Whether you're spending a long weekend at an outdoor festival, boarding a long-haul flight or just need a post-Pilates refresh (a spritz under your fringe works wonders), dry shampoo is the multi-tasking hair product that should have a a permanent place in your beauty bag.
Of course, a good dry shampoo is a godsend when it comes to sorting that second-day oil, but that's not all your can is up to: in fact, hairstylists use it for so much more. "There are many ways to use dry shampoo: It works as a texturiser, it gives that lived-in effect to a fresh 'do, and it adds volume to fine hair when sprayed into roots," says Francesco de Chiara, colourist at John Frieda Salons.
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As well as using it between washes to clarify greasy roots, dry shampoo is also the messy bun's best friend. Simply spritz into roots before styling for an injection of cool-girl texture that doubles up as helpful grip to keep your top knot in place all day long.
It's brilliant as an overnight solution for limp, flat hair too. Before bed, spray a generous amount on the roots, massage in, and wear your hair up in a loose bun or braid for a bouncy, volumised hair come sunrise.
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Most new-gen dry shampoos promise zero white residue, but if you notice traces of product in your hair, don't fret. Living Proof's Global Creative Director Michael Shaun Corby has this clever hack: "Use a bristle brush to remove excess powder, or use a hairdryer on the lowest heat setting to easily remove stubborn residue." For an all-over, freshly washed feel, you can also spray dry shampoo onto your hairbrush and comb it through the lengths. Here, see the dry shampoos you'll find in team ELLE's kits.
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The Best Dry Shampoos To Try Now
R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo, $40.50 at Selfridges
This one's a transparent formula loaded with rice protein to strengthen damaged hair, while vitamin E brings extra nourishment. It adds extra body and undone, beachy texture to limp locks, too.
Drybar Detox Clear Invisible Dry Shampoo, $46 at Sephora
This completely clear dry shampoo refreshes greasy hair with minimal product build-up left on your scalp. It doesn't weigh down fine hair and you'll find no tell-tale signs of white powder thanks to the invisible formula. The coconutty, vanilla scent is delicious, too.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo, $36.50 at LookFantastic
Can you improve on perfection? Living Proof certainly did. We loved the brand's original dry shampoo, but this latest version exceeds expectations by eliminating excess oils, sweat and grime all while promising noticeably softer strands. Our gym bags are never without one.
Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo, $52 at Sephora
Everything Olaplex does is designed to be kind on very damaged strands, and this dry shampoo is no exception. Along with rice starch to absorb excess sebum, it also contains the brand's patented bond-repairing ingredient to leave hair feeling healthier. We love how it creates just enough texture for that tousled, French-girl look.
Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Dry Shampoo Powder, $75 at Selfridges
Aside from taking care of greasy roots and zhooshing flat-looking hair, this lightweight Oribe powder also contains mango leaf extract to help maintain a healthy scalp microbiome along with glycerin and olive oil to restore hydration. Plus, the petite packaging is great for throwing into your handbag.
Amika Perk Up Plus Dry Shampoo, $49 at Sephora
Lazy gals, listen up. This hard-hitting dry shampoo promises to refresh not just second and third day hair, but even fifth day locks and beyond. The clever formula, which contains mandelic acid and antioxidants to tackle unwanted odour and the effects of pollution respectively, revives unwashed hair without making the scalp feel heavy with product and it leaves no dusty residue behind. One to pack for all your summer festivals.
This article was first seen on ELLE UK.