7 Best Color-Safe Dry Shampoos For Women, According To An Expert – 2024
Protect your colored locks from pollution and damage with chemical-free dry shampoos.
Lindsay LooCosmetologist
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and love... more
shiboli chakrabortiMA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor,... more
aditi naskarMA (English Literature), Diploma In Health & Wellness
Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is ... more
anjali sayeeBTech
Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Looking for the best dry shampoo for colored hair? Your wait ends here. Dry shampoos come in powder form and are the most convenient things ever invented for the haircare range and they always make sure your hair looks perfect. Irrespective of whether you have light or dark-colored hair strands, once you color your hair, your hair will need double protection to keep it protected from external damage. While you make sure that your shampoo and conditioner are of prime quality, here is a list to make sure your dry shampoo is on the same level and keeps your hair color intact and makes it look shinier than ever.
In This Article
7 Best Color-Safe Dry Shampoos For Women
1. Best Overall: Onsensia O So Stylish Dry Shampoo
The Onsensia O So Stylish Dry Shampoo protects your hair color and thereby helps in preventing color fading. It also preserves the vividness of the blonde or dark hair color and reduces the chances of hair damage. It reduces frizz and soaks up the extra oil and dirt from the hair strands and scalp. It is enriched with an argan oil formula and other natural oils. This shampoo moisturizes, deodorizes, and resists humidity. It does not leave any white residue. This sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free dry shampoo leaves your hair feeling soft. The product is also free of mineral oil and petrolatum and is one of the best dry shampoos for color-treated hair. It is vegan too. Here is an informative video that tells you more about the product from the tester’s experience.
How To Apply: Shake the can well. Spray all over the hair to absorb the excess oil. Wait for a minute before you brush or run your fingers lightly through.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Vegan
- Anti-humidity
Cons
- Feels heavy on the hair
Quick Tip2. BestSulfate-Free: Pureology Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo
The Pureology Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo is a color-safe shampoo rich in dirt-absorbing rice starch. It provides excellent oil absorption without stripping color from the roots and adds to the hair texture. It helps you style your hair effortlessly. The shampoo has not been tested on animals and includes an anti-fade complex in its ingredients list, that protects the color vibrancy and helps in enhancing color radiance. This dry shampoo is 100% vegan and free of sulfates. It also contains antioxidants that offer protection against UVA/UVB rays, thus helping maintain hair health. It is ideal to revive the vibrant highlights on your hair. This dry shampoo for highlights even comes in a recyclable bottle. For more information about the product, click this video to get better insights from the reviewer’s experience of testing the product.
How To Apply: Spray the dry shampoo into the roots, focusing on the parting and crown of the head. Comb through the entire hair from the roots to tips for even absorption.
Key Ingredients: Rice starch
Pros
- Anti-fade complex
- UV protection
- 100% vegan
- Sulfate-free
- 100% recyclable bottle
Cons
- None
3. Best Hypoallergenic: Natural Formula Dry Shampoo
The Natural Formula Dry Shampoo absorbs dirt and oil and leaves your hair looking clean and fresh without leaving behind an ashy residue. It is formulated especially for dry or color-treated hair and helps in keeping the hair vibrant. This shampoo powder is enriched with Moroccan argan oil, which moisturizes hair and offers deep nourishment. It also gently cleanses colored hair and rejuvenates damaged tresses. This dry shampoo for root touch-ups is free of parabens, sodium chloride, SLS, salt, and talc. It also is hypoallergenic and cruelty-free. Check this video to learn more about the product and the reviewer’s experience.
How To Apply: Shake the can well and spray from a distance of 8 to 12 inches. Massage in well. Brush out the excess product and style.
Key Ingredients: Moroccan argan oil
Pros
- Talc-free
- Sodium chloride-free
- Paraben-free
- SLS-free
- Salt-free
- Cruelty-free
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
Pro Tip| Onsensia O So Stylish Dry Shampoo Best Overall | Pureology Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo BestSulfate-Free | Natural Formula Dry Shampoo Best Hypoallergenic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Dry | color treated hair | All, Straightened Hair, Keratin Treated Hair, Normal |
| Dimensions | - | 1.77 x 1.77 x 8.27 inches | 2 x 2 x 8.6 inches |
| Weight | - | 1.59 Ounces. | 6.24 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 864 | 1,044 | 178 |
| Price | $14.99 | $9.5 | $12.99 |
4. Best Fragrance: Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo
The Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo keeps your hair manageable between washes and comes at an affordable price. The dry cleansing spray is powered with Keralock technology and infused with keratin as the oil-absorbing ingredient, which helps extend the color longevity. The dry shampoo minimizes grease and adds body to the hair, keeping it clean till the next hair wash day. It extends blowouts and leaves your hair looking fresh and clean.
How To Apply: Shake well. Part and lift hair in sections to apply to the roots. Spray from 8 to 12 inches away. Massage well with fingertips till oil is absorbed. Brush through.
Key Ingredients: Keratin
Pros
- Adds volume
- Pleasant fragrance
- Reduces grease
- Reasonable priced
Cons
- None
5. Best Color-Safe: SexyHair Big Dry Shampoo
The SexyHair Big Dry Shampoo is a professional beauty product that provides excellent oil absorption and removes impurities from hair. It helps in adding volume to colored hair, refreshes, and leaves it ready to style in just minutes. It comes in a convenient spray form with a transparent, residue-free finish.
