If you have hair, you should own dry shampoo. That’s my opinion, anyway, and mum told me it counts.
It’s a fantastic, very-fine white talc-esque powder you spray onto your roots to soak up oil, and is bloody terrific. I panic when I run out. (Have been known to use actual talc, and even white flour.) Need it. Always. Only wash hair twice a week and rely on it heavily to not offend friends and strangers alike on that last day before washing. (See below for visual evidence.)
Why should you try it if you haven’t already converted?
It’ll give you another day of clean hair. It will prolong a blow dry. It will give you volume and lift. It will create a terrific, pillowy base for pulling your hair up. It will save your ass when your hair is filthy. It will expertly cook you osso bucco.
It works on all hair colours, although there are special brunette and redhead ones (by Batiste and Bumble & bumble) that might delight those of that hair colour more than the regular white powder type. Get the most of it by using a lot, massaging it in, then brushing and/or blow drying it through. DO NOT BE SCARED BY THE GREY LOOK. It will subside quickly. However, this is why you can’t use it for any more than 2 days: too much powder build up; too dandruffy looking.
Now, here’s a very basic How To, with a bonus little fuzzy top-knot at the end…
Do you use dry shampoo? Do you have a preferred brand?
Zoe is an author, columnist and porridge fan. She was beauty director of Cosmopolitan, Harper’s BAZAAR and PRIMPED and then collated all the best tips and tricks from her time in these roles for the beauty bible, Amazing Face. She is currently the dating columnist for Cosmopolitan magazine, although her best advice in this arena can probably be found in the dating and relationship guide, Textbook Romance , which she co-wrote with Hamish Blake. Zoe has published three novels, Air Kisses, Playing The Field and The Younger Man, and she rates them among the best novels ever written in the history of the written word. Find more info on her here, or supervise on her daily procrastination here and here.
Please understand that Zoë cannot respond to ALL your questions – but never fear, there are readers that are bound to know the answers, so don’t be afraid to ask – and answer!
Comments
174 Comments so far
i used to use Klorane which I loved but found i didn’t want to spend the money. Switched to johnson & johnson baby powder and it works better than any other product I have.
I have fine, greasy hair that would require washing every second day but now i easily get 2-3 if not 4 days (depending on the occasion). i just find a need a really good shampoo to get rod of the powder build up.
Johnson and johnson ftw!
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I love this tutorial and the handy top knot
I just tested out some dry shampoo on my brother’s hair because i just washed mine and his was dirty. It works really well except we have black hair and it makes us look like we have grey hair. I’m gonna wait and see if that subsides with a bit of time.
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Hi Zoe,
I’m a swimmer and find myself diving into chlorine pools on what is pretty much a daily basis. I was wondering if you had any particular advice for swimmers’ haircare?
Cheers xx
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I love dry shampoo. I use it on day two or three after I’ve washed it. It’s a godsend for dry-end, greasy scalp types like myself (I think most girls with long hair have this problem?).
I use Lee Stafford Poker Straight by Lee Stafford, I lift sections of hair and spray onto the roots and then massage and comb it through with my hands beofre putting it up in a cute, clean and fluffly looking pony tail or bun.
For those who are worried about inhaling the fine powder, I used to have the problem too, but there is a solution. Don’t use it like hairspray, but rather give it short, concentrated burst close to the root. Much more effective, and less fin particles in the air.
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thanks for that great advice Zoe. I’ve been using dry shampoo for a while, but didn’t know that it’s best when massaged in (I used to comb it out). So tried this today, excellent! It’s much better this way! Many thanks to your how-to.
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Finally a glimpse at the ring GORGEOUS
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Dry Shampoo is the best. I couldnt agree with you more Zoe. I travel all the time and take it with me so I dont have to carry my large bottles of shampoo and conditioner with me. Plus dry shampoos dont spill or burst in the bag so my stuff is safe.
I cant stand the fake fragrance that alot of the ones in Priceline have. I bought Nourish Dry Shampoo from Priceline and loved it. Smells great, its natural and even my husband will use it.
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Can anyone help me? I bought one that is just powder.. Not in a spray can. How do I use it?
