12 Best Dry Conditioners In 2021 For Smooth And Silky Hair
Imagine that you’ve just returned from a Zumba class and need to take a Zoom work call right away, or you have to attend a party right after work. It sounds like a sticky situation, doesn’t it? Your hair needs to be refreshed, but you don’t have time for a shower. What can you do then? Reach for that bottle of dry conditioner, of course. Just a few spritzes of a dry conditioner followed by a quick combing session, and you are good to go.
Dry conditioners boost hydration and work like magic on frizzy and tangled hair without having to wash it. Choosing the right dry conditioner for your hair might be challenging, but why worry when we have compiled a list of the 12 best dry conditioners of 2021 for every hair type. Pick one of these and get hooked to it instantly.
In This Article
12 Best Dry Conditioners For Hair That Shines From A Mile Away
1. Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner
This dry conditioner detangles, softens, and smooths hair between washes and instantly eliminates static. Its key ingredient, Provitamin B5 helps promote and restore your hair’s bounce-back ability and reduces damages and split ends. It is free of sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride, and artificial colors, making it a safe choice for color and keratin-treated hair. The conditioner is also infused with sea buckthorn extracts, which is high in fatty acids and vitamin E and promotes scalp health.
Pros
- Detangles hair
- Anti-static
- Non-sticky
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Some may feel that it isn’t quite softening.
2. CHI Dry Conditioner
The silk and ceramic elements in this dry conditioner protect your hair from the heat. It’s a waterless formula that adds shine and smoothness to your dry locks. The bottle comes with a sliding lock over the nozzle to prevent leakage. It contains vitamin A and sunflower seed oil to promote overall scalp health. If you like to straighten or curl your hair using hot tools like curling wands and blow dryers, you can rest assured that this dry conditioner can also be used as a heat-protectant spray.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Waterless formula
- Lockable nozzle
Cons
- Some may find the fragrance overwhelming.
3. Drybar Detox Dry Conditioner
Like traditional conditioners, the Drybar Detox Dry Conditioner hydrates your locks while detangling stubborn knots. Infused with the goodness of argan oil, mango butter, and Tiare flower extracts, the conditioner rejuvenates dry ends, engulfs each strand to nourish it, and adds a healthy dose of shine to your hair. This product is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates and is not tested on animals. The best part is that it’s ideal for all hair types.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Lightweight
- Cruelty-free
- Hydrating properties
Cons
- Some users felt that it made their hair feel slightly stiff after a day.
4. Eva NYC Forget Me Knot Dry Conditioner
This conditioner adds the perfect amount of moisture and shine without weighing your hair down. With this conditioner by your side, you don’t need to wash your hair to make it tangle-free. It cuts brushing time by half as it reduces frizz by softening the cuticles and gets rid of static. It is enriched with ingredients such as vitamins B5 and C, along with fatty acids to help strengthen and repair your hair while making them soft and shiny. It is also suitable for color and keratin-treated hair.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Pleasant fragrance
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- No parabens
Cons
- It contains sulfates.
5. CAKE Beauty The Locks Smith Dry Styling, Hydrating Dry Conditioner Spray
This conditioner is enriched with argan oil, coconut, and Crambe seed oil to make your hair smooth and voluminous. Hair-loving ingredients like calendula, chamomile, and shea butter are also added to this conditioner to make your hair healthy and happy. These natural ingredients instantly help polish your hair, leaving it shiny and glossy. It can transform stubborn knots without the usage of harsh chemicals. This feather-light formula is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.
Pros
- Anti-frizz
- Conditions the hair
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Some may find the smell too pungent.
6. Kardashian Beauty Take 2 Dry Conditioner
With this conditioner, you can take a break from your blow dryer or flat iron. Formulated with black seed oil, the conditioner adds an instant shine to your hair with just a few spritzes. Ideal for daily use, this lightweight conditioning spray adds a new lease of life to dull and damaged hair that looks lifeless. It contains tiny conditioning molecules, which actively work towards hydrating your locks and strengthening them from the roots.
Pros
- Ideal for daily use
- Hydrating
- Lightweight
- Formulated with black seed oil
Cons
- Some may find it slightly greasy.
7. TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Conditioner
As the tagline says, “Tame Hair Gone Wild”, this conditioner tames the wildest of locks with ease. It’s a non-greasy formula that leaves your hair feeling silky and smooth. It hydrates your hair to make it soft, frizz-free, and helps retain moisture to nourish dry ends. If you’re looking to add glamour to your hair, you can trust this conditioner to instantly make your hair shine from a mile away.
