If you're looking to stretch your time between washes without sacrificing style or scalp health, dry shampoo is your go-to. But it’s no longer just about basic oil absorption—today’s dry shampoo options offer customised benefits for different hair types, colours, and styling needs. They have become a must-have between wash days, so lets explore...
In this guide, we’ll cover:
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What dry shampoo actually is.
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How to use it properly for your hair type and styling needs.
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Is Dry Shampoo bad for your hair?
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And why REF Stockholm offers the most advanced, clean, and prescriptive refresh options—with four unique products to choose from.
What Is Dry Shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a non-wash hair product that absorbs excess oil, deodorises and refreshes your hair between traditional washes. Usually formulated as a spray, powder, or now also in a mousse or paste, it gives your roots a lift and helps you go longer between shampoos.
It doesn't clean your scalp in the same way a traditional shampoo does—but it’s perfect for a midweek refresh, post-workout volume, or last-minute styling fix.
Is Dry Shampoo Bad for Your Hair?
Dry shampoo isn’t inherently bad—but overuse or poor-quality formulas can cause:
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Product buildup on the scalp.
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Dryness or irritation.
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Follicle congestion.
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Weaker hair or even increased shedding or breaking in extreme cases. Which may be caused by excessive dehydration of the hair shaft or scalp.
Use it wisely:
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Limit to 1–2 times per week. It's a sometimes 'fix' not a daily dose.
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Massage or brush it through to prevent buildup in between applications. This will remove any excess product.
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Regularly shampoo to clean the scalp. Like all styling enhancers eventually you will need to start again with a fresh canvas - nothing can fully replace your normal shampoo and conditioner routine.
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Choose high quality professional level products with gentle ingredients like those in REF formulas
REF Stockholm: 4 Unique Ways to Refresh Hair Between Washes
Uniquely REF Stockholm offers four tailored solutions, all vegan, cruelty-free, and made with clean Scandinavian beauty principles.
Whether you're dealing with oily roots, flat spots, sensitive scalps, or darker hair that shows white residue—there’s a REF product for you.
1. REF Dry Shampoo
The original classic bestseller. A lightweight, invisible spray that absorbs oil, adds volume, and leaves your hair feeling freshly washed—without any gritty residue.
Key Ingredients:
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Rice & Tapioca Starch for gentle oil absorption
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Panthenol and Vitamin E for scalp and hair health
Best for: All hair types, especially fine to medium textures. Perfect for volume and freshness without visible residue.
Pro Tip: Can be helpful in blending away any dark regrowth on lighter colours. Also helps preserve your fresh blow dry in humid or damp weather. Apply to the usual sweat areas as a moisture shield.
2. REF Dry Shampoo Brown
Brunettes, rejoice. No more dulling your roots with chalky sprays. This pigmented dry shampoo is custom-formulated for brown hair, so you get all the refresh without the give away white powder residue.
Why it works:
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Same oil-absorbing performance as the original REF Dry Shampoo.
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Tinted formula blends seamlessly with dark hair.
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Adds subtle texture and dimension at the roots.
Best for: Medium to dark brunettes who want volume and oil control with colour-friendly results.
Pro Tip: Can be helpful in blending away stray fly away greys after blowdrying. Also helps preserve your fresh blow dry in humid or damp weather. Apply to the usual sweat areas as a moisture shield.
3. REF Weightless Volume Refreshing Mousse
Not a fan of dry sprays or powders? This innovative mousse gives you a hydrated, touchable refresh without water, with added lift and softness. It's a secret weapon of many professional hairstylists both in the salon and on content sets. It's a magic bullet that restores the volume and workability of the hair.
Key Ingredients:
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Quinoa Protein for strength and structure
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Glycerin for soft hydration
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Styling polymers for hold and volume
Why it's different:
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Water-free but hydrating this adds extra pliability that sprays don't have.
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Perfect for the roots, mid-lengths and ends without adding any unwanted weight.
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Ideal for styling touch-ups and day-two or day-three volume.
Best for: Fine or Normal to thick hair, dry or dull strands, and those who prefer a soft, clean feel over powdery texture.
Pro Tip: use this before up-styling to give you just enough grip without compromising volume or texture. Hot tools can be used over top as well.
4. REF Dry Shampoo Paste
Welcome to the next generation of dry shampoo. This unique paste formula offers a matte finish, oil control, and gritty texture ideal for modern styling.
What is dry shampoo paste?
A creamy, balm-like product that melts into your fingers and transforms into a dry, matte powder as you apply it to your roots or lengths. Think of it as a hybrid between a styling paste and a dry shampoo.
Key Benefits:
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Absorbs oil while delivering texture
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Ideal for sculpted styles, fringes, or volume at the crown
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Sustainable alternative with low aerosol impact
Best for: Short to medium hair, fringes, men’s cuts, or anyone wanting volume with definition and zero residue.
Pro Tip: Need mega volume for a messy up-style? Work a very small amount of the Dry Shampoo Paste into dry hair. Blast out with a blow dryer and watch that volume explode! Us a couple of pins and your messy up-do is complete.
How to Use Each Product
Dry Shampoos (Original & Brown)
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Shake well.
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Spray onto roots from 20–30 cm away.
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Let it sit for 30–60 seconds.
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Massage or brush through.
Mousse
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Shake, then dispense a golf-ball-sized amount.
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Apply to dry hair—roots, lengths, or both.
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Air dry or blow-dry to reactivate volume.
Paste
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Scoop a pea-sized amount.
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Rub between fingers until it warms up and dries slightly.
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Press into roots or ends where oil or volume is needed.
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Style as desired—great for texture, fringe, and grip.
Final Thoughts: The REFresh Revolution
Dry shampoo is no longer one-size-fits-all. With REF’s four innovative refresh products, you can choose the texture, finish, and formula that suits your hair’s needs and your lifestyle.
From invisible sprays to tinted formulas, airy mousses to next-gen pastes — REF gives you clean, professional results without compromise.
Ready to Find Your Match?
Explore the full REF refresh collection at
👉 Smiths Collective Brands
