How to Use Dry Shampoo - The Only Tips You'll Need

Firstly, what is dry shampoo?

Dry Shampoo is any item that refreshes hair without water, making it a must-have for people on-the-go. This wonder product usually contains corn or aluminium starch to soak up visible grease at the roots—the telltale sign that hair hasn't been washed. Although available in many forms, it is most commonly found as an aerosol or loose powder. After being massaged into the roots, dry shampoo gives the appearance of cleaner hair, making it perfect for people who are too busy to wash their hair every day, or purposely avoid washing with liquid shampoo for hair care reasons.

“The great thing about dry shampoo is there’s no wrong way to use it—it’s one of the most versatile products in the hair care world, and formulas are evolving to multitask,” says Pureology artist Emily Alders.

Top Five Dry Shampoo Uses:

1. Add Hold And Texture to Fresh Hair: 

Clean hair, especially if you have fine or silky texture, doesn’t always hold a style well. Before attempting a braid, waves, or a messy bun, try lightly spraying dry shampoo evenly throughout hair for some added grip. “Hair will still look fresh and you’ll get a little bit of that touchable grit that’s helpful when holding a shape,” says Alders.

2. Make A Blowout Last Longer:

There’s nothing more exasperating than washing your hair, blowing it out, and applying product—only to realize you’ve gone overboard with that shine spray or heavy moisturizing serum. If hair is starting to feel heavy due to an overly generous squeeze of styling cream, spray it into trouble spots to soak up some of the damage.

3. Help Bobby Pins Stay In Place:

One of the best times to use dry shampoo is just before popping bobby pins or clips into hair to give them some extra grip.

4. Prevent Oil Buildup: 

Looking to shorten your morning routine? One tip to protect and style hair in your sleep is to apply Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo at night before bed to wake up with less oil and grease. (The same goes for heading to the gym—a spray before your workout is a secret to better post workout hair care).

5. Help Repair and Protect Your Hair:

It may not have been the first thought you jumped to when thinking of dry shampoo uses, but applying a little on ends that feel dry can take away some of their static and brittleness. “Because Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo is a non-drying formula and has other conditioning ingredients, your ends will feel softer,” says Alders. With UV ray protection built in, Pureology’s dry shampoo also protects colour treated and natural hair from sun damage —a major bonus during the summer.

What makes a great dry shampoo?

As previously mentioned, modern dry shampoos are evolving to multitask beyond just absorbing oil. While some outdated formulas can leave strands feeling dry and gritty and make hair colour look dull, Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo challenges the idea of what a dry shampoo is capable of. This lightweight, residue-free multi-tasker contains rice starch and works on both natural AND coloured hair. Featuring AntiFade Complex and UVA/UVB sunscreen, it helps hair colour last longer, and on clean hair it adds movement and texture, making hairstyles like updos easier to achieve.

Is it OK to use dry shampoo everyday? If not, how many times a week should you use dry shampoo?

Dry shampoo comes with a plethora of benefits, but overuse can cause problems. Too much of the product can leave a buildup of residue on the scalp, clogging hair follicles and limiting hair growth. That's why most dry shampoos should only be used once between hair washes. With Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo, pesky residue is less of an issue. “Because Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo is a lightweight formula, you don’t have to worry about product buildup," Alders explains. "But as with any styling product it’s always a good idea to apply a little at a time until you reach your desired look."

The Best Way to Use Dry Shampoo: An Application Guide

To make the most of your next spray, take a peek at Alders' dry shampoo pro tips and pointers on how to use dry shampoo correctly.

Step 1. Hold the dry shampoo four to six inches away from hair and spray it directly at the roots. Start where hair feels oiliest (for most women, that’s along the hairline, the nape of the neck, and the crown of the head), spritzing one section of hair at a time.

Pure Artist Tip: “Because Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo is a lightweight formula, you don’t have to worry about product buildup. But as with any styling product it’s always a good idea to apply a little at a time until you reach your desired look,” says Alders.

Step 2. Using your fingertips, massage the product into roots and scalp so that the oil-absorbing action can take place evenly across the head. For extra lift, try flipping your head upside down while massaging the product into hair.

Pure Artist Tip: Looking to correct a kink or flatness in your hair from sleeping on it funny or finishing a sweaty workout? “After applying the dry shampoo, take a blow-dryer and blast cool air at your roots to help change the direction of hair or build volume,” says Alders.

Step 3. Smooth out hair with a brush or comb, or grab your hot tools for a restyle.

Pure Artist Tip: “If you notice your ends are feeling dry or they’ve lost their shape, try adding a little bit of On The Rise Root-Lifting Mousse to them and restyle,” says Alders.

Now you know what dry shampoo is used for and the best way to use it, you may be interested in learning more about the best styling products for your haircut or best styling products based on your hair type.