12 Best Dry Conditioners For Hair That Shines From A Mile Away
1. Best Anti-Static:Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner
This dry conditioner detangles, softens, and smooths hair between washes and instantly eliminates static. Its key ingredient, Provitamin B5 helps promote and restore your hair’s bounce-back ability and reduces damages and split ends. It is free of sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride, and artificial colors, making it a safe choice for color and keratin-treated hair. The conditioner is also infused with sea buckthorn extracts, which is high in fatty acids and vitamin E and promotes scalp health. Pros
Detangles hair Anti-static Non-sticky Sulfate-free Paraben-free
Cons
Some may feel that it isn’t quite softening.
2. Best Heat Protection:CHI Dry Conditioner
The silk and ceramic elements in this dry conditioner protect your hair from the heat. It’s a waterless formula that adds shine and smoothness to your dry locks. The bottle comes with a sliding lock over the nozzle to prevent leakage. It contains vitamin A and sunflower seed oil to promote overall scalp health. If you like to straighten or curl your hair using hot tools like curling wands and blow dryers, you can rest assured that this dry conditioner can also be used as a heat-protectant spray. Pros
Paraben-free Gluten-free Waterless formula Lockable nozzle
Cons
Some may find the fragrance overwhelming.
3. Best Hydrating:Drybar Detox Dry Conditioner
Like traditional conditioners, the Drybar Detox Dry Conditioner hydrates your locks while detangling stubborn knots. Infused with the goodness of argan oil, mango butter, and Tiare flower extracts, the conditioner rejuvenates dry ends, engulfs each strand to nourish it, and adds a healthy dose of shine to your hair. This product is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates and is not tested on animals. The best part is that it’s ideal for all hair types. Pros
Suitable for all hair types Lightweight Cruelty-free Hydrating properties
Cons
Some users felt that it made their hair feel slightly stiff after a day.
4. Best Lightweight:Eva NYC Forget Me Knot Dry Conditioner
This conditioner adds the perfect amount of moisture and shine without weighing your hair down. With this conditioner by your side, you don’t need to wash your hair to make it tangle-free. It cuts brushing time by half as it reduces frizz by softening the cuticles and gets rid of static. It is enriched with ingredients such as vitamins B5 and C, along with fatty acids to help strengthen and repair your hair while making them soft and shiny. It is also suitable for color and keratin-treated hair. Pros
Lightweight Pleasant fragrance Cruelty-free Gluten-free No parabens
Cons
It contains sulfates.
5. Best Frizz Control:CAKE Beauty The Locks Smith Dry Styling, Hydrating Dry Conditioner Spray
This conditioner is enriched with argan oil, coconut, and Crambe seed oil to make your hair smooth and voluminous. Hair-loving ingredients like calendula, chamomile, and shea butter are also added to this conditioner to make your hair healthy and happy. These natural ingredients instantly help polish your hair, leaving it shiny and glossy. It can transform stubborn knots without the usage of harsh chemicals. This feather-light formula is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. Learn more about this product in this video. Pros
Anti-frizz Conditions the hair Cruelty-free Vegan Paraben-free
Cons
Some may find the smell too pungent.
6. Best For Daily Use:Kardashian Beauty Take 2 Dry Conditioner
With this conditioner, you can take a break from your blow dryer or flat iron. Formulated with black seed oil, the conditioner adds an instant shine to your hair with just a few spritzes. Ideal for daily use, this lightweight conditioning spray adds a new lease of life to dull and damaged hair that looks lifeless. It contains tiny conditioning molecules, which actively work towards hydrating your locks and strengthening them from the roots. Pros
Ideal for daily use Hydrating Lightweight Formulated with black seed oil
Cons
Some may find it slightly greasy.
7. Best For Oily Hair:TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Conditioner
As the tagline says, “Tame Hair Gone Wild”, this conditioner tames the wildest of locks with ease. It’s a non-greasy formula that leaves your hair feeling silky and smooth. It hydrates your hair to make it soft, frizz-free, and helps retain moisture to nourish dry ends. If you’re looking to add glamour to your hair, you can trust this conditioner to instantly make your hair shine from a mile away. Pros
Suitable for oily hair Adds shine Non-greasy Hydrating
Cons
It may not be suitable for dry hair.
8. Best For Adding Shine:Oribe Soft Dry Conditioner Spray
If you don’t like to wash your hair every day, you should consider this conditioning spray. It is a weightless spray that makes your hair smooth and lends a natural shine. It takes away all the frizz and combats humidity. Formulated with its signature complex (watermelon, lychee, and Edelweiss flower extracts), the spray protects your hair from harmful colors and environmental aggressors. This video will provide you with added insights about the product. Pros
Microemulsion smoothing system Polymer complex Infused with antioxidants Gluten-free
Cons
Slightly expensive
9. Best For Damage Protection:Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner
Formulated with argan oil, this dry conditioner makes your hair soft, shiny, smooth, and healthy. It is effective in reinvigorating your locks, days after a blowout. The conditioner softens and conditions the hair while protecting the cuticles from damage. Moreover, it is free from parabens and mineral oils. So, if you’re tired of finding the perfect conditioner to fight dull, dry, and frizzy hair, you can bank on this conditioner. Pros
Mineral oil-free Cruelty-free Anti-frizz Hydrating properties
Cons
It contains sulfates.
10. Best Non-Greasy:Blowpro Essentials Faux Dry Conditioner
This dry conditioner packs a lovely fragrance along with some incredible qualities. It leaves your hair feeling fresh, soft, and shiny. A lightweight formula containing hydrolyzed wheat protein, it doesn’t weigh your hair down. With this conditioner by your side, you can skip washing your hair for a few days as it absorbs your scalp’s natural oils like a pro. Pros
Compact Lightwright Non-greasy Pleasant scent
Cons
Some felt that it leaves a chalky trail.
