Grease Be Gone: How to Use Dry Shampoo Like a Pro

Dry shampoo is a cosmetic product that absorbs oil and sweat from your scalp and hair. It’s versatile AF and can come in clutch if you:

• don’t have time to wash your hair
• want your blowout to last a little longer
• have greasier hair roots than a late-night kebab
• want to add some va-va-voom volume to your luscious locks

The main ingredient in dry shampoo is usually an absorbent substance like cornstarch, talc, aluminum, or rice starch. Many brands also add conditioning ingredients like oils or silicone to help your tresses look and feel soft and touchable.

Just keep in mind, some brands can make your hair look chalky and dry. That’s why it’s 10/10 important that you pick the right product. More on that in a minute.

When applied correctly, dry shampoo can revolutionize your hair care routine. But if you use it wrong, you run the risk of looking like you sprinkled flour all over your head.

These six simple steps can help you make the most out of your dry shampoo and achieve fab, grease-free locks.

1. Prepare

Give that bottle a good shake before you spray your hair with dry shampoo. Well, that’s assuming you have an aerosol, spray, or foam. You don’t need to shake powders.

Agitating the bottle helps distribute the ingredients evenly. This can help you avoid ending up with too much product on one area of your scalp.

2. Comb

Next, use a wide-toothed comb to section your hair. This helps ensure the dry shampoo distributes evenly. It also reduces your risk of clumps or white patches.

Pro tip: Start with small sections at the back of your head and work your way forward.

3. Apply

Now it’s time to apply! Start by holding the can or bottle about 10 to 12 inches from your head. Then spray in short spurts. Begin where the hair feels the greasiest. Hint: For most folks, it’s along the hairline, the crown of the head, or the nape of the neck.

FYI: You can apply the foam dry shampoo directly to the roots. Just be sure to stick a decent-sized amount. Using too much might make your hair clump together.

4. Let it breathe

Let the dry shampoo set for at least a couple of minutes to work its magic. But you might see better results if you wait for 10 minutes.

5. Massage

Give your scalp some TLC. A light scalp massage can help activate your product’s formula. It can also help the product distribute evenly.

Just remember to massage, not scrub! Rubbing too hard might ruin your results.

6. Finish

Run your fingers through your hair to separate strands and add more volume. If you notice any areas with too much residue, you can brush it away as you style. And that’s it! Your greasy roots have been banished and you’re looking fresh.

Now that you’re sold on adding dry shampoo to your beauty routine, it’s time to go shopping! You can find dry shampoo at your local pharmacy, beauty supply store, or online. Here’s how to pick the right dry shampoo for your unique hair needs.

• Mist. This light product can refresh hair without upsetting the style. This makes it a great option if you wear your hair in braids or updos on the reg.
• Foam. A major perk of foam is that you can apply it directly to the hair. That means you can get into the roots without going to town on the rest of your hair.
• Powder. It’s a great choice for thick or oily hair, but might be too heavy for thin or fine hair.
• Paste. Since you apply paste with your fingers, you can precisely manage where it goes. You’ll get tons of texture definition along with a decent hold.
• Tinted. There’s no need to worry about nasty-looking white residue when you opt for a dry shampoo that matches your hair color.

Some dry shampoos boast frizz taming, volumizing, texturizing, or moisturizing properties. Just read the label thoroughly to make sure you choose something that makes sense for your hair type. The wrong product can leave you with lackluster locks.

Most experts say you shouldn’t use dry shampoo more than 2 days in a row. Ideally, only use it twice a week at the most.

While dry shampoo tends to be totally safe, there are some potential probs to keep in mind.

• You shouldn’t use dry shampoo as a replacement for actual hair washing. It doesn’t cleanse your scalp of grease, dead skin cells, pollution, and sweat. Over time, this gunk — and the product itself — can build up on your scalp and trigger irritation.
• Studies show that if your scalp isn’t in tip-top condition and the follicles have damage, it can lead to hair loss. Although dry shampoo isn’t directly to blame, it can affect scalp health, which is critical for hair growth.
• Some aerosol products contain alcohol, which might dry out your hair. This can increase your risk of breakage and dullness. Additionally, some dry shampoos have an ingredient called talc. This mineral can contain traces of asbestos, a carcinogen that’s linked to types of cancers. Yikes.
• According to a 2021 editor’s letter, some dry shampoo products can contain allergens. These substances might trigger atopic dermatitis or other less-than-pleasant skin reactions like hives or rashes.

Dry shampoo is an uber-popular product that’s used to degrease oily hair. It can also come in handy if you want to add volume to your hair or make a styling last longer.

Dry shampoo It comes in powder, foam, spray, and paste. The exact product you pick can depend on your hair type and style needs.

While dry shampoo is generally safe to use, it’s not meant to be used on the daily. Additionally, dry shampoo is not a substitute for actual hair cleansing methods like rinsing or shampooing.

P.S. Be careful about what products you use. Some may contain irritating ingredients that trigger skin irritation.