We Tested 4 Dry Shampoos

Not washing your hair every day isn’t just great for freeing up your time, it can also be a little easier on your scalp and hair. That said, not all of us can go 2 or 3 days between washes without a little assistance from our old friend, dry shampoo. Like most things, there are tons of dry shampoos options available, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to test some popular brands to bring you the scoop!

Our Testers

We enlisted men and women from our team to test both high-end and drugstore dry shampoos from around the Mall. Full disclosure: our testers all have straight hair, although all
products featured are meant to work for all hair types. Our testers’ hair types range from fine to very thick, dry to oily, light to dark, as well as dyed and mature hair with grey. This willing group of truth seekers stopped washing their hair for us, all in the name finding the best dry shampoos in the game.

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones, Chatters, $29
 

Description: A dry cleansing spray for light-colored hair that absorbs oil, buildup, and odor to leave hair instantly refreshed. This product also comes in a “dark tones” shade.

Tester’s hair type: Thick blonde hair. Not regularly dyed, but has been dyed in the last 2 years. Roots get oily the day after washing. Washes hair every 3-4 days.

Usability and results: Quick and easy to apply with no white residue noted. Brushing wasn’t needed, and it effectively absorbed oil. The effect was very natural and lightweight, leaving hair feeling soft and more voluminous afterwards. The tester didn’t need to use more product the next day to extend their wash another couple of days.

Verdict: “Overall, I would rate this 4.5 out of 5 stars and I would definitely recommend it! I did not feel as though I had product in my hair, and my hair looked like I had washed it that day.Plus, it added some nice volume to my roots. I liked that the fragrance was mild and it didn’t linger.”

Dove Dry Shampoo Care Between Washes, Unscented, Walmart, $4.48



Description: Cleanses your hair with a lightweight, low-residue formula designed to keep hair feeling fresh between regular washes or when you’re short on time.

Tester’s hair type: Black, thick, straight, medium length.

Usability and results: Easy to use. The spray covered a decent amount of surface and quickly absorbed a decent amount of oil. A white residue was mildly visible, but it quickly brushed out. Hair felt soft, silky, and cleaner, with added lustre. Tester felt they were able to extend their wash by using the product again the next day.

Verdict: “I quite enjoy that this product is unscented and it also feels like you get a decent bang for your buck with how little I had to use to absorb the oils! I give it 4 out of 5 stars.”

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, Shoppers Drug Mart, $15.49



Description: Ultra-gentle dry shampoo, with plant-based ingredients that eliminates oil, dirt, and odors.

Tester’s hair type: Mature with some grey. Highlights on soft brown. Roots get oily quick. Tries not to wash hair daily.

Usability and results: Very easy to use with no issues. The immediate white residue was easy to brush out. The tester reported effective and quick results. The product fluffed up their hair a bit and felt unnoticeable.

Verdict: “I really liked this product. The oily look of my hair disappeared right away, leaving it feeling soft without buildup. It added a bit of volume, but not as much as the Dry Bar or Morrocan Oil brands. The fragrance was very mild, almost unnoticeable. I would rate it 4 stars!” 

Batiste Instant Hair Refresh Clean and Classic Original, Walmart, $8.97



Description: The classic dry shampoo that instantly makes your hair feel clean, fresh, and full of body and texture. Scented with citrus and floral notes.

Tester’s hair type: Mature with some grey. Highlights on soft brown. Roots get oily quick. Tries not to wash hair daily.

Usability and results: Easy to use, no different than the rest. It left a white residue that didn’t come out completely, but this could be from spraying too much in one area. It also left the tester’s hair feeling chalky! 

Verdict: “The smell was stronger than I would prefer, but it wasn’t unpleasant. It took away the greasiness, but didn’t really offer the volume that the others did, and I didn’t like the chalky feeling that it left. I would say this is a good one if your hair is oily, but it doesn’t offer much more than that. I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars!”

Final Verdict:
Although the formulas, scents, and absorption varied between brands and formulas, our testers all agreed that dry shampoo is a convenient way to refresh your hair in between
washes. Whether you need to revive your ‘do before a Zoom meeting, or trying to wash your hair less often, we recommend trying out different formulas from the Mall to find the right one for you! Luckily, many brands now offer travel-sized versions of their product, so you can test-drive a few and not worry about committing to one you don’t like.

Know what else helps extend your hair wash? A cute hairstyle! Watch this video on how to wear a scarf in your hair and thank us later.