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Just sprinkle on as lightly as you can. You want it all over, wherever your hair is most oily – going in sections down your head. Then just brush/comb out
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I don’t use dry shampoo in Aus, I’m too poor! When I lived in the UK it was a pound a bottle (A POUND! ONE SINGULAR POUND!) and I used it constantly. Now I do a trusty french braid along the front of my head to hide my greasy fringe and sweep it up into messy bun, hides it quite well cos I have very dark brown (nearly black) hair. wish I could afford it here!
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I bought 5 cans at Target a few weeks ago for $1 a can! They were in the racks right next to their checkout. I don’t know what the brand was but worth checking out and stocking up.
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OH MY GOD GENEVIEVE I COULD KISS YOU!
that is so exciting!
I’ll be hitting up Target tomorrow for sure!
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I have been using Klorlane and Batiste for about 3 years. I straighten my curly hair so I like to only wash bi weekly. However I have one MAJOR concern about dry shampoo and that is the idea of spraying fine talc into the air and then accidentally inhaling some… I think I’m just paranoid (OK I’m sure) but it doesn’t make be feel that comfortable. I spray it fast whilst holding my breath and then run out of the bathroom and slam the door… nuts I know.
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I’m the same, so spray in the corridor outside my bathroom and then step back in to finish doing my hair/makeup, figuring it’s probably settled by the time I’m done!
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Hi Zoe and everyone
I had a look at your video – it’s fantastic advice. I picked up some dry shampoo in Priceline the other day and checked out the ingredients – unfortunately my skin is far too sensitive for any of the ingredients within – and some of the commenters on this article tell of the fumes it creates. So I can’t use dry shampoo.
However is there a more natural alternative – I saw baby powder but I have dark brown almost black hair. I tried bicarb for an itchy scalp and this made my hair quite nice after I wet it.
Thanks for your advice.
Ps – Zoe, I love your ring!
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My flatmate & I agree, Treseme dry shampoo is bad. Will not be buying again. Klorane is my top pick! The powder seems extra fine.
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I like the Tony and Guy dry shampoo. I don’t know how it works, but it doesn’t seem to spray any sort of fine powder on the hair. Whatever it is, it gets rid of the greasiness, but without leaving any powdery residue.
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I recently started using dry shampoo after reading about it on the internet, and I have to say, I’m hooked.
I hated feeling so tired that all I wanted to do was crawl into bed, but knowing I had to have a shower or else offend people the next day with the eye sore that is greasy hair. And washing would only be half of that routine, as going to bed without drying my hair results in a disastrous frizzy mess.
It’s not just the anti-oil bit that is so great. Dry shampoo works like magic in my hair, giving it volume and oomph like I’ve never seen before. I have also noticed that my hair is growing faster (thought this mightn’t be related).
All in all, I would have to say that dry shampoo is now among my favourite beauty staples; one that I would defiantly bring if I was trapped on a desert island!
x
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Thanks for you the tip Zoe!! I bought Batiste Diva this morning and tried it straight away: Wow!! It has brought my hair up beautifully. This is great because I don’t like washing my hair more than twice a week, now I’ll be able to avoid that greasy look between washes. Thank you!
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I used to dry shampoo every second day but now just sprinkle a little J&J baby powder and it works just as well (and smells nicer!). I am very blonde though so no issues with any whiteness.
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You are a Goddess send Miss Zoe Foster!
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i use dry shampoo occassionally, but have 2 issues:
the smell. all dry shampoos smell terrible. the Batisse one is the wortst! chemically and awful. i use Tresemme as it seems to kinda smell like their other products.
also: how to get the white residue out of your hairbrush. normally i end up trying to wash it out of mine, but its pretty sticky.
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I live by this stuff!
Bastiste’s original formula is the best I’ve tried (and I have dark brown locks) and is frequently on sale at Priceline (last time I stocked up the full sized cans were only $5!!!)
I’ve tried others- Cedel didn’t amaze me and Tresseme was an utter disappointment. Toni and Guy’s is quite good as well, but a bit pricier than Bastiste.
Spray on offending roots. Tie hair as high on my head as possible while doing makeup. Brush through and style and voila!
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Hair question:
I have very fine hair but LOTS of it and its very straight… if you have similar hair…how often do you wash it?
I’m currently on every second day but even then its getting greasy sometimes in the middle of day 2. Any tips would be appreciated.. especially from fellow straighties!
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i would say this dry shampoo is right up your ally! and keep the conditioner off your roots..stay away from really waxy products!
