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Let’s face it—sometimes washing your hair just isn’t in the cards! Whether you’re extending a blowout, squeezing in a workout or simply hitting the snooze button one too many times (we’ve all been there!), dry shampoo is the miracle product that keeps on giving. This hair-refreshing wonder absorbs excess oil, adds volume and can transform limp, greasy strands into bouncy, fresh-looking locks in just minutes.
To find the absolute best dry shampoos on the market, we consulted with top celebrity hairstylists who use these hair products daily on their A-list clients. From red carpet prep to between-shoot touch-ups, these experts know exactly which formulas deliver results when it matters most.
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Whether you’re looking for an affordable drugstore option (hello, budget-friendly beauty!) or ready to splurge on a luxury formula (treat yourself!), we’ve got the insider recommendations straight from the pros who style Hollywood’s most famous manes.
Top Dry Shampoos
- Best Overall: Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
- Best Splurge: Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
- Best Drugstore: Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
- Best for All Hair Types: Scruples Dry Shampoo Fresh Finish
- Best Vegan: Cake Beauty’s The ‘Do Gooder’
- Best Multi-Tasker: Rocco Donna Professional Dry Shampoo
- Best for Dark Hair: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones
- Best Refillable Option: Crown Affair The Refillable Dry Shampoo
- Best Clean Formula: Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
- Best Organic: Acure Dry Shampoo
What’s the Best Way to Apply Dry Shampoo?
Turns out, there’s actually a technique to getting the most from your dry shampoo—and it’s not just spray and pray!
“Splitting the hair into 1-inch sections and applying directly on the root is the most effective way to use any kind of dry shampoo,” explains Mia Santiago, celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Mariska Hargitay, Martha Stewart, and Hugh Jackman.
Joey Scandizzo, who’s styled celebrities like Ruby Rose and Paris Hilton, adds some crucial details: “Start at the roots, section the hair, and target areas where oil builds up the most, such as the crown and hairline. After applying it, let it sit for a minute or two to soak everything up, then massage it in with your fingertips or give it a light brush-through.”f
Most experts agree that distance matters when applying. “Hold the bottle about 6–8 inches from your scalp and spray directly at your roots in sections,” advises celebrity hairstylist Emilio Uribe.
For those using powder formulas, Zoey Taylor of CurlsQueen suggests: “Don’t rub it in right after applying. Let the starches absorb oil and odor for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, massage that into your scalp with fingertips or use a boar bristle brush for distribution.”
Ashley West has a clever application tip: “I personally like to apply my dry shampoo prior to my skincare routine to let it set and absorb excess oil. After I’ve finished, I’ll use a blow dryer to ‘blow out’ any unnecessary dry shampoo residue. It brings my hair back to life every time.”
When Should You Use Dry Shampoo?
The experts agree that timing can make all the difference in dry shampoo success.
“If you put dry shampoo in before a workout or before going to bed, the dry shampoo will absorb the sweat and oils as they come out so you aren’t fighting an uphill battle!” shares Santiago, offering a proactive approach.
Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, owner of the salon Deeper Than Hair and a YouTube sensation with 1.3 million subscribers, takes a personalized view: “Use dry shampoo whenever your hair or scalp starts to feel oily—it really depends on what works best for you. Some people like to apply it at night, while others prefer using it before a workout to help prevent excess buildup.”
William Whatley, Creative Education Director for Scruples, offers practical guidance on frequency: “I recommend to my clients going 2 to 3 days at most between wet shampoo, using a dry shampoo to absorb the excess oils. I would not recommend doing more than 2 to 3 applications in a week before I did an actual wet shampoo to make sure that I get the scalp and hair completely cleansed.”
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10 Best Dry Shampoos, Tested by Celebrity Stylists
Best Overall: Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
Celebrity stylists Ashley West and Annagjid “Kee” Taylor both named this as their top pick. “It’s talc-free and leaves no white residue,” raves Taylor. The lightweight formula refreshes hair without weighing it down and works beautifully on virtually all hair types and textures.
Best Splurge: Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
“If you’re looking to find the Rolls Royce of dry shampoos, Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is it,” shares Zoey Taylor. “An extravagance, a luxuriously pleasurable experience! The scent is Oribe signature: Côte d’Azur. An aroma of an expensive perfume—seriously turns heads.” celebrity hair stylist Allie Kate agrees, naming it her top luxury pick as well.
Best Drugstore: Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
This affordable favorite gets multiple expert endorsements. “Batiste is famous for good reasons: inexpensive, easily accessible, and efficient,” says Zoey Taylor. “My number one pick, Original, works for all hair types and smells clean and classic.” Allie Kate is also a fan, making this a true budget-friendly winner.
Best for All Hair Types: Scruples Dry Shampoo Fresh Finish
Whatley, who has worked with major designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli, can’t say enough good things about this versatile formula. “I love it and it’s very easy to apply and results are immediate. It can be a savior in a pinch,” he shares. He says it also adds body and volume to hair, making it a client favorite.
Best Vegan: Cake Beauty’s The ‘Do Gooder’
“Completely vegan and cruelty-free, it comes with no parabens, sulfates, or talc,” explains Zoey Taylor. “The aerosol-free packaging works on a non-toxic powder blend of corn starch and baking soda that are supposed to absorb oil and refresh hair.” She adds that it gives a soft, tousled texture without giving that dirty, powdery feel.
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Best Multi-Tasker: Rocco Donna Professional Dry Shampoo
Uribe swears by this versatile product: “I love the way this dry shampoo finishes. It adds texture without the telltale white residue you get from so many other dry shampoos.” He adds that it smells amazing and works beautifully on every hair type.
Best for Dark Hair: Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones
“This dry shampoo is one of the best recommendations that I have for either brown-headed people or those who have deep hair colors,” shares Zoey Taylor. “It is tinted to seamlessly blend with darker hair, which takes away the risk of developing white residue—a common complaint from my clients.” She adds that it has UV protection as well, so it’ll keep your colors from fading.
Best Refillable Option: Crown Affair The Refillable Dry Shampoo
Both West and Annagjid “Kee” Taylor recommend this eco-friendly option. Taylor notes that it “has a brush so you can precisely target the area you’re looking to apply.” The refillable packaging makes it better for the environment, while the precise applicator ensures you’re not wasting product.
Best Clean Formula: Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
“Klorane is a staple in the industry, especially among stylists looking for something reliable, gentle, and flexible,” raves Zoey Taylor. “I love this product because oat milk calms your scalp, while super-fine plant-based powders absorb oil and odor without leaving a telltale white cast. ” She adds that it works for all hair types, including fine and color-treated hair.
Best Organic: Acure Dry Shampoo
“One of the cleanest, if not the most effective, alternatives I’ve encountered,” says Zoey Taylor. The organic formula is made with arrowroot powder, rosemary, and peppermint oil, which absorbs oil from the scalp and leaves a refreshing, tingly feeling. “It makes things a lot easier because it comes in a shaker-bottle format instead of aerosol can-nozzle application.”
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Sources:
- William Whatley, Celebrity Hair Stylist and Creative Education Director for Scruples
- Emilio Uribe, Celebrity Hair Stylist
- Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, Celebrity Hair Stylist and owner of Deeper Than Hair salon
- Mia Santiago, Celebrity Hairstylist who works with Mariska Hargitay and Hugh Jackman
- Joey Scandizzo, Celebrity Hairstylist who’s styled Ruby Rose and Paris Hilton
- Ashley West, Hairstylist
- Zoey Taylor, Hair Specialist at CurlsQueen
- Allie Kate, Hairstylist who’s worked with Rachel Zoe
