Dry Shampoo Tips For Dark Hair

Dry shampoo and dark hair have long had a complicated relationship. While dry shampoo is known for its' amazing abilities to whisk away dirt and oil and make a 3-day-old blowout look brand new again, if you have a darker hair color, you may be searching for a dry shampoo that won't leave behind product residue. 

Keep reading to access tips for using dry shampoo on dark hair (including why Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo and Invisible Dry Shampoo are two of the best options) so that you’ll be able to keep every blowout fresh and beautiful longer. 

To put it simply, dry shampoos work by using formulas to absorb the dirt and oils that tend to build up on your scalp after a day or two of not washing your hair. Many products (including Redken Deep Clean and Invisible Dry Shampoo) also deliver a clean scent to your hair. Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo and Invisible Dry Shampoo are formulated with rice and tapioca starch to absorb oil without leaving product residue. 

As any stylist will tell you, over-washing your hair can lead to a whole host of problems in both your scalp and strands, and dry shampoo is great for helping you stave off those washes for as long as possible. “A lot of people don’t want to shampoo their hair every day because they know that it’s not healthy for their hair,” says Redken Artist Ashley Lemaster. “We need natural oils for our hair's mid-shafts and ends to be moisturized and healthy, but a lot of us don’t like the feel of oil on our scalp and roots. Dry shampoos really help with that by helping the hair maintain its' natural oils.” In addition to helping you extend your blowout, dry shampoo can also help extend the life of your color, since washing your hair too much can strip hair of its pigment.

HOLD DRY SHAMPOO 10 INCHES FROM YOUR SCALP WHEN APPLYING

Applying dry shampoo 10 inches from your hair can help minimize product residue and ensure even application. “Spraying dry shampoo too close to your hair will cause the product to go on in a really concentrated way," says Lemaster, "Try spraying and applying dry shampoo from 'one bottle away', meaning if you place the bottle at your head, it it will show the distance from which you should be spraying.”

SPRAY DRY SHAMPOO UNDERNEATH YOUR PART

If you’re feeling intimidated by using dry shampoo on your dark hair, try starting with a low-risk application. “Instead of spraying it in your part to begin with, lift up your hair and apply it to the temple area,” says Lemaster. “This way, you can feel comfortable and confident knowing that the product is underneath your hair helping to absorb oil."

BRUSH AND BLOW DRY THROUGH THE HAIR

Dry shampoo gets the job done when it comes to absorbing the dirt and grease from your scalp, but distributing dry shampoo evenly throughout the hair helps to increase its' effectiveness. The best way to do it? With a brush or blow dryer. “After you spray the product on dry hair, allow it to dry completely, then use a blow dryer or brush to comb through it,” says Lemaster. This will help to distribute the product evenly throughout your strands, and leave your hair looking shiny and new. 

USE DRY SHAMPOO TO STOP GREASE BEFORE IT STARTS

While dry shampoo has proven to be an A+ fix for grease that’s already set in, it can also be used as a preventative measure. With that in mind, Lemaster recommends using it before you go to bed and before you workout. “I like to spray it in at night, because it really helps absorb the oils overnight,” she says, adding that this method can be particularly helpful for people who tend to sweat in their sleep. “You can also put it in before you workout, and then as you’re working out and the oiliness starts to set in, the product will just absorb it.” She’s found these methods to be so effective that there’s rarely a need to reapply in the morning or post-sweat sesh.