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My hair is not at all similar to yours (curly, but there is definitely lots of it!) but I’m not sure if it makes a huge amount of difference to what I’m going to say. I used to also wash mine every second day and it would be getting dirty by the end of the second day. I now wash it every 4-6 days (6 is a stretch, definitely needs dry shampoo but apart from that, still fine! probably more like 4 or 5 days). It takes time to get your hair used to it. Just try to start washing it every three days and do that for awhile until you think you can stretch it out to an extra day or whatever if you think you can. Dry shampoo will be your best friend during the whole process because it takes the hair some getting used to being washed less frequently. But it’s worth it!
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My hair sounds exactly like yours… sooo much hair (I go through a LOT of draino) but silky fine and straight as straight.
I used to have to wash it every day because it was so fine it’d be oily by early evening, I now wash 2-3 times a week and use dry shampoo every other day.
Now I would say my hair looks its best on days 1 and 2 after a wash and blow dry (wash day being day 0) as with the dry shampoo it’s easier to style. I can wear it down until about day 2 as well (if I wait until after day 3 to wash it I need to chuck it in a pony tail).
You can also get little canisters of it from Priceline that fit in a handbag – a quick squirt and brush out and your hair is revitalised for post-work functions.
I find it gives fine hair a bit of ‘grip’ and volume… I sometimes even use it on freshly cleaned hair, mine is so silky that it can just go all floppy after I blowdry it (and if I use mousse or salt spray before drying or hairspray after it can sometimes weigh it down too much)… so after a blowdry I just use a teensy bit of dry shampoo in my T-section and it gives my hair that sexy tousselled look with loads of volume and movement.
I like Klorane but Batiste is cheaper and available in more places (and just as good, I’m not wild about the smell is all) … I don’t like the Toni. & Guy dry shampoo on my hair (although it’s better than nothing in a pinch).
Dry shampoo = #1 on my desert island list.
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Dear god Zoe Foster, you have just made me look good once again. Just came home from work and put on a cute maxi, waiting for my boyfriend to come home so we could go out to dinner, but my look was let down by my greasy hair tied up in a high bun (that looked really flat). Just played your video and thought “hey, hair probs can be fixed by dry shampoo, and let’s change high bun to top knot”. So simple, yet changed my whole look. I look fab, and I just toasted my glass of wine to you. Zoe you are a beauty oracle.
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Blush, stutter, swoon.
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Yeah I agree dry shampoo is awesome but I have found that not all dry shampoos are created equal. I am currently using the Tresemme one and it is rubbish compared to the Klorane.
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I agree! Tresemme was the first one I used and I didn’t love dry shampoo then, but I realise now it’s because it’s not a very good one. Used Cedel too which is good, but I adore Batiste.
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Oh Zoe, you’ve read my mind. So timely. I saw dry shampoo in Lush on Wednesday and have been wanting to go back and buy some. I get really greasy hair and this would help so much when I am caught out and don’t have time for a wash.
3 guesses what I am buying this weekend
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Lush has one? How expensive is it?
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It’s $13.50
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Zoe, thank you so much for your beauty guidance and tips! I bought Amazing Face last year and it has revolutionised my beauty routines. I’m using night creams, serums, drawing in my eyebrows and started using dry shampoo. Your book and articles have helped me ‘grow up’ in the world of skin/hair care.
My mother said the other day “I’ve been telling you to draw in your eyebrows for years and some book comes along and you actually start doing it”. Hilarious! Thanks Zoe!
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Hi Zoe, I just bought some of the new Schwarzkopf instant volume powder thinking it must be like the magic dust you talk about in Amazing Face and it is awesome!!
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As a busy mum of little kids, this is the absolute best saviour for not-enough-time-to-wash-hair-before-getting-out-the-door ever! I cannot sing it’s praises enough. I would even go so far as to call it a Mum’s best friend.
Tried to talk my sister into trying it too but haven’t managed to convert her yet!
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I like dry shampoo, but I always manage to buy dodgy cans. I use them once, just a tiny amount, and when I go to use them again they don’t work. I guess all the air slowly leaks out of them. I’ve tried every brand and it’s happened at least once with all of them.
Best thing I ever did for my greasy hair was go a month only washing it with water. It looked horrible for the first 3 weeks, but then it completely sorted itself out and now I can get a full week out of a blow-dry, with no oiliness to be seen.
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clean out the nozzle.
hot water and a needle will work well.
