Dry shampoo can be one of the most wonderful tools in your beauty arsenal – as long as you’re using it properly, of course. Make the most of this hair-care staple by avoiding these common mistakes.
Mistake #1: Spraying too close to your scalp.
To evenly distribute your hair and avoid getting a chalky white look, spritz the dry shampoo about 20cm away from your roots.
Mistake #2: Using too much product.
When your hair is greasy, a good dose of dry shampoo can make it look fresher, but apply too much and your hair will look dull and discoloured. As with all products, it’s easier to add more later than remove excess, so use a little dry shampoo, then wait a few minutes, and add more if you feel your hair is still too greasy.
Mistake #3: Applying it to the wrong part of your hair.
Don’t spray dry shampoo all over your head – just stick to the top few centimetres. Chances are that the bottom of your hair isn’t greasy, so applying an oil absorber all over can just make your hair stiff and lackluster.
Mistake #4: Not massaging it in.
If you don’t, the dry shampoo just sits on top of your hair and isn’t able to do its job. So use your fingertips to massage it into your roots and scalp.
Mistake #5: Using the wrong colour for your hair.
If you have dark brown hair and use a light-tinted dry shampoo, you could wind up looking like you dusted chalk all over your roots. If your hair is blonde and you pick a dark shade, you’ll end up with discoloured hair. More brands are making tinted dry shampoos – make sure you buy your match.
Mistake #6: Immediately rubbing it in after spritzing it on.
Don’t just spray and go – give the product a chance to work into your hair and really absorb the oil at your roots by letting it sit for a couple of minutes before you massage it in and brush or comb it through.
Mistake #7: Relying on it every day.
As somebody who shampoos once a week at most, I always use dry shampoo between washes and it works great at keeping oiliness at bay. But doing this too often can actually be detrimental because the built-up residue can eventually clog your follicles. So try to do it only once between hair washes so your scalp has a chance to breathe.
This article originally appeared www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk.
