The Dry Shampoo Survival Guide: How to Go 5 Days Without Washing Your Hair

Can You Actually Train Your Hair?

Prior to doing this challenge, I thought that you could train your hair, but as it turns out, you cant. Since your hair is dead, you cannot train your hair to be less oily, since oil production starts from the inside out, and each person produces a different amount, says Meri Kate OConnor, colorist at Eva Scrivo. You can however adjust your daily hair routine to create the results you want more easily. For example, applying dry shampoo on days one and two to prevent oils from building up to keep your style looking fresh instead of applying on day two or three and having to use more product and potentially restyle.

What is the Best Way to Apply Dry Shampoo?

For the best results when using dry shampoo, hold the can 610 inches away from dry hair (its called dry shampoo for a reason, right?). Section your hair and spray the dry shampoo in a sweeping motion to the dirty or more oily areas of your scalp. Wait 30 seconds, then work through your hair by brushing or massaging with your fingers. Dont worry if you see a little white at the beginning, thats just the dry shampoo working its magic.

What About When Working Out?

If you work out on the reg, but dont want to wash your strands after each sweat sesh, we feel you. The best time to apply shampoo (if you fall into this category) is actually before hitting the gym. This gives the dry shampoo a chance to absorb oil, keeping your hair fresher for longer. Looking to fix a funky post-workout do? Meri Kate suggests hitting it with a blow dryer to smooth it back into shape and then hitting it with dry shampoo to absorb any extra sweat and oil.

Lastly, Living proof. Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo is my holy grail item for a reason: It actually cleans your hair of sweat, oil, and odor! Its pretty much the closest thing to magic.

I Have Curly Hair. How Do I Keep Frizz at Bay In Between Washes?

Dont worry, curly girls, we have solutions for you, too. We suggest re-wetting your hair with a spray bottle after day one. You dont have to totally drench your hair, but spritzing on a little water will help to reactivate your curls. Next, add a curl defining creme or defining gel. Two great ones to check out: Davroe Curl Creme Definer and DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel.

What Tips Do You Have For Girls With Short Hair?

Caught with a case of bed head? As we mentioned earlier, putting dry shampoo at your roots and using a blow dryer and round brush can help to restyle your hair. If your hair is too short for a bun, we suggest creating a braid across the front or, if possible, a cute half-up bun. Also, switching up your part is a quick way to add a dose of added volume to your short hair when going in between washes.

What Tips Do You Have For Fine, Thin Hair?

You ladies may not be able to go as long without washing your hair, but you dont have to be stuck to the everyday washing routine. Check out Living proof.'s full line, especially the Shampoo, Conditioner, and Dry Volume Blast, which can be applied to dry hair as well and will help to give you instant volume post styling!

What Other Tips Did You Learn Along The Way?

I had two life-changing dry shampoo epiphanies during the challenge. The first came as a tip from one of our viewers: apply dry shampoo before going to bed! I decided to test it out and honestly it was game changing for me. I would wake up in the morning and my hair felt and looked good as new. My second epiphany: sleep with my hair in braids. I often sleep with my hair in a bun and wake up with a bit of a puffy mess, but when I slept in braids my hair had a nice wave and looked much softer.