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Yes! I’m convinced shampoo is evil.
I only wash my hair once a week, (in bicarb soda and with an apple vinegar rinse, because I’m heinously crunchy) and it is never ever oily. When I washed it with shampoo it needed doing every two days. Yuck!
http://the-accidental-housewife.blogspot.com.au/
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couldn’t agree with you more zoe – i cannot live without the stuff!
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How is it on extremely oily hair? I have fine hair that gets oily within 18 hours of washing. If I stretch out to 2 days between washes, my scalp gets horribly itchy – not to mention my hair goes lank and clumps together: totally gross. I’d love a product that could save me from daily washing!
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My hair used to be like this, it’s very fine and would get very oily. I used to wash at least every second day. Now I use dry shampoo from day three, and usually can stretch my hair out to four days between washes without looking greasy. Day five starts to get a bit feral, but the rest of the time is fantastic, great body which I never had as well!
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Great timing Zoe. I just purchased my very first bottle of dry shampoo the other day and I have never used it before. I am a newly converted brunette and was terrified of the white powder aftermath in my hair.
Thanks very much for doing the vid. I have less anxiety now about using it.
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I’ve tried a couple of different dry shampoos but find the smell and fumes overwhelming. I feel like a bug trapped inside a fumigation tent (even with windows open and fan on).
I’ve tried using a little and a lot but still look and feel like I have dirty oily hair.
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THANK YOU!!! Zoe I had put this question out to Facebook-land a few weeks ago about what is the best one for us brunette gals.
I had some okay answers, I ventured out and got a small travel sized bottle of Cedel *for BROWN hair.. brilliant stuff. it even smells okay!
Thank you for your always amazing tips and tricks to make us look fabulous!
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Love it! Bought it from your recommendation Zoe and I haven’t looked back since!
I even bought some for my friend – I’m not sure if she was offended or not but I didn’t care I wanted to share this great tip!!
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I love it….a couple of days after washing this is the best thing – gives my hair that beachy feel and no grease in site! I use Batiste for dark hair and its fantastic….i agree the smell is yummy too
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Newest addition to my gift bag for new mums. This stuff is The Sh*t.
Zoe you forgot the other awesome benefit!!!! If you are basically washing/blow-drying/straightening you hair HALF as much (because you extend your do with the dry shampoo) you’re also halving the damage to your hair! Over time this makes a maaaassive difference.
As a blonde I also think it helps extend the period before you need your roots done, as greasy roots look darker, and this lightens them. Just IMHO.
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Being blonde I have always used plain old talc at a push but will try the Klorane on everyone’s recommendation!
Plus want to thank you Zoe! Have never been great with make up and after reading lots of your posts on here I bought Amazing Face! Inhaled it, made notes and changed my daily look my makeup colors (green eyes, purple liner) and hair (severe side part low pony big earings) bought some great lipgloss (matching my gums….fab tip!!!) and have never received sooooooo many positive comments!!! I give you major credit and have recommended your book to everyone!! So thanks for my new easy everyday look and for the regular tips!!!! Amazing face is my bible!!!
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Double fist pump! Swirl! Grin! Thank you for your lovely feedback.
Thrilled,
NSW
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Could not agree more Zoe! I cannot live without this product, I have super oily hair – I HAVE to wash it every day. After discovering this product years ago in London I’m still banging on to friends who have not heard about it! I mean – how can you not of heard about dry shampoo. I normally buy a few cans at a time as I literally cannot live without it! For you gals out there that haven’t tried it and don’t have oily hair it’s brilliant for volume and a bit of grit too! I’m still loyal to the Batise range who have many a fragrance and colour for those darker haired ladies!
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This makes me wonder what I’m doing wrong?? I’m a mum of 2 little ones and tried dry shampoo on my very fine hair that needs to be washed every day or I’m an oil slick. When I try it it still looks a bit oily and if I try to put my hair up in a bun or pony the sides of my hair look very yuck and hard to style. Help anyone?
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Dry shampoo is my saviour when I’m too lazy to wash/blowdry/style my hair, my fave would be De Lorenzo absorb, has a matte dry finish and doesn’t leave white patches or residue in my hair. It also contains organic rose hip extract with a lovely florally smell!! winning!
