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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
If you have dark hair, chances are you’ve sprayed on dry shampoo and unknowingly walked out the door with a stripe of white in your hair. In other words, the struggle of using dry shampoo as a brunette is real.
“If you have dark hair, one of the most annoying things about dry shampoo is that it's always formulated with a starch ingredient, which can leave a white powdery cast on the hair if you don't apply it correctly,” explains Annagjid "Kee" Taylor, celebrity hairstylist and natural hair YouTuber. The good news? You can prevent this dreaded residue by choosing a tinted or colored product, says Taylor. But also, that's not necessary—if you use a good-quality dry shampoo correctly, you won’t have to deal with a white, chalky cast any longer. “Don't use too much, let it sit, and brush it through,” recommends Taylor.
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 Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo, Batiste Hint of Color Brunette Dry Shampoo, Tigi Copyright Revitalizing Dry Shampoo, and Tresemme Between Washes Fresh & Clean, which were in the original version of this list. We will continue to update these stories as more information becomes available.
We conducted hours of research, evaluating each pick on active ingredients, and also what the formula is free from, namely things like sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, which can weigh down hair. After considering dozens of brands, and consulting a hair stylist, we narrowed down our list to give you the best in show.
Best Overall
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo
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Amazon
Fast-absorbing powders
Fresh scent
Reduces surface fiction
Drying to some
This dry shampoo receives high marks from people with dark hair. The innovative formula contains a patented molecule that actually removes dirt and oil from hair—and yes, it goes on totally invisible. Plus, it contains odor neutralizers and a time-released fragrance that ensures your hair smells fresh and clean all day long.
Price at time of publish: $70
Active Ingredients: Patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA) | Hair Type: All | Free of: Silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates | Size: 8.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Philip B Everyday Beautiful Dry Shampoo
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Blooming Dales
Lightweight
Lush, powdery-clean feel
Only made from natural ingredients
Pricey
You deserve to treat yourself to this luxurious dry shampoo that extends the life of a blowout. It’s ultra-lightweight and goes on clear, making it ideal for dark hair. Just a few spritzes and you’ll be amazed by how much body and texture your hair has. Also, its neroli scent is divine and will have everyone asking what fragrance you’re wearing.
Price at time of publish: $52
Active Ingredients: Bergamot, orange peel oil | Hair Type: All | Free of: Sulfates, phthalates | Size: 8.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Deep Brunettes
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones
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Amazon
Signature scent
Doesn't lighten hair
Protects against UV damage
Leaves a dull residue
Byrdie senior editor Hallie Gould loves this dry shampoo for the darkest of dark hair. It relies on rice starch to absorb oil and argan oil to nourish hair, so your strands will be seriously soft and touchable post-application.
Price at time of publish: $26
Active Ingredients: Rice starch, argan oil | Hair Type: Normal | Free of: Silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates | Size: 5.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Thick Hair
Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder Très Invisible Dry Shampoo
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Blooming Dales
UV-protective
Adds volume
Leaves no white cast
Puts one in mind of perfume
This dry shampoo is made specifically for thick hair that’s wavy, curly, or coily. It’s got an ultra-nourishing formula that absorbs excess oil without stripping hair of much-needed moisture. Oh, and it’s completely invisible, so there’s no white residue in sight when you spray it onto dark hair. Users say a little goes a long way, so you’ll get great bang for your buck with this product.
Price at time of publish: $49 for 7.5 oz
Active Ingredients: Pink clay, UV filters | Hair Type: All | Free of: Silicones, sulfates, sarabens, mineral oil, phthalates | Size: 1.3, 3.1, or 7.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Curly Hair
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
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Amazon
No talc or aluminum
Cools the scalp
Contains superfood ingredients
Feels a tad greasy
Those with wavy, curly, coily, and tightly coiled hair will flip for this softening dry shampoo that refreshes roots. And if you have dark hair, you’ll flip even more.
Price at time of publish: $25
Active Ingredients: Sea buckthorn berry, rice starch | Hair Type: Oily | Free of: Silicones, sulfates, phthalates | Size: 5.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Concealing Grays
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo for Brunettes
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Amazon
Naturally blends with all hair colors
Increases moisture
Conceals roots between colors
Feels sticky
Can’t make it to the salon for a touchup? This dry shampoo has you covered— literally. It’s chock-full of mineral pigments that conceal roots between dye jobs as well as rice powder, which is great at sopping up grease and smells. When the rice powder absorbs, it becomes translucent, blending in with your hair color.
