As you know, I am a proponent of dry shampoo. It fits perfectly into my “busy woman toolkit,” and makes it possible for me to arrive at breakfast meetings and 9:00AM hearings looking like I actually took the time to style my hair. I have a favorite brand (Pssst), but I get a lot of reader mail from women who can’t find that type at their local drugstore.
Recently, the good folks at Tresemme offered to send me a can of dry shampoo to test out. I had already tried their product last Fall, but I thought, “Why not give it another look?” And just to make sure that the product got a proper vetting, I gave another can to my yoga instructor, Sophie, who had been bugging me about how much she hated Pssst. (She said it made her hair dry.)
On second glance, the product wasn’t as sticky as I remembered it being. This is probably because instead of just brushing my hair through, I took the blow dryer and the round brush to it this time. It had a pleasant citrusy scent, and gave me a good bit of volume at the roots. But I didn’t love it as much as Sophie did.
“Teaching yoga and Bikram, my hair gets dirty and gross. If I decide to leave the gym after my morning class to grab a bite, I have to shower. If I take off after my afternoon class to have a drink at Happy Hour, I have to shower. And if I have a private lesson on Saturdays before brunch, I have to shower. All that showering, really dries out my skin and hair.’
“I tried Pssst, at Belle’s suggestion, but it really dried out my ends. It also caused dandruff-like flakes and flyaways. The Tresemme removed oil from my hair and pumped up my roots. It really covered up that post-workout hair smell. It also didn’t dry out my ends or scalp the way the other product did.’
“If you have dry hair or dry scalp, Tresemme is the better choice for you. It was for me.”
Just like with regular shampoo, finding the right formula for your hair is the goal. My hair’s a bit oily, Sophie’s is chemically-treated and dry. She liked the Tresemme much better than the Pssst. So much better, in fact, that she stole the other can from my gym bag. (Yes, I know it was you.)
If you decide to try the Tresemme, I’d encourage you to brush it through quite thoroughly. I’d also ask that you try it a couple of times before you decide if it’s the one for you. I liked it much better the second time around than I did the first, probably due to the application of heat.
I also think the smell is a big help if you’ve been working out or if your coif is afflicted with a lingering bar room odor. Most dry shampoos have no scent, and frankly, there are times when a light scent would be very beneficial.
So if the starchy dry shampoos don’t work for you, or if you live in a place where you can’t find them, give Tresemme a try. Either way, it’s better than showing up to work with that, “I couldn’t be bothered to wash my hair today” look.
I'm an enthusiastic dry shampoo user. I've ditched Suave (which smelled like mangoes) for Tresemme, but as some other readers have mentioned, it makes my dark hair look a little grayish.
I've bought Pssst twice, and both times the nozzle became hopelessly clogged after one use. I tried warm water and a needle, but to no avail either time. Have any other Pssst users had this problem? Is there a solution?
I actually came across Pssst at Urban Outfitters–it may also be sold on their website!
My favorite is Big Sexy Hair Dry Shampoo https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U6FIVE/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001TQJK8C&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1PYG4385J4RA0RQBC53C
Pssst is on Amazon, inexpensive, as is everything else you could want to buy.
I really liked Oscar Blandi's dry shampoo, but it was like a million dollars for a tiny can. I've tried Tresemme, but it make my hair look greasy and unmanageable, to the point where I wish I had just washed my hair instead of using it. Pssst! is my favorite (cheap) dry shampoo
Does anyone have recommendations for a dry shampoo that would work for dark brunettes? I've tried Tresemme and because of the white power my hair turns grayish and the powder really looks like dandruff.
I really like Suave's dry shampoo – and it's so cheap! I have lighter hair though, it does come out white.
Gwen- Bumble and Bumble makes a spray in a variety of shades. just as an fyi though- make sure you're not going to be putting your head on anything white (my bf was not pleased when it got it on his white oxford. oops!)
I am a huge fan of the Tresemme dry shampoo, I have oily dark blonde hair and it is the perfect solution for a quick hair pick me up when there is no time for a full styling. I agree with Belle, it does much better with a little heat and a round brush, but I also find that it works better if I let it sit for a couple minutes before brushing it through if I'm not going to hit it with the blow dryer.
As to the Bumble and Bumble, my mother and sisters (all 3 brunettes swear by it). I tried the blonde but was less than thrilled, I felt like their dark blonde shade made me look dowdy and root-y. So I would recommend buying it in the travel size first before committing to the big bottle if you have lighter hair.
Pssst is still my fave – works like a charm and its the cheapest. If you find it drying, Klorane is the best of other brands I've tried (expensive though!)
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Oh, and a quick follow up… I am a huge fan of the dry shampoo that's like an aerosol hair spray. Tried the one that's more a mousse once, at the suggestion of a curly haired friend, well on me, it was a disaster!!
