The 8 Best Dry Shampoos of 2024, According to Our Testers

Whether you need a refresh after a workout or have yet to try out a specialized shampoo for oily hair, there are plenty of reasons to spritz on dry shampoo – but not all brands are created equal. PEOPLE Tested sampled over a dozen bottles to determine the best dry shampoo on the market.

To get the best of the tress saviors, a group of us beauty lovers (with hair varying in thickness, length, and shade) came together to test these products by rubbing a bit of coconut oil into our roots to mimic a few days post-wash. From there, we spritzed our hair, let the dry shampoo set, and brushed it through to see how well the sprays absorbed oil and added volume to our roots. We also assessed how well the sprays brushed into our strands for a silky-smooth feel with no visible residue.

Though 20 were put to the test, only these 8 were able to give us red carpet-ready hair. Keep reading for the best dry shampoos that PEOPLE Tested.

Best Overall

Klorane Dry Shampoo

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  2.9/5

• Oil Absorption

  5/5

• Visibility

  4.5/5

• Overall Results

  4.6/5

Pros

• The product thoroughly absorbed our oil without feeling or looking dry at our roots

• We appreciated its clean, bright scent that distracts us from our post-gym or days-old hair scent

• It left a cooling sensation on our scalps that felt refreshing on our dirtied strands

Cons

• It takes about two minutes for the spray to set, which feels a smidge long for hurried mornings

• The spray initially left a white residue, but it disappeared after being massaged into our roots

After rigorous rounds of testing, this dry shampoo was the top pick across all hair types. We loved the cooling sensation left after application and were wowed by the volume it delivered to limp roots. Several of us agreed that we were impressed with its super-absorbency without drying out our scalps, which is vital for natural hair textures.

It's worth noting that the dry shampoo dispersed wet, and came out with a white cast. But after waiting about two minutes to dry down and massaging through, the product all but disappeared and sucked away oils. No trace was left but a cheerful, clean scent and refreshed feeling. It can be easy for extra products like dry shampoo to make your hair feel dense or powdery, but with this one, our hair felt just like normal.

The only caveats could be the extended wait time and initial chalky white cast, which could prove problematic for those in a rush or with very dark hair. All in all, Klorane was the fave for its powerful buildup removal and lightweight revitalization.

Type: Aerosol | Size: 3.2 oz. | Scent: Floral

People / Tara Donne

Best Budget

Anomaly Dry Shampoo

Target

Pros

• Even those of us with thin hair saw an incredible boost of volume in our tresses

• The spray consists of a clear formula that does not leave a white cast or residue

• Since it comes in an aluminum can, this dry shampoo is recyclable

Our tester quickly fell in love with this dry shampoo from Anomaly thanks to its volume-boosting benefits, noting how her thin hair had never experienced this much volume before. She was shocked to see a product lift her hair up so much while still looking and feeling natural.

And in terms of oil absorption? Our tests revealed it worked well in that department, too, allowing the hair to feel dry and oil-free, without that dreaded "crispiness" that some dry shampoos leave. With all of the above in mind, the around-$8 price point seems like a steal.

Type: Aerosol | Size: 5 oz. | Scent: Light

People / Tamara Staples

Best Investment

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo

Sephora

Pros

• It's made with Oribe's signature scent, Côte d'Azur, which doubles as a luxurious perfume

• The absorbent formula lifted our hair at the root, adding an extra dose of volume

• The light powder provided a soft and silky feel to our strands

If you're looking to add a little bit of luxury to your beauty lineup, invest in this weightless wonder to skip a wash and feel like you just left the salon. Reviewers were struck by the luxe feeling straight out of the can, noting that the formula wet their tresses, but dried away quickly. After the dry shampoo was brushed out, hair felt soft and silky, notably infused with the signature scent of this haircare brand.

Testers swooned over the oomph the Oribe spray delivered, noting how it looks, feels, and smells luxurious. The brand's signature scent, Côte d'Azur, was developed in collaboration with one of the oldest French fragrance houses — and features notes of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood. However, it may not be ideal for those who are sensitive to strong, perfume-heavy smells. In the end, it comes down to personal preference whether the robust aroma would create a good or bad hair day – and if the price is worth it.

It's worth noting that while it is the most expensive option on the list, it's also the option with the highest volume of product, so it will definitely last you a while, even if you do use dry shampoo often. If you want to get the look and channel your inner Hollywood goddess for less, though, try the more affordable travel size.

