When your curls need a refresh and there’s no time to hop in the shower, the best dry shampoos for curly hair can give your locks a just-washed look and extend the life of your hairstyle without water, suds, or hassle.
If your hair looks dirty, sebum is likely to blame. Dry shampoos are powder-based products that absorb the excess oils that give your hair a greasy, weighed-down look. They can be a great solution for addressing unwanted grease in curls because they absorb oils without stripping the cuticle like over-washing with traditional shampoos can. Avoiding over-washing is especially important for curly hair, which is commonly more susceptible to dryness.
Some dry shampoos come in the form of loose powders that you sprinkle onto your hair, but in my experience, they can be difficult to control and easy to over-apply. Instead, I’d recommend sticking to a lightweight, spray-on version to give your curls even coverage. This also makes the product easier to blend in without messing up your curl pattern or causing unexpected frizz. If dryness is an issue, look for a dry shampoo that contains moisturizers like coconut oil, or consider using a spray-on dry co-wash, which is essentially a hybrid shampoo-conditioner that includes moisturizing ingredients like shea butter to help brittle or damaged strands.
For the best results when using dry shampoo on curly hair, apply it very lightly and in sections, holding the dry shampoo bottle several inches away and focusing the product on the roots where excess oil typically builds up. After applying, let the product sit for 30 seconds or so to give it time to work. At this point, double check the instructions for your dry shampoo, as some options suggest gently massaging the product into your roots while others advise you to actually remove the product from your hairwith a brush or blowdryer.
Whether you're attempting to shampoo less often, save time, or maintain a good hairstyle for longer, you’ll find a fantastic option for your curly hair below.
Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently of Bustle's editorial and sales departments.