The best dry shampoos for that freshly washed look

Starting from just £2, it's a product everyone should have on their shelf.

best dry shampoos

by Ruby Barry |
Updated on

Thank you dry shampoo for all you do for us. The last thing we want on a Friday night is to receive a message from the girls' group chat asking for a night out, but it's hair wash day tomorrow, and your locks are at their greasiest. Don't panic though, no need to drop everything you're doing and spend an hour shampooing and conditioning your hair.

Dry shampoo is a game-changer product and can help preserve freshness, style, and volume between your hair wash days. It's a haircare staple. The right formula will be practically unnoticeable in your hair (AKA, no powdery marks, hallelujah), and it'll make your hair smell amazing.

Basically, it'll give the impression that you've just washed your hair and are generally a super organised, hygienic it-girl, even if you're secretly a low-maintenance, I-ate-junk-and-cried-at-a-rom-com-last-night-girl (relatable).

heat's best dry shampoo's at a glance:

Editor's choice: Batiste Dry Shampoo Original - View on Amazon

Best dry shampoo & leave-in dry conditioner combo: Batiste Naturally Dry Shampoo & Batiste Leave-In Dry Conditioner - View on Boots

Best dry shampoo for no scalp-build up: Wash by amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo - View on Amazon

We're a little bit obsessed with haircare here at heat, so as well as researching the best scalp treatments, hair masks and oils, we've delved into the world of dry shampoos and found the top ones on the market to snag. Because dry shampoo for greasy hair really is a lifesaver. To start your new haircare journey, shop below the best you can buy online, rated by our team. From the best for volume to the best smelling to the best for dry shampoo for coloured hair.

SHOP: The best dry shampoos to buy UK 2023

Editor's choice

Batiste Dry Shampoo Original 200ml
Price: $9.99
Alternative retailers
Waitrose$3.35View offer
FragranceNet.com$6.29View offer
Walmart$8.98View offer
Target$8.99View offer

Sometimes, you just can't beat the original, and our team would argue Batiste Original Dry Shampoo is the queen of dry shampoos. An absolute steal at only £2.34 on Amazon, the original banishes oil at the root whilst giving off hits of orange, bergamot, rose, lily, lavender and powdery musks. Reviews rave about its ability to "soaks up all the grease", meaning "you can go out to the shops without people thinking you never wash."

Our Deputy Commercial Editor, Marina Avraam, is a mega-fan. She says: "You can never go wrong with the OG. Batiste's original dry shampoo has saved me time and time again, and I go through at least one bottle per month. Make sure to spray 30 cm away to avoid that awful white cast and massage in for the best results. Pro tip? Spray it in the night before for fresh, shiny hair the day after."

Pros

  • Cheap and cheerful
  • Classic choice

Cons

  • Some reviewers say the smell is overwhelming

Best dry shampoo and leave-in dry conditioner combo

Did you know that leave-in dry conditioners are a thing now? Yes - as well as giving your roots a boost with dry shampoo, you can give the ends of your hair a nourishing glow with a leave-in conditioner. Mind blown. heat world writer Ruby Barry was sent Batiste's new conditioner release to test out. The results?

Our writer Ruby Barry reviews Batiste's new Leave-In Dry Conditioner: "I have a thick mane of hair atop my head, so once the grease sets in after a couple of days post-hair-wash-day, it can be pretty grim. Therefore, using dry shampoo is essential mid-week but the ends of my hair end up looking limp in comparison to my roots. I was intrigued by Bastiste's new Dry Conditioner product, and after a couple of days of use, I am very glad it's in my haircare arsenal. A mousse-like consistency, rubbing it in your hands and applying it to your ends is super easy, melting into the follicles. No crispiness and it leaves the hair super soft and smelling like a bed of roses. I combine the conditioner with the Batiste Naturally Dry Shampoo (they have a specific range with 100% natural extracts and I am a big fan of the Coconut Milk and Hemp Seed Oil fragrance)."

Pros

  • Natural extracts
  • Easy application

Cons

  • Takes more effort than other products

Best dry shampoo for no scalp build-up

Wash by amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo 232ml
Price: $28.00
Alternative retailers
Walmart$31.89View offer
Newegg$38.96View offer

This dry shampoo by amkia is a TikTok phenomenon, so we had to include it in this article of course. The results? Worth the hype. At just under £20, it's a little more expensive than others, but it justifies its price with an incredible scent and no-residue results.

Our Commercial Content Editor, Jade Moscrop, says in her review: "Upon first use, I fell IN LOVE with the scent of it. It's reminiscent of perfume, smelling sweet but not overpowering. Spraying it on my roots, I worked it through my hair easily and found that my hands and clothes weren't covered in the usual white powder that comes with other dry shampoos. After brushing, my hair was SO soft, and it didn't have that crispy feeling that some dry shampoos give it. The lush smell also lasted, keeping my hair smelling fresh."

Pros

  • Has a lovely smell
  • Doesn't leave a white powder residue

Cons

  • Can't find in all shops

Best dry shampoo for dark hair

If you're a darker-haired gal, you can't quite get away with having dry shampoo streaks in your hair - you'll be getting double takes on the street. It's best then to get a dry shampoo designed for your colour, and we love Batiste's brunette option. As described on the website, "a hint of colour" in the formula "complements dark and deep brown hair tones and helps blend in root re-growth of coloured or tinted hair." You can also get the even darker formula here, for £6.49.

