7 Dry Shampoos for Fine Hair That Instantly Volumize and Refresh

ProsStarts working to moment you begin to sweatSmells amazing ConsWhile it keeps hair fresh, it doesn't provide much liftNever choose between your workout or maintaining your blowout ever again when you have this revolutionary dry shampoo in your gym bag. Spritz before you start sweating—yes, you read that right—and as soon as you start to perspire this revs into action. It seamlessly absorbs sweat and oil on contact while also keeping hair smelling fresh thanks to micro-fragrance capsules that continuously release a pear-and-apple-forward scent.One Cosmo editor says: “Because my hair is so fine, any and all sweat will immediately drench my hair, deeming it entirely unstylable. A lot of dry shampoos just mask the sweat in my hair, especially after a hot yoga class. But Batiste's Sweat Activated Dry Shampoo is the perfect companion for my gym bag, I spray it onto my roots before sweating, then after class all I need is a quick refresh and a blow dryer, and my hair is voluminous and dry.” — BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITORFeatures at a glanceTypeAerosol Size5.71 and 3.81 oz.Key ingredientsButane, rice starchProsIncluded brush makes for effortless application Leaves hair and scalp feeling so refreshedConsTakes more time to apply than a spray formulaNot for those looking to add texture to hairWhen my friend texted me about her new ~holy grail~ dry shampoo, I initially balked at the price. $42? For dry shampoo?? But as it turns out, the Crown Affair Dry Shampoo really is that girl. What makes this one so different (aside from the refillable design and included kabuki brush for targeted application) is the scalp-loving formula, which includes tsubaki oil for lightweight hydration, gluconolactone for gentle exfoliation, and tannic acid for deodorization, all while a tapioca and rice starch blend works to soak up scalp grease.One Cosmo editor says: “I struggled to extend time between wash days until I discovered this dry shampoo. It absorbs oil without making my hair stringy and is housed in a chic refillable jar alongside a soft brush for precise application.” — JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITORFeatures at a glanceTypePowderSize1.1 and 0.42 oz.Key ingredientsPersimmon-derived tannic acid, tsubaki seed oil, tapioca starchAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCalms the scalp and doesn't contribute to product buildupPowder format is travel-friendlyConsNot the best at providing liftThe most annoying part of dry shampoos? Many of them lead to product buildup that can irritate your scalp. That’s not the case with Jupiter’s Day 2 Dry Shampoo. Along with, you know, sopping up oil and sweat, and making hair look freshly shampooed, this weightless powder was designed to rebalance the scalp microbiome and quell any irritation with ashwagandha and hyaluronic acid.One Cosmo editor says: “I travel multiple times a month, and I never packed dry shampoo (even though I desperately needed it) because I couldn’t find a TSA-friendly one. Well, this powder formula changed everything. TSA can’t confiscate it, but I bet they want to because my hair stays fresh and voluminous no matter where I am in the world.” — MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITORFeatures at a glanceTypePowderSize1 oz.Key ingredientsPostbiotics, hyaluronic acid, ashwagandha ProsLeaves zero chalky white cast,Actually makes hair look (and feel!) freshly washedConsNot the best choice for boosting volumeThis unique formula from K18 (which is a non-aerosol mist) will have your day-three hair feeling cleaner than just about any dry shampoo on the market, all with the help of oil-absorbing microbeads and ingredients that actually improve scalp health rather than just gunking it up. As Assistant Beauty Editor Jasmine Hyman says, "One application kept my hair looking and (smelling) fresh for an extra two days." Be sure to check out Cosmo’s full review for more deets.One Cosmo editor says: “I have at least three bottles of this at all times. It's my favorite dry shampoo ever made, and I've put countless Cosmo staffers onto it since the launch. Unlike all the powders on the market, AirWash is a liquid that deposits translucent microbeads onto your hair that absorb oil without leaving a residue or white cast. And it seriously works. It doesn't just make my hair look less oily; it actually makes it look clean. I often will spray my hair before bed, then when I wake up the next morning, it looks like I have freshly washed hair.” — BGFeatures at a glanceTypeLiquidSize4 and 1.6 oz.Key ingredientsTranslucent microbeads, odorBIND biotechnology, Mediterranean microalgaeAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsTSA-friendlyBoosts volume and sops up oilConsThe pump can sometimes get cloggedYou’ll break up with aerosol dry shampoos for good once you try this volumizing powder—I did! Rice and cornstarch immediately absorb oil and lift fine strands, giving you supermodel blowout bounce on hair that’s three, four, and sometimes even five days old. The bottle may seem small, but it lasts forever. I’ve owned mine for over a year and have barely made a dent.One Cosmo editor says: “I often use dry shampoo to boost volume more than sop up oil. I never thought a powder could add much lift to my fine