When I first heard about it, I thought it was revolutionary: Dry shampoo? A way to clean your hair without getting it wet? So ingenious! So convenient! So I thought - until I found out it's been around since the '70s. But everything old is new again, right?
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In any case, dry shampoo is making a comeback. What the heck is it, you ask? Basically, it's a powder, usually starch- or talc-based, that absorbs excess oil from your locks to eliminate that greasy look. You can find it in the drugstore for about $5 or splurge on a luxury bland like Oscar Blandi for $30 at the salon.
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While older formulas made hair look chalky, the new formulations are either clear or hair-colored so they virtually disappear. They also now come in easy-to-apply-evenly aerosol sprays. Tresemme, an affordable drugstore brand, even offers a mousse specifically tailored for curly hair that can't be combed through.
While dry shampoos were saved for quick-fix emergencies in the '70s, I've incorporated them into my regular routine. Why do I love them? Let me count the ways.
1. They're huge time savers - they give me an extra day or two between laborious sessions of blow drying and flat ironing my ringlets into submission.
2. I reduce the amount of heat I subject my hair to so it's softer and has fewer split ends.
3. By not wet shampooing as much, I leave in more of my hair's natural oils and it looks shinier.
4. Fewer washes means it takes more time for my hair color to fade, so fewer visits to the salon..saves time and money!
5. Extra volume! I even know a few girls who use dry shampoo when their hair isn't the least bit dirty to give it oomph.
Here's a list of my personal favorite brands. Some are easily found at your local drugstore, while others are a bit more high-end - but definitely splurge worthy:
Psssssst, $4.79 for 4oz (the original from the 70s)
Alterna's Dry Shampoo, $14.99 for 2.65oz (made with caviar, it will feel like an indulgence!)
Batiste Dry Shampoo, $5.35 for 5.05oz (available in several scents)
Klorane, $16 for 3.2oz (has a nice fragrance and extra moisturizing because it's made with oats)
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray, $18.53 for 3.2oz (light, fresh scent)
Bumble and Bumble Dry Shampoo $39.95 for 4.4oz (the priciest of the bunch and also a powder, but available in several different shades)
For all your other hair care woes, we have the answer! If fading is your problem, check out our post on the best best color-extending products on the market. If dryness has you running out of conditioner, sulfate-free shampoo may be the answer. And if frizzy curls are your main battle, try one of our favorite flat irons.
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