I’ve never been a fan of dry shampoo. I have tried so many and every single one always left my hair feeling dirtier or with a white residue, which is the opposite of what they are supposed to do. Dry shampoos are designed to help absorb oil, eliminate odor, refresh the hair, add volume and allow you to skip hair wash days if needed. I tried all the tricks and tips when using dry shampoo but nothing seemed to work. But I decided to try one again on a whim one day when my hair needed a bit of volume and I wasn’t planning on washing it for one more day. I had a can of the Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo. And after I sprayed it, my hair immediately felt cleaner and had some oomph without feeling gritty.

I used it again the next day and there was still no build up on my scalp. It gave my roots volume and my hair looked like I had just styled it that day. Since then, the Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo has become a holy grail hair product for me. I use it every single day and it never builds up or makes my slightly oily roots ever feel dirty. The Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo is still my favorite but there are two other dry shampoo formulas to choose from. I thought I would review each in case you are trying to decide which one best suits your needs. There is the Amika Perk Up Plus Extended Clean Dry Shampoo, the Amika Perk Up Ultra Oil Control Dry Shampoo and the regular Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo and all have a specific purpose.

Amika Dry Shampoo Review

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

This is the original dry shampoo formula from Amika and the one I use daily. It’s a talc-free dry shampoo and suitable for all hair types. It chock full of scalp friendly ingredients like rice starch and sea buckthorn. Sea Buckthorn is their signature ingredient that is loaded with vitamin C, A and fatty acid omega 7 which makes it the ultimate holy grail ingredient for your hair and scalp. (Check their site for the entire list of ingredients) It’s designed to help refresh the hair, add a bit of volume and absorb oil on the scalp. I have very thin and fine hair and this feels utterly weightless in my hair. It doesn’t add any white cast, doesn’t build up over time and refreshes my daily style.

I spray it each morning after I have curled my hair to add some volume and absorb any oil. And I also will use it on the days that I wash my hair because I find it extends the style for longer. I spray it directly on my roots (avoid contact with eyes) and then massage it in with my fingers.

Amika Perk Up Ultra Oil Control Dry Shampoo

For those with a very oily scalp, this is a dry shampoo that is best for that. It also works well for using after a workout or being outside all day when you need a heavy duty dry shampoo to refresh your hair. It’s too heavy for me to use regularly because it really soaks up that oil immediately. It is also a tad more white when I spray it. So you need to make sure you massage it in well. A little bit goes a long way with this so spray it sparingly at first and add more if needed.

Amika Perk Up Plus Extended Clean Dry Shampoo

This is the dry shampoo I use on the last day before I wash my hair. It is formulated with a gentle AHA and scalp nourishing ingredients to help exfoliate and soothe in order to help keep the scalp cleaner longer. It’s designed for all hair types to help extend your style in between washes. Mandelic acid helps to gently exfoliate and balance the scalp while arrowroot powder absorbs excess oil.

How To Use Amika Dry Shampoo

It’s best to separate your hair into sections before you begin styling. Keep the can about 6-8 inches away from your scalp when spraying. Spray a little at a time directly onto the scalp or onto your part. Rub or brush the product into the scalp to fully distribute it. Let the product sit on the scalp for a few minutes before styling your hair. Apply more as needed. I also have had success with using it at night before bed which gives it ample time to soak up any oil. In the morning, my hair is refreshed and feeling so clean!

Amika Dry Shampoo FAQs

Does Amika Dry Shampoo leave a white residue?

Initially the dry shampoo does come out white so you will see it on your hair/scalp right after you spray it. But as soon as you massage or brush it into your scalp, the white residue disappears leaving an invisible finish.

Is Amika Dry Shampoo talc free?

Yes, the original Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo is completely talc-free. It uses natural rice starch in place of standard aluminum starch to absorb excess oils.

How many wash days can you get out of it?

It depends on the formula. The original is good for 1-2 days, while the extended clean could typically give one more day.

Which Amika Dry Shampoo is best for fine hair?

Since I have extremely fine hair, the two best formulas for me were the original Perk Up and the Perk Up Plus.