11. Best For All Hair Types:Waterless Dry Conditioner
This conditioner spray from Warerless is ideal for fine to medium hair and makes your hair soft and smooth. It is specially formulated to detangle your hair, condition your hair, and keep it hydrated. Just spray it on from the mid shaft to your hair ends and feel your hair thanking you! It moisturizes your split ends and is a great option to refresh your hair when you don’t have time. You can spray this throughout the day to maintain the conditioning level. In addition, the conditioner doesn’t leave any residue. Pros
Paraben-free Sulfate-free Buildable Easy to use Suitable for all hair types
Cons None
12. Best Detangling:Kevin Murphy Young Again Dry Conditioner
This conditioner not only hydrates your locks, but it also moisturises and conditions them. Enriched with ingredients such as Vitamin B5 and Immortelle (their signature ingredient), it seeps into the hair, making it easier to comb and style it. If you’re looking for ways to bring your limp and dry hair back to life, a few spritizes of this conditioner can do that for you to manage your hair comfortably without it feeling greasy or sticky. Pros
Contains vitamin B5 Nourishing properties Non-greasy Lightweight
Cons
Slightly expensive.
If you are often in a situation where your hair needs a quick refresh, between work and a night out, or in a gym session, a dry conditioner is just what you need. Dry conditioner evaporates when it comes in contact with your hair. Therefore, it can moisturize your hair without wetting it. Check out our list of factors below to understand what you should consider before buying the best dry conditioners.
How To Choose The Best Dry Conditioner?
Formula: Find a formula that works for your hair type. If you have fine or limp hair, a volumizing conditioner is ideal; a hydrating conditioner is suitable for dry hair; color-safe formula for colored hair; and if you heat-style your hair, choose one with heat protection.
Cleansing and Moisturizing Ingredients: Look for cationic surfactants (positively charged) in your dry conditioner to help smooth down the cuticles. Two common ingredients in hair conditioners are cetyl alcohol and cetrimonium bromide which make your hair easier to comb and improve its look and shine. Additionally, choose a formula infused with hydrating ingredients like calendula, chamomile, shea butter, argan oil, mango butter, and vitamins B5 and C, along with fatty acids, to heal dry ends while adding a healthy shine to your hair.
Texture: Look for a dry conditioner with a non-greasy texture. Such a conditioner penetrates the hair quickly, making it easy to comb and style.
Lightweight: Pick lightweight dry conditioners that are easy to spread. A formula containing hydrolyzed wheat protein does not weigh your hair down and feels heavy.
Smoothening Agents: Look out for ingredients that tame frizz and flyaways and detangle the hair. Choose formulas infused with smoothening agents like argan oil, coconut oil, crambe seed oil, black seed oil, and Vitamin B5 to achieve tangle-free hair.
Ingredients To Avoid: Choose a dry conditioner free of sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride, and artificial colors and dyes. They damage your scalp and cause split ends.
Now that we’ve taken a look at the 12 best dry conditioners in 2022 for beautiful and silky hair, here are a few things you should keep in mind before buying one.
How To Pick A Dry Conditioner According To Your Hair Type
If you have fine or limp hair, opt for a conditioner that volumizes your hair. If you have wavy hair, look for something that is lightweight and won’t weigh your hair down. For those with curly hair, a hydrating and nourishing conditioner is the best choice. If you like to color your hair frequently, always look for a color-safe conditioner. For those you like to style their hair using curling wands and hair straighteners, a conditioner that doubles as a heat-protectant spray is the ideal choice.
How To Use A Dry Conditioner
Here’s a simple guide to get you started: Step 1: Settle on a dry conditioner that is well-suited for your hair type. Step 2: Hold the spray 6 inches away from the centre of your head. Step 3: Start spraying starting from the centre. Step 4: Use your fingers to spread the conditioner evenly. Step 5: Repeat step 3 and 4 in other parts of your head. Note: Avoid spraying your scalp.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Vaishnavi Kothuri, is a hair care enthusiast who believes in trying new products that make you feel pampered and luxurious. She has curated this list of the best dry conditioners to help you take your haircare game a notch higher. She has carefully reviewed several customer testimonials, checked product formulations to understand their efficacy and pick only the top-rated ones for the list. Check out the infographic below to understand all the factors that you should consider before buying dry conditioners. Keep scrolling! Is a dry conditioner good for your hair? Dry conditioners help retain moisture and detangle dry, frizzy hair. They also keep the hair hydrated and boosts shine, while adding volume.. Is a dry conditioner the same as a leave-in conditioner? A dry conditioner is a dry formula in a spray form, while a leave-in conditioner is a liquid formula. What is a dry conditioner? Dry conditioners do not need water to act on the hair. They hydrate dry tresses, detangle knots, and tame the frizz. Are dry shampoo and dry conditioner the same thing? No. Dry shampoo absorbs the excess oil from the scalp and adds volume to your tresses, while a dry conditioner hydrates the hair and tames the frizz. Can I use a dry conditioner every day? No. Using a dry conditioner daily can lead to nasty product buildup. In addition, it will turn your hair brittle instead of nourishing the tresses. Does dry conditioner cause hair loss? No, dry conditioners are less likely to cause hair loss. Instead, they nourish the strands and promote hair strengthening. However, excessive usage of dry conditioners can irritate the scalp and cause infections. Does dry conditioner help with dandruff? Dry conditioners nourish your scalp and reduce dandruff. However, excess use of the dry conditioner can cause product buildup and increase the activities of dandruff. Should you use dry shampoo and conditioner together? Use dry shampoo and dry conditioner to achieve voluminous, tangle-free, shiny tresses. However, you can also use them separately as stand-alone products.
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