Give Your Hair a (Smell) Refresh with The Best-Smelling Dry Shampoos Money Can Buy

If you, like me, are a member of the “once weekly wash club,” I don’t have to tell you that dirty hair has a very particular smell. After day three, my scalp starts to reek (to put it mildly), and I’m genuinely embarrassed to let anyone get too close. Thankfully, for the people who have to be within three feet of me on days four through seven, there are plenty of best-smelling dry shampoo options on the market that not only help to clear away grease and grime, but also replace your scalp stank with something far more pleasant.

After a few days without washing, natural oils start to build up on your scalp, which is where that greasy smell comes from in the first place. Dry shampoo works by using starches and powders to absorb those oils, allowing you to cleanse them away without having to step into the shower for a full-blown lather and rinse. The best way to use it, according to pros, is to hold the can 8 to 10 inches away from your scalp, spritz on some product, then brush it through your strands. For the same result, you can also spray the product directly onto your brush and comb it through that way. In either scenario, you’ll be able to lift the gunk off of your hair. And when you use a perfume-inspired product, like the three listed below, you’ll leave it smelling so good that it will trick people into getting as close to your dirty scalp as you let them. Keep scrolling for our picks for the best-smelling dry shampoos to get the job done.

Shop best-smelling dry shampoo

1. Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Dry Shampoo Mini, $14

Considering the roller-ball version of this fragrance has been one of my purse staples for years, it’s only right that the dry shampoo has also now earned a permanent spot in my beauty routine. It combines musk with fresh florals, like lily of the valley, peonies, and vanilla for a scent reminiscent of springtime in Paris.

2. Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, $23

This dry shampoo smells so luxuriously delicious that I often find myself spritzing it on clean hair, solely for the sake of enjoying the scent trail it leaves behind. It’s lighter than air and adds volume without any extra weight, which is what makes it as great for day one as it is for day seven.

3. Detox Coconut Colada Dry Shampoo, $23

Take your scalp on a mini-vacation with this coconut-scented dry shampoo, which mentally transport you to a moment of drinking piña coladas on a tropical beach. It’s formulated with microfine rice powders, which become translucent as they absorb excess oils from your hair, which means you’ll never be left with any sort of white cast on your crown.

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