Dry shampoo is a warm weather staple, a must-have if you travel, and a lifesaver in all the worst hair situations.

Ever since I wrote How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?, I’ve received tons of emails and some comments wanting dry shampoo recommendations. Over the past few months, I’ve been on a quest to test them all out, and have finally decided on my top 5 favorite dry shampoos ever.

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What is dry shampoo?

For those of you who don’t know, dry shampoo is a powder, usually in a spray can, that absorbs oil in your hair and leaves a fresh scent. It gets rid of greasy “second day” hair, adds volume, and makes hair look and smell fresh and clean, minus the need for water.

Why use dry shampoo?

There are a so many reasons why dry shampoo is amazing.

First of all, if you’re blonde, it’s the best for getting rid of greasy hair and even lightening up your roots! (This is personally why I’m obsessed with it.)

Second, it’s perfect if you have damaged hair that you don’t want to shampoo every day. Daily shampooing, blow drying, and styling can stress your hair even more, causing extra damage and breakage. By shampooing only 3-4 times a week and using dry shampoo in between washings, your hair will be less damaged and prone to breakage.

Third, it’s perfect if you travel or just wake up late and need to get ready fast. A quick spray and your hair will be good to go, no shower necessary.

The Top 5 Best Dry Shampoos

Cheapest Option: Batiste Dry Shampoo

Don’t let the old school packaging fool you – this stuff is as good now as it probably was in the ’80s when they designed the label. Batiste Dry Shampoo comes in a bunch of scents, but I only tried Original and “Blush”. Original smells clean, lemony, and a little bit chemically, but once it’s on your hair the scent disappears. Blush smells powdery and floral, but not too overpowering. At only $5.99/can (and available to buy in bulk on Amazon!), Batiste is a budget-friendly dry shampoo that works well.