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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Whether you're looking to maintain a blowout, pump up your volume, or refresh your roots between washes, the best dry shampoo will have you covered—without leaving behind an unsightly powdery residue. "Dry shampoo makes hair less oily, absorbs sweat, and disguises odor," explains board-certified trichologist Dr. Kari Williams.
To help you find the best dry shampoo for your hair type and color, we tried more than 20 dry shampoos in The Lab, our testing facility in New York City. We rated each option on a scale of one to five—with one being the worst and five being the best—evaluating ease of use, oil-absorbing abilities, volumizing power, formulation, texture, and finish.
Important to Know
In light of the recent recalls concerning benzene-contaminated dry shampoos, we have removed any potentially impacted products from this round-up, including TRESemmé's Pro Pure Dry Shampoo, Dove Care Between Washes, and Nexxus Clean & Pure Dry Shampoo, which were in the original version of this list. We will continue to update these stories as more information becomes available.
FYI: In our mission to find the best products for every Byrdie reader, we're currently testing more dry shampoos from brands like Living Proof, Batiste, and Taliah Waajid and will update this list with the results.
Best Overall
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
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Ulta
Award-winning formula
Excellent volume
Excellent oil absorption
Blends well
Temporary white residue
Our testers' number one pick is Klorane, hands down. Five reviewers tried it out in The Lab, and all in all, they were very pleased. This award-winning dry shampoo scored an average of 5/5 for ease of use, a 4.5/5 for oil absorption, a 4.6/5 for volume, and a 4.4/5 for invisibility. While one tester said it left a slight white residue, they also noted that it's easily brushed away and blends well.
Suitable for all hair types, this ultra-gentle, plant-based formula calls on starch and silica to tackle oil and odors while organically harvested oat milk soothes the scalp. Our testers liked that the fine powder soaked up grease from the roots but didn't leave hair feeling dry or chalky. One tester also commented that it felt as if she didn't use any dry shampoo at all.
Price at time of publish: $20
Size: 5.4 ounces | Scent: Generic | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Alex Jiang
What Our Testers Say
"This product made my oily patch blend in perfectly with the rest of my hair." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester
Best Powder
Billie Floof Dry Shampoo
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Billie
Two shades
Excellent oil absorption
Blends well
Small amount
Inconvenient container
If you prefer aerosol-free powders, Floof is your best bet. After being tested by three people in The Lab, it earned an average rating of 4.5/5 for oil absorption, a 4.7/5 for invisibility, and a 4/5 for ease of use, which is pretty impressive for a loose powder.
This dry shampoo—which comes in a cute, round bottle—absorbs grease with baking soda and rice starch, then works on strengthening your strands with biotin. It also comes in a light- or dark-hair option, and upon trying the brunette version, one tester noted that the brownish-clay color blends beautifully.
Price at time of publish: $14
Size: 1.2 ounces | Scent: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
What Our Testers Say
"Inside this unique shaped bottle is a perfect powder for brunettes." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester
Best Scent
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
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Amazon
Excellent oil absorption
Volumizing
Invisible finish
Leaves hair slightly stiff
Nozzle is tricky to press
Amika's Perk Up Dry Shampoo is effective at absorbing oil produced by the scalp that can weigh down hair. After application, we noticed that hair had extra volume and body. We also love this formula's clear finish which makes it completely invisible regardless of your hair color. This product does have a heavy vanilla scent, though it dissipates throughout the day, similar to perfume.
Note that because this formula contains aerosol, you'll have to take precautions about where you store it. Keep it out of direct sunlight and avoid storing on top of heated surfaces like a car dashboard or radiator.
Price at time of publish: $25
Size: 5.3 ounces | Scent: Fruity/vanilla | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Best for Blondes
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones
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Amazon
Excellent oil absorption
Volumizing
Invisible finish
Potentially too heavy for fine hair
For those with blonde, platinum, white, or gray hair, we suggest Moroccanoil Light Tones. It includes rice starch, which soaks up grease and product buildup, while argan oil nourishes and smooths for healthier-looking locks.
This brilliant dry shampoo earned 5/5s for absorbency, texture, and invisibility, plus a 4.5/5 for volume. Our platinum-haired tester appreciated that the powdery formula sprays purple out of the can, like an in-shower purple toning shampoo that cancels brassiness. However, just a heads up—the oil content might weigh down fine hair.
