Dry shampoo can be a godsend when it comes to finishing up a heated workout at the gym or having a gruesome day of traveling.

It gives our hair that little pick me up when a shower is nowhere in sight. If used correctly, dry shampoo can be a handy tool but is something that must be used tenderly and only when you feel it is necessary. Here are 6 easy steps to applying this product correctly.

The Dos

Step 1: Prep your hair

This product should be applied to dry hair only.

Step 2: Shake the can

This helps to activate the product before you apply it

dry shampoo nina

Step 3: Hold spray can 5-10 inches away from your head

This way the product is evenly distributed.

dry shampoo nina 2

Step 4: Apply product

Apply the dry shampoo sparingly on your roots while focusing the product on the top half of your head only.

nina dry shampoo 3

Step 5: Let it sit!

Before you do ANYTHING to your hair, let the product soak in for 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial in allowing the product to do what it was made for.

dry nina

Step 6: Massage it in

Once the product has thoroughly soaked in, gently blend the product in with your fingers by gently massaging your scalp.

massnin

Enjoy!

Now that you know how to apply dry shampoo, here is a quick list of what NOT to do when using dry shampoo.

The Don’ts…

Use it without a good cause.

Dry shampoos are best after travel or working out. Or something handy to have if you want to put off showering for one more day. It by any means should NOT be used as a permanent substitute for your regular wash days. Dry shampoo cannot cleanse your scalp of impurities like your regular shampoo can. Therefore, it should be used with this in mind.

Spray it all over your head.

Dry shampoo works the best when applied to the top half of your head. Otherwise, your hair will feel chalky, sticky, and dry.

Spray it too close to your head.

If you apply the dry shampoo too close to your roots, you could end up with it hair that looks extremely chalky and gross.

Rub it in right after application.

Doing this prevents the product from working effectively. Make sure you’re allowing the product to soak in thoroughly first.

There are many dry shampoos out there that all aim at refreshing your curls. While some are more simple, there are some that contain nourishing ingredients. Below, I list off some of my favorites.

  • ;”>Cantu Refresh Apply Cider Vinegar Dry-Cowash: This nourishing product contains a formula of apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and shea butter. A perfect blend to making your hair is feeling oil-free and refreshed. The best part of this spray is that it is affordable ($7″> and you don’t have to worry about any pesky white chalky build-up.
  • ;”>Hask Monoi Coconut Dry Shampoo: I recently tried this spray for the first time and loved it. This product is lightweight and left my curls smelling like coconuts. Most importantly, my hair felt incredibly refreshed afterward. This product quickly soaks up excess sweat and oil thanks to the ultra-fine rice starch that’s in the spray. I would definitely recommend trying this product.
  • ;”>Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo: This was another product I recently tried for the first time. While I loved the product, for the size, this product is expensive ($24″>. However, this product will last you awhile since you only need to use a little of it at a time. It comes in a powder rather than a spray. I love the way this product smells and how easy it is to apply. My curls felt refreshed and oil free. Not only does this refresh your hair but the nourishing combo of witch-hazel, biotin, and bamboo help to stimulate the scalp and encourage healthy hair growth. I would recommend trying this product if you have extra cash to spare.
  • ;”>Batiste Original Dry Shampoo: If you are looking for a classic and effective dry shampoo, this is the product for you. No bells or whistles, just strictly refreshes your curls quickly and easily.
  • ;”>Macadamia Professional Style Extend Dry Shampoo: This all texture friendly product, while pricey ($20″>, does a lot more than just refreshes your hair. While many dry shampoos can leave your curls feeling dry, not this one! The passion flower and aloe vera leaf extracts work towards providing your curls with moisture, balance, and nourishment.

Want to know more about curly hair and dry shampoo?

Visit SHOPNaturallyCurly for more product suggestions from the community.

Nina Sultan

As a monthly content contributor of NaturallyCurly, Nina is a passionate mixed media artist from Illinois. She has a deep love for curly hair and helping to empower curly folks everywhere to embrace their natural hair and beauty. She is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Art Therapy in New York where she is working towards becoming a licensed, certified, and registered Mixed Media Art Therapist. She guides people through art and the creative process to help restore and improve their mental health.

No comments yet.