The Battle of the Dry Shampoos

One thing that's a must have in my hair-care routine is dry shampoo. I use it in-between washes when my hair is looking a little bit flat, lifeless and in general a little bit worse for wear.  I have fairly long and thick hair, and washing it can be a bit of a chore, so i tend to leave it a day between washes. Sometimes, a bit of dry shampoo puts the life back into the roots and helps me get that extra day out of my hair. So, having tried and tested many over the years, i've decided to pick out a few of those that seem to crop into my bathroom cupboard/handbag/suitcase on a regular basis and give you my thoughts on them (this post is going to be quite rambly..so apologies if you're not in a reading mood this wonderful evening :))

Batiste Dry Shampoo:
Batiste is probably one of the most well known brands of dry shampoo and is the one i've used since my school days (quite some time ago now, i hasten to add..) Since then, they've bought out an array of different variations of their ever so popular 'original' bottle, my personal favourite being the 'tropical' version because it smells like coconuts.

• Pros: A wide range of choice available including coloured versions for blonde and brunette hair. They also have travel sizes available which is something i look for as they're not only handy to pop into your bag but they're great for taking away on holiday and for travelling with. The bottles last for quite some time and dispense a decent amount of powder each time, meaning you don't have to use a lot for it to absorb any oil. 
• Cons: Can be quite heavy due to the powdery texture and this may weigh down thinner hair. The smell can sometimes be a little bit overpowering if you prefer unscented products; even the original version smells quite powdery. If you do have very dark hair the powder is quite obviously white (unless you're using the brunette version) and can make hair look a bit dull. It can also make your hair feel a bit dry if used a few times throughout the day.

Tresemme Dry Shampoos:
As you know, i do love a bit of volume in my hair and i am the first to admit i'm often a bit of a rascal when it comes to backcoming *slap wrist*. When Tresemme first bought out their dry shampoo i couldn't wait to try it and instantly fell in love. Of course, when i spotted the volumising version, i fell in love even more.

• Pros: Lighter in texture and the powder isn't obvious, therefore doesn't feel as if you are weighing down your hair or clogging it up with product. I personally prefer the scent of this product over the highly frangranced Batiste, it smells fresh and altogether less powdery. The volume version is even more amazing and adds a bit of lift at the roots - you aren't sacrificing volume for freshness.
• Cons: No choices for coloured hair however the powder is so fine that i actually don't think this should be classed as a 'con' as you can't see it too much anyway. No smaller sizes or coloured variations. The bottle doesn't seem to last as long and once you get to the bottom it can take some shaking up in order to dispense any powder along with the spray.

John Frieda: Anytime Volume Refresher:

• Pros: Instantly volumises hair. Seriously, i lift up the roots and give this a couple of sprays and my hair just looks so much more.. VOLUMISED. Oof. It smells amazing, and doesn't have a powdery hint to it whatsoever. It also makes your roots look really bouncy and fresh without the dull-greyish tone that most dry shampoos tend to leave. It doesn't feel like you have any product in your hair as the powder isn't heavy, and you don't need a lot to see results.
• Cons: More on the pricey side and i wish you got a little bit more product for your money.

Superdrug Own Brand - Dry Shampoo in 'Away with the Fairies'.

• Pros: The price! At 99p a bottle it's the most purse friendly of the lot. Similar in texture to the Tresemme one however you do need a little bit more product to achieve the result. This one smells really nice, however it is heavily fragranced so if you really hate strong-smelling products then this isn't for you. A choice of variations in fragrance.
• Cons: Very light in texture and therefore if your hair needs a decent bit of refreshing then this isn't going to do much unless you use a fair bit (it's better for little touch ups rather than full-blown dry shampooing!)

Charles Worthington: Front Row Dry Shampoo for Blonde Hair:

I bought this for use on a recent holiday as i didn't want to take a big bottle, and i wanted a change from my usual Batiste. They also offer an original version and a brunette bottle for darker hair.

• Pros: Very lightly toned with a blonde colour so my hair didn't look powdery or dull even after a full application (result!). Banishes oil straight away and doesn't feel overly powdery (although it is heavier than the Tresemme).The quality is spot on and it applies smoothly and easily, and doesn't take a lot of, if any, massaging in.
• Cons: Again, a little bit pricier but the travel size didn't cost me the earth and is still going strong.The smell can be overpowing but it doesn't smell powdery.

Overall:

It's very difficult to pick a favourite, simply because i use different dry shampoos for different things and for different situations. I have to say i really am loving the John Frieda at the moment, but for everyday use i love the Tresemme Volumising Dry Shampoo as i find the texture suits my hair a little bit better than the heavier powders.

If you are new to dry shampoos then my advice would be to try the travel sizes first - you can grab a load of them from Superdrug and Boots for about £1 each and they're easier to pop into your bag for on the go!

What's your favourite dry shampoo?