Dry Shampoo: The French Shower
Americans have the cleanest hair in the world. On average, Americans shampoo their hair about 5 times a week, which is twice the average of the Italians and Spaniards! There's something about clean hair that gets us going.
Although we may have the cleanest hair, it is far from the healthiest. When you shampoo your hair, you wash away the natural oils that are extremely nutrient-rich, therefore leaving hair dry and unprotected. This explains why the luscious locks of the gals overseas are always shiny and extremely healthy looking, and why we Americans are so envious of their healthy (if not so immaculate) hair.
Products are popping up everywhere to help ease the gap between healthy and clean hair. Taking a hint from the French, the beauty market developed the "dry shampoo", which was first used during the French Revolution by the late Marie Antoinette. It usually comes in either a powder or spray form and it works by attaching to the dirt particles and simply brushing out. One of the best (and cheapest) dry shampoos out there is called Batiste, which can be found online or in store from Sally Beauty Supply.
There is a snag, however. Dry powder shampoo seems to work best on light colored hair. Dark haired women tend to have a difficult time with the powders because it leaves the scalp considerably light, despite vigorous brushing.
Spray on dry shampoo also fluctuates in effectiveness. Women who have tested it find that although their hair looks cleaner after use, it tends to become flat and greasy after a short time.
So, is dry shampoo a bust? For all the blondies out there- No. But for the rest of us, it is no long term solution to greasy, dirty hair.