Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo
When your hair is long, when you’ve slept in too much, when you’re lazy, when you’re in a hurry (hello, every day of my life)…but also when you have last minute plans, or just don’t feel like waiting for your 47 miles of hair to dry etc. dry shampoo can be what takes your hair from looking, frankly, grungy, to looking presentable. I am a frequent user and am on the lookout to see if anything can top my current favorite, Psssst!
I discovered that Not Your Mother’s offers their Clean Freak Dry Shampoo in a trial/travel size (1.6 oz), so I picked up the little white can adorned with what is ostensibly green hair printed onto it to give it a shot (hah) and see if it could knock the reigning champion off its throne.
On the front, Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo says:
Instant results
Absorbs excess oils
Cleans without water
Lite matte finish
Nothing too crazy here – though I feel like we should clarify that dry shampoo does not actually clean anything, and is not a substitute for ACTUALLY washing your hair. It is just meant to tide you over another day between washings. You still need to take proper care of your hair and scalp! Also, I could do without the cutesy abbreviation of, “light,” but maybe I’m just nitpicking.
Moving onto the back, which reads:
I know you’re busy keeping up with that social life! So don’t waste precious time in the bathroom, just use Clean Freak Dry Shampoo. Get that perfect hair (and the perfect guy!) before all the other girls. Expect more room on your social calendar because this salon formula dry shampoo will have you and your hair ready for a night out on the town.
Refreshes instantly
Application: Spray generously on roots and throughout hair. Brush through to diffuse powder and watch it absorb any excess oils. Style as desired and enjoy your newly freshened hair.
Sigh. Marketing. I am more inclined to use a product like this at 5:30-6AM when I am getting up for work than I would be to help me, “keep up with my social life.” The next line is what I find the most ridiculous. Get the perfect hair AND the perfect guy? For the love of cats who knew I could have the best of both worlds with just a couple blasts of this amazing Clean Freak Dry Shampoo? I must be a terrible fool as I am seeking neither (can I just look presentable and quasi-professional for work, please?).
Sigh. Marketing.
Application instructions are pretty straightforward and not insane, which is nice. I tested it out by doing just that – it took a while of depressing the dispensing nozzle (after shaking, of course) for the product to actually come out, leaving a greyish-white veil on my roots. I re-sectioned my hair and reapplied in areas that hadn’t gotten coverage. I then let it sit for about 30 seconds, then massaged it into my roots with my fingertips – this helps move the powder around to areas that still may have been missed. I let it sit for 30 more seconds and brush through – my hair was left matte, but not grey or white. It is scented, and while it is not strong, it is noticeable – a perfume-y powder, not for me.
For what it is, Clean Freak Dry Shampoo it worked well enough. It is a decent product, despite its…er, tasteful. rear product description. Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo isn’t super costly, at around $9 per 7oz can is superior to both versions from Suave, better than Tresemme’s…but does not top Psssst! Dry Shampoo ($5.50 per 5.3 oz can, and Psssst’s availability and frequent sales), which means it will retain its tiara and title as Best Dry Shampoo. That said, if I couldn’t find any Psssst! and needed something quick and inexpensive (well of course I need something inexpensive. KMS Hair Play is glorious but I can’t swallow $18 for dry shampoo), this is what I would reach for.
In the meantime, this little guy will live in my cubicle at work for touch ups.