Type: Aerosol | Size: 6.3 oz. | Scent: Oribe's signature scent, Côte d'Azur

People / Tara Donne

Best for Light Hair

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones

Amazon

Pros

• Its refreshing formula absorbed our natural oils and dried down almost immediately

• We liked the clean, fresh scent that our strands were left with after a few quick spritzes

• This spray left no trace of chalkiness at our roots, which we love for rushed mornings or a quick touch-up

After three days of not washing her hair, our blonde tester used this Moroccanoil dry shampoo and was impressed with the result. "[The dry shampoo] took a pea-sized amount of coconut oil out of my hair, so it put in work," she says. "I don't feel oily at all." She rated this "10/10 for absorbing oil," which really is the most you can ask for in a dry shampoo.

On top of that, she was elated that the spray comes out purple — and left an "icy" look on her bleach-blonde hair. "I'm elated every time a blonde-specific product makes my hair look icier or purple, blue, or pink," she notes. "I don't know if every bleach blonde would want this feature, but, personally, I am obsessed."

Type: Aerosol | Size: 3.2 oz. | Scent: Clean

Best for Dark Hair

Billie Floof Dry Shampoo

Mybillie

Pros

• This shake-out powder absorbed our oil without leaving a chalky residue in our hair

• To our surprise, it had a clean scent that made our hair feel fresher

• The brown powder blended in nicely on those of us with darker strands

Cons

• Using too much product could cause buildup and weigh down your hair

• It had a slightly gritty texture, which was very different from the others we tried

• You have to be a little careful with how you apply this powder, because the brown shade can temporarily stain your hands

If you're a brunette that prefers a powder dry shampoo over an aerosol, we recommend Billie's Floof Dry Shampoo. Packaged in a spherical bottle, the unscented powder absorbed oil really well for our testers, who all had different shades and textures of dark hair.

One tester did say the brown-colored powder did stain her hands, but that it wasn't a deal-breaker, since the powder did make her hair look dry and clean. We also found that if you add too much powder it could weigh the hair down, so you need to make sure to use the right amount for your hair type to reap its benefits.

One tester even said she never thought she would love a powder dry shampoo, but this product converted her. She loved how well it absorbed oil, and the packaging is chic enough for any vanity or bathroom counter.

Type: Powder | Size: 1.2 oz. | Scent: Unscented

PEOPLE / JESSICA JULIAO

Best for Platinum Hair

Verb Dry Shampoo for Light Hair

Sephora

Pros

• This spray left behind zero wetness or residue, which is great for people on the go

• The formula achieves that coveted "icy" look that bleach-blondes love without the purple tint

• It has a pleasant, clean scent that made us feel extra fresh

For those with bright white or platinum hair, this vegan dry shampoo by Verb does the job. Overall, it achieves that "icy" look that platinum blondes love, without leaving a purple tint. And, of course, it absorbed the majority of oil without leaving behind any wetness or residue.

While it did overall absorb well, our tester did notice there was a slight bit of oil leftover in her hair after applying the shampoo. However, she said she would still be comfortable going out in public with this level of oil left in her hair and scalp since it wasn't noticeable to anyone else.

We also loved the pleasant scent, which could be described as fresh and clean without being overpowering. For a volumizing spray that works well and is offered at an affordable price point, we think this is totally worth it for the blondes.

Type: Aerosol | Size: 4.5 oz. | Scent: Fresh

People / Tamara Staples

Best Powder

Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder Dry Shampoo Powder

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  4.7/5

• Oil Absorption

  4/5

Pros

• This tap-out powder was able to absorb the oil at our roots extremely well

• Because of its powder formula, this dry shampoo had a very lightweight feel

• Instead of feeling dense or gross, this shampoo left our strands feeling super soft

Cons

• Because it requires a shake-out method, this powder was a little messy to apply

• Its alabaster shade could leave white residue for people with darker hair

If you prefer a powder-based dry shampoo, the Bumble and bumble Prêt-à-Powder is incredibly effective at absorbing oil, according to our tests. The product is packaged in a flexible plastic bottle that was overall easy to pour out — although it can come out too quickly if you aren't careful.

With a lightweight baby powder feel, the white formula left a bit of residue for some, while others thought it blended in well to their hair after some work — we recommend massaging it well into the hair and scalp for best results. However, because this dry shampoo was super effective at absorbing oil and added some volume at the root, too, we think it's well worth the price.

