The 12 Best Dry Shampoos for Fine Hair of 2021

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Imagine for a second an alternate universe in which dry shampoo doesn’t exist. You legitimately have to wash (and style) your hair daily, there’s no stretching a good blowout out for days on end, and, if you have fine hair, your locks constantly look greasy and limp. Okay, you can snap out of that unimaginable nightmare now.

Thanks to the hair powers that be, we are living in a world where not only is dry shampoo a beauty basic, but where there are more options and choices than ever before. And when it comes down to those of us dealing with fine hair, this is even more of a blessing. Because not only is dry shampoo a life/time saver on busy mornings, it also has the added benefit of instantly adding mega volume to limp locks, no extra products, tools, or complicated styling steps required. All those fine particles of powder or starch both absorb excess oil and add bulk and heft to hair, a major win for us fine-haired folk.

So whether you need to use one to zap grease and grime, pump up volume, or both, you can’t go wrong with these best dry shampoos for fine hair.

living proof perfect hair day dry shampoo

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Good luck finding someone who has tried this formula and isn’t obsessed. Not only does it contain powders that absorb oil and dirt, but it also contains an exclusive molecule that then removes those powders. Basically, it actually legitimately cleans your hair. (#welovescience). Odor neutralizers coupled with a time-released addicting scent leave your hair smelling extra fresh, too, and it also imparts major volume. Plus, it’s safe for all hair types, even chemically- or color-treated.

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Don’t be fooled by the name; this mist does, in fact, help refresh your mane. But because it’s also a texturizer, it adds crazy amounts of both volume and texture—credit patented polymers—choice when you’re sporting styles such as beachy waves. (FYI, celeb stylists love it, too.) And yes, it has the same signature, amazing scent that all the beloved Oribe products have.

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Let’s not forget that the skin on your head (you know, your scalp) deserves just as much TLC as the skin on other areas of your body. That’s why Byrdie editors repeatedly rave about this super gentle formula, which contains organically harvested, soothing oat milk. Important, since you’re spraying on dry shampoo right onto the scalp, and, if you’re using it regularly, most definitely don’t want to risk any dryness or irritation. It doesn’t hurt that it leaves lock full and luscious, too.

TRESemmé Between Washes Volumizing Dry Shampoo

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Fine hair naturally tends to be more prone to be oily…which in turn just makes it look flatter and limper. Talk about adding insult to injury. Enter this formula. You’ve likely seen clay in many skincare products for oily skin; it has the same benefit for hair, namely acting as a magnet to sop up excess grease. Mineral clay is one of the stars of the show here, along with strengthening keratin and B12.

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If you’re dealing with damage, you’re likely already upping your dry shampoo use in an attempt to cut back on the washing and styling that can take a toll on stressed tresses. So why not use a formula that will take it one step further, with ingredients that can help combat that damage? From the celeb stylist’s eponymous line, this must-have touts vitamin C (a protective antioxidant), along with the brand’s ‘Zip-Up’ complex that helps seal split ends, smooth damaged cuticles, and guard hair from environmental damage.

SGX NYC Dry Touch Volumizing Dry Shampoo

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This wallet-friendly pick gets our vote, yes, for price and the epic amount of volume it adds. But perhaps even more impressive, particularly given the price point, is the sophisticated and nuanced fragrance, a blend of jasmine and fig leaf that smells more like a chic perfume than a drugstore hair product. It brushes out cleanly, sans residue, too, always important.

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To be fair, all of these dry shampoos will add volume, given that they’re especially great picks for fine hair. That being said, this adds perhaps even more fullness than normal and is one of the lightest weight formulas we’ve ever used, so there’s absolutely no risk of residue weighing your hair down here. The majorly affordable price doesn’t hurt matters, either.

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As a general rule of thumb, any type of light, airy products (we’re looking at you, mousse) are especially great for adding loads of volume to limp strands. We think of this as a hybrid dry shampoo-meets-mousse, thanks to its revolutionary foamy texture. It certainly looks like a foam out of the can, but when worked through roots not only imparts that desired fullness but also sops up dirt and oil. FYI though, use it only on dry hair, and be sure to work it in from root to tip for the best results.

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Sure, in theory, blondes don’t have to worry about any tell-tale white residue and can pretty much use any dry shampoo. But this one has the added benefit of having subtle violet undertones that work to counteract unwanted yellowing, an issue blondes do have to deal with. It protects against UV damage, too, always a good thing.

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We’ve all been there. You get a great blowout that somehow transforms you hair from flat to full, riddled with volume and bounce. And then you try absolutely anything possible to get that to last. What better dry shampoo to rely on than one from a brand that’s all about the blowout? Super absorbent, it eliminates every possible trace of volume-zapping oil, sweat, or dirt, thanks to micro-fine rice powders. It also contains golden root extract to increase moisture and prevent breakage, and we’ll never say no to that.

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For those who prefer to sprinkle rather than spray, pick-up this non-aerosol spray. Yes, it absorbs oil, but it also pulls double-duty as a volume and texturizer, adding both fullness and a nice grip to fine hair. Case in point: It’s particularly ideal to use when creating fuller updos, ponies, or braids.

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Another OG dry shampoo fan favorite, Byrdie editors are fans of all the variants of this style-saver. But it’s particularly choice for dark hair colors, given that it comes in not one, but two darker shades (this one and a deeper ‘Divine Dark’). Each has just enough of a hint of color to it to counteract any white residue.

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