Since entering some stage of womanhood, I’ve endured turmoil attempting to find the best beauty products. My beauty routine is quite simple: a few skincare steps, simple makeup, and light hair care. But like any other person, I’m compelled to find what the creme-de-la-creme is. And that’s especially true of hair. The burning question is: what’s the best dry shampoo? 

Women want two things from a dry shampoo: oil evaporating from their hair, and volume, volume, volume. It’s a simple hair product so it wouldn’t be that hard to tune to these needs, right? Think twice.

For most, the drugstore is the gateway into the beauty world. Think the opposite of those Sephora kids buying Drunk Elephant. My first dry shampoo was Not Your Mother’s brand (it sucked). I moved onto OGX–it worked great and was unbelievably affordable. It was then recalled, launching my tumultuous search for the best dry shampoo. I learned one thing: the drugstore might not cut it. 

More expensive products are an investment; there’s an obvious quality distinction. “I do favor high-end hair care products. I’ve just started using higher-end products about 6 months ago and I’ve noticed a big difference in how my hair feels,” senior Lilly Pogorzelski said.

Okay so…what is the best dry shampoo? One of my personal favorites is IGK’s First Class Charcoal Detox. A little goes a long way with this one. By far, this is the most oil absorbent dry shampoo I’ve used. 

Recently, I’ve started using Amika Perk Up. This Allure approved product gives the hair an unmatched lightness. There’s no heaviness and residue feel. Although there’s not much of a volume difference between these two dry shampoos, they earn my stamp of approval as the most voluminous. IGK is definitely something you’d use if you’ve gone a few days without a hair wash, while Amika is great for everyday use. 

Pogorzelski has colored her hair for years, resulting in a dry hair type. “I think the best dry shampoo I’ve purchased was Dry Bar’s dry shampoo. It smelt very good and it made my hair very volumized and less oily.” Dry Bar is available at Ulta and Sephora. 

For all those with thin hair, creating density is a consuming goal. Senior Ayanna Lapointe can relate. “My favorite dry shampoo I’ve ever purchased is the Amika Perk Up dry shampoo. I like how much volume it gives my hair and it smells really good.” Amika is available at Ulta and Sephora.

But what about curly haired girls? Senior Hana Awad has natural curls but straightens her hair often. She says that while it’s straightened, oil buildup is a concern. “The best dry shampoos I have purchased are the Amika Perk Up dry shampoo and the TRESemmé Volume Clean. They both smell great and make my hair fluffy and thick.” TRESemmé is available in drugstores, Target, and Walmart.

Going higher-end doesn’t halt the search for the best products. It’s definitely a gamble but that’s why you do your research. Know your hair type and Google! And look at Allure’s Best of the Best. Their stamp of approval never lies.