This Under $20 Dry Shampoo Instantly Refreshed My Natural Hair

When it comes to refreshing your hair post-wash day, not much compares to dry shampoo. The category has come a long way, and now includes formulas for different hair textures and concerns. However, as someone with natural hair, I’ve had a hard time trying to find a dry shampoo that didn’t dry my hair out or leave behind the dreaded ashen white cast that so many formulas do. But the search for the perfect formula ended with Laura Polko’s Refresh Dry Shampoo ($17). Trust me when I say this product is made to handle any hair texture. From natural curls to wand curls and bone straight hair, it refreshes without weighing your hair down and leaves you with a luxe fresh from the salon scent. Plus, it’s exclusively sold at Target for an affordable price just below $20. Below, see my honest thoughts on the formula and why Laura Polko’s Refresh Dry Shampoo has become a staple in my hair-care routine.

The Benefits of Laura Polko’s Refresh Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoos are designed to break down days-old gunk from products and refresh your hair. While this formula ticks those boxes, it also helps extend the life of your style, which is a game changer if you’re on vacation or have a day full of events with no time to wash and style your hair beforehand. The formula includes hair-loving ingredients like hydrolyzed keratin and argan oil to nourish, moisturize and strengthen. They also make hair feel extremely lightweight, so you’re not left with a sticky residue or strands coated with the product. It even has a nice perfumed scent that’s fresh and lightly floral but not overwhelmingly sweet.

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Key ingredients

• Hydrolyzed keratin
• Argan oil

My experience

After washing and silk pressing my hair, I typically don’t do much to it. Sometimes, I’ll set it in rollers for a more bouncy look, but I generally wear it straight and try not to add too much product in the days following shampooing. I find that it stays the freshest that way. However, there are occasions when I’m testing products for work or decide to do a few days of slick-backs with a wax stick or gel, which can lead to more build-up than normal. With this dry shampoo, I was able to rid my hair of the gunky feeling of the build-up and give it a quick refresh.

I started by spraying it at my roots and lightly massaging the area to ensure the oils were absorbed. Then I went through my hair, spraying the strands to refresh them and soak up any extra oil. The nozzle functions like one on a hairspray bottle and evenly disperses the product so it doesn’t wind up in one spot, so you don’t need to completely douse your hair. I found that just a few spritzes in the problem areas were enough to revitalize my hair and give it a lighter, cleaner look. I can also attest to the style extender claim of this product. After using it on day-old curls, it gave me a bouncy and effortless style.