How To Use Dry Shampoo For Luscious Volume In Fine Gray Hair

If you go to Facebook and search for “dry shampoo” it is amazing how many posts there are on this topic. Dry Shampoo is the hottest hair styling trend right now. This may be due to how many things we have to do in a day! Shampooing our hair doesn’t have to be one of them. 

I have learned that dry shampoo also makes my fine, gray hair look like I have a lot of hair. Gray hair tends to be coarser and thins out as it grows as we get older.

I still want to have volume and texture to my hair, though. I asked my friends if they use dry shampoo. Many told me that using dry shampoo is the quickest option to create luscious volume and texture. 

The best thing about dry shampoo is that it is gentle enough to use at least 2-3 times a week on graying hair. 

Read on to learn how to use dry shampoo for volume and texture in fine gray hair,  the best dry shampoo brands for thin, fine gray hair, as well as the answers to other questions you may have about this fairly new hair care product.

Note: This post may include affiliate links, which help our family with no extra cost to you, but are all products I use and love. Thank you for your support!

My experience trying dry shampoo

Paula was kind enough to send me a bottle of dry shampoo to try. I spritzed a bit of it into the hair to smell it. It was surprising to not sneeze.

So many dry shampoos have a heavy scent. That's to mask the odor of dirty hair. Yet my husband remarked that he couldn't smell it either.

Does dry shampoo work on fine hair? 

For people with fine, gray hair like mine, washing it too often makes it brittle and dry. I even use moisturizing shampoos and told you about that in my post  How to Make Grey Hair Shine Naturally.

Dry shampoo is a great solution for extending the style a few days between washes. That's because it is a light layer of oil-absorbing ingredients. 

My stylist did tell me to not think of it as a "miracle in a bottle", though. It's best not to use it for more than four days in a row. That could make the hair brittle. Plus, your scalp does need old-fashioned soap and water at least once every five days. 

I’ve found it best to wash my hair, then dry it, and then add the dry shampoo. This keeps my style looking fine for at least two days. Then refresh it lightly with a spray bottle filled with water, add my dry shampoo, and that’s good for another two days. Then on the fourth day wash it again and start the process over.

The best areas to use it are where built up excess oil happens. These are also the areas the hair begins to look flat, the temples, bang area, and especially the crown. 

Do not forget the crown area. We don't see the tops of our heads but many do. My stylist said she's seen too many women walking around with puffed up sides and flat tops. She wanted to make sure I pointed this out. 

If you can't reach up there then enlist your husband to help. My boys would think it was fun to spray Mommy with a water bottle. 

How can you make gray hair appear thicker? 

Gray hair tends to be coarser and thinner. Most women continue coloring their hair because it does add volume and thickness. But if you don't want to deal with that every 3-4 weeks you do have other options.

Dr. Tabsum Mir, a dermatologist in New York City, gets asked this a lot. Her patients, mostly women, want to know how to make their gray hair appear thicker. A few things she wants women to know about gray hair. First, it does tend to be coarser and thinner. 

Second, the best thing you can do is to take vitamin supplements. She says a healthy inside is a healthy outside. Three vitamin supplements are essential to making gray hair grow thicker. These are biotin, B6 complex, and folic acid.

(Also something I mentioned in my previous article, How to Make Grey Hair Shine Naturally.) 

Third, there are hair gels and mousses now that have formulations specifically to increase thickness. They have the added benefit of making the hair softer and more manageable. 

She suggests that after trying those things and still need extra volume then dry shampoo is best. It absolutely can create luscious volume in your fine, thinning, gray hair. 

What are the basics of dry shampoo? 

Dry shampoo is a product used to clean hair without water. It is available in mousse, aerosol, or powder form. Apply dry shampoo  to the hair and scalp and then brush it out.

There are many benefits to using dry shampoo. It is a quick and easy way to clean hair, use it on days when shampooing is not convenient. Dry shampoo can extend the life of a hairstyle, and to absorb excess oil and grease.

When using dry shampoo, it is important to follow the directions on the packaging. Some products want you to leave the dry shampoo in the hair for a few minutes before brushing out. It is also important to avoid over-using dry shampoo, as this can lead to build-up on the scalp.

How do you create volume in fine hair with dry shampoo? 

As tempting as it might be to use dry shampoo like it's a hairspray please do not do that. This will create what is called a “white cast”. Or as my son would say, “Looks like you dumped baby powder all over your head.” You want to start at the side of where you part your hair, lift up a section, hold the can an arm's length away, and spritz at the roots. 

Then work your way down the sides of your hair doing a small section at a time. Do not spray when you wear your part as, again, that will create a chalky appearance. 

Once you've sprayed it all over, rub the product into your hair with the tips of your fingers to distribute it. Let the spray sit for at least 10 minutes. Go drink some coffee, catch up on Facebook, just do not touch your hair. Then you can brush through your hair to distribute it more. 

Did I also mention to try not to spray the outside of your hair? Don’t know if I brought that up yet. You don't want it to be visible. It will leave a white cast if you do. 

How long does dry shampoo last in hair? 

One of the biggest problems with dry shampoo is the amount of time that it remains in the hair.  Dry shampoo eliminates the need to wash your hair. Some women use dry shampoo after a workout, while others use it for everyday use.  

How often you use it before it loses its effectiveness, though? 

It all depends on the person, and it also depends on the type of dry shampoo that is being used. Dry shampoos can last for a few days. If you apply it every day it might last for a week, maybe even a month. But most stylists recommend washing it out every 3-4 days at least. 

Is bedtime or morning the best time to use dry shampoo? 

I like to use it before I go to bed. I spray it on, roll my hair up into a messy bun, and secure it with a Lilla Rose pin. While I sleep the excess oil is being absorbed by the dry shampoo. The bit of wetness is enough to reactivate my natural waves.

In the morning after my shower, I apply my moisturizer. While that is drying I let my hair down and fluff it out with my fingers.

What are the other benefits of dry shampoo? 

It should be an essential part of your everyday hair care if you have fine, gray hair. I know you can make the most of your hair gray by using the right products.  Using dry shampoo on your hair right after shampooing gives you a head start on absorbing the oils in your hair. 

My friend Beth puts it on right after drying her hair because it adds texture and seems to fall better. It gives her an extra day to not have to shampoo, too.

What are the best brands of dry shampoo to try? 

Moroccanoil light tones has become a favorite of mine with its violet undertones that help balance gray hair brassiness.

I have listed below some others you can try below, too.

• Drugstore brand - Not Your Mother’s Plump for Joy 
• Salon - Kendra or Batiste for a non-scented (well, barely scented) spray
• Vegan - Klorane dry shampoo

DIY Dry Shampoo

If you are brave, you can also try a DIY shampoo. Check out this video below, if you'd like to learn how to make your own dry shampoo at home.

Dry Shampoo Reviews

I asked in my silver and gray hair Facebook groups if they use dry shampoo, why they use it, what they like about it, and what dry shampoo brand was their favorite.
Here is what they said:

Best Products for Gray Hair

Check out my post The Absolute Best Products for Gray Hair! to see my top recommendations for caring for your gray hair.

Not quite gray yet?

Then you'll definitely want to check out my friend Katie's super helpful ebook that will guide you every step of the way! Click below to learn more!

Need some new ideas for how to wear your gray hair?

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