The best dry shampoo for older hair

There a lot of things I miss about the 1980s. Like the satisfaction of literally being able to hang up the phone on someone. Or a joyful existence free from WhatsApp groups. And the frisson of excitement when the mail arrived containing handwritten letters, before handwriting became the exclusive preserve of people who leave passive-aggressive notes on car windscreens.

But before I get too overwhelmed with misty-eyed nostalgia, let’s also acknowledge the things I won’t miss about that decade. Like that boyfriend of mine who wore acid-washed denim, the mystifying popularity of the word ‘plonker’, or the horror of 1980s dry shampoo.

Dry shampoo was a terrifyingly basic affair back in our day. Mainly because its primary ingredient was chalky white talc – which is probably why it generally left me looking like, at best, Ludwig van Beethoven, at worst, Albert Einstein.

The best dry shampoo for older hair

Thankfully, the modern stuff is a far more sophisticated affair, offering benefits way beyond just masking greasy roots. A good dry shampoo can add instant volume as well as help soothe a dry scalp and restore freshness.

And crucially, the best ones will leave your hair smelling simply divine.

1. Batiste Dry Shampoo Original

RRP: £3.40

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If you’re looking for a reliable classic with a legion of global fans and haircare awards, you can’t go wrong with this. A quick spray of this stuff over my three-day-old roots instantly eliminated grease and breathed new life into my hair, giving it a burst of body and volume.

And providing you shake the can before use, it’s also fairly light on Einstein residue.

Bonus points for the gorgeously zingy citrus fragrance. 

2. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

RRP: £19.99

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This dry shampoo regularly gets five-star raves. One friend calls it ‘the lazy woman’s best friend’, which had me sold. Packed with vitamin-laden sea buckthorn to nourish the scalp, this one is so lightweight it feels almost invisible.

But once you massage it into your roots, it starts getting to work eradicating grease and adding impressive volume and texture. And the warm, vanilla scent is one big chef’s kiss. 

3. Olaplex N0 4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo

RRP: £15

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My hairdresser regularly begs me to use Olaplex products. Nope, he’s not on commission, this brand is just the absolute world leader when it comes to improving hair health.

So it’s no surprise to discover that this dry shampoo is frankly next level. Formulated with rice starch to absorb excess oil, this miracle stuff delivers glossy, bouncy and fabulously clean results.

While not the cheapest, it happens to be one of the best. 

4. Monday Original Dry Shampoo

RRP: £3

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Monday’s affordable shampoos are known for their lightweight formulas, making them ideal for frequent hair washing. The brand has also won a lot of fans with its dry shampoo. Formulated with hair-nourishing keratin, this left my hair feeling impressively revitalised in between washes and I fell hard for the subtle floral fragrance and adorable pink packaging.

Definitely one that benefits from a brush through afterwards to remove traces of powder. 

5. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo

RRP: £27

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It promises the ultimate dry shampoo experience and that’s probably because does a lot more than just mask oily roots. This stuff delivers results comparable to an actual wet shampoo, due to its mighty sweat and odour absorbing powers and advanced conditioning agents.

If you want to mimic the look and feel of freshly washed hair with a few spritzes from a can, this one is totally worth the splurge. 

So, enjoy extending your days between shampoos with your new secret best friend in a can. And best of all? You won’t end up looking remotely like the man who gave us the theory of relativity.