Hair Care

6 Best Dry Shampoos -- and the 2 Worst

The best dry shampoo for keeping your hair fresh and voluminous -- and the ones that aren't worth your time

I'll admit it -- I'm a busy lady, which means I typically don't wash and dry my hair every morning. And when I do, it's always a long, arduous process full of waiting, heating, and styling. Which is why I don't know what I ever did before the invention of dry shampoos. Talk about an absolute game changer.

See the list of the best and worst dry shampoos now.

Typically, dry shampoos come in spray or powder form, and not only soak up oil, they also clean hair, water-free, and leave you smelling fresh. Plus, for those of you who have the time to wash your hair every day (or just happen to be a little less tolerant of dirt), dry shampoos also give your hair a volume boost. At least, that's what the good dry shampoos do. Not all dry shampoos are created equal -- and our readers can attest to that. In fact, they've been quite vocal about the dry shampoos that forever simplify their lives, which ones are just aiight, and which ones fall flat.

This roundup includes the very best and absolute worst of dry shampoos. Keep clicking to see which brands you need to work into your routine and which ones just aren't worth the trouble.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Worst Dry Shampoo No. 2: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray, $11

0 of 9

VIEW AS ONE PAGE

Editors' Top Selections

Klorane Oatmilk Gentle Dry Shampoo

$19.50

Buy Now

Moroccanoil

$43

Buy Now

Worst Dry Shampoo No. 2: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray, $11

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 5.8*

Why: There are a couple of reasons Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo did not make the best dry shampoo list, but the main one was that reviewers felt it wasn't worth the effort or price.

Reviewers agree that the overpowering smell, relatively high price and dandruff-like residue the product leaves on hair make this stuff "a total waste." One reviewer points out, "[It] kind of defeats the purpose when I have to wash my hair to get the white powder out."

Another disappointed user reports, "It didn't make my hair feel clean. It felt dirty, plus a bit dry and, well, crunchy." Considering the product's lukewarm score on top of all the complaints, it's probably wise to skip this one.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray here.

*At time of publication

Worst Dry Shampoo No. 1: Tresemmé Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo, $5.49

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 3.4*

Why: If my memory of high school math doesn't fail me, 3.5 is a flunking score -- and in the case of Tresemmé Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo, it seems well-deserved, meaning it didn't make our list of the best dry shampoo. More than 120 reviewers weigh in on the product, 50 of whom give it 1 star out of 10. Readers complain that the spray "leaves a sticky residue on hair" and "doesn't do much to absorb oil." Many readers say that it makes hair even greasier. According to one reader, the spray "Weighs down, sticks, and saps the volume right out of hair." It may be affordable, but what good is a $5 product if all it does is make things worse?

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Tresemmé Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo here.

*At time of publication

Best Dry Shampoo No. 6: Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo, $4.74

TotalBeauty.com Average Member Rating: 7.8*

Why it's great: Total Beauty reviewers say this one is the best dry shampoo for style-stretching capabilities. "[It's] insanely good at giving your blowout an extra day (or two)," says one dry shampoo review. "It definitely helps with taking away that 'greasy roots' look," says another reviewer. Plus, you get a lot for your money, since "the can lasts forever," according to one review.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo here.

*At time of publication

Best Dry Shampoo No. 5: Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo, $4.89

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8*

Why it's great: One reviewer sums up the pros of this cheap dry shampoo, which, at less than $5, is a thrifty girl's dream: It "eliminates oil, reduces grease ... [is] lightweight, adds body, washes out quickly, [is] easy to brush through hair [and] widely available at most drugstores." Sounds like a good reason to call it the best dry shampoo!

Although one reviewer reports that the bottle doesn't seem to last very long, many other reviewers claim that the other dry shampoos they've tried pale in comparison to Dove's cheap dry shampoo. "The others I tried either didn't seem to work or were seriously sticky and could not be brushed out," one user explains. "This does none of that. Everyone should give this a try!"

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo here.

*At time of publication

Best Dry Shampoo No. 4: Umberto Beverly Hills Dry Clean Dry Shampoo, $9.99

TotalBeauty.com Average Member Rating: *8.2

Why it's great: Umberto Dry Shampoo devotees call this one a "must have." TotalBeauty.com reviewers rated this one of the best dry shampoos because it soaks up oil and provides volume -- even if you've only got a few minutes to style your hair. "My hair was a little icky from the warm weather, but I used this dry shampoo, curled my ends and within 5 minutes my hair was full and bouncy," says a reviewer. This product makes the best dry shampoo list because it is especially great for fine hair -- reviewers say it doesn't weigh fine hair down, but still provides freshness between washes.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Umberto Beverly Hills Dry Clean Dry Shampoo here.

*At time of publication

Best Dry Shampoo No. 3: Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $19.50

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.4*

Why it's great: Many reviewers find that this is the best dry shampoo because it's the only one they've tried that they "love, love, love." Reviewers appreciate that the texture is light and "doesn't give you the dreaded 'powdered wig' look." The dry shampoo also "has a mild, pleasant fragrance" that won't overwhelm you throughout the day. One Klorane enthusiast gushes, "Not only does the product get rid of any greasiness, I feel like it really does make my hair look as if I just showered and blow-dried. It seems to add a little volume, too, which is always a plus!" Though this dry shampoo is slightly pricier than other, more common brands, it makes the best dry shampoo list because it seems to do "exactly what it says." Can you ask for more?

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk here.

*At time of publication

Best Dry Shampoo No. 2: Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo, $13.95

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.9*

Why it's great: One of the highest-rated shampoos, this Lush dry shampoo product "make[s] your hair look and feel super clean," and, according to one reader, "is the best-smelling dry shampoo I've ever used."

"It seems to soak up the shine but not leave the hair matte and gross like other canned/bottled dry shampoos," explains another delighted user. "I've tried many spray dry shampoos and none have worked nearly as well as this." One reader criticizes the packaging, citing that when you spray the product, it tends to go rogue. "All of this aside, it's a really great dry shampoo," especially for oily hair, she says. Others agree, putting Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo in the No. 2 spot on our list of the best dry shampoos.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo here.

*At time of publication

Best Dry Shampoo No. 1: Batiste Dry Shampoo, $7.99

TotalBeauty.com Average Member Rating: 8.9*

Why it's great: This is the "best stuff around," says one satisfied reviewer. "It seriously makes my hair look like it's just been washed," she adds. Total Beauty reviewers with dark brown hair say that this product is the best dry shampoo because it doesn't leave any white residue behind. One reviewer says that other dry shampoos left her "ultra dark hair" white and weighed down. "I use the Batiste for Dark Brown hair and it's a miracle worker," says the reviewer.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review for Batiste Dry Shampoo here.

*At time of publication