12 Best Dry Shampoos for Dark Hair That Will Save You Between Wash Days
Say goodbye to streaky residue.
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After going through a blonde phase in my early 20s, I decided it was time to enter back into my natural hair color hair era. I’ve been a brunette with extremely dark roots since I was born, but now it’s time to embrace it. Like most dry shampoo users with dark hair, I always run into the same problem: Using dry shampoos that leave a white cast over my scalp and it becomes impossible to brush out. Therefore, the only option is to wash my hair, which I was attempting to avoid.
No one has time to wash their hair every single night (nor is it good for your luscious locks), but if you are anything like me and have thick/coarse hair, it can be time consuming to dry it every single night. This is where dry shampoo becomes our best friend, but the challenge is finding one that works for your hair type.
The key factor is finding a dry shampoo for dark hair with ingredients that will benefit your hair. “I would look for Diatomaceous Earth. It is a mineral compound that absorbs impurities on the hair and scalp and gives hair subtle texture and grip. Vitamin E for strength and nourishment. Cranesbill which soothes and tones the scalp and has strengthening benefits,” says hair expert and CoFounder of Maverick House, Bobby Michael. “It all depends on your oil production but a good dry shampoo should last throughout the day. My favorite way to use dry shampoo is to apply before going to bed so the oils get absorbed while you sleep and then you wake up with less bedhead! Another great way is to apply dry shampoo directly after you blow dry so your blow dry stays fresh longer!”
Chances are you’ve tried more dry shampoos than you can count. We spoke to experts and reviewed customer feedback to find the 12 best dry shampoos for dark hair. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Pros
- Made for all hair types
- Comes in a travel size
- 100% Sustainable
Cons
- Hard to find locally
If you want a dry shampoo that will completely change your hair game, then you must have the R+ Co BLEU Radioactive Dry Shampoo in your beauty closet. “It’s my favorite dry shampoo of all time,” shares Michael. This dry shampoo instantly reboots your hair the second it touches your roots. The volume you will receive is simply unmatched and for those with dark hair, you will not find a stitch of white residue after using it.
R+ Co BLEU rating: 4.9/5 stars
A R+ Co BLEU reviewer said: “The smell is what hooks you, but the product also doesn’t leave a weird residue like most dry shampoo. Also great to add texture to clean hair!”
| Size | 6.5 Oz |
| Ingredients | Proprietary Complex, Fine-milled, absorbent powders, Shikakai strengthens hair, Cranesbill |
PHILIP B® Everyday Beautiful Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Absorbs scalp oils and neutralizes product build-up.
- Subscription optional
- Extends the life of blowouts
Cons
- Does not have the most sustainable packaging
If you have dark hair and an oily scalp, your roots might appear dirtier than they actually are. The PHILIP B® Everyday Beautiful Dry Shampoo is perfect for everyday use. It gives the hair a clean feeling without leaving residue. Not to mention, the scent of Sicilian neroli will help you feel luxurious after every use.
Nordstrom rating: 4.2/5 stars
A PHILIP B® reviewer said: "I have been using dry shampoo for a long time now and this one is the best I've ever used. I have very dark hair and it is always heavy with oil by midday - even when I wash it that morning. With Philip B, my scalp feels refreshed and I feel like my hair looks light and fluffy again. It's also not chalky white like other dry shampoos I've used.”
| Size | 8.8 FL Oz |
Moroccanoil Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
Pros
- Sold in multiple sizes
- Made for all hair types
- Made with Argan Oil & rice starch
Cons
- Has a strong scent
Introducing you to the holy grail of dry shampoo for dark hair. Moroccanoil must love their consumers because they did us a favor and created the Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones. This dry shampoo absorbs oil and odor from dark hair without leaving a chalky residue. How special would it feel to buy a product that was literally made with your needs in mind?
Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “This Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones has been a staple in my beauty closet for quite some time now. Transitioning from my blonde phase to my natural hair color, which is dark brown, has been super easy thanks to this dry shampoo. No more built-up residue!”- Tori Polizzotto, ELLE.com contributing editor
| Size | 5.4 Oz |
Living Proof Living Proof Perfect hair Day
Pros
- Made without sulfates
- Absorbs odor
- Color safe
Cons
- Sells out quickly
We all dream of having the most perfect hair day. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day dry shampoo will give you just that. It absorbs oils from the scalp and gives your hair the voluminous body you desire. Using a bit of this each morning will keep your hair looking fresh each day. For those of us who are always on the go, there’s no need to worry; there’s a travel size, too.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “Favorite dry shampoo to ever exist. I have used so many over the years and this one never lets me down. The smell is fresh without being powdery or overwhelming, and adds great texture for my day 2-3 hair.”
| Size | 2.4 oz |
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Made without aluminum
- Cruelty free
- Sold in multiple sizes
Cons
- Should be massaged into scalp to be activated
For those with thick dark hair, sometimes dry shampoo can cause buildup and weight down our hair. The Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo is magic in a bottle. Without hesitation, spraying this bad boy on your roots immediately adds volume so your hair looks straight out of a salon chair. We cannot recommend this dry shampoo enough.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “As someone who works out often but doesn’t want to wash my hair every day, this dry shampoo is a lifesaver. It is great to use in between washes to keep things fresh and looking less greasy. I love the scent, too!”
| Size | 5.3 oz |
KRISTIN ESS HAIR Style Reviving Brunette Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Oil absorbing + blow dry extending
- For all hair types
- Color + Keratin Safe
Cons
- May get on your hands
The KRISTIN ESS HAIR Style Reviving Brunette Dry Shampoo is great for anyone looking to spruce up their two day old hair and achieve style results. This dry shampoo contains a neutral brown tint that blends easily with darker hair colors. Therefore, there’s no need to walk around wondering if you got all that white residue out from your morning blowout.
