#1 What type of dry shampoo is best for you?
A glance down the dry shampoo aisle can be a little overwhelming. Suddenly, a sea of products that once looked the same are quickly divided into many categories. But what do you choose? Or do you have a pair on hand? Fitzsimons says it comes down to your hair type and habits. In the same way that my fine hair calls me to wash it more (almost every single day) than the average person, my dry shampoo probably won’t be the same choice as someone with thick or very dry hair.
#2 Aerosol dry shampoo
Aerosol dry shampoos are probably the kind you are most familiar with. Maybe your gateway to trying dry shampoo to extend your wash in the first place. “Aerosol sprays set faster and are super convenient most of the time, but powders are usually better for fine or thin hair,” says Fitzsimons.
Personally, this was a hard lesson to learn, I thought I was doing the right thing. But my thin hair wasn’t having it. Aerosol dry shampoo is probably the obvious choice if you often have thicker hair and style and you already extend your washing to two or three days.
“If you have thicker hair, I suggest using an aerosol dry shampoo, as it’s easier to spread through the hair and the strands can hold the formula better,” says Fitzsimons. Even after you spray dry shampoo, work it through with your fingers or a comb. Try to avoid a brush as it can weigh down the hair further.
#3 Powder dry shampoo
Ah, my favorite type of dry shampoo! When I discovered that dry shampoo existed, my whole world changed. Suddenly I could turn up for Sunday brunch with friends without having to wash my entire head beforehand – a pump of dry shampoo here and there made me feel like part of the club.
“Powder dry shampoo is best for fine, thin hair, as well as lighter hair colors, as it blends well with the hair,” says Fitzsimons. The products are often light, so you may find that you need more than you thought. It’s a quick fix and powder dry shampoos will get you through the day, but they don’t last very long.
“It’s important to note that dry shampoos don’t actually clean the hair. That said, if you use an aerosol dry shampoo, the active ingredient in the product, whether it’s alcohol or starch, works in your hair to soak up oil and grease , which makes it look much cleaner,” adds Fitzsimons.
#4 Dry shampoo mist
A dry shampoo mist is as refreshing as it sounds. “Dry shampoos that come in the form of mists are great for relieving itchy or dry scalps,” says Fitzsimons. It all comes back to your hair type and your specific needs. Mists are also a good way to “feel” clean. They tend not to leave a residue like aerosols or powders and work well with other styling products or tools.
I often use a mist if I want to target a specific area of my hair, like my bangs. I only spray it on the necessary pieces for a quick reset.
#5 Dry shampoo Foam or Mousse
These two are certainly much less common for a product, but for the right person they have a specific use. “Mousses are great for oily hair types as they absorb oil, making them perfect for use right before styling,” says Fitzsimons.
If you know your hair tends to get greasy, you might want to use a dry foam shampoo after you wash your hair and before you start blow drying or styling.
For mousse, it’s all about hydration without build-up. “When you use a mousse or a gel, you’re using a product that doesn’t result in build-up in the hair, and that’s best if you’re looking to add moisture to your entire tresses,” says Fitzsimons. Like a styling mousse, this would not be an ideal type of dry shampoo for someone with fine, thin hair or an oily scalp.