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Dry cleaning

Sometimes a post-workout hair wash and blow dry is just not in the cards. Here, the best powder alternatives.

In the locker room, it’s all about efficiency. Given that the number one time offender is the hair wash and blow dry, may we suggest simply removing it from the equation? Enter the dry shampoo. “It’s perfect for women who work out in the middle of the day,” says stylist Eluit Rivera, owner of Eluit Salon in New York City. “A dry shampoo cuts all the grease from hair and, in most cases, even adds a nice scent. It also prevents over washing, which most women do.”

Whether you use an actual hair powder or a spray, the key is choosing one with a light consistency. “You should apply it mostly on the crown of the head and around the hairline,” suggests Rivera. Leave it on for two minutes, brush your hair (which dissolves the powder), then style as usual. A gust from the blow dryer can help, giving you a little extra shine and volume.

A few words of caution: Try not to use dry shampoos more than twice per week. “Your hair can start to look dull from all the build up,” says Rivera. And if you have a dry scalp or very coarse hair (which also tends to be dry), avoid them altogether. The residue from a dry shampoo can be a moisture inhibitor.

Here, some of the best H20-free options:

cake satin sugar sweet fuss-free volumizing dry shampoo

Your hair will go from flat to full with Cake’s delicious vanilla powder. The lightweight formulation is easy to apply—you just need a spritz or two— and disappears instantly so no combing or brushing is necessary. Zeolites (oil absorbing minerals) and silica are the magic ingredients that effectively rid hair of dirt and oil, while giving it that much needed lift.
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rené furterer naturia

A pioneer in the dry shampoo category, René Furterer Naturia remains a beloved brand by stylists for its oil-absorbing prowess and ability to volumize. Limp, fine hair looks fuller after a few sprays of this powdery mist formulated with silica powders, rice starch and essential oils, which give it a fresh earthy scent.
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klorane gentle dry shampoo with oat milk

Gwyneth Paltrow and Diane Kruger are fans of this styling multi-tasker. You get a grease buster, volume booster and texturizer that won't leave a trace of residue all in one product. It also extends the life of blowouts.
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oscar blandi pronto invisible volumizing dry shampoo

Extra-fine starches in Oscar Blandi’s version soak up excess oil so it doesn’t weigh hair down. The cooling ultralight spray goes on clear, making it especially good for dark hair. Just give it a few seconds to dry before working it into your scalp.
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lulu organics lavender + clary sage hair powder

With its soothing mix of natural ingredients (organic corn starch, rice powder, white clay, and pure essential oils), this sweet-smelling powder absorbs volume-killing oil and helps you achieve the look of just-washed hair. A little goes a long way: Sprinkle a quarter-sized amount into your palm, rub hands together, and apply a thin coat to your scalp.
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blowpro faux dry shampoo

BlowPro’s water-free cleanser gives you a precision-perfect application. A squeeze-tube bottle makes it easy to aim the shampoos fine particles at the roots without causing a messy cloud of powder. Bonus: zero residue and a baby-soft scent.
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bumble and bumble hair powders

If you want to add a hint of tint to you hair, try one of Bumble and Bumble’s personalized powders that come in shades for blondes, brunettes, and redheads. As it dries up oil and refreshes hair, it also deposits a hit of color — perfect for camouflaging roots.
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