Type: Powder | Size: 2 oz. | Scent: Light

People / Tamara Staples

Best Nourishing

OGX Extra Strength Refresh + Restore Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo

Amazon

Pros

• This product felt incredibly nourishing in our hair, freshening up our hair without drying it out

• It has a fairly low price tag, which we appreciated

• The addition of coconut oil helped tame our frizz and make our strands look a little sleeker

What makes this OGX dry shampoo stand out from the pack is the added coconut oil, which isn't common in dry shampoos. Adding an oil-based product to oily hair may seem like a disaster waiting to happen, but it ended up being the opposite. Our tester's hair felt healthy while looking cleaner than before after using this dry shampoo.

Instead of drying out your hair as some dry shampoos can do, it is meant to absorb the resting oil on your hair and replace it with nourishing coconut oil, an ingredient that is great for taming frizz and sealing in moisture. Our testers said that while their hair still felt a bit oily (which makes sense, as there is oil in the formula), it didn't look it at all, with one even saying it performed the best out of all the dry shampoos she tested — which is quite a testament for such a budget-friendly product. Our tests showed it worked especially well for those with thinner hair and curly hair, thanks to the volume boost and frizz control.

Type: Aerosol | Size: 5 oz. | Scent: Vanilla

Things to Consider Before Buying Dry Shampoo

Hair Type

Look in the mirror and assess your tresses — what are you working with? Consider type and texture, as well as how you typically style your hair. Those with thinner hair should look to labels that deliver extra oomph (we recommend Anomaly Dry Shampoo for that), while workout warriors who squeeze out days between washes should select a spray with great oil absorption, like the Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder. For dark hair, invisible or tinted formulas might be a must, and anyone with color-treated hair should confirm that the spray is color-safe.

Price

Think about bang for your buck: How many days a week do you need dry shampoo? Sold in small but mighty packaging, the ounce size on standard cans can be deceiving, as only a little bit of formula goes a long way. A drugstore option might be best for someone with Rapunzel-length locks, while someone with a short and sleek style could justify the splurgier buy (enter the Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo), as they're using less product on the regular.

Beauty Routine

How much time does it really take you to get ready? If you have the luxury of getting glam, waiting for a waterless shampoo to set before combing through won't be a biggie. If you're sprinting out the door every day, however, a fast-working formula is the way to go.

How We Tested

Four beauty testers, whose hair varied in thickness, length, texture, and shade, tried 21 dry shampoos in total for PEOPLE Tested. The testers ran a pea-sized amount of coconut oil evenly across the scalp to make hair oily, then spritzed the dry shampoo on their heads from 10 inches away.

From there, they timed out how long it took for the spray formulas to feel dry and fully absorb the coconut oil, taking that number into consideration as they judged its efficiency when stacked against the others. For both powders and sprays, they observed how quickly (or not) each substance dissipated into their hair and the tone of their hair where they'd applied them.

After applying and brushing the formula through, the testers checked for ease of use, oil absorption, volume, texture, and leftover residue, rating each products from a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the best), so you can choose which spray is best for you and your roots.

From there, we compiled our testers' data and compared all 20 products and their substantial feedback to give you the official list of the best dry shampoos, so you can go for whichever one fits your budget, your hair color, and your fragrance preferences. In addition to this, we keep testing products to give you the best and most up-to-date information on what dry shampoos are the current best on the market — so be sure to keep checking in.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between powder- and aerosol-based dry shampoos?

  The biggest difference is the ingredient list. Aerosols use alcohol-based formulas to absorb oil from the scalp and add volume to the hair, while powders use starch-based formulas. Powder products typically last longer than aerosol sprays, which could save you money if you use a lot of dry shampoo, while aerosol formulas may be better for styling (and are typically easier to apply). In the end, it all comes down to personal preference: what ingredients you want to add to your scalp and how you typically style your hair.

• Is expensive dry shampoo worth it?

  Oribe's Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is by far the most expensive option on our list, and we can back up its benefits from absorption power to the infamous luxurious scent. However, there are plenty of less expensive options on our list that do the job, so an expensive dry shampoo isn't necessary if all you're wanting are results.

• How long does dry shampoo last in hair?

  Since dry shampoo is a styler, not a cleanser, the product stays in your hair until removed with shampoo and water. This is why it can cause irritation to the scalp if used too often without being cleansed properly. It is recommended to wash hair with shampoo and water a few times a week depending on your hair needs.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Erika Reals is the Senior Shopping Editor at PEOPLE.com covering beauty, style, home, and lifestyle topics. Her previous work as a beauty editor can be found on Byrdie. For this piece, Reals pored over the feedback our testers gave for each of the 20 products they tried in our PEOPLE Tested lab, comparing and contrasting their insights in order to decide which products were ultimately the best of the best.

What Is People Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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