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “After trying multiple dry shampoos, this is my favorite. The fragrance is pretty strong but smells great, like cologne. I have dark brown hair and don’t see any powder residue like I do with others. Affordable, too!”
| Size | 4 oz |
Verb Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
Pros
- Bilberry Extract: High in vitamin C
- Sustainable Packaging
- Cruelty Free
Cons
- Not sold locally
The Verb Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones has been a crowd favorite since it dropped. It gently cleanses hair, removes odors, and adds volume after your blowout. It is perfect for anyone with dark hair looking to add some body to their locks. Its key ingredient, pomegranate extract, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Ulta rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I have to say that this dry shampoo is amazing!!! I have had a hard time finding one that actually works and I can say that this one truly does! My hair tends to get greasy by the end of the same day I wash it, so you can imagine on day 3, I look like my hair is “wet” (disgusting, I know!)…but this instantly gets rid of the oily hair without leaving a heavy and gross feeling residue. You also don’t have to use a lot for it to work, even on extremely oily hair, which is fantastic. It is lightweight, adds volume, doesn’t have the residue or buildup look and feel, and is perfect for darker hair without transferring the color.”
| Size | 5 Fl Oz |
Fine & Oily Hair GRO Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Made in multiple sizes
- Up to 76% less shedding
- Up to 52% more density
Cons
- Must follow directions carefully to achieve results
The award-winning GRO Dry Shampoo is great for anyone seeking longer, denser, thicker, healthier hair. The formula keeps your hair clean and absorbs oils and odor. For anyone with dark hair, this dry shampoo will not leave a white cast over your scalp. We support a brand that puts its customers first.
Vegamour rating: 4.9/5 stars
Our expert says: “Dry shampoo is excellent on dark hair. Just remember dry shampoo is SUPPOSED to go on with a powder finish. You must brush through or emulsify with your hands to absorb the oils. The powder finish will go away as it absorbs the oils.”- Bobby Michael, CoFounder of Maverick House
| Size | 3.95 Oz |
Bondi Boost Bondi Boost HG Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Does not leave a white cast
- Great for everyday use
- Strengthens hair
Cons
- Strong Rosemary & bergamot fragrance
Bondi Boost is a brand that is known for nourishing. They did us a favor and developed a dry shampoo with rosemary oil, which nourishes the scalp and stimulates your hair follicles. For those of us on our healthy hair journey, this dry shampoo is a staple for longer, stronger, healthier-looking hair. You will love this weightless formula that aids in adding volume.
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “White residue rubs into the hair really easily and soaks up hair oils for days! I usually have to wash my hair every other day but with this i can go 5-6 days and my hair still looks great. The smell is pretty strong at first so i wasnt sure about it but it tones down quickly and I have gotten several compliments on the scent.”
| Size | 3.95 oz |
Klorane Klorane Dry Shampoo For Dark Hair
Pros
- Lifts hair from the roots
- Great for those with sensitive skin
- Made with Oat milk
Cons
- Must follow directions carefully to achieve results
The Klorane Dry Shampoo For Dark Hair is an Amazon favorite. It is formulated with oat milk and has a natural tint for all hair types and colors. This product eliminates odors and gently cleanses your hair from the roots. After just one use of this dry shampoo, your hair will instantly feel cleaner and have more volume.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Klorane dry shampoos are the best. They don’t leave a white cast on my dark brown hair. It seems to absorb more oil than other dry shampoos I’ve tried in the past and at the same time it gives my hair more volume, so it doubles as a root lift spray.”
| Size | 3.2 Oz |
Oribe Oribe Mini Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
Pros
- UV Protection
- Vegan
- Made for All Hair Types
Cons
- Nozzle may get stuck
Even if you have dark hair that’s never been dyed before, you still need UV protection when you go out into the sun to shield your locks from heat damage. The Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is formulated to protect your hair and scalp from the sun’s harmful rays. It is made for all hair types and has a natural finish, so there is no need to worry about a white cast.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “I love drying shampoo in general. It helps with reviving second day hair after wash day. I would totally recommend this product to people if they want to have the same thing that I do.”
| Size | 1.3 Oz |
Not Your Mother's Not Your Mother's Triple Threat Brunette Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Sold Locally
- Saves color between salon visits
- Paraben free
Cons
- Extremely Strong fragrance
Not Your Mother’s is a brand whose dry shampoo has been a fan favorite for quite some time. They have formulated a dry shampoo that caters to dark hair needs. This tinted dry shampoo instantly absorbs oils and leaves hair feeling like you just completed wash day, but sans water. This product also helps those with dark hair save their color between salon visits.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “This product is so easy to use. The product for Brunettes blends so well with my hair that I don’t worry about the my color growing out - just a few puffs of this product and all looks great again. I also use it after I have washed and dried my hair to get more body and if the hairdresser has made my hair so soft with conditioner that I cannot style it. Buy it; you will love it!”
| Size | 7 Oz |
Meet the expert
Bobby Michael, co-founder of Maverick House, is known for his artistry, technical mastery, and general goofiness. He is a highly sought-after colorist and stylist for the fashion and music industry, having worked with such notable commercial clients as Versace and Ana Sui. His work has been featured in ELLE, Vogue, Nylon, and Oyster Magazines as well as Mode and American Express Style.
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