If Aerosol Dry Shampoo Is Giving You the Ick, Here Are 8 Non-Aerosol Dry Shampoos That Professional Hairstylists Swear By

This powdered, non-aerosol dry shampoo by R+Co uses a combination of corn and tapioca starch, kaolin clay, and diatomaceous earth—a mineral compound that absorbs impurities on the hair and scalp and adds texture—to soak up oils and sweat from your strands. It’s a favorite of celebrity natural hairstylist and Brush with the Best founder, Felicia Leatherwood, whose client list includes Issa Rae, Ava DuVernay, and Skai Jackson. “It removes the oil so that I can create volume in their hair,” explains Leatherwood. She also uses it on actors who wear lace front wigs, as “it takes some of the shine away from their wigs leaving the hair looking more natural and realistic.”

“One of my favorite non aerosol dry shampoo is [this one by] Klorane,” shares Eric Williams, pro hairstylist who’s worked with Kate Hudson, Emma Corrin, and Iman. The loose powder formula uses corn and rice starch to deep clean hair and effectively absorb dirt, oils, and odor, plus oat milk to soothe and protect the hair and scalp. “I just apply [it] to the roots lightly, and I usually allow this to set for a few minutes then use a cool blow dryer to remove the product and refresh the hair,” Williams says. “The second way that I use this product is as a dry texturizer,” he explains. “After creating waves in the hair, I apply it throughout to give body and fullness.”

For those with really oily hair, this Briogeo dry shampoo uses detoxifying charcoal powder to draw out impurities from the hair and scalp, clay, tapioca, and rice starches to immediately refresh the look of hair, and witch hazel to help balance oil-production over time.

Celebrity stylist Chuck Amos, who’s worked with big names like Solange, Gigi Hadid, and so many more, is a big fan. “It lasts much longer too, so you don’t need to use it every day,” Amos says. “It also has biotin, which helps stimulate hair growth, so it’s not just a dry shampoo, it’s an actual scalp treatment, and that’s what I really really love about this product.” Amos recommends applying the dry shampoo directly to the roots, gently pressing it in, and using your fingertips to massage your scalp and evenly distribute the product.

Amos’ tip for that “slept-in” hair look? “Apply a bit of your favorite moisturizing cream to your hair, to separate the strands, then gently press out the dry shampoo powder from the middle to the ends of your hair—shake it around, scrunch, fluff, and you have that bedroom slept-in look!”

The R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo serves multiple functions in your hair care routine. Volcanic ash and zeolite (a Japanese neutralizing powder that absorbs oil) help cleanse the scalp of dirt and impurities, while coconut and argan oils moisturize and define hair for the perfect style.

“It is so versatile and can be used not only as a dry shampoo but a texture and volume paste for many different hairstyles,” says professional hairstylist Sarah Klein of Nine Zero One salon in Los Angeles. While the texture may take some getting used to, Klein says it’s easier to use than you’d think. “Take a dime-sized amount and rub it between your fingers until the paste breaks down and emulsifies into a more shiny substance,” she explains. “Start by rubbing it through scalp, then you can take the excess product and rub it throughout the ends of your hair to add fullness and texture.”

Los Angeles-based celebrity colorist, Ashleigh Marie, swears by the Act + Acre Plant Based Dry Shampoo. “I love that it’s formulated by a certified trichologist with the attention being not just on soaking up oil but keeping hair healthy and [the] scalp’s delicate microbiome balanced,” she says.

The non-aerosol dry shampoo is powered by organic rice and tapioca powder, along with 10 percent fulvic acid—a compound that delivers over 65 minerals straight to the scalp to pave the way for healthy growth. And application couldn’t be easier, according to Ashleigh. “It has a convenient pump you push to apply, [pump it] two inches from your part and rub it into the scalp to blend into the hair and it disappears,” she explains.

“My favorite non-aerosol dry shampoo is R+Co Spiritualized,” says NYC-based pro hairstylist Nicholas Taylor. “A lot of my clients prefer this dry shampoo over an aerosol one because, with Spiritualized, you can spray it in and then follow with your blow dryer and style,” Taylor explains. “No residue and nothing sticky.”

The watery micellar formula has a cleansing powder suspended inside that helps absorb dirt and oil, soothe the scalp, and refresh hair between washes—all without leaving a powdery, white residue behind. Just shake it up before misting. “I recommend this product to all my extension clients, and it’s also great for anyone with braids or a wig,” shares Taylor. “It leaves your scalp feeling refreshed and your hair clean and smelling amazing.”

This Rahua dry shampoo touts oil-absorbing, volumizing, and texturizing benefits, thanks to its ingredient power couple: clay and tapioca powder. It’s also a favorite of celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis, who’s worked with Aubrey Plaza, Noah Cyrus, and Tinx.

“Because it’s non-aerosol, you have a little bit more control over the amount that you can put in your hair,” Ellis says. The precise opening on the cap allows you to target specific areas without coating your entire head like you might with traditional aerosol dry shampoo. Ellis says he recommends the dry shampoo to clients who are used to washing their hair daily. “They can rotate shampoo in one night and use it the following night on rotation,” he says. Plus, it smells great thanks to the organic star anise that gives the powder a slightly spicy, earthy fragrance (and even has antimicrobial properties that help support scalp health, too.)

With its powerful blend of corn, clay, tapioca, and oat powders, Aveda’s best-selling Shampowder promises to make second-day hairstyles look just as good as they do after washing. Celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Gina Rivera, says it’s her go-to between washes (and she recommends washing 3x a week, no matter your hair type).

“I love that it’s naturally infused with plant powders and leaves the hair shiny,” Rivera says. “It also doesn’t weigh down the hair and it’s easy to shampoo out of the hair, too.” Because product build-up isn’t fun for anyone, Shampowder’s weightless texture is a huge game changer—especially if you have finer hair that tends to get bogged down when you use too much product. “It also gives the hair volume as well as the boost it needs without shampoo,” says Rivera. Sign us up!