Price at time of publish: $26
Active Ingredients: Mineral pigments, golden root extract | Hair Type: All | Free of: Sulfates, parabens, phthalates | Size: 3.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Protective Hairstyles
ORS Herbal Cleanse Hair and Scalp Dry Shampoo
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Amazon
Helps with dandruff and itchiness
Rejuvenating
Promotes strength
Makes the hair greasy to some
Refresh braids and locs in between shampoos with this scalp-soothing dry shampoo gel. It’s formulated with lavender oil to curb odors and sweet basil to calm itching. Users rave that this dry shampoo is worth its weight in gold for braid- and loc-wearers.
Price at time of publish: $15
Active Ingredients: Lavender, aloe vera | Hair Type: Dry | Free of: Silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates | Size: 8.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Hair Growth
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo
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Ulta
Easy to use
Scalp-nourishing
Safe on color-treated hair
Can be chalky
Keep your hair looking healthy with this powder dry shampoo. It’s formulated with biotin, a nutrient that supports hair growth. What’s more, it’s also full of charcoal, which draws out oils and other impurities, and witch hazel to keep an oily scalp in check. It rubs in easily with no residue, making it a solid choice for dark hair.
Price at time of publish: $25
Active Ingredients: Charcoal, biotin | Hair Type: Dry, oily | Free of: Alcohol, sulfates, parabens, phthalates | Size: 1.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Scalp Health
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Dry Shampoo
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Amazon
Keeps pH balanced
Restoring
Gentle
Contains aluminum
It’s time to show your scalp some love. This dry shampoo is formulated with apple cider vinegar to blast bacteria from your scalp and hair. This dry shampoo feels weightless going on and doesn't leave any white residue, so it's dark hair-friendly.
Active Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar | Hair Type: Dry | Free of: Sulfates, parabens, phthalates | Size: 1.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Volumizing
Verb Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair
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Disappears instantly
Doesn't weigh hair down
Strong scent
This dry shampoo from verb is lightly tinted to prevent a powdery look on dark hair—and it disappears almost instantly when you spray it on. Not only does it soak up excess oil, but it also adds volume and body to your mane without weighing it down. The scent might be a bit strong for some tastes, but if you don't mind a little fragrance, you can't go wrong.
Price at time of publish: $20
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin B5 | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, sulfates, gluten | Size: 4.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Light Brunettes
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
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Amazon
Disappears instantly
Adds volume and texture
Slightly drying
If your brunette hair is on the lighter side, go with Klorane. This dry shampoo has a light brown tint that disappears in non-blonde manes and leaves grease-free volume and flattering texture in its wake. Just a heads up, the formula can be slightly drying, so you may not want to use two days in a row.
Price at time of publish: $20
Active Ingredients: Oat milk, corn starch, rice starch | Hair Type: All | Free of: Parabens, sulfates | Size: 3.2 or 5.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Non-Aerosol
R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist
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Volumizing and texturizing
Moisturizes dry hair
No powdery residue
Contains PEGs
Not ideal for oily hair types
Not a fan of aerosol cans? R+Co's Spiritualized Dry Shampoo is your best bet. A few spritzes are all you need to perk up limp, unwashed locks—and you can bet it won't leave a powdery residue. But since the formula contains castor oil to moisturize dry hair, it might not be ideal for oilier hair types.
Price at time of publish: $32
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, castor oil | Hair Type: Dry, curly, coily, thick | Free of: Parabens, sulfates | Size: 1.7 or 5.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Our top choice is Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, which goes on totally invisible, neutralizes odors, and keeps your hair looking and smelling clean all day long. But if you're looking for a more affordable option or something that has a subtle brown tint, we recommend Verb Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
What to Look For in a Dry Shampoo
Dry Shampoo for All Hair Types
According to Alex Brown, a Chicago-based celebrity hairstylist and salon owner, you’ll want to find a product that’s meant for all hair types like Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo because it’s more likely to blend into darker hair since it’s made with all colors and textures in mind.
Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair
Some brands make brown dry shampoos for darker hair, which could help with the whitecast that you normally get with other dry shampoos. “A product made for your hair color should always blend seamlessly,” explains Brown.
The best formula for deeper brunettes is Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones. Those with lighter brown hair should go with Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk.
Choose Aerosol Over Powder
According to Brown, it’s best to choose an aerosol product like Philip B Everyday Beautiful Dry Shampoo when it comes to dry shampoo for dark hair.
“I’d also recommend an aerosol product over a powder because it will be lighter and easier to control the application,” she says. “This would help avoid a powdery appearance and limit buildup.”
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