maintaining your scalp and hair health too. If thinning hair is a concern and you can afford to spend more, this is an investment that we think is worth it. 

Offering us the ultimate secret weapon for second-day hair, this refreshing spray was one of the best dry shampoos that we tested at the luxury end of the spectrum. Kerastase is one of the best-known salon-approved hair brands, so when it came to testing its dry shampoo offering, our expectations were high. Luckily, this ticked just about every box we could think of for what a dry shampoo should do. Uplifting, refreshing, soothing, and mattifying, she absolutely does it all. 

Packed with lots of good stuff like nourishing Vitamin E and rice starch for absorption, this formula left our hair and roots feeling clean and refreshed. The lightweight fine fragrance was also an added bonus, smelling more like one of the best perfumes for women than a functional hair product. It also didn’t dehydrate our tester's sensitive scalp, leaving it feeling completely balanced.

To be frank, we didn't want to like this as much as we did, it being so expensive. But it's annoyingly great. It left no powdery residue, sank in nicely, and smelt luxe, like a posh perfume. You absolutely don't have to spend this much to get the best dry shampoo, but if your budget permits, this is a brilliant buy.

How often should you use dry shampoo?

This totally depends on how oily your hair gets and how quickly – but the good news is that there's no real limit to how often you use dry shampoo, though you'll need to be mindful of build-up.

"Usage will depend on your hair type and what you have planned that week," says Michael Shaun Corby, hair stylist, and Living Proof global creative director. "It depends on your hair type, texture, and haircare regime you’re following. The key is to give your scalp the chance to breathe between washes, especially if the dry shampoo you’re using is predominantly powder-based and doesn’t take care of the 'cleaning.'"

"Don’t be afraid to reapply," Corby adds. "Once you’ve allowed the first application to settle in and do the work, you may notice your hair still feels a bit oily. Use as much as is needed for your hair type and condition to achieve cleaner, healthier hair for longer." 

How to apply dry shampoo like a pro

You might have tried a dry shampoo and decided the white patches weren’t for you, but that could be the way you’re applying it, according to leading hairstylist Lee Stafford. “Try spraying it a little further away, around 30cm (or about 12 inches), as this prevents you from applying excess product and avoids those blasts of powder," he advises.

"Before spritzing, section the hair into two halves. Direct the product onto the roots, pause for a minute (not seconds), and gently massage the formula in," he continues. "Waiting for longer allows the dry shampoo to saturate into the hair instead of sitting on top and creates a more natural effect.” 

There's also no limit to how much dry shampoo you use in one session – again, this depends on your hair type and how oily your hair is at the time of spritzing, but you can build up to as much as you feel your hair needs. 

Is dry shampoo bad for your scalp?

There’s nothing wrong with using dry shampoo. Just make sure you use the best dry shampoo for your hair type, give your scalp and hair a good clean when you do finally make it to the shower, and introduce yourself to a good scalp care regimen once a week with a scalp mask or massage.

However, while most dry shampoos won’t directly damage your strands, not washing it off properly can create a build-up of product that sits on the scalp and clogs up your pores. Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist and brand president at Philip Kingsley explains, “If the oils that secrete from the scalp are not properly washed away, it can provide a perfect breeding ground for dandruff to form. Good scalp hygiene is also essential to hair growth.” 

If you do have a sensitive, dry or flaky scalp, proceed with caution. “Even though daily shampooing is the best remedy to relieve dandruff, I understand that people with irritated, flaky scalps are under the same time pressures as everyone else," says Kingsley. "However, these individuals need to use it sparingly and seek a formula that caters to a problematic scalp. Otherwise, it can exacerbate the issue.”