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Here’s how you use it: After applying dry shampoo to your scalp (if you are trying to combat excess grease), spray dry conditioner from the mid-section of the hair to the ends, Leanne explains. Use dry conditioner on its own if you’re trying to revive an up-do or brighten up your ponytail.
“It buys you a little extra time with your dirty blow dry, while adding shine and eliminating that dirty hair smell and feel,” says Citrone, who recommends Serge Normant’s Meta Revive Dry Conditioner ($20, amazon.com).
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But does it work? I grabbed a bottle of Drybar Detox Dry Conditioner ($23, sephora.com) and tried to spray my bad hair day away. Two days after a wash, my long hair (which is color-treated, thick, and tends to be dry at the ends) was begging to be thrown in a topknot. Cue the dry conditioner.
Starting with the middle of my strands, I lightly sprayed down to the ends of my hair. I flipped my head over to evenly distribute the spray, then gently brushed it through my locks. The results? Visibly shinier tips with a little extra life. My roots, however, still needed some love, so I still opted to pull my hair back.
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For a down-do, dry conditioner would be best paired with dry shampoo to tackle excess oil at the roots.
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Citrone adds that dry conditioner doesn’t work for her hair, which is curly and can have greasy roots that need frequent washing.
“To me, it’s more for that long hair that can go a few days without needing a shampoo,” she says. “A product may not work for me, but it could be your new favorite.”
Try it out when you’re too swamped for a blow out or need an on-the-go spruce up. Just keep in mind: This aerosol leaves your hair silky by adding in nutrients. So if your scalp is on the oilier side, you’ll want to go really easy on the dry conditioner and focus on the tips—or maybe even skip it altogether.