5 Ways You’re Using Dry Shampoo All Wrong (and how to use it like a boss)

It seems within the past few years, dry shampoo has become a mainstay in most women’s beauty arsenals. My obsession began a little earlier in life. I was in middle school when I snagged a can of Pssst that belonged to my great grandmother, and my life was forever changed. My hair has always taken an obscene amount of time to wash and dry. I was already a fan of the baby powder trick when I got my hands on that sweet can of hair refreshing goodness.

About 5 years ago I started washing my hair less and less. I noticed that the more frequently I washed, the greasier it became. I went no poo for a while, using only baking soda and vinegar (don’t judge, my hair was so silky and healthy when I was doing this!). I eventually started washing and conditioning with sulfate free products only. I get asked pretty frequently how I have time in the morning to do my hair. The answer is – I just don’t wash my hair that frequently and I NEVER wash my hair in the morning when I do wash it. The time I spend on my hair in the morning is strictly for styling – no washing, no conditioning, no drying.

I have several friends that have told me dry shampoo doesn’t work for them. In reality, I think they just don’t quite know what they’re doing. Here are 5 ways you’re using dry shampoo all wrong:

1. You don’t know how to apply it

Yes, there is a correct way. Dry shampoo is a magical product, BUT you can’t just spray on haphazardly, hoping it will make you look like you have freshly washed hair. How should you apply it? So glad you asked. Simply part your hair, shake the can of dry shampoo, and give several short sprays along the exposed roots. Continue parting your hair and spritzing along the roots wherever it’s greasiest. Make sure you part your hair across the back of your head where it tends to get that weird flat, greasy spot, and give that a few sprays too. Leave on for 2 minutes without touching. Some dry shampoos tell you this, some don’t. I do it with every kind I use for good measure. After the two minutes, start massaging the dry shampoo in at the root (like you’re actually in the shower washing your hair). Once you’re done massaging (you usually can’t see any more splotches of product), you then brush the product back through the length of your hair. 

2. You only use it in the morning

You know those crazy nights where you stay up late looking at Pinterest, or watching Golden Girls on Hulu, and you know ahead of time not much is happening with your hair in the am (you know damn good and well you know what I’m talking about)? Spray your dry shampoo on before you go to bed, and you’ll wake up with cleaner, more manageable hair.

3. You use it too often

I get it. You want clean hair, but you’re trying to improve the health by washing it less. The answer is actually not to use dry shampoo every day. I recommend trying a hairstyle that pulls the hair away from the face, at least every other day. Use the dry shampoo on the days when you wear your hair down, and take a break on the days when you were it up. Otherwise, the product builds up too much, and you end up with a mess on your head. No one wants that. Plus, those natural oils that your scalp produces? They are the key to healthy hair. You should be brushing those through the length of your hair with a boar bristle brush for optimal hair health. I personally use the Spornette DeVille 100% Boar Bristle Oval Cushion Brush. 

4. You haven’t found the right one for your hair type

Not all dry shampoos are created equal, and that’s a good thing since hair types vary so much. What works for me, may not work for you. If your hair is on the thinner side, you need one that doesn’t have as much heft to it. If your hair is more thick and coarse, that heft may be exactly what you need. Keep trying until you find one you like. You definitely won’t regret it. Still unsure of what to try? I gotcha covered boo. I’m working on a post comparing all of the lovely dry shampoos you see at the top of the page!

5. You only use it on your scalp

Want to try your hand at braiding or updos? Yeah…clean, slick hair is the last thing you want. Need some extra texture to keep your curls in all day? Dry shampoo is your new best friend. Just spray further down your hair shaft instead of just at the roots to give your hair more grip. This is particularly helpful if you want a beach wave. Create the waves with your method of choice, add dry shampoo, and tousle hair. You’re welcome.  

There you have it. Are you guilty of any of these? Do you have any tips on how to use dry shampoo? Is it as big a part of your hair routine as it is mine? Make sure to let me know in the comments below!

Stay Dairing.

This post contains affiliate links. Using them doesn’t cost you more, it just helps me keep the site running 🙂