How to Use Dry Shampoo the Right Way for Best Results

How to Use Dry Shampoo the Right Way

The ease and convenience of using dry shampoo are the main reasons why it’s become a go-to haircare product for many. For anyone who wants to cleanse their hair between showers or needs a pick-me-up for oily strands, dry shampoo can be considered a waterless shampoo, saving the day for every occasion. If you’ve been wondering how to use dry shampoo, it only takes three easy steps. The best way to use dry shampoo is as follows:

Step 1: 

Divide hair into sections. This helps the dry shampoo to reach the oily areas and cover more surfaces so it may absorb fully.

Step 2: 

Spray six to ten inches away from the hair. Start at the root where the hair is usually oiliest and work through to other oily or sweaty sections. When you see the white powder, you know it’s working!

Step 3: 

Allow the dry shampoo to absorb and clean the hair for at least 30 seconds. Then, use your hands or a paddle brush to massage through, removing any excess powder. Style as desired. 

Using dry shampoo as a way to refresh your hair gives you time back in your day while still leaving your hair looking, feeling, and smelling good. Pair it with a daily hair repair treatment to quickly smooth dry ends and refresh hair to keep it looking smooth and healthy between washes.

It barely takes any time to transform your hair and keep it fresher for longer. If you don’t have time to use regular shampoo and conditioner,  dry shampoo can help reverse greasy hair, leaving you with  shiny and gorgeous locks. No need to worry about oily hair between showers since dry shampoo is designed to absorb sweat, oil, and odor without drying out the hair.

When to Use Dry Shampoo 

Dry shampoo is most commonly used between hair wash days in the shower to revitalize your strands. It limits how often you need to lather up, which can help preserve your hair’s natural oils and reduce damage caused by hard water. By applying dry shampoo, your hair is left clean, healthy, and free of residue to simplify your haircare routine.

After a Sweat Build Up

 
Use it after spending time outdoors in the sun, post-workout, or as the start or end of your day. The sweat that builds up along the roots can leave hair feeling greasy. A quick refresh with a spray of dry shampoo can leave hair feeling its best in under a minute. Make sure your hair isn’t too damp before applying the dry shampoo. If your hair is slightly damp or sweaty, consider toweling off the excess sweat and wait until your hair is dry.

Between Hair Washings

When you don’t have time for a full shower or are skipping wash days for the week, dry shampoo cleanses the hair and leaves it smelling great. This saves precious minutes spent washing, drying, and styling your hair. The convenience makes dry shampoo a go-to product for anyone’s haircare routine.

There are several situations where dry shampoo comes in handy. Stash it when you’re on the go and make sure you have it whenever you want to skip shampooing for several days.

Do’s and Don’ts of Dry Shampoo

While there are multiple ways to benefit from a dry shampoo spray, there are some key dos and don’ts of using dry shampoo. So, what are some common dry shampoo uses and how do you use dry shampoo the right way?

DO’S
Do make sure to shake the can first to get an even ratio of product. Powders can often settle to the bottom so be sure to shake well before each use and sometimes between sections for consistency.

Do allow time for dry shampoo to fully absorb. It takes approximately 30 seconds for dry shampoo to activate and cleanse. Before applying more dry shampoo product, give it time to absorb and work into your hair’s oily roots.

Do section your hair to get even coverage. The goal is to hold the canister at least six inches away from the head and apply the dry shampoo with a sweeping spray. For those with thick hair, separating the hair into sections allows it to get to oilier spots closer to the scalp that may be covered by other layers of hair.

Do pay attention to the ingredients. Not all dry shampoos are the same. For example, our Perfect hair Day™ Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo uses an enhanced powder-removal system that helps eliminate oil, sweat, and other buildup to leave your soft and with a beautiful shine.

Do carry it with you wherever you go. You never know when you’ll need to give your hair a refresh that absorbs excess oil, sweat, or odor. Having it on hand will make you feel confident that your hair is looking its very best.

Do select the best dry shampoo for your hair type. While there are some that work with any hair type, if you deal with dry hair, consider using a dry shampoo spray that’s better suited for dry tresses.Our original Perfect hair Day™ Dry Shampoo works to clean your hair and give it a second-day, lived-in look and feel. For a freshly-washed feel and additional conditioning benefits, consider trying our Perfect hair Day™ Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo that adds a softness and shine you can see and feel.

DONT’S

Don’t be afraid to use it with other products. Dry shampoo sprays work well with other hair styling products like hairspray. Start with dry shampoo to absorb any extra oil and odor. Then, apply your hair products as you regularly would to shape and sculpt the hair.

Don’t worry about the powders. Depending on your hair type, you might notice a light, white, and powdery residue after applying dry shampoo. If the powders are difficult to fully remove and you’re worried about scalp buildup from your products, use a bristle brush to remove the excess powder. If it still stubbornly remains, use a blow dryer on the low setting to easily remove the rest.

 
Don’t be afraid to reapply. Once you’ve allowed the first application to settle in and do the work, you may notice your hair still feels a bit oily. Use as much as is needed for your hair type and condition to achieve cleaner, healthier locks for longer.
 

Don’t get comfortable with overusing dry shampoo. While it can be a convenient on-the-go product and used for a quick morning routine, it’s still important to wash your hair with regular shampoo. This ensures you’re cleaning your hair and scalp from any leftover residue from dry shampoo powder or other hair products.

Dry Shampoo for Added Volume

Those with fine hair may often deal with their hair falling limp. The good news is that dry shampoo can help add volume and body to your hair. When applying a spray dry shampoo to your unwashed hair, hold a section of hair upright and apply the product from the roots until mid-length. Repeat this process until you’ve sprayed all the sections of your unwashed hair. Another method is to tease each section first and then spray the rest like usual to maintain the volume.

What Makes the Perfect hair Day™ Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo Different?

We previously mentioned that not every dry shampoo is the same. Some harsh dry shampoos can be what causes dry scalp or other buildup issues. But did you know that not every dry shampoo actually cleans the hair? Some soak up oil but don’t absorb sweat or odors.

The Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo was designed with a Triple-Action Cleaning Technology to provide all of the benefits of shampooing your hair, giving you similar results as if you had washed it in the shower.

So how does dry shampoo work with us? Our dry shampoo has fast-absorbing powders that handle oil and sweat and an odor-neutralizer that leaves behind a fresh-smelling result. Our formula is also made to be easily brushed out. By using a powder-removal system that helps remove surface friction, odor neutralizers that enhance the freshness, sebum balancers for your scalp, and conditioning agents to give your hair a soft washed look and feel, our dry shampoo products can help keep your hair cleaner for longer.

Making Dry Shampoo Part of Your Regular Haircare Routine

Now that you know how to use dry shampoo to your benefit, give yourself back time in your day and skip the regular shampoos every time you shower. And with less washing, you can preserve your hair’s natural oils and reduce the amount of damage often caused by hard water. Not to mention, fewer washes with regular shampoo and conditioner allow you to maintain colored hair longer! The science supporting the PhD Dry Shampoo and Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo leaves your hair looking and feeling every bit as clean within seconds. Simplify the steps it takes to revitalize your hair to keep it clean. With fewer washes, you can help maintain healthy hair for a long time. 

Whether you want to work it into your morning haircare routine or carry it with you to refresh your hair during the day, dry shampoo is versatile enough to work with any situation. Since it only takes three easy steps to cleanse the hair and leave it looking and smelling fresh, it makes it easier to transform your hair whenever you need a boost.

Ready to bring healthy haircare into your daily routine? Browse our good-for-you, science-backed hair products online! From dry shampoo and sulfate-free shampoo to heat protectant sprays, take our hair quiz to find out which of our hair repair products can help bring your hair back to life with ingredients that revitalize your hair.