Pros
- Suitable for oily hair
- Adds shine
- Non-greasy
- Hydrating
Cons
- It may not be suitable for dry hair.
8. Oribe Soft Dry Conditioner Spray
If you don’t like to wash your hair every day, you should consider this conditioning spray. It is a weightless spray that makes your hair smooth and lends a natural shine. It takes away all the frizz and combats humidity. Formulated with its signature complex (watermelon, lychee, and Edelweiss flower extracts), the spray protects your hair from harmful colors and environmental aggressors.
Pros
- Microemulsion smoothing system
- Polymer complex
- Infused with antioxidants
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Slightly expensive
9. Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner
Formulated with argan oil, this dry conditioner makes your hair soft, shiny, smooth, and healthy. It is effective in reinvigorating your locks, days after a blowout. The conditioner softens and conditions the hair while protecting the cuticles from damage. Moreover, it is free from parabens and mineral oils. So, if you’re tired of finding the perfect conditioner to fight dull, dry, and frizzy hair, you can bank on this conditioner.
Pros
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- Anti-frizz
- Hydrating properties
Cons
- It contains sulfates.
10. Blowpro Essentials Faux Dry Conditioner
This dry conditioner packs a lovely fragrance along with some incredible qualities. It leaves your hair feeling fresh, soft, and shiny. A lightweight formula containing hydrolyzed wheat protein, it doesn’t weigh your hair down. With this conditioner by your side, you can skip washing your hair for a few days as it absorbs your scalp’s natural oils like a pro.
Pros
- Compact
- Lightwright
- Non-greasy
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Some felt that it leaves a chalky trail.
11. Suave Professionals Dry Conditioner
This double-bonanza can be your hair’s savior as a little product goes a long way in fighting frizz, enhancing shine, and keeping your tresses fresh between washes. It contains shea butter and sunflower seed extracts, which naturally condition your hair for a renewed shine. Suave Professionals Dry Conditioner is lightweight, packs a pleasant scent, and doesn’t leave your hair greasy.
Pros
- Adds shine to the hair
- Pack of 2
- Ideal for dry hair
- Keeps the hair soft
Cons
- It may not be best suited for extremely sensitive scalps.
12. Kevin Murphy Young Again Dry Conditioner
This conditioner not only hydrates your locks, but it also moisturises and conditions them. Enriched with ingredients such as Vitamin B5 and Immortelle (their signature ingredient), it seeps into the hair, making it easier to comb and style it. If you’re looking for ways to bring your limp and dry hair back to life, a few spritizes of this conditioner can do that for you to manage your hair comfortably without it feeling greasy or sticky.
Pros
- Contains vitamin B5
- Nourishing properties
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
Cons
- Slightly expensive.
Now that we’ve taken a look at the 12 best dry conditioners in 2021 for beautiful and silky hair, here are a few things you should keep in mind before buying one.
How To Pick A Dry Conditioner According To Your Hair Type
- If you have fine or limp hair, opt for a conditioner that volumizes your hair.
- If you have wavy hair, look for something that is lightweight and won’t weigh your hair down.
- For those with curly hair, a hydrating and nourishing conditioner is the best choice.
- If you like to color your hair frequently, always look for a color-safe conditioner.
- For those you like to style their hair using curling wands and hair straighteners, a conditioner that doubles as a heat-protectant spray is the ideal choice.
How To Use A Dry Conditioner
Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
Step 1: Settle on a dry conditioner that is well-suited for your hair type.
Step 2: Hold the spray 6 inches away from the centre of your head.
Step 3: Start spraying starting from the centre.
Step 4: Use your fingers to spread the conditioner evenly.
Step 5: Repeat step 3 and 4 in other parts of your head.
Note: Avoid spraying your scalp.
Dry and frizzy hair can make you lose your confidence, but from this list of the best dry hair conditioners, you can opt for your hair mate and fight this problem with ease. Dry conditioners not only help make your hair look smooth, but they also hydrate, detangle, and defrizz, while making your hair look flawless and gorgeous. So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands one one these dry conditioners right away!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dry conditioner good for your hair?
Dry conditioners help retain moisture and detangle dry, frizzy hair. They also keep the hair hydrated and boosts shine, while adding volume..
Is a dry conditioner the same as a leave-in conditioner?
A dry conditioner is a dry formula in a spray form, while a leave-in conditioner is a liquid formula.
