When you’re running on a New York minute like most students, it’s not uncommon to wake up late and desperately need to fix your oily hair. There is no shame in using dry shampoo — washing your hair every day actually strips your hair of natural oils, which can cause it to become greasy more quickly as your scalp will try to regenerate the oils to keep your hair healthy.
A mixture of aerosol propellants, absorbing agents, solvents and conditioning agents, dry shampoo is a powdery spray that absorbs oil. Here are some quick tips on which to buy and how to style.
4 Effective and Affordable Dry Shampoos
1. Dove Refresh + Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo, $3.56. An inexpensive choice, Dove is known to eliminate oil without weighing hair down further, helping hair feel lighter and more voluminous.
2. Batiste Dry Shampoo Original Scent, $8.29. Batiste offers various other scents, however you might want to stick to the neutral shampoo scent to avoid unwanted fragrances. This particular dry shampoo, a popular choice, is light, smells fresh and is on the cheaper end.
3. Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo, $3.99. Known for its affordability, Psssst! is a solid option. The spray absorbs oil without the incorrigible residues some dry shampoos leave and without an obvious, overpowering scent.
4. Ojon Full Detox Rub-Out Dry Cleansing Powder, $24.00. While clearly on the higher end of the price spectrum, those who don’t mind paying a bit more on hair products will find this powdered variety a great greasy hair solution that absorbs oil effectively.
How to Use:
1. Lift up hair in 2-inch layers and spray at the roots — or, if using powder, apply directly to scalp. Avoid spraying or sprinkling all over hair.
2. If the dry shampoo is in the form of a spray, hold it 6 inches away from your head when spraying. The goal is to disperse it evenly. If you hold it too close, the application will be too concentrated and leave your hair sticky.
3. Use the tips of your fingers to lightly tousle the roots and let it sit. Your hair should appear less oily.
Dry shampoo won’t leave your hair perfectly clean and eventually washing will be a necessity, but it is a useful quick fix for bad hair days. However, you’ll want to be sure you don’t leave the house with white residue. Check that there is none left and then rush to that lecture.
A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Nov. 6 print edition. Ilona Tuominen is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].