I Don't Know How I Lived Before Discovering Dry Conditioner

As someone who takes great pride in their hair, I was kind of shocked it took me so long to learn about a little product called dry conditioner. I'm always testing out the latest and greatest hair innovations, whether it's masks, shampoos, or treatments, but this category flew under my radar for quite some time.

When I first saw the term "dry conditioner" in a pitch email, I was initially a little confused. WTF is a dry conditioner? I remember asking myself. It turns out that while traditional conditioners require water to activate, a dry formula is applied directly onto, you guessed it, dry hair. Yet, it still achieves similar results — no shower necessary.

My next question was, what exactly is the difference between a dry shampoo and a dry conditioner? "While both are applied to dry hair between washes, dry shampoo is designed to absorb excess oil and refresh the scalp, while dry conditioner focuses on hydrating and softening the hair," celebrity hairstylist MJ Snyder tells POPSUGAR.

Confession time: I've never been a huge fan of dry shampoos. I think they work in a pinch, but I don't think they ever make my hair look as freshly washed as they claim to. Because of that, I was a little skeptical about trying a dry conditioner for the first time, but I ended up blown away by the results.

Ahead, read my full review of the Unite U: Dry Fresh Dry Conditioner ($33).

Unite U: Dry Fresh Dry Conditioner

From

$30

$30 at Amazon

Initially, I didn't have high hopes for a dry conditioner. However, this product was quick to impress me. I tested it for the first time on day-two hair, and I found that it helped prolong the life of the blowout I had given myself. It made my hair look shinier immediately after application, and it cut down on tons of frizz right after I brushed it through. It gave my hair an instant refresh, and it didn't leave behind any residue. Instead, my hair felt light and bouncy.

Since that first trial, it's become an integral part of my hair-care routine, and I've found that I'm able to skip out on hot tools in favor of quickly refreshing my ends using this dry conditioner. Also, it smells fantastic. The juniper scent clings to my hair and leaves it smelling fresh and clean for hours on end.

The brand recommends shaking the bottle well before use. Then, hold it eight inches away from dry hair and spray from mid-lengths to ends before brushing it through.

I only wash my hair two to three times a week at most, so I use this product at least a few times a week. I always start with dry hair as instructed. If my roots are extra greasy, I apply a dry shampoo just to my scalp and massage it in. Then, I follow up with the dry conditioner. I like to spritz it whenever I notice my hair has a lot of static, and I also like to use it before I head outside on long walks just to add an extra layer of protection from the sun.

If you're sensitive to fragrance, I'd recommend testing a sample of this prior to purchasing a full-size. I love the scent and am used to it, but it is on the stronger side.

Rating:

★★★★★

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for POPSUGAR. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for POPSUGAR's TikTok and Instagram accounts.