The Best Dry Shampoos for Curly Hair
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Dry shampoo is a curly girl’s best friend. It can help refresh your hair in between washes, and it can also help soak up oil and sweat.
However, not all dry shampoos are created equal. Some leave your hair feeling heavy and greasy, while others just don’t seem to do the trick.
If you have curly hair, read on for the best dry shampoos for you!
Our Top Picks:
Short on time? These 2 are our top picks for dry shampoo for curly hair.
What is dry shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a powder or spray that you apply to your hair to absorb oil and sweat. It’s a great way to refresh your hair in between washes, and it can also help extend the life of your style.
Can you use dry shampoo on curly hair?
Yes! Dry shampoo can be a great option for curly girls. Just be sure to choose a formula that won’t leave your hair feeling heavy or greasy and apply it the right way.
Best Spray Dry Shampoos
Below are some of the best dry shampoos for curly hair. Note that none of these is curly girl approved and most are not truly clean. To be in spray form, many brands use ingredients that aren’t that clean and add fragrance.
You’ll find alcohol denat listed as an ingredient in most of these and that’s because it helps to absorb oil and add volume. If you struggle with dry hair then this might be something you want to avoid, but otherwise, I wouldn’t be too concerned about it.
Together Beauty Life In The Fast Lane
If you want clean and eco friendly, then the Life In The Fast Lane dry shampoo is your pick. This is the only spray dry shampoo that uses clean ingredients. Plus, they use something called Green Zerosol Technology, which refers to “the propellant system used to spray the product. It is a liquefied gas that is Non-ozone-depleting and has an Ultra-low global warming potential.”
Other key ingredients include witch hazel, rice starch, eucalyptus, and lime fruit to deodorize, refresh and reduce scalp inflammation. It works just like other spray dry shampoos and doesn’t leave a white cast after rubbing in.
Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo
This is the one I usually use because it is easy to find, affordable, and works really well for my hair. I typically use the Plump For Joy line since it adds volume, they also have Clean Freak which is the regular version, and Beach Babe which adds volume and texture.
The fragrance in these is pretty strong and will last, though they do have a fragrance free option of the Clean Freak. This is not a particularly clean brand but at least they are cruelty-free.
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
The Klorane dry shampoo has some great ingredients, like organically harvested oat milk, but it still has butane, propane, and isobutane to make it an aerosol. In addition to oat milk, it has corn and rice starch, and silica.
It doesn’t dry out your hair or leave any white residue. But this one does have a strong scent that lasts.
Bonus: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean
I am including this dry shampoo in the list because it’s so popular and well-liked, but I don’t really like the ingredients. It’s not clean, though not the worst I have come across, but at least it is cruelty-free.
The original version of this dry shampoo, Perfect Hair Day, is such a popular dry shampoo for all hair types. I do not like how strong the scent is but it works just like the NYM dry shampoo. If you like something with a strong scent, then you’ll like this dry shampoo.
This is a lighter version than their original and has additional ingredients to help reduce that chalky feeling from dry shampoo.
Best Powder Dry Shampoos
Powder dry shampoos are typically a blend of oil absorbing powder such as clays and essential oils for scent and refreshing. These are all clean and curly girl approved, but they take a little more work to blend in than the sprays do.
Me Time Botanicals Save The ‘Do Dry Shampoo
I love this dry shampoo because it comes with a kabuki brush for application. You pour a little bit of the dry shampoo powder into the top then dip the kabuki brush into it to pick up some powder. Then you dab it into the scalp and brush it in to blend.
It’s also a very clean formulation and comes in a light brown shade that works for all hair colors.
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Acure Dry Shampoo
The Acure dry shampoo is a popular powder dry shampoo in the clean beauty world. It comes in white powder and a brown option for brunettes. It is the type that has a twist top with the little holes to shake it out, like a spice bottle.
I love that it uses organic ingredients and is still affordable.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Dry Shampoo
The Scalp Revival dry shampoo is like an upgraded version of powder dry shampoos. Aside from just absorbing oil and adding volume, it boosts scalp health. Charcoal draws out impurities from the scalp and biotin supports the appearance of thicker growth.
What I don’t like about this one is how the bottle works. You twist the top then squeeze the bottle so a puff of powder shoots out of the side of the top. It often gets stuck and then too much will come out. It also only comes in white, but I never had trouble rubbing it in.
My Hair Dance Volumizing Dry Shampoo
This volumizing dry shampoo is popular in the curly hair world. It’s another great clean option and I love the nozzle applicator tip. This one is a light brown color so it works well on all hair colors.
Key ingredients include rice starch, colloidal oatmeal, and silica along with lavender essential oil. It’s a basic recipe but works really well, and I love how clean it is. A big bonus is this small bottle lasts a long time, making it one of the most affordable options on this list.
FAQs On Using Dry Shampoo On Curly Hair
How do you apply dry shampoo to curly hair?
The best way to apply dry shampoo is to section your hair and apply it to your scalp. Focus on the roots and be sure to massage it in well.
How often can you use dry shampoo on curly hair?
You can use dry shampoo as often as you need to, but be sure to give your hair a good wash with a clarifying shampoo at least once a week.
Can dry shampoo ruin your curls?
No, dry shampoo will not ruin your curls. However, if you use it too often or don’t wash your hair enough, it can build up on your scalp and cause irritation.
Do I need to wash my hair after using dry shampoo?
No, you don’t need to wash your hair after using dry shampoo. However, if you have a lot of buildup, you may want to give your hair a good rinse.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re a curly girl who hates washing her hair as often as she likes, or you just need a quick refresh in between washes, these dry shampoos are the perfect solution. They work for all curly hair types and won’t leave your hair feeling heavy or greasy. So go ahead and try one of these amazing dry shampoos for your curls!
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I have the Klorane dry shampoo and while I like how it performs,it has a strong fragrance. It smells like men’s aftershave and it does not dissipate quickly. I could still smell it hours later when I picked my hair or took my n95 mask on our off.
Thanks for sharing! I guess I should add that to the description.