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Totally agree with you there Tickledpink – De Lorenzo is the best! No sticky clumps or white/grey patches like the others, lasts and smells gentle. Great for oily fringes or after the gym. Just wish it came in a pursepack/toiletbag size for travel. Its a salon product and costs a bit more than the others but worth it as some of the cheap and nasty ones make your hair look worse after you use it than it did before.
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YES! Love dry shampoo! Because I’m a daily-morning-gym-goer, I used to wash my hair every morning. But thanks to Amazing Face, I’m now a pro at using dry shampoo and a blowdryer to save my greasy, sweaty hair.
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My hair is a similar length to yours, Zoe (how about I just address you as if I know you?!) and is darkest brown. I am trying to grow it out. I am SO BORED. Do you have any cheaty, easy hairstyles that I could try for this difficult interim stage? I like the top knot, but I think I’d have to secure the ample straggly back bits with at least 34 bobby pins to stay in place.
Texturally, my hair is probably a lot like yours, too: thick and naturally wavy. I’d like to try the wool shake you recommended and vamp up the curls, but I’m timid about big hair.
I own a GHD. But it takes so long to get through all my hairs!
Maybe I’ll just get a nice beanie.
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It’s just a bit of a shitty length, I’m afraid. I tend to muss it up and go wild woman waves and texture, or put it up. (I use a comb instead of 3893 bobby pins.) Or, do a deep side part and tuck behind both ears for a sharp and exciting look that really suits collars.
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AHA. A comb. I forgot those existed.
Thank you!
Maybe I just need embrace what some call “volume” but I refer to as “follicular anarchy”.
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‘follicular anarchy’! love it! much better than ‘bad hair day’
Reminds me of Niles from Fraiser “I have problem follicules”
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Have never considered using dry shampoo, but since you were SO right about EYEBROWS recently, I have decided that you are All Knowing and I will give this a go!
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Zoe I love your posts! If you are looking for ideas for a new post, I have tried about a million times to ‘set’ my hair ala Dita Von Teese and it always ends up looking too modern and wavy and not ‘old hollywood’.
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I love your hair tutorials there my favourite!!!! Thanks zo this was really helpful!!! xx
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I guessed it was this when I saw the fb post! yay! lol. For me it’s such an essential, during the week I find it hard to find time to wash my hair (as silly/gross as it sounds) so live by this.
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Zoe, i love your hair tutorials! Can you do a tutorial on that slick, deep side part bun thing in Amazing face, i can never get it right. x
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yes please!!
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LOVE Batiste Dry Shampoo! And so, so cheap!
Just a question though, how do you put it in the front fringe so that the fringe just doesn’t sit there lank and icky? I hate it when it goes all gross spread-y accross my forehead instead of sitting nicely?
Thanks
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I find using dry shampoo helps! I had thick, wavvy hair so after straightening my fringe I find it does that… sits flat against my head and ‘spreads’ and just looks.. ferral.
A little dry shampoo makes it ‘hold together’ instead of spreading, finished by a touch of hairspray means it’ll stay that way
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Where do you buy it? Priceline, supermarkets? I have never noticed it.
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Both! It’s fairly widely available, the coloured ones slightly less common (but my local Woolies does them so not rare).
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Lush have it.
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Where do you buy it? I use that one (love it) but at $12-$14 I think it’s expensive and doesn’t last that long. Few weeks only…
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Thats cheap for something that lasts 3weeks – that’s like 3 coffees
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When you look at it like that… but I don’t drink coffee so that’s probably why
I was comparing it to shampoo or hairspray which is less money and lasts way longer…
Anyway, I do use it, most days, I love it. I just go through that product faster than anything else!
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Love love love dry shampoo.
I have medium brown hair and I have a few that I use interchangeably depending on what I’m using it for – Lee Stafford or Cedel if I’m putting it up; Batiste or Rockstar (from Hairhouse Warehouse) if I want to keep wearing it out. I love Klorane but find it’s too light for my hair. Priceline always seems to have one of the good brands on sale.
Would LOVE to try the Bumble & Bumble one. Anyone tried it? Any good?
I do find that my bathroom gets a lovely powdery coat over the bench/floor/walls when I spray my hair which is a pain in the backside to clean each week. I’ve got long, dark hair so you can imagine how filthy my bathroom gets!
I also find that if you’re using it regularly, one can doesn’t last very long… They need to come in giant hairspray sizes!
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Bumble & bumble prodz are ALWAYS worth it. Always. Their dry shampoo is a bit wet, like