The 15 Best Dry Shampoos, Crowned After Weeks of Testing On Different Hair Types

Best Overall

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

$28 at Amazon $15 at Sephora $24 at Walmart

Size: 5.3 oz | Scent: Fruity, vanilla | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We’ll put it simply: Amika’s talc-free option checked all the boxes expected of a truly great dry shampoo. It reduced oil and added a boost of volume; its clear formula left behind absolutely zero residue; and it imparted a scent—it has notes of warm vanilla, spicy sweet clover, and fresh citrus, according to the brand—that was sophisticated but not overpowering.

Of all of this formula’s pros, perhaps the most impressive was its virtually invisible look and feel. Upon spraying it onto the hair, it felt so lightweight it was almost unnoticeable, but once we massaged it into our roots, it added a boost of volume with no residue or buildup whatsoever—a huge win, particularly for those with scalps that are sensitive to irritation from leftover product.

It was also incredibly long-lasting. After just one application, its volumizing effects stayed put for four full days—a fact that, for us, sets it apart from others we tested.

Emily Cieslak, associate commerce editor with straight, bleach-blonde hair: “After massaging this product into my roots, I could see the oil go away—my hair had more lift and body. I didn’t wash my hair for four days after applying it and it still looked fresh. Amika’s dry shampoo can really extend the life cycle of your wash days.”

Best Budget

COLAB Original Dry Shampoo

$6 at Target $10 at Walmart $11 at CVS

Size: 8.2 oz | Scent: Bergamot, rose | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For us, Colab’s dry shampoo is the definition of a great drugstore buy, particularly if the desired result is sleeker, fresh-looking hair. After applying it via its spray applicator, it left zero residue or white cast—particularly important for those with dark hair—and that brushing it through our strands imparted smoothness and a beautiful sheen. (No grease or oily feel, though!)

On the other hand, this dry shampoo left something to be desired in terms of adding volume and body; if those two are the main goals, there are better options on this list for you. We also felt that its scent, which the brand describes as a bergamot and rose blend, was a little too overpowering. (The brand also offers a range of other scents to try.) Nonetheless, it’s tough to go wrong with this affordable buy.

Lauren, tester with wavy hair: “This dry shampoo made my hair shinier and less frizzy, but it didn’t give me much volume or body. For someone who wants sleeker hair, this would be a great dry shampoo!”

Best Drugstore

Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo

$15 $10 at Amazon $15 $5 at Target $15 at Ulta

Size: 4 oz | Scent: Fresh | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess’ eponymous line has a reputation for providing salon-quality products at a lower price; after testing, we felt this dry shampoo was no exception.

Its easy-to-use spray nozzle distributes the product quickly and evenly; post-application, we noticed no flakiness or oiliness throughout the day. However, we did notice that the product had a slightly drying effect on the hair, which we felt could be attributed to the hair’s length (short) and color (bleached). Still, the product’s finish made the hair soft to the touch—no grease in sight—a win, especially for the price.

Samantha, tester with short, curly hair: “I left this product on for five hours, and my short hair didn’t feel oily or sweaty after that testing period. It did feel a little dry, though!”

Best for Dark Hair

Dove Care Between Washes Brunette Dry Shampoo

$8 at Target $8 at Walmart $8 at CVS

Size: 5 oz | Scent: Clean | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Calling all dark-haired beauties! Dove's wallet-friendly Between Washes Brunette dry shampoo received top marks for its invisibility on brown shades. We noticed it leaves a brown cast instead of a chalky white residue that immediately disappeared into our locks.

It's a middle-weight product in terms of absorption capability and volume, but it's a light-as-air formula that sets quickly and leaves hair feeling clean, so we can't complain. It distributed any remaining oil in the hair and left it feeling super soft—a huge plus when you're between washes.

Best Powder

Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo

$65 $55 at Amazon $42 $32 at Sephora View on Crownaffair.com

Size: 1.1 oz | Scent: Bergamot, yuzu, lemongrass | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When dry shampoos come to mind, most of us think of a spray application, but dry shampoo powders are a thing, too—and they can be equally effective. This formula, which comes in a jar and includes a kabuki brush for application, mattified any oil and grease in the hair. It also had a lightweight feel throughout the day—it didn’t weigh down even ultrafine hair—but added serious volume. One tester could go three days without washing their hair after just one application.

However, the application process itself can be a bit tricky. Because the included kabuki brush has soft, gentle bristles, it can pick up an unnecessarily large amount of product, which can get messy. We recommend tapping the brush over the jar to eliminate any extra product, which will help prevent spills or over-applying.

Derek Deng, associate content editor with fine hair: “This dry shampoo formula did a fantastic job at oil absorption, mattifying the oil and grease in my hair and helping to freshen it up."

Best Volumizing

Dae Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo

$30 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $30 at Kohls.com

Size: 1 oz | Scent: Citrus | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dae’s Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo was designed with, yes, volume in mind, and it more than lived up to its promise. After one application, it instantly gave fine, flat hair a boost of volume that lasted all day. Those with oil-prone hair should also reach for this product; our tester's hair felt nearly as clean and fresh as it did when applied initially, as well as soft and touchable. This product’s fresh yet subtle citrus scent was even more icing on the cake.

