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We Tested the 6 Most Innovative Dry Shampoos

Here are the ones that are life-changing
R+Co switched up the dry shampoo game by creating a formula that you apply with your fingers -- in paste form. It sounds super unrealistic and sketchy, but I was actually amazed by the results.

Packaging: This is the first time I tried a dry shampoo that you don't puff or spray into your hair, so I was skeptical at first. When using this paste, make sure that you have a sink handy as your hands may be a bit pasty after application.

Effectiveness: Much to my surprise, I really loved this unique take on dry shampoo meets styling paste. I found it worked best on third-day hair when I had messy waves, as it added a great amount of texture to the roots and looked like the perfect, textured Instagram waves. With straight hair, I wasn't such a fan of this paste.

Scent: The scent on this dry shampoo paste is almost non-existent to my nose which I was more than okay with. I've had one too many dry shampoos that I hated using simply because of the scent, so this was a blessing in disguise.

Visibility: Obviously, you won't get any sort of white cast with this texture-enhancing dry shampoo. It's made with volcanic ash and plenty of effective ashes, so on my brown hair I wasn't left with any sort of visibility.

Overall: 4/5

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Photo 4/7
Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam, $28
Is it just me or does every lady want Kardashian hair? For their perfect waves, textured bed head, or slicked back ponytails, you can credit their hairstylist, Jen Atkin. Banking on this, she created her own haircare line, Ouai, and one of the first products she released was a dry shampoo foam. Yes, you heard us correctly.

Packaging: Aside from the packaging being ultra-chic, it's efficient too. It dispensed perfect amount of product from the applicator. It released the perfect portion to do a bit of hair at a time and not waste product.

Effectiveness: Again, much to my surprise, I really loved the way my hair looked and felt after this foam. Out of all that I tested, this was the one that I felt really made my hair look the cleanest.

Scent: The one aspect of this product that threw me off a bit was the scent. Some may love it, but it was a little too floral for me. On the plus side, you definitely wouldn't smell dirty hair through this scent.

Visibility: There was no white cast whatsoever with this product which was an absolute joy. Also, once you completely work this into your roots, you don't see any sign of its foamy texture either. So put those fears of '80s-style crunchy mousse to rest.

Overall: 4.5/5

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This brand-new dry shampoo powder from R+Co comes in gorgeous packaging, which made me even more excited to try it. To use this product, lift up chunks of hair, spritz it in, then rustle it around with fingers or a brush.

Packaging: I won't lie: It takes a little getting used to. The first time I tried it, I was already dressed in my black outfit for the day. This little dispenser pumps out white powder, and I wasn't pleased to see that it left a fine dusting all over my clothes. Still, if I held it closer to my roots, the white cast was visible.

Effectiveness: Once I worked in the white powder, my hair looked much cleaner. It also did a great job giving me some extra volume.

Scent: Of all the products I tested, this way probably my favorite scent. R+Co describes it as "rosy eyed" which is a mix of bergamot, wild fig, cedarwood, lotus flower and more.

Visibility: Again, if this product is properly worked into the roots, you don't have to worry about a white cast, but make sure you have a minute or two to work your fingers through.

Overall: 3.5/5

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As a more natural option, Lush dry shampoo is made with cornflour, talc, grapefruit oil, lime oil, and lemon oil to rid the roots of their dirty look and make them smell hella fresh.

Packaging: As this shampoo is in powder form, there are a few ways you can apply it. You can spread the product into hair by just puffing it straight onto your locks or (like I do) you can pump it onto your hands and massage it through your hair. It's definitely a messier application than aerosol cans, but well worth it.

Effectiveness: This is an amazing dry shampoo overall. I really like to put this dry shampoo powder into my hair before bed, then let it rustle around in my hair while I sleep. I alway wake up looking (and smelling!) amazing.

Scent: It makes hair smell fresh rather than too fragrancey. It's made with natural grapefruit, lime and lemon essential oils for a powerful yet somehow perfectly subtle fragrance.

Visibility: This is a white powder, so, like R+Co's powder formula, you'll be able to see a bit of it until it's been worked in. This is part of the reason why I like to sleep with it in.

Overall: 4.5/5

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Aveda is not only about providing a more natural beauty experience but when using the products, you're also supposed to realize a difference in body and mind as well. The Shampure line surely did that for me.

Packaging: This packaging really spoke to me because it's small enough to carry on-the-go (which somehow I always am when I realize my hair is a hot mess!). I also love that only a small amount comes out when it's squeezed so it doesn't get all over my bathroom.

Effectiveness: In my experience, this dry shampoo worked really well, but because the spout only releases such a small amount, you do have to spend a good few minutes working it into your hair.

Scent: If you've never tried anything from the Aveda Shampure line, you really need to. It's the lightest, most calming scent that truly brings you back down to Earth if/when you're stressed out.

Visibility: Of all the puff-on powders that I tested this one was easily the finest-milled. That fact combined with the small amount that comes out with each squirt really distributes the perfect amount making it invisible to the eye.

Overall: 4.2/5

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BY KRISTEN BOUSQUET | OCT 9, 2017 | SHARES
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