Fresh blowouts in this economy? Honestly, it might be time to rethink that habit and start hunting for the best dry shampoo for your hair instead. For me, dry shampoo is right up there with deodorant—non-negotiable. I try to wash my hair as little as possible (color-treated reds fade fast), so I’ve gone through more bottles than I can count in the name of keeping my dark-auburn strands looking fresh.
At the very least, a good dry shampoo should nix any trace of oil or grime. But the real best dry shampoos winners? They not only absorb the greasy stuff but also breathe some life back into limp, days-old hair—leaving it looking (and smelling) like you just stepped out of a salon.
Whether you're trying to stretch out a blowout, cut down on your wash days, zap odor and oil, or just get a little root lift on a lazy morning, dry shampoo is your secret weapon.
So, I put together a list of the 8 best ones I’ve tried—based on serious trial-and-error and a few pro hairstylist tips along the way. From color-refreshing sprays and vitamin-packed formulas to volume-boosting mists and solid budget picks, there’s something in here for every hair type, color, and routine.
1. Klorane USA Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
I tested this dry shampoo over the festive season and finally understood why it’s stayed a favorite for the past three years. I’d never used a powder formula before, so I followed hairstylist Ben Talbott’s advice to “go easy” and tapped on a light layer each morning.
My color appointment was early December, but I wanted my red to look fresh through New Year’s—so I used it daily for five days. No residue, no itchiness, no tacky feeling, even on my fine hair. By day four, it did make my strands a little too soft to hold style, but overall, with its oil-absorbing power and clean scent, it’s become my top pick.
2. K18 AirWash™ Dry Shampoo
It’s always slightly annoying when a pricey product ends up being completely worth it. I bought the Dyson AirWrap secretly hoping to return it—but three years later, I can’t even travel without it. Same goes for K18’s AirWash.
I was skeptical (nearly $50 for dry shampoo?), and the ingredients list is vague thanks to that patented K18 tech. From what I can tell, it uses microbeads with hair-safe salts and glycerin.
The spray feels more like a lightweight hairspray than a powder, meaning no white residue dry shampoo—not even on my dark-auburn hair. I used it post-spin class on greasy, two-day-old roots, and it looked freshly blow-dried. The clean feeling lasted two full days. Want a dry shampoo that doesn’t leave a white cast? Yes. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Sadly, yes.
3. Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Dry Shampoo
“Root plumping” foams and powders tend to do the opposite for me—they just weigh my hair down. That’s where a dry shampoo with some body-boosting power really comes in handy. If you’re using dry shampoo purely for volume before styling, you don’t need to splurge—save your luxury picks for oil control, not for chasing a beehive.
Hairstylist Henry de la Paz recommends one from Sexy Hair, saying it gives “va-va-voom volume without the product buildup.” He does suggest a trick for best results: let the product sit for two minutes before brushing or styling. That wait time makes all the difference in getting a serious lift.
4. Hair by Sam McKnight Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo
Curly hair craves moisture, so dry shampoo might seem like the wrong move. But according to hairstylist Ben Talbott, this one from celebrity stylist Sam McKnight is a solid choice for hair that’s “thick, kinky, and curly.”
The ultralight, translucent formula won’t dry out or weigh down delicate curls—instead, it freshens without disrupting your natural texture. Bonus: it smells amazing, with notes of water lily, green stem, and juniper wood.
Talbott describes it as “sublime, like a breath of fresh air.” For anyone with curls looking to stretch wash days without sacrificing bounce or scent, this one’s definitely worth a try.
5. Drybar Detox Thickening Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo used to buy me an extra day or two between washes—until I tried Drybar’s version. Now, I can go a full week without washing my hair. (As someone who’s been washing every other day since my teens, that’s a big deal.) What sets this one apart is that it doesn’t just soak up grease—it adds fullness from the roots down.
Compared to the soft, slippery feel of Klorane, this gives my hair real grip without any buildup or itchiness. Even after a few days, I can still style it easily with a round brush and dryer. The subtle vanilla scent is lovely, and the yellow can looks great on my shelf. My only gripe? It runs out fast.
6. IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo
If you’ve ever used a charcoal mask on your skin, you’ll recognize the star ingredient in this dry shampoo. According to hairstylist Hissami, the formula blends charcoal with white-tea powder to deeply cleanse the scalp, no matter your hair type or texture.
The charcoal works to lift dirt and absorb excess oil, giving your roots a real refresh, while the white-tea powder helps calm the scalp and prevent irritation. It’s a smart pick if you’re looking for a lightweight dry shampoo that feels more like a gentle detox than a quick fix—and it leaves your hair feeling clean without stripping or drying it out.
7. Philip Kingsley Flaky Scalp Soothing Dry Shampoo
If you’re dealing with scalp issues, washing your hair daily might be doing more harm than good. That doesn’t mean skipping washes altogether—two to three times a week is usually ideal. A solid dry shampoo can help you stretch the time between washes without irritation. Hairstylist Ben Talbott calls this one "the perfect solution for dandruff or a scaly scalp."
It’s designed to target the root cause of dandruff by absorbing excess oil with starches, while soothing ingredients like bisabolol (from chamomile), niacinamide, aloe vera, and methyl lactate help calm inflammation and refresh your scalp. It keeps everything balanced, clean, and feeling way less itchy.
8. Ouai Dry-Shampoo Foam
Foam dry shampoos may seem unusual, but brands like Verb and Bumble and Bumble offer them for a reason. According to Perea, they’re great for adding volume, especially if you have fine, thin hair. She explains, “the moisture quickly absorbs, giving your hair a lift that's difficult to achieve with powder.”
The foam's texture also allows for precise application. Plus, it has a delightful scent, making it a pleasant addition to your routine. This dry shampoo for dark hair also works wonders for thick, curly hair, offering a quick refresh without any buildup.
In short, foam dry shampoos are a game changer if you're tired of dealing with chalky, weighed-down roots. Whether you’ve got fine, thick, or curly hair, they refresh your hair without the buildup, leaving it feeling light and voluminous. Personally, I love how easy they are to use—just a quick pump, and your hair is lifted, smelling great, and looking fresh.
Read More: 5 Reasons I'm Obsessed with Sol de Janeiro's Shampoo and Conditioner
Uma McAllister is the beauty aficionado at ThirtysSix. With years of experience working with top beauty brands and a knack for uncovering skincare secrets, Uma is your guide to achieving that glow. Her approach is holistic, focusing on both inner wellness and external beauty, from clean makeup brands to DIY skincare rituals. Uma’s voice is warm, encouraging, and always empowering, making her readers feel like they’re on a beauty journey together. Whether she’s testing the latest viral product or breaking down the science behind skincare ingredients, Uma’s content is as informative as it is engaging, helping her readers look and feel their best.
