If you read my column on greasy hair, you’ll know I’m in a long-term, monogamous relationship with dry shampoo. So, you can imagine my surprise when I learnt I’ve not only been applying it incorrectly this entire time, but that if I truly want to revive my day-two hair, I’d also need a dry conditioner in my arsenal as well.
Last week, I hosted a Batiste masterclass with hairstylist Ricky Walters, owner of Salon64 in Soho, London. Watching him apply dry shampoo on a model was when my first revelation occurred.
How to apply dry shampoo properly
Now, I don’t know if you’re like me, but normally when I’m trying to absorb my greasy roots, I’m in kind of a rush (normally to make a train), so I tend to just spray around the top of my head, frantically brush through and run out the door.
Ricky, however, had a different approach altogether. Rather than just spraying the top of the hair, he went through section by section. Thankfully, he didn’t use clips and instead just separated with his hands, which seemed easy enough to do in a rush.
The biggest difference from my usual application however was the distance from which he held the can of dry shampoo to the roots. We’re talking a full arm’s length, which I can safely say I wasn’t doing.
That distance stops the dreaded ‘flour look,’ which I’m prone to getting, having brunette hair and all. In fact, it’s been a week since I started trying this new technique and I can now use Batiste, whereas before I always found it too ashy for me.
Ricky’s next trick was using a dry conditioner on the ends of the hair, a product I’d not used and never considered I needed before.
You see, I always associate reviving my hair with absorbing grease, but as someone with long hair (that’s in desperate need of a cut) my ends do also get a bit ‘pouffy’. I was afraid that adding a dry conditioner was counter-productive to my greasy hair, but as it turned out, combined with my new dry shampoo technique, it’s the secret to your day-two hair looking better than your day one.
Most dry conditioners look and apply like a mousse. The one I’ve been using is Batiste’s Leave-In Dry Conditioner, £4.59, Boots, and I spray a ball (slightly bigger than golf-size) directly into the palm of my hand.
How to apply dry conditioner properly
Rather than applying directly to the ends of my hair, Ricky taught me to rub my hands together first and then massage the mousse into the ends; that way you evenly distribute the product around the whole head.
It feels like a wet mousse in your hands but as soon as you rub it in your hair that wetness goes, and after you brush it through, your hair is glossy, smooth and feels like you just blow-dried it.
After my week of experimenting with different hairstyles and now my second-day hair revelations, I really feel I’m starting to actively use styling products in my routine, rather than just adding in an oil post-shower.
My styling essentials
If you’re like me (aka a bit useless with your hair), I’ve compiled an edit of products that will help you not only transform your post-wash day hair, but also ensure you enjoy using each of them in your routine.
Andrew Fitzsimons Discreet AF Dry Shampoo, £9
My favourite dry shampoo that just so happens to be designed by the hairstylist to the entire Kardashian fam.
Batiste Leave-In Dry Conditioner, £4.59
My latest addition. FYI the ‘original’ scent is my favourite as it’s not overpowering in the hair.
R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Styling Foam, £26
Another new addition: this mousse gives you the kind of volume that makes you look like you’re Miley Cyrus’ cousin. Trust me, the volume is incomparable to anything else I’ve used.
Arkive The Prologue Hair Primer, £13
This is the first thing I spray on my hair post-shower. It acts as a heat protectant, helps my hair hold whichever style I do and smells of tomatoes and rhubarb. Jo Malone eat your heart out.
Schwarzkopf got2B Glued Blasting Freeze Spray, £5
A discovery from my week of hairstyling that has not left my side. If you want slicked-back hair, you need this and a boar bristle brush.
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