Dry Hair Products 101
Make the Most Out of These Time-Saving Buys
Dry shampoos have been around in one form or another for ages, since the days of powdered wigs.
— Bronwen Melvin, senior stylist at Bumble and Bumble
The busier life becomes, the more we look for ways — and products — to shave time off our beauty routines. As a result, timesaving hair-care products like one-step cleansing conditioners and curl reactivators have emerged. To simplify things even further, many companies have created products specifically designed for application on dry hair, which offers even less of a time commitment.
Dry Shampoo
Time-saving hair products like dry shampoo are becoming popular because they can prolong a blow out, reduce styling time and hair damage and decrease water usage. “[Dry shampoo] is the exact example of how beauty doesn’t have to be time-consuming," said beauty expert Nicole Pearl, creator of TheBeautyGirl.com. "You can go to the salon weekly if you want to, but dry shampoo limits the frustration of getting and having good hair."
Despite the recent surge of dry shampoos in your favorite beauty supply stores, these shampoos have an unexpected historical precedent. "Dry shampoos have been around in one form or another for ages, since the days of powdered wigs," said Bronwen Melvin, a senior stylist at Bumble and Bumble.
It has become a hair-styling savior when you want to make your blowout last another day, wake up late or don’t want to shower in the cruddy gym. It cleans, refreshes and revives your hair in seconds without the need for any other tools. Simply spray it on your roots and massage it in so that the product can absorb oil, leaving your hair looking like it’s been freshly washed. The product is also great for "toning down" your hair if you accidentally overdid the hairspray or gel.
Melvin suggests that if you're using dry shampoo strictly for cleansing properties, to "brush it out after applying to complete the cleansing process; think of it as 'rinsing' your hair like you would after shampooing in the shower."
Some varieties of dry shampoo are colorless, making them perfect for all hair colors; others are tinted for specific hair hues. And, says Melvin, dry shampoo can benefit the hair's overall condition: "Dry shampoo can offer indirect benefits that can prevent damage. The dry cleansing properties extend the time between stylings. So this can mean less exposure to heat tools, which can damage hair."
Hair Spray & Waxes
Hair spray came along in the 1940s and has since gotten a bad rap due to sticky, stiff and unnatural-looking hold. But innovations in technology have removed the stigma, and now many hair-spray formulas offer flexible, natural holds that work great to smooth flyaways and keep an updo in place.
Hair spray, just like oil-based finishing products like waxes and pomades, works best when applied to dry hair, giving your style a smooth, last-all-day feeling. "Waxes are often applied with the most ease when hair is dry, and other finishing products may be so light that they could lose their effect if applied to damp hair before blow drying," Melvin said. Use these products right before you head out the door for maximum benefit.
Straighteners
Sleek, straight hair is always in style, and the industry has responded by making it easier than ever to achieve the look. Collectively called “straighteners,” these products shorten the time it takes to blow dry and flat iron wavy, curly, coarse and thick hair. They can be used initially after washing but also, and more conveniently, when the hair is dry.
The formulas can be found in a liquid, cream and serum base, but be sure to pick a formula for your hair type. Thicker, coarser hair can handle a cream or serum straightener; fine hair would do best with an aerosol formula, especially if you anticipate reapplying for touch-ups.
If you prefer to let your hair air dry before straightening, these products will quickly become a staple, especially if you frequently alter your look or want to extend your style. To freshen up, simply reapply a bit of the product before running the flat iron back through your strands.
Curl Reactivators
For those who love their curls and just don’t have the time to condition, scrunch and wait for their locks to dry every morning, try a curl reactivator, which can be used on dry hair to revive the curl pattern. It’s great if you smashed your curls while sleeping or if you don’t have time to wash your hair. These formulas usually come in a cream or liquid spray.
To apply the liquid spray, coat your hair so it’s slightly wet, but not drenched, and scrunch your hair as you normally would after applying a curl cream. If you opt for the cream formula, rub a dime-sized amount in your hands and apply to your hair while you scrunch. These products aren’t meant to replace a full shampoo and restyle, but they can certainly help in a pinch by cutting down on your routine.
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