Price at time of publish: $26
Size: 5.4 ounces | Scent: Clean/fresh | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
What Our Editors Say
"Not to be dramatic, but my jaw dropped when I realized this formula was purple and left an actual tint on my hair. I feel icier than ever and completely oil-free, too." —Taylor Rock, Associate Editor
Best Splurge
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
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Nordstrom
Volumizing
Invisible finish
Smells amazing
Expensive
Hairstylist Sophia Nawabi is a big fan of this Oribe dry shampoo. "It absorbs product buildup, oil, and impurities with translucent powders," she tells Byrdie. The brand's Gold Lust Dry Shampoo was a hit with our testers, too: It earned a 4/5 for absorbency, a 4.5/5 for volumizing power, and a 4.75/5 for invisibility.
Though it's undoubtedly pricey, it might be worth the splurge. "I loved this product," said one tester. "It looks and feels luxurious. And, most importantly, it was effective at absorbing oil and adding volume at my roots." Our testers also thought that the brand's signature Côte d'Azur scent was pretty incredible, too.
Price at time of publish: $23
Size: 8.7 ounces | Scent: Côte d'Azur | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Best for Dry Hair
OGX Extra Strength Refresh + Restore Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Invisible finish
Surprisingly absorbent
Potentially too heavy for fine hair
For those dealing with dry, brittle strands, we recommend OGX. After hands-on testing in The Lab by three people, the brand's Coconut Miracle Oil formula was awarded a 4.8/5 for ease of use, a 4.7/5 for feel, a 4.3/5 for volume, and a perfect 5/5 score for invisibility.
Since it contains coconut oil, it might be too heavy for folks with thin hair. However, our testers noted that it doesn't leave you with a greasy feel and does a great job refreshing second-day hair.
Price at time of publish: $11
Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Coconut/floral | Cruelty-Free: No
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What Our Testers Say
"Adding an oil-based product to oily hair may seem like a disaster waiting to happen, but it is the opposite! My hair feels healthy while looking cleaner than before." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester
Best for Natural Hair
Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo
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Amazon
Sets quickly
Invisible finish
Strengthening
Not ideal for daily use
Our tester, who has 4b curls, was a fan of how this Kristin Ess dry shampoo worked for her hair. She awarded it a 4.5/5 for ease of use and absorbency, and a 5/5 for invisibility, noting that it dried quickly and didn't leave behind a white residue. "I think it sucked up excess oil and gave my hair a bit of volume," she noted. "I can imagine using it when I have a ton of product buildup and need a refreshed look."
In addition to absorbent starch, the sleek, moody can is chock full of strengthening ingredients like keratin, wheat protein, and pea protein. Since it contains alcohol, our tester said she'd use it sparingly as not to dry out all the oils produced naturally by her scalp.
Price at time of publish: $15
Size: 4 ounces | Scent: Fresh | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
What Our Testers Say
"It sucked up excess oils and gave my coils some volume at the root." —Latifah Miles, Product Tester
Best Volumizing
Anomaly Dry Shampoo
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Target
Budget-friendly
Dries quickly
Invisible finish
Not ideal for daily use
If it's fullness you're after, go with Anomaly. After trying it out in The Lab, our testers gave it a 4.5/5 for volumizing power, with one noting that it leaves a crazy amount of Dolly Parton-level volume. With a 4.25/5 for absorbency, this user-friendly dry shampoo also does excellent work soaking up grease.
The all-star ingredients list includes tried-and-true absorbers like rice starch and kaolin clay, plus plumping tapioca and scalp-cleansing charcoal. It also earned a perfect 5/5-5 score for invisibility. Our testers gave it a 4.5 for texture and feel, explaining that it doesn't leave hair feeling crispy.
Price at time of publish: $6
Size: 5 ounces | Scent: Fresh/light | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
What Our Testers Say
"My thin hair has never experienced this much volume before. It was a shock to see a product lift my hair so much while looking and feeling natural." —Samantha Aronson, Product Tester
Final Verdict
Klorane's Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk was the clear winner in our testing in The Lab. It offered superb oil absorption and excellent volume, plus it blends easily on various hair types, colors, and textures. For those on a budget, we highly recommend TRESemmé's Pro Pure Dry Shampoo, which scored 5/5 for ease of use, oil absorption, and invisibility and leaves hair feeling exceptionally clean.
