Dry Conditioner – The Most Underrated Hair Product
Since you’ve landed on this post I’m going to go ahead and guess that you’ve never heard of dry conditioner before. When I tell new clients about it, they’re often shocked that they’ve never seen it advertised. We all know what dry shampoo is, but what is dry conditioner and what does it do?
In this post I’m going to break down this mysterious and underrated hair product and explain why you are likely missing out if you’ve never tried it before.
What is dry conditioner?
Dry conditioner is similar to dry shampoo. It comes in an aerosol can, it’s sprayed onto dry hair, and it isn’t rinsed out until your next shower. So you’ll use it on the days you skip wet shampooing your hair, and it works well alongside dry shampoo.
The main purpose of this aerosol conditioner is to soften the hair after dry shampoo is applied. I’ve heard some clients complain that dry shampoo makes their hair feel gritty, and dry conditioner is made to combat that rough texture feeling.
Keep reading to learn more about its benefits.
What are the benefits?
- Controls static
- Reduces flyaways and frizz
- Softens coarse, unruly and brittle hair
- Helps to detangle dry hair
- Moisturizes without weighing the hair down
- Adds shine
1. It controls static electricity
If your hair gets wild and staticky in the wintertime, then this product will be a game changer for you. I recommend spraying it all over in the morning and smoothing it through with your hands or a brush. This will lay down the staticky hairs without weighing your hair down like a serum or oil would.
2. It reduces flyways and frizz
Dry conditioner can act as a smoothing agent to control flyaways and frizz. Opt for using this product before reaching for your flat iron. If you can get by without using excess heat on your hair, you’ll avoid causing unnecessary damage.
3. It will soften coarse, unruly, and brittle hair
You will definitely benefit from dry conditioner if you have unruly, coarse, or brittle hair. It will make your hair feel much so much softer. When I first learned about it I was originally taught that the main purpose was to soften coarse and unruly hair. It makes coarse hair feel much finer and more manageable.
It will also smooth the cuticle on hair that has split ends and breakage, making it appear healthier and smoother to the touch.
4. It helps to detangle dry hair
Fine hair is often prone to tangling. So if your hair gets tangled easily, you can use dry conditioner to soften the hair while you brush it out. This is much better than having to wet your hair or use too many oils or serums that will weigh your fine hair down or make it appear greasy.
5. It moisturizes without weighing the hair down
As I’ve already mentioned a few times, the nice thing about this product is that it will not weigh your hair down. I only wash my hair once a week, and I use both dry shampoo and conditioner EVERY DAY in-between washes. My hair never gets weighed down or oily.
6. It adds shine
Since dry conditioner smooths the cuticle of your hair (the outer layer that resembles fish scales), it significantly improves shine. When those fish scales are closed, the hair feels silky and smooth. The dry oils in the product reflect light for a shiny appearance.
Are dry shampoo and conditioner the same thing?
No they are not! Similarly to how regular shampoo and regular conditioner are different, the same goes for the dry versions. Dry shampoo helps to reduce the appearance of oily hair as well as neutralizing odor without the need to wet the hair. And dry conditioner smooths and softens the hair after dry shampoo is applied.
Also, dry shampoo is typically sprayed at the root of your hair and not usually focused on the mids and ends unless your goal is to achieve texture. Dry conditioner is sprayed as needed throughout the hair, focusing on the mids and ends.
To learn more about dry shampoo and its benefits, see my post here.
How do I use dry conditioner?
I recommend using this product right after using dry shampoo. To use, spray the dry shampoo at the root of your hair, particularly at the crown and around your face. Follow with dry conditioner throughout the mids and ends of your hair.
And as with all aerosol sprays, hold the can about 8 inches away from your hair when spraying. This ensures proper distribution of the product.
You can use this product every day or as needed. To get the most amount of time between washes, I recommend using both of these products from day 1 of washing.
What brand should I try?
These are my three favorite options to choose from and you cant go wrong with any of these. They come at different price points and are honestly all great. I recommend picking the brand you’ve heard of before or used in the past first.
Conclusion
Dry conditioner is one of the most unheard of and underrated hair products on the market.
It is similar to dry shampoo because it’s used on dry hair, but serves a different purpose. Dry shampoo reduces oil at the scalp, while dry conditioner smooths and softens the mids and ends of the hair. It can reduce the gritty feeling that dry shampoo often leaves behind.
The main benefits of dry conditioner are:
- Controls static
- Reduces flyaways and frizz
- Softens coarse, unruly, and brittle hair
- Helps to detangle dry hair
- Moisturizes without weighing the hair down
- Adds shine
To use, hold the can 8 inches away from your hair before spraying onto your mids and ends or anywhere you have static, flyaways, or frizz. Use your hands or a brush to smooth the product throughout your hair.
If you have any further questions for me on this topic, leave them for me in the comments! And as always, Have A Good Hair Day!
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