I have heard this one has been a hit or miss for some people, but I swear by Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Dry Shampoo, available at Sephora: https://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P269718&categoryId=B70
It's a powder, instead of a spray. Fortunately the day after washing, my hair doesn't get too too greasy, and I've found that the sprays actually make my hair more greasy, and weigh it down. With this stuff, I've actually switched to shampooing every other day. I just shake a bit of it into my roots and rub it in and the oily spots just soak up. I have heard some people find it leaves their hair greyish, but I have dark brown hair and find if I use the right amount it blends right in. The trick I think is to start with just a little bit and then use more if you still need it.
At $20 a bottle, it's pricier than the Psst, but its a huge bottle of powder and I've yet to even use half of it and I've had it for months. I think it's worth a try if you have tried to spray's and they don't work well for you. Sephora's return policy is great for this!
Beth, what brand is the mousse dry shampoo? Or does anyone else know of any? Being a curly girl myself, I thought dry shampoo was completely out of the question (and all I can find from a Google search is dry mousse-type shampoo for animals!)
Amy, it's by Tresemme as well. I couldn't find it when I first googled it, so a little playing on their website revealed that it's because they call it a foam not a mousse… oops, at least I was close in naming the product! But here is the link: https://www.tresemme.com/Products/Fresh-Start/Fresh-Start-Moisturizing-Waterless-Foam-Shampoo/
Gwen, I have dark hair and use Psst. This may help. I spray it generously in the morning when I get up. Put my hair up in a pony and then take a shower to wash my body. Meaning, I don't wash my hair. When I get out, I brush it really well with a brush that has LOTS of bristles, packed tight together like a round brush. ( I don't know what you call this.) Hope that helps!
My dry shampoo of choice is John Frieda Luxurious Volume, Anytime Volume Refresher. I have used Psst and Tresemme in the past and found that John Frieda is my absolute favorite! It doesn't leave a white residue like Psst does and has a fresh scent to take the dirty hair smell away. I've recommended it to several friends who have also fallen in love with the product.
I have also been using the Extra Hold Hairspray from the Luxurious Volume line and love it! I'm from the South, so teasing the hair is a must when going out or when you have flat, dirty hair. This works great and is much cheaper than any other salon brand I have used.
My hairstylist suggested dry texturizing spray (Oribe) which provides the same oil absorbing and smell good function as dry shampoo, its completely clear so it doesnt give you the weird powerdy look some dry shampoos do, and you can use it to give a little body or texture for the piecy look, depending on how much you use. I love it! Works on my oily/dry course blonde hair and my best friend's fine dark asian hair! highly recommend.
I've tried numerous brands of dry shampoo- psst (smell is ucky), tresemme (left it greasy and sticky), bumble and bumble (the cap broke the third time i used it!), aveda, yet I keep coming back again and again to Oscar Blandi pronto dry
https://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=3FGTZQJKBAKH4CV0KSIAX0Q?id=P254307&categoryId=C14100
I love love love the scent. I imagine that some will find it difficult to work with, especially those of us with dark hair. Here's what I do- I sprinkle power not on top of my head, but “hide” it underneath the top layers of grease. I massage it in, and let it sit while I put on my make up. Then I brush it out. A little goes a LONG way. I've bought the big bottle and use that to refill the travel friendly small bottle.
It must be said- johnson & johnson's baby power or corn starch will do the same 😉
I typically use Tresemme, but I absolutely love Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo… its the best I have tried and works great on my dark blonde hair. Smells good and doesn't weigh my hair down like Tresemme!
https://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P147414&categoryId=C17780&shouldPaginate=true
I second the Rene Furterer comment above. I have tried everything: Oscar Blandi, Tresemme, Ojon, and Bumble. Furterer is by far the best compared to all of others I have tried. It works for all colors and does not leave your hair with a weird smell or texture like so many others do. I've had a hard time finding it though lately. They used to carry at either Sephora or Blue Mercury in Georgetown, can't remember which, but neither had it in stock anymore so I'll have to go over to Blue Mercury 2 in Farragut. Spend the extra money because this is a great product. Since only certain Sephora and Blue Mercury stores carry it, you might want to save your self the trip by calling ahead.
I agree with prior poster on baby powder…it's $1 at Target for a travel size, and minus a little messiness, it's not too drying, pumps up your roots, and keeps greasiness at bay far longer than any dry shampoo I've ever tried. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have light brown/dirty blonde highlighted hair. Not sure if it would work for someone darker than me.
I use this and I do Bikram. Really, Bikram requires a real shower, shampooing and all! But regarding this stuff, I love it but you only need it at the roots, brushing it in. I have dark hair, so I have to be careful to brush it in to prevent the lighter colored spots! I actually love it to give more volume at my roots before styling too, fantastic stuff.