Since it's a non-aerosol concentrated powder, we felt its pump-style nozzle could create a mess if misused, but it’s all about getting a feel for it.

Ashley, tester with straight, fine hair: “This is the first dry shampoo I’ve found that lasts all day. I also love how much volume it gives me. The clean ingredients are a bonus, too—this is a product I’d feel comfortable letting my daughters use.”

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

View on Amazon $16 at Sephora $43 $16 at Target

Size: 5.5 oz | Scent: Light | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you've never been able to go more than a day or two between washes, say hello to your new best friend. This advanced formula from Byrdie beloved Living Proof truly makes your hair feel like you just stepped out of the salon and got a sweet blowout. The magic here lies in the fast-absorbing powders that spray out of the nozzle in such a way that keeps any white residue from touching your locks. Pretty cool, huh?

Not only did it leave our tester's hair feeling legit cleaner and softer it also managed to add shine, so in a way, it feels apropos to call this a dry shampoo and conditioner in one. We love that it never left her hair feeling crunchy or weighed down, although after using it for three days in a row, it was definitely time for a real wash. She also fell for the product's light scent, which was never overpowering but lasted all day. The only thing that irked her was the extreme power of the spray nozzle, which sometimes made it hard to control where the product ended up.

Best for Dry Hair

DevaCurl DRY NO-POO Moisturizing Dry Shampoo

$34 $21 at Ulta $34 at Dermstore $34 $24 at Jcpenney.com

Size: 6 oz | Scent: Green oasis | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A dry shampoo that’s both hydrating and oil-absorbing may seem like a bit of an oxymoron, but DevaCurl has done it with its Dry No-Poo Moisturizing Dry Shampoo, which is formulated for curly hair (which can dry out more easily). When our tester applied this product for the first time, she instantly noticed its hydrating effect on her type 4B/4C hair—and the effect lasted for several days, too. At the same time, it absorbed oil effectively. She also loves that, even though the product came out of the bottle looking white, it blends seamlessly into dark hair. (Our tester noticed a bit of residue on the scalp post-application, though.)

Another caveat: this product may not be enough to hydrate coily hair—we advise following up with a second product, like an aloe, to revitalize curls from root to tip.

Bianca, tester with type 4B/4C hair: “I love the hydration this formula added to my roots; it lasted until I washed my hair a couple of days later. This is probably a one-and-done product for looser curls, but for coily hair, you'd need to follow up with another product to truly put the spring back in your curls.”

Best Fragrance-Free

I DEW CARE Tap Secret Dry Shampoo Powder

$18 $13 at Amazon View on Idewcare.com $18 $12 at Nordstromrack.com

Size: 0.24 oz | Scent: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Many dry shampoos are scented, but a fragrance-free formula can still impart similar oil-absorbing and volumizing benefits—all without risk for those who tend to be sensitive to fragrance. We tested this one on post-workout hair; it surprised us how well it absorbed oil after just one application. It also made the hair feel cleaner and imparted volume and texture, resulting in an instantly polished look that lasted all day.

Even though the product looks white when first applied, it blends easily—even into dark hair—and doesn’t leave a white residue. Bonus: Its compact size (a 0.24-ounce jar) makes it especially great for travel. This powder formula does have a learning curve, but the application mechanism is pretty precise. Translation: Once you get used to it, preventing a mess is easy.

Lauren, tester with wavy hair: “It gave my hair nice volume and texture; it didn't feel sticky, and my hair never looked fluffy or weighed down—it still looked polished by the end of the day.”

Best for Very Oily Hair

IGK First Class Charcoal Dry Shampoo

$32 at Amazon $16 at Sephora $32 at Target

Size: 6.3 oz | Scent: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Picture this: You’re sweaty, walking around during a summer heat wave, but there’s no time to wash, dry, and style your hair before your next engagement. IGK’s First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo—which includes, yes, oil-absorbing charcoal, as well as soothing white tea powder—is designed to help with that. And it really delivers. We tested it in 90-degree weather when a combo of sweat, oil, and grime was setting in on the scalp. After applying it, the scalp felt refreshed and clean; the product effectively zapped any oil and visibly refreshed the hair. No white cast in sight, either.

The only minor downside is that it didn’t increase volume as well as other products on this list, but because it was so effective in other ways, we feel it’s worth the investment.

Bianca, tester with type 4B/4C hair: “This one was great for me post-workout on an almost 90-degree day. My scalp felt refreshed, though it didn’t add volume. I'll be using this in the future after workouts to zap oil and sweat.”

