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We all love to have clean-feeling and fresh-looking hair. But let’s be realistic, we don’t always have time for a 30-minute hair care routine in the morning. You may sleep an extra thirty minutes or swing by your favorite coffee shop with a simple investment in dry shampoo for hair. More than that, it offers a wealth of other hair hacks like boosting volume and enhancing hair grip. Continue reading to learn how dry shampoo works and how to use it properly.
I. What Does Dry Shampoo Do?
Our scalp generates natural oil, sebum, which softens and protects the hair. Despite these advantages, excess oil causes our hair to feel and look greasy. If you have oily hair, this can be a big issue, since hair begins to look unkempt by the end of the wash day. The oil also weighs down the roots, making fine hair look “limp”.
We all know that washing your hair every day dries it out, therefore using dry shampoo to postpone a wash day is not only time-saving but also incredibly helpful to your hair’s health. Dry shampoo, which contains alcohol or starch in ingredients, can absorb oil and sweat from the hair on the crown, where oil and unpleasant shine accumulate. As a result, it helps refresh hair without a regular shampoo and thus leads to healthier and more moisturized tresses. Moreover, using dry shampoo is great for adding volume and texture to your daily styles.
II. How To Apply Dry Shampoo?
How you use dry shampoo determines its effect. Here are some core rules on how to apply in the right way and get the best results:
Step #1: Prep & Part
Before you even think about spraying it in your hair, shake the bottle up. This will make sure the product’s formula is evenly distributed inside the bottle, making for even distribution on your scalp. Next, grab a comb. To apply properly, you’ll want to part your hair into small sections. Start by parting through the oiliest section of your hair.
Step #2: Aim & Apply
The rule here is to aim directly at the roots and hold the bottle one foot (yes, a whole 12 inches) away from your roots. Keeping the proper distance between your hair and the aerosol bottle is so important. You don’t want to spray the product too close to your scalp because it will leave a residue that’s hard to remove.
When you apply, don’t go overboard – only apply the dry shampoo onto areas that are oily, not all over the entire scalp. The amount of product needed will depend not only on how oily your scalp is but also on your hair type.
Step 3: Pause & Massage
One of the glorious benefits of dry shampoo is that it works quickly, with almost immediate results. However, in order to produce the best possible results, you should let the product sit for a few minutes to give it time to soak up oils. Do not brush or shake your head right after using.
After you’ve let it sit, you can massage it into your scalp with your hands to really activate the ingredients that soak up the oil. If you’re noticing too much residue after the said massage, go ahead and run a brush or a comb through your hair from root to tip in order to disperse and build up.
III. How To Choose The Right Dry Shampoo?
These shampoo comes in many different variations, including aerosol, spray, powder, and foam — and the specific type you use does make a difference. Basically, just as you would for any other skin or hair care product, read the product description page thoroughly in order to make sure that a formula’s features pertain to your needs.
Normally, people with curlier hair need more moisture, while people with oily scalps don’t, so If you have curly strands, seek out a type that also has moisturizing elements or If you have fine or thin hair, try a lightweight aerosol dry shampoo. For those who tend to have an oily scalp, use a dry shampoo that’s formulated to be super absorbent.
As mentioned, the product you use may make a huge difference in the outcome! You can use in the form of an aerosol spray, powder, and foam; it can also have a tinted formula. Each form will give similar results, but the way to use them will be slightly different. Here are the best in each form:
1. Batiste Dry Shampoo
Batiste is perhaps the top-rated dry shampoo on the market today and it comes in the form of a spray. With a rice starch-based formula, it efficiently removes excess grease and dirt from the scalp. It is not tested on animals and comes in a variety of scents and tints. It is not alcohol-free, though.
2. Shampure Aveda Dry Shampoo
Like other dry shampoo powders, it is alcohol-free, which makes it suitable for those with curly hair types. Aveda is naturally derived and cruelty-free, which is great for those choosing vegan hair products.
3. OGX Bodifying Bamboo Fiber Full Dry Shampoo Foam
A special formula with bamboo fibers and plant collagen helps add volume and body to the locks while absorbing oils. It can be used on all hair types as well as color-treated hair.
4. Paul Mitchell Invisiblewear Dry Shampoo
Invisiblewear is lightweight due to its fine mist formula, which makes it ideal for volume, and safe for color-treated hair. It also comes in a tinted version for brunettes and blondes – great for extending the life of your color in between salon visits.
IV. Dry Shampoo Tips
If you are doing all these things but it doesn’t seem to work for you, read on to learn more tips and tricks that may change the game.
1. Spray At A Distance
For best results, use at the proper distance. When you are using either a powder or aerosol form, it is best to hold the bottle approximately 4 to 6 inches away from your scalp. This allows for better coverage and even distribution of the product. If you attempt to apply it closer than that, you may end up with a build-up and a white residue. Massaging the area with your fingertips will adjust the product just enough to eliminate the residue.
2. Don’t Use It Daily
Dry shampoo is intended to extend the life of your style and allow you to go an extra day before washing. It was never intended to be used repetitively on second, third, and fourth-day hair. You need to refresh and nourish your hair and scalp, so a good wash day routine is still a must. Overusing may cause dandruff and other side effects including flakes from product buildup.
3. Consider Using It On Clean Hair
One of the greatest hacks to having longevity in your style is to spray dry shampoo as soon as your style is finished. For example, you’ll definitely want to use dry shampoo on the salon blowout. Not only will this give you added volume, but it will also absorb any oil your scalp produces as you wear the hairstyle, giving it much more longevity.
4. Make Full Advantage All Dry Shampoo Uses
Dry shampoo can be used for adding volume and texturizing your locks. If you notice your hair falling flat real soon after styling it, dry shampoo will be the simple fix that leads you to a fuller-looking mane. In addition, it is the perfect tool to prevent your bangs from sticking to your forehead. It’s also great for adding grip to the hair and can be used to get bobby pins to hold when creating a more formal style. Another great idea is to use dry shampoo before and after curling the hair to give some grip and help the curls stay. Are you sure you have leveraged all these options?
5. Try Using Dry Shampoo Alternatives For A Change
If you have oily hair and feel in need of dry shampoos all the time, consider using popular dry shampoo alternatives for a change. You’d probably be surprised to learn you can actually use baby powder, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and even hand sanitizer as a dry shampoo. At the same time, we would not recommend making a habit of this, because they can be more drying and damaging to the hair and scalp in the long run.
V. Conclusion
As simple as that! With just one hair product, you can now enjoy more freedom from oily hair and roots, longevity in your hairstyle, more volume and texture in fine hair, or a better grip for your bobby pins. Start incorporating dry shampoo into your daily routine, and you’ll soon see that the difference it makes to your hair is just amazing.
