Why it's great: If you've got fine hair, a good dry shampoo is especially important. "I feel like there aren't many dry shampoos that make my fine hair look as clean as this one does," says one user. "It really does absorb oil and get rid of any stringiness." Another fan agrees, adding that she likes the "spa-like Aveda scent." Fair warning, it's not an aerosol which can make application a little trickier, but it's well worth the extra effort.
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8*
Why it's great: This Lush dry shampoo product "make[s] your hair look and feel super clean," and, according to one reader, "is the best-smelling dry shampoo [she's] ever used."
"It seems to soak up the shine but doesn't leave [hair] matte and gross like other canned dry shampoos," explains another delighted user. "I've tried many spray dry shampoos and none have worked nearly as well as this." One reader criticizes the packaging, citing that when you spray the product, it tends to go rogue. "All of this aside, it's a really great dry shampoo," especially for oily hair, she says.
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: *8.2
Why it's great: Umberto Dry Shampoo devotees call this product a "must have." Reviewers overwhelmingly rated this one of the best dry shampoos because it soaks up oil and provides volume — even if you've only got a few minutes to style your hair. "My hair was a little icky from the warm weather, but I used this dry shampoo, curled my ends and within five minutes my hair was full and bouncy," says a reviewer. This product makes the best dry shampoo list because it is especially great for fine hair — reviewers say it doesn't weigh fine hair down, but still provides freshness between washes.
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.4*
Why it's great: This is the "best stuff around," says one satisfied reviewer. "It seriously makes my hair look like it's just been washed," she adds. TotalBeauty reviewers with dark brown hair say that this product is the best dry shampoo because it doesn't leave any white residue behind. One raven-headed reviewer says that other dry shampoos left her "ultra dark hair" white and weighed down. "I use the Batiste for dark brown hair and it's a miracle worker," she says.
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.4*
Why it's great: If you need a fast-absorbing dry shampoo, readers say this should be your go-to degreaser. "Both versions of this dry shampoo are some of the best oil-absorbing dry aerosol shampoos I've ever used," gushes one reader. "It has a pleasant smell, adds nice volume and does an extremely great job of absorbing grease." Other readers agree, saying this is the dry shampoo they continuously reach for when all other fail. Though it might be spendy, readers say "your hair will thank you."
If you're as busy as we are, you typically don't wash and dry your hair every morning — after all, it can be a long, arduous process full of waiting, heating and styling. Which is why we don't know what we ever did before the invention of dry shampoo. Talk about an absolute game changer.
Typically, dry shampoos come in spray or powder form, and the best dry shampoos not only soak up oil, they clean hair, water-free, and leave you smelling fresh. Plus, for those of you who have the time to wash your hair every day (or just happen to be a little less tolerant of dirt), dry shampoos give your hair a volume boost. At least, that's what the good dry shampoos do. Not all dry shampoos are created equal — and our readers can attest to that. In fact, they've been quite vocal about the best dry shampoos that forever simplify their lives, which ones are just alright and which ones fall flat.
Here are some of the best dry shampoos, as rated by our readers. Read on to find out why each one made the cut.