Best for Post-Workout

K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo

$48 at Sephora View on K18hair.com $48 at Kohls.com

Size: 4 oz | Scent: Subtle fresh | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Post-workout, the hair and scalp can feel greasy, grimy, and even wet. K18’s AirWash Dry Shampoo is our go-to product for this exact scenario. During testing, the liquid mist formula worked really well when the hair was slightly damp; it absorbed moisture, sweat, and grease as it dried along with the hair. It does look a bit white or powdery at first, but once our tester zhuzhed and blow-dried, it blended in with dark, red hair seamlessly, though it did leave a little bit of residue. (It reminded us of a texturizing spray.)

Post-blending, this product added serious volume to greasy roots and helped curls hold their shape incredibly well—it gives strands some grip. It also worked overtime to neutralize odors, though we felt the product itself didn’t have a very strong scent. Overall, the results impressed us; after one application, our tester went nearly a full week without washing her hair.

Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director with curly hair: “This product gave me so. much. volume. After applying it, my curls held up perfectly—even on a humid day when normally they would frizz and fall limp. I went nearly a full week without washing my hair; I used this product on days three and five.”

Best Residue-Free

Olaplex Detox Dry Shampoo

$30 $21 at Amazon $16 at Sephora $30 $21 at Ulta

Size: 6.3 oz | Scent: Fresh | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For us, the main draw of Olaplex’s No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo was its clear formula, which left absolutely no residue, product buildup on the scalp, or white cast; it made the hair feel weightless and light. The application was incredibly quick and easy, too, and afterward, the hair looked and felt cleaner right away.

However, of the dry shampoos we tested, Olaplex’s offering wasn’t as effective at controlling oil. At the end of the first day, the hair started to feel greasy again. Also, it didn’t really add volume. Still, we feel this product is a solid choice because of its lightweight texture and lack of residue.

Derek Deng, associate content editor with fine hair: “By far the most redeeming feature of this product is its lack of residue; I didn’t see any sort of residue or chalk-like appearance in my hair. I'd say this dry shampoo did a fine job of absorbing the oil and grease in my hair, though that wasn't its strongest suit—I found my hair getting slightly oilier throughout the day.”

Best for Fine Hair

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo

$26 at Amazon $26 at Sephora $26 at Nordstrom

Size: 8.7 oz | Scent: Côte d'Azur | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For a boost for fine hair between wash days, reach for Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Shampoo. Not only was it simple to apply—the spray was fine and easy to control—but we noted that the formula blended quickly and didn’t leave any buildup. Post-application, the product gave hair a serious boost of volume and body, all without weighing it down, which is a true game-changer for fine hair, in particular. The brand’s signature Côte d'Azur scent—which has notes of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood—felt subtle and very luxurious. An instant mood-booster. Although this product enabled some testers to go three days without washing their hair, we would make it slightly more oil-absorbing.

Derek Deng, associate content editor with fine hair: “My hair felt refreshed whenever I used this dry shampoo; I went without washing my hair for three days. Also, I’m super picky with my fragrances, but this one was subtle and very luxurious.”

Best for Coily Hair

Prose Custom Dry Shampoo

View on Prose.com

Size: 1.4 oz | Scent: Custom | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Prose is known and loved for its ultra-customizable haircare formulas, and this dry shampoo—here, tailored specifically for coily 4B/4C hair—didn’t disappoint. While its powder formula was a little tricky to use, it took a few tries to apply the correct amount—its cream color blended seamlessly onto the roots. From there, it worked magic on an incredibly oily scalp, soaking up any excess oil without drying the hair. The result was clean-feeling curls that felt soft to the touch.

Its smell wasn't noticeable at all, which our tester loved. Overall, from day one to wash day, it extended the time between washes by four days and left curls feeling great.

Bianca, tester with type 4B/4C hair: “I had a lot of extra oil on my roots and lengths from an Ayurvedic Shirodhara treatment—I was literally dripping oil. However, once I placed this dry shampoo on my roots and length, it soaked up the excess oil without drying out my hair. Also, crucially, it left enough oil in my hair so that my hair/scalp still got the benefits from my treatment. I went four extra days without washing my hair!”

Best Scented

Saltair Dry Shampoo

$13 at Target View on Saltair.com

Size: 4 oz | Scent: Sandalwood, amber, musk | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A scent in a dry shampoo is a delicate balance. Ideally, it’s noticeable but not overpowering and should never smell artificial or chemical-like. Saltair’s Dry Shampoo hit all the right notes (pun intended) with its warm blend of sandalwood, amber, and musk; we felt it was just strong enough without feeling like hair perfume. (Think: your hair but better.)

The formula itself was standout, too. It's very simple to use—its nozzle made it easy to spray directly onto the scalp—and no residue was in sight. After just one application, it also added volume and helped extend the time between washes. However, it may be slightly too drying for curly or oily hair types, which require more moisture. Our tester with type 4B/4C hair said her hair felt stiffer, though not weighed down after testing, though she still felt this formula was worth buying. It’s also great for travel; it takes up very little space in a bag, and the cap always stays secure.

Bianca, tester with type 4B/4C hair: “My hair is coily and blonde, so it needs more moisture. After applying this product, my hair had more volume, but it also felt a little stiffer.  Also, its scent was just enough without feeling like you're wearing hair perfume.”