You'd be hard pressed finding us someone who doesn't count on dry shampoo as a beauty staple. Because, simply, for those with longer, curly hair, or colour-treated hair, hair wash day is a long slog. For those who really want to give their hair some TLC, washing it is multi-step process. Gone are the days of just the shampoo and conditioner: these days, you'll also find scalp scrubs, hair masks and serums aplenty.
Yet while there's always a place for an excellent dry shampoo (more on that below) TikTok creators claim to have found a surprising new hack for refreshing their hair. Micellar water. In theory? It does make sense. The make-up remover staple is well known for its impressive cleansing abilities. The secret lies within the formulation. Micellar water is made with micelles, small molecules that attract and lift away oil, grime, and dirt. No wonder then, that TikTok creators are claiming it as the go-to solution for greasy strands. Make-up artist and content creator Tati Westbrook weighed in, professing, 'The micellar water eats up the oil, there's no white flakey residue from a dry shampoo, there's no mess, there's no nothing... your hair looks so refreshed. You might be thinking, gosh, I never have to wash my hair again.'
Watch: TikTok's Latest Beauty Hack
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According to TikTok the micellar water hair cleansing process is actually a pretty easy one. Simply decant the water into a spray bottle before spritzing through and saturating the hairline. Follow by blowdrying the hair with a rounded brush. And just like that, freshly cleansed strands.
Still keen to stick to your trusty dry shampoo? Good news. The haircare market has also provided us with an abundance of excellent options too. Formulas have come a long way since the mushroom-cloud, powdery sprays of the noughties, but not all dry shampoos are made equal. Some lend volume; some are colour-tinted; others thicken strands. In short? It is a bit of a minefield.
That said, Grazia have separated the wheat from the chaff and delivered to you the very best dry shampoos of the bunch. Some you can pick up in your local Boots for less than £5, others you'll find are hidden gems.
Happy spritzing!
The Best Dry Shampoo 2024
best all round
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
The King (or Queen?) of dry shampoos, this is one that'll convert even the most dry shampoo adverse. Put simply, this is the closest to an actual hair wash in a can we've found: it has odour neutralisers to freshen scent, conditioning agents for a freshly washed feel, and powders to soak up oil. A workhorse, indeed.
Rachael Martin, Grazia's Beauty Editor says: 'This is the one I'll consistently reach for post gym. It errs on the powdery side (making it a treat for soaking up sweat) but doesn't leave behind any of that tell tale whiteness. While I do love it, I don't love the price - I get through it pretty quickly, but IMO the results make it worth it. Think swish-worthy hair.'
best for a beautiful fragrance
www.boots.com
Cult favourite Batiste has expanded their range, and this is a particular highlight. Brilliant for fine hair, it rids grease without overwhelming it with excess product. Instead, it lends a gentle lift to any flat areas and provides movement - perfect for those prone to limp hair.
Customer review: 'I got this dry shampoo to try in this scent as it was a new one out. I like the Batiste range as it gives good results without costing a fortune. I suffer from greasy hair but I’m trying to wash my hair less. It’s a great in between product with a lovely smell and doesn’t leave a chalky white residue.'
Best for sensitive scalps
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All hail OUAI: the haircare brand that is as chic as it is hardworking. This dry shampoo is infused with rice starch and volcanic minerals to soak up oiliness with real ease. And yes: this one does smell so good, you'll want to spritz it all over your body.
Customer review: 'Best for adding an extra day, works on highlighted hair, texture is great, finally one which does not make my scalp itch.'
best for all hair types
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Fussy, sensitive scalp? Turn to French pharmaceutical brand, Klorane. Thanks to the lipids and vitamins packed in here, the formula actually conditions your hair as it refreshes it. For a dry shampoo that makes sensitivity their focus, it is still surprisingly effective at ridding signs of oil.
Customer review: 'My hair gets oily pretty fast, so I use dry shampoo very often. With other dry shampoos my scalp was very itchy, but once I tried this one everything changed. I can use it even for a few days in a row, and my hair looks amazing, but most importantly my scalp feels ok!'
best for those who don't like the feeling of product
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
'Death Valley', because that's where it puts grease. Get it? Really, though, this makes light work of absorbing oil. It also infuses hair with moisture while it's there, which doesn't add any additional shine: just a soft, fluffy, freshly-washed texture. If only they knew...
Customer review: 'A favourite. I really like this dry shampoo and find it to be both effective and gentle. It’s also almost transparent so doesn’t leave a white or chalky look. It’s incredibly fine but effective and a product I don’t like being without as it’s become such a staple for me.'
best for dark hair
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Ideal for those with darker hair, this beautifully lightweight dry shampoo works to instantly refreshes with just a misting. Say goodbye to pesky build-up and excess oil while maintaining a deep, dark colour. Plus it comes in an iteration suited to lighter hair, too.
Customer review: 'Best dry shampoo. Wow I absolutely love this stuff. I’ve got dark brown hair and dry shampoos make my hair look grey until I found this one. Takes away the grease and leave hair feeling cleaner for longer. Also boosts the volume which is a bonus. Brushes out and doesn’t leave that horrible powder feeling afterwards'
Main image credit: Tiktok @maj.beauty
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Beauty Editor. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism.