How To Apply: Shake the can well and hold it 8 inches away from the hair and scalp and spray. Leave it on for 2 minutes. Brush out the excess product to reveal refreshed, voluminous hair.
Key Ingredients: Tapioca starch
Pros
- Residue-free
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Overpowering scent
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 2,807 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
6. Best pH-Balanced: Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk
The Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk refreshes hair within minutes. Its organic oat milk soothes and protects the hair and maintains the scalp’s natural pH balance. It has an ultra-fine, powdery consistency that extends the life of blowouts and hair color.
This dry shampoo has proven efficacy and is subtle, non-messy, and blends easily to enhance hair texture. It does not leave any white residue or stains. It is clinically proven to increase volume when tested on 31 subjects under dermatologically controlled conditions. It is vegan, hypoallergenic, and free of parabens, sulfates, and chloride. Online reviews suggest that it does not cause an itchy scalp and is suitable for sensitive scalps as well.
How To Apply: Shake the bottle well and evenly spray over hair from a distance of 10 inches. Focus on the roots. Brush through after two minutes.
Key Ingredients: Oat milk, corn and rice starch, microspheres, silica
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Chloride-free
- Silicone-free
- Triclosan-free
- Vegan
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologically tested
- Suits sensitive scalp
Cons
- Unpleasant odor
7. Best Vegan: amika: Perk Up Dry Shampoo
The amika: Perk Up Dry Shampoo gives your hair a clean, conditioned look. It is especially suitable for balayage styled hair. This dry shampoo for light-colored hair prevents oxidation and cancels brassiness. It contains rice starch that volumizes hair and adds an oomph factor to it. It also contains fatty acids and antioxidants that keep hair moisturized. This dry shampoo is free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.
How To Apply: Shake the bottle well. Spray on to the desired area from a distance of 8 inches. Focus on the roots. Wait for 30 seconds. Massage well and brush through.
Key Ingredients: Rice starch
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- None
Infographic: A Quick Guide To Picking The Best Color-Safe Dry Shampoo
Color-safe dry shampoos can be your go-to for those in-between wash days for a fresh, grease-free look. These shampoos gently lift away oil and impurities without stripping away your chosen hue. Whether you sport bold reds, serene pastels, or natural browns, color-safe dry shampoos can keep your color radiant and your locks refreshed. Check the infographic below for some important things to remember while choosing the best color-safe dry shampoos.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Wet washing your hair seems impossible when you have tight schedules or live under extremely cold conditions. But, you cannot skip shampooing your hair completely. Well, dry shampoos to the rescue! Unlike regular shampoos, these powder shampoos are infused with starch that makes your hair appear voluminous, adding an oomph factor to your hair. In addition, the water-less formulas of these shampoos prevent the hair strands from getting damaged. Also, some dry shampoos can minimize frizz and eliminate the oil build-up on your scalp. Invest in shampoos free from harmful chemicals and strong fragrances. The Onsensia O So Stylish Dry Shampoo is a great choice for those who desire frizz-free, soft-to-touch locks, while the Pureology Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo is perfect for those who want to create incredible texture. However, if you are looking for a formula to add excellent volume to the the mane, try the Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk. All the products mentioned above are safe for color-treated hair be it red, blonde, brunette, black, pastel, ombre, balayage, or gray hair. Lindsay Loo, a cosmetologist says, “Dry shampoos are great for on-the-go days or those mornings that you just wanted to sleep in. Note while these options are a great addition to your beauty rituals, this does not replace actual shampooing. Overuse of dry shampoos can lead to hair loss and hair damage. Tip: When shampooing, exfoliate your scalp with a scalp-friendly wet brush to ensure you get all the product out. If you feel necessary, rinse and repeat.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dry shampoo safe for color-treated hair?
Dry shampoos often leave a chalky, white residue on the scalp. But there are dry shampoos specially formulated for color-treated hair that help keep your hair grease-free and give your hair a refreshed color-boost.
Can dry shampoos cause baldness?
Excess use of dry shampoos (daily or even multiple times in a day) could lead to product build-up and may cause hair breakage and loss.
How often should you wash colored hair?
You can wash colored hair two to three times a week.
Is using a dry shampoo better than washing your hair?
Dry shampoo is not a permanent alternative to washing hair. Dry shampoo is a good quick-fix when you are in a hurry and do not have the time to wash your hair. Excess use of dry shampoos can cause dandruff, hair breakage, and loss. Washing your hair is a necessity.
Can I use dry shampoo right after coloring?
Yes, dry shampoo does not damage newly-colored hair.
Why do salons wash your hair after coloring?
Salons shampoo your hair after coloring as this stops the processing of the product. Also, no matter how natural you are with your preferred color products, this is a form of a chemical that needs to be cleansed off.
Can I wash my hair with just water after dying it?
Yes, you can go here and there with just rinsing your hair with warm water. I would also recommend you exfoliate your scalp with a brush if just rinsing. However, shampooing is eventually going to need to happen to maintain healthy hair and a healthy scalp.
What happens if I leave the hair color on too long?
If you leave the hair color on too long, it may damage your hair and cause extra color deposition.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach and hair care enthusiast who loves reviewing different beauty products. She has carefully researched and reviewed many color-safe dry shampoos in this list and curated the final article for her readers. Shiboli believes that the shampoos chosen will nourish your hair, keep your hair color intact while protecting it from external damage.