hair, but dang, this really does the trick. I also appreciate how this doesn’t leave an annoying white cast or grit in my hair—it manages to feel just as fresh as wash day.” —MHFeatures at a glanceTypePowderSize1 oz.Key ingredientsCorn starch, rice starch, glycerinProsSeriously detoxifies hair and scalp with charcoal Great for those intense workout daysConsThe scent is very strongOn the days when you know you need to wash your hair but simply don’t have the time, this detoxifying shampoo transforms your mane—so much so, you won’t have to pull out your trusty slick stick. Like, if you think you can’t revive your post-hot-yoga hair, this will prove it’s possible. It utilizes charcoal to eliminate odors and every trace of greasiness, while white tea powder soothes your scalp so you aren’t feeling itchy or uncomfortable until your next shampoo day.One Cosmo expert says: “This is one of my favorites because it’s lightweight, buildable, and absorbs oil without making fine hair feel overloaded. It also leaves the hair smelling fresh while maintaining movement.” — MARC BALLANCE, CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLISTFeatures at a glanceTypeAerosolSize11, 6.3, and 2 oz.Key ingredientsWhite tea powder, charcoal Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsComes in a mega size (great if you're using dry shampoo regularly) The cooling application makes using this a full sensorial experienceConsThe scent smells like a salon (IYKYK) and can be a tad overpoweringDealing with oily fine hair can get exhausting. Who wants to wash their hair every day? Not I! Redken’s Deep Clean Dry Shampoo will be the unsung hero of your routine because it makes every trace of oil and grease disappear almost like magic, without that annoying white film. Vitamin C and B5 nourish your mane as it sops up grease, and you’ll even feel more refreshed thanks to the invigorating cooling effect it produces.One Cosmo expert says: “I’ve had great results with Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo. It refreshes oily roots without leaving behind heavy residue, making it a great option for finer hair types.” — MBFeatures at a glanceTypeAerosol Size10.5, 5.2, and 1.4 oz.Key ingredientsRice starch, potato starch Are dry shampoos good for fine hair?Dry shampoo can be used by all hair types and textures, but if you're someone with fine hair, you’ll want to look for a formula that advertises itself as "volumizing" or "texturizing." But the lifting capabilities won’t do much if you’re using the dry shampoo incorrectly, which Ballance says is pretty common. “One of the biggest mistakes I see is people waiting until their hair is already very oily. Dry shampoo works best as a preventative product, so I’d recommend using it before hair gets overly greasy rather than trying to rescue it afterwards.”When it comes to applying, Ballance says to hold the can about eight to twelve inches away from the scalp to avoid continuously spraying in one area. “This helps distribute the product evenly instead of concentrating it in one spot,” he says. “Work in small sections, focusing on the areas that produce the most oil, like around the hairline, crown, and parting. Then give it a minute or two to absorb before massaging it in with your fingertips or brushing through the hair.” This method boosts volume and gives you a natural, non-chalky finish.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHow to choose the best dry shampoo for fine hairPick the right application for youPowder vs. aerosol dry shampoo: Which is better? Aerosol or spray formulas tend to be better at adding volume, which is good news for those with fine and/or thin hair, not to mention they're easier and quicker to apply.Non-aerosol dry shampoos, on the other hand, are perfect for oily hair types, as they're very effective at removing excess grease and refreshing second- (or even third-) day hair. Likewise, they allow for targeted rather than all-over application if you're just looking to focus on a few areas. Powders also add a bit of texture and body to bring hair back to life.Choose a formula that promises volume or textureWhen you have fine, flat hair, one of the most important things to look for in a dry shampoo are words like "volumizing" and "texturizing"—and it helps to know what ingredients actually work to plump strands. Shop for products with biotin, amino acids, silica, peptides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide, as these all work to strengthen follicles and "bulk" your hair shaft. A great example: K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo, which uses peptides, silica, and hyaluronic acid to re-energize roots.Meet the expertMarc Ballance is a celebrity hairstylist at IGK salon in New York City.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhy trust Cosmopolitan?Mary Honkus is a contributing beauty editor for Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including a deep dive on why your hair gets so oily and making a case for coconut oil for hair. She's an authority in all beauty categories, and her hair is her prized possession. For this story, she and the Cosmo beauty team tested dozens of dry shampoos for fine hair. She also spoke with a celebrity hairstylist to learn how fine hair types can benefit from using dry shampoo.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.