How We Tested
We took our time researching dry shampoos, reading product reviews, and interviewing multiple experts, including a trichologist and a hairstylist, for recommendations and insight into formulations. Our in-house team selected more than 20 formulas and tested them in The Lab on different hair types, lengths, textures, thicknesses, and colors.
Each product was rated on a scale of one to five based on its ease of use, oil absorption, texture/feel, volume, and visibility/chalkiness. Then we compiled our insights and narrowed down our favorites.
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Other Options We Tested
IGK First Class Detoxifying Charcoal Shampoo
Considering it contains charcoal, this IGK dry shampoo was unfortunately not very absorbent and left a bit of greasiness behind. Though it was easy enough to use and dries clear, our testers also noted that it's reminiscent of hairspray on account of the flowery fragrance and sticky consistency.
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo
This L'Oreal Paris Elvive drugstore dry shampoo gets the job done in terms of absorbing grease and sweat, and it doesn't leave behind a white residue. However, our testers said it comes out a little too fast and smells a bit perfumy. In the end, it just wasn't our favorite.
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo
Not Your Mother's Clean Freak deposits a mild white residue, which isn't ideal for non-blondes. Though it has a decent texture and a nice light scent, it wasn't the most absorbent. Overall, our testers felt this dry shampoo was nothing special.
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Briogeo Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo
We appreciate the pleasant scent, clean formula, and aerosol-free container of Briogeo's dry shampoo. However, applying it was a bit messy—it tends to spray onto your hands, not your hair—and has a somewhat chalky texture. Also, while the silvery color could be OK for light and cool-toned hair, it's not ideal for brunettes.
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Meet the Expert
Dr. Kari Williams is a board-certified trichologist, licensed cosmetologist, Black hair care expert, and the creator of Goddess Locs. She is based in Los Angeles and has extensive experience with all hair types and textures. She is also experienced with using dry shampoo on her clients and will often recommend its use when necessary to help revitalize hair when used correctly.
What To Look For When Buying Dry Shampoo
Ingredients
Whether alcohol- or starch-based, dry shampoos deliver drying agents like silica, clay, charcoal, tapioca, or baking soda to absorb oils, refresh your hair, and make it appear cleaner. We love the Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, which contains starch and rice powder to help zap up oil. Our top pick, Klorane Dry Shampoo also contains starch and silica for oil absorption, with the added benefit of oat milk to help soothe the scalp.
If you have a sensitive scalp, you might want to avoid using a dry shampoo that contains a fragrance. We love the Billie Floof Dry Shampoo, which is scent-free and also does not contain aerosol. Aerosol sprays, which often contain butane or propane, can also be irritating—fortunately, there are dry shampoos available in gel, foam, and tinted powder form.
We also love formulas that contain hair-healthy ingredients to fortify your strands when you spritz. We love the Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo, which contains keratin, wheat, and pea protein.
Color and finish
Depending on your hair color and personal preferences, you may want a clear finish, a tinted formula, or something in between. Those with blonde hair might opt for a tinted formula like the Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones, which has purple undertones and works as a toner to ice out any brassy tones.
Bear in mind that many dry shampoos leave a chalky residue, and while this can work for those with blonde, platinum, silver, or otherwise light hair, the dark-haired set will want to look for a tinted or "invisible" dry shampoo to avoid a powdered-wig look. We love the OGX Dry Shampoo, which features an invisible finish, so it's worth trying if you have darker toned hair so it won't show up.
Scent
Some dry shampoos are heavily fragranced, so if you're sensitive to strong perfumes, it might be best to opt for an unscented formula. On the flip side, if masking the odor of second- or third-day hair is your endgame, try an option with a fresh, clean scent (we won't tell if you don't). We love the vanilla-scented Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, for its delicious fragrance that lasts all day long.
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Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and copywriter specializing in cosmetics. With insight from a board-certified trichologist and a hairstylist in mind, she compiled testing insights from The Lab, combed through product specs, checked ingredients lists, referenced several peer-reviewed studies, and rounded up our favorites. From the above, she is a fan of Klorane, Oribe, and Amika. Theresa covers haircare, skincare, makeup, and fitness products at Byrdie.