Dry Shampoo Review: My Favorite Picks (and What I’d Skip)

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Like many things in the beauty world… not all dry shampoos are created equal.

I’ve used my fair share of dry shampoos over the years — some I’ve loved, some I genuinely wish I never touched, and then there are the ones I would absolutely buy again (and keep stocked under my bathroom cabinet at all times).

Dry shampoo is one of those products that can either make you feel like you just left the salon… or make your hair feel chalky, sticky, heavy, or like it has more buildup than it did before you sprayed anything.

So let’s cut to the chase. Here are my honest dry shampoo thoughts — including my salon favorites, what’s overrated, and the one product that’s been living rent-free in my head lately…

Quick Picks (If You Don’t Want to Read the Whole Post)

Amika Dry Shampoo: Perk Up vs Perk Up Plus vs Perk Up Ultra

Amika has a few different dry shampoo options that truly work — but the key is choosing the right one depending on what you want your hair to feel like after.

Because some people want clean + light… and others want volume, grit, and texture for days.

Why they work: Amika dry shampoos use oil-absorbing starches to refresh the scalp without water. The difference between the formulas comes down to strength and texture—from light refresh to stronger oil control.

Here’s the breakdown:

1) Amika Perk Up (Original)

Best for: everyday use, light refresh, normal to oily hair
This one is the most “universal” and beginner-friendly. It refreshes your roots, gives your hair life again, and doesn’t leave you feeling like you sprayed half a can of product into your scalp.

✅ Light + airy
✅ Great for day 2 hair
✅ Doesn’t feel heavy
✅ Good everyday option

👉 Shop Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

2) Amika Perk Up Plus

Best for: oily roots, stronger oil control
This is the one for the girls who can literally wash their hair in the morning and by nighttime they’re already getting greasy. It absorbs oil better than the original and gives a more matte finish.

✅ Stronger oil absorption
✅ Great for very oily scalps
✅ Adds grip without feeling gross

👉 Shop Amika Perk Up Plus Dry Shampoo

3) Amika Perk Up Ultra

Best for: extended days between washes, thicker hair, max refresh
Ultra is the strongest of the three. It’s for when you want your hair to look the most “washed” and you need it to last the longest.

But here’s the thing: it also gives the most texture. Some people love that. Some people hate that. So just know what you’re going for.

✅ Strongest oil control
✅ Best longevity
✅ Most “texture/grip” of the Amika line

👉 Shop Amika Perk Up Ultra Dry Shampoo

Easy way to remember it:

  • Perk Up = light + everyday
  • Perk Up Plus = strong oil control
  • Perk Up Ultra = strongest + most texture

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo (Light Tones vs Dark Tones)

Moroccanoil also has an AMAZING dry shampoo, and one of my favorite things about theirs is you can choose:

  • Light Tones
  • Dark Tones

That is a BIG deal because if you have dark hair, you already know the struggle — you spray dry shampoo and suddenly it looks like your scalp is auditioning for a powdered wig era 🥴

Moroccanoil’s dark tones option helps you avoid that “white residue” look, so it’s much more forgiving on brunettes.

Quick note: The Dark Tones version can still look a little white at first (dry shampoo is still a powder), but once you massage + brush it through, it blends much better into darker hair.

✅ Smells amazing (classic Moroccanoil scent)
✅ Comes in Light and Dark tones
✅ Great for brunettes who hate white powder
✅ Salon-quality feel

Why it works: Moroccanoil dry shampoos are designed to absorb oil while keeping hair soft, and the Dark Tones option includes subtle pigments to help blend more seamlessly into darker hair once brushed through.

👉 Shop Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo (Light Tones)
👉 Shop Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo (Dark Tones)

Sexy Hair Big Dry Shampoo (OG… but Not for Everyone)

Okay so Sexy Hair Big Dry Shampoo is one of the OGs in the dry shampoo world, and I’ve definitely used it a ton in the past.

But I’ll be honest…

In my opinion, it gives too much texture.

Like yes, it refreshes… but it can also make your hair feel like you put a lot of product in it. And the whole point of dry shampoo is to make your hair feel cleaner, not heavier.

Now don’t get me wrong — I’ve had clients that SWEAR by this one, and if you love volume and grit, you might love it too. But it is absolutely not an “everybody” dry shampoo.

Why it works for some people: This dry shampoo is designed to add volume and grip, which can be great for those who prefer more texture and lift rather than a freshly washed feel.

✅ Great for volume lovers
✅ Adds major texture
❌ Can feel heavy/product-y
❌ Not my personal favorite for a clean feel

👉 Shop Sexy Hair Big Dry Shampoo

My Favorite Dry Shampoo of ALL Time: K18 AirWash (Chef’s Kiss 🤌🏼)

Now let’s talk about the one that everybody has been raving about…

K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo.

This one is so different from traditional dry shampoos — because it’s non-aerosol. It’s a pump, and it honestly feels wet going on… but in a good way.

Why it’s different: K18 AirWash uses a non-aerosol formula with oil-absorbing microbeads that refresh hair without leaving powdery residue, and it’s designed to neutralize odor rather than just mask it.

And what makes it amazing is:
✅ It doesn’t disturb your hairstyle
✅ Dries quickly. Even though its wet you don’t have to blow dry it
✅ You literally spray it on, brush it through, fluff, and go
✅ No gritty buildup
✅ No powdery residue
✅ Absorbs oil + leaves the perfect amount of texture

This is the one dry shampoo that makes your hair feel refreshed without feeling like you just layered a bunch of product onto dirty hair.

It’s truly the chef’s kiss 🤌🏼 of dry shampoos.

If you’ve been searching for that “perfect one” and nothing is working… look no further.

👉 Shop K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo

How to Use Dry Shampoo Properly (So It Actually Works)

Most people use dry shampoo wrong, so here’s my quick tip as a stylist:

  1. Lift the sections you want sprayed and spray underneath at the roots (not directly on your part). Work section by section through your hair — you don’t have to go crazy… maybe 5–6 sections depending on how dirty your hair actually is. (No judgement, we’ve all been there 😉)
  2. Let it sit for 30–60 seconds (don’t touch it yet!)
  3. Massage the scalp
  4. Brush through
  5. Style as usual

That waiting step makes a BIG difference.

Final Thoughts

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that not all dry shampoos are worth it. Some feel heavy, leave buildup, or make your hair feel worse than it did before. The ones I shared above are the ones I’d actually repurchase and keep in my cabinet because they truly work.

That said… if you want the best dry shampoo experience possible, K18 AirWash is truly in its own category.

If you’re someone who wants:

  • freshness without buildup
  • clean roots without residue
  • the perfect amount of texture
    then K18 is absolutely worth trying.

Have you tried others that are your go to? Let me know! There are so many out there, I’d love to hear your thoughts.