The concept of a dry shampoo is not entirely new. In fact, it has been around since the Victorian days when gentlemen powdered their wigs with arrowroot, and modern products work along the same lines. Recently, it has started to make a real comeback amongst women, particularly those with busy lifestyles and little time for shampooing. It has also become part of men’s haircare routines.
Dry shampoo sales are now reported to account for around a fifth of all shampoo sales, which goes to show how popular it has become in recent years. One in five dry shampoo sales is made to men, which highlights its increasing popularity and practicality for both sexes. Celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton reveals that the increase in demand for dry shampoo is also part of the boom in male grooming. In addition to dry shampoo, men are also said to be using hair straightening irons and conditioning masks more often to give their look an edge.
Dry shampoo actually became commercially available in the 1960s and 70s with the US brand Psssst! purporting to be amongst the first to appear on the market. Its popularity waned after that, but dry shampoos have been making a resurgence again, particularly as haircare experts are claiming that daily washing can strip the hair of too much natural oil. They seem to be championing the idea that washing just a few times a week is better for the overall condition of the hair. Dry shampoo is not meant to serve as a replacement for wet shampooing; instead, it serves as a means of lengthening the time between washes and making your salon style last longer.
What is dry shampoo?
Dry shampoo’s main ingredient is in powdered form, whether that be talc, silica or a starch. It is designed to work without water and is available in the form of either a loose powder or an aerosol spray. It can be sprinkled or sprayed onto the hair depending on the type used. Dry shampoo absorbs excess oils and dirt from the root of the hair up and can either be blotted or brushed to keep hair looking and smelling good. It is ideal for those who are strapped for time but cannot afford to let their haircare routines slip entirely. Many women love the product, and men are also starting to jump on the dry shampoo bandwagon. Adding this to your grooming routine can save a fair amount of time. Many brands sell variants aimed specifically at men, often with scents similar to those of aftershave, making it easy to know which ones to buy.
They are available in a range of colours, and some even have volumising agents. Dry shampoos can be used for a quick root touch-up or even as a styling product.
Top products on the market
There are a number of dry shampoos on the market, but several stand out from the rest for various reasons. Not all dry shampoos have been created equal!
First, Garnier Volume Extend Instant Bodifier Dry Shampoo boasts fruity and bright-smelling credentials whilst also promising to keep hair suitably refreshed for 24 hours. Containing a blend of orange citrus and grape extract, this dry shampoo should be sprayed into flat hair and combed or brushed through to absorb oil. It instantly eliminates weight and refreshes your volume day or night.
Batiste Dry Shampoo is available either travel size or full size for convenience and to cater for different occasions. It is also comes in XXL volume and dark hair variants and purports to be the UK’s number one dry shampoo for a reason. With various scents, sizes and different levels of volume, the product allows for a completely customisable dry shampoo experience that is especially tailored to meet individual requirements. A quick burst can extend your blow dry, free up time in the morning or add life to your hair whenever and wherever it needs it. The Batiste brand is also popular amongst men, with many male models reportedly walking down the runway during New York Fashion Week with it in their hair.
Meanwhile, Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo claims to leave no white residue on the hair and also carries a low price point and no fuss as its points of differentiation. This dry shampoo is easy to spray on the hair, and its minimalistic white packaging means that it blends in with other products in your bathroom cabinet. With just a few sprays, Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo claims to leave hair beautiful, healthy and full of body. Directions for use are easy to follow; simply shake the can vigorously, lift sections of dry hair and spray into roots from 25cm, massage into roots to absorb oil evenly, and brush through and style as normal.
One product that is particularly noteworthy is label.m Brunette Dry Shampoo, which uses a natural rich starch to disperse oil and professes to be a backstage favourite. It works as a matt texturiser, leaving the hair soft and velvety to the touch. Supplied in aerosol form, the dry shampoo should be applied evenly to the hair, concentrating on the roots, and then brushed out after two to three minutes to avoid excess build-up. The subtle brown color it adds to the hair also helps to conceal bald spots on the head.
Finally, Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk also rates highly amongst consumers. Slightly pricier than other dry shampoos, it is light in texture and has a mild, pleasant fragrance that does not overwhelm you during the day. Klorane dry seboregulating shampoo, which features nettle extract, can be worn anywhere. It claims to clean hair in one single stroke, enabling you to wash it less often. As a result of its seboregulating properties, it can absorb any excess sebum that is found in the hair to leave it looking clean and fresh, with both bounce and volume restored. In tests, 86 per cent of users appreciated the product’s ability to reduce sebum secretion on the scalp.