Our content writer, Georgia Scott, buys Batiste frequently. She says: "The dry shampoo from Batiste is a staple in my beauty stash, particularly the brunette shade. I have balayage in my hair so the ends of my hair are blonde but my root is my natural, light brown shade and can sometimes look a bit flat in between washes. The soft brunette tint takes away that white cast and looks super natural. It also feels really lightweight but gives me some extra volume which I'm always craving. No matter if my hair is dirty or clean I love adding a spritz of dry shampoo to give my hair some bounce and texture."

Pros

  • Doesn't leave a white residue
  • Perfect for tinted hair

Cons

  • Not suitable for blonde hair

Best dry shampoo for an amazing smell

If you would describe yourself as floral and flirty, you're in luck. There's a dry shampoo that's tailor-made for you. Reviews describe it as possessing a "light, summery fragrance which lingers enough for you to catch a whiff of it during your day but not enough to be overpowering."

Our content writer, Emma Richardson, tested it out and had this to say: "Batiste Blush is the perfect product if you're looking for a dry shampoo with a subtle scent. It leaves your hair feeling super refreshed and is perfect for in-between washes".

Pros

  • Sweet smelling
  • Perfect for summer months

Cons

  • Not suitable for those sensitive to smell

Best eco-friendly dry shampoo

Klorane Eco-friendly Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk 50g
Price: $24.00
Alternative retailers
FragranceNet.com$17.49View offer
Walmart$22.00View offer
Dermstore$22.00View offer
SkinStore$22.00View offer

Although placed in a spray bottle, the Klorane dry shampoo formula is powder-based. Shoot some powder at your roots, rub in and all the dirt and oil will be absorbed, leaving light and bouncy locks. As well as this, Klorane gets extra points for being plant-based and eco-friendly. Gotta look after our planet.

Amazon review: "This is a powder that's built like a spray, so you press on the bottle to dispense it into semi-targeted areas on your head. I've been using it pretty sparingly and it's the best dry shampoo I've used. I have used about 6-7 different ones (including Klorane regular spray, Batiste, Herbal Essences, and others) and I am so happy I've found this one. I'm a brunette and despite the fact that this is a white powder, it disappears on my head, I've used it once and twice with good results for up to 4-5 days without washing my hair. It's also pretty effective when your hair is already pretty greasy (for example on the 3rd day). It makes my hair feel clean but not sticky or straw-like and it still remains soft and manageable. I'm super happy I tried this!"

Pros

  • Natural ingredients
  • Can target specific areas

Cons

  • May be hard to get used to dispenser first time around

Best dry shampoo for volume and lift

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day™ (PhD) Dry Shampoo
Price: $30.00
Alternative retailers
Sephora$16.00View offer
Nordstrom$16.00View offer
Nordstrom$16.00View offer
Walmart$17.75View offer

All Living Proof products are based on pure hair science, and the Perfect Hair Day dry shampoo is no exception. The formula works by absorbing sweat, odour and oil from the root while leaving a refreshing, time-release scent that'll last hours. What's more, it's vegan, paraben-free and safe for dyed and chemically-treated hair. Why bother with hairspray when you can use this?

Amazon review: "This stuff is amazing. I am leaving my hair for 4 or 5 days without washing and it looks so clean!! A tiny bit goes a long way. It's way better than all the other dry shampoos I have ever tried. I will only ever buy this from now on. It's honestly worth the extra money!"

Pros

  • Lasts in hair for a long time
  • Paraben free

Cons

  • Better for thinner hair

Best dry shampoo powder

Bumble and Bumble's dry shampoo comes in powder form. This means you can really target those oily areas on your scalp, massaging into key points within your roots. Prêt-à-powder instantly creates volume and lifts the hair follicles, whilst remaining completely invisible on the hair. If you prefer not to use an aerosol spray, this is the one for you.

Bumble and Bumble review: "This powder is fantastic. Not only does it give a new lease of life to your hair if you've not washed it for a couple of days, but it gives you bouncy volume too. I find even if I have washed my hair, I massage some of this into the roots and it gives it a textured, volumised lift. I love how compact the smaller size one is - perfect for a handbag/travel to keep your hair looking fresh at any time."

Pros

  • Lifts and gives volume
  • Perfect if you're looking to ditch the aerosol

Cons

  • More suitable for curly hair

Dry shampoo: Everything you need to know

We spoke to Stylist and Batiste ambassador Samantha Cusick about the need-to-know facts about dry shampoo, and she spilt the tea. Asking two important questions about dry shampoo and haircare, she answered:

What's the best technique to ensure my dry shampoo blends into my roots?

Samantha explained, "My clients often ask me how they can easily add more volume to their hair at home, especially on days two and three hair when everything is looking a bit flat. My advice is always Batiste Dry Shampoo. Spray into the root hair and massage in to create volume fast. I also like to spray through the mid-lengths and ends as a texturiser to add more definition, great on day two beach waves."

Should you use dry shampoo before or after you straighten or curl your hair, for the best results?

"Dry shampoo can be used before or after styling. For example, to create waves, you can use a GHD styler to add some textured waves and spritz in some Batiste Dry Shampoo for extra volume and texture. This also helps future-proof your style against going oily too fast."

If you'd rather leave the dry shampoo out of your haircare routine, we've also got some tips on how often you should wash your hair so your hair stays fresher for longer. It really just comes down to how often you wash it, after all.

Write that down, write that down STAT ladies. ✍️

Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for heat, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her "dupe queen", as there's not a product in the world she can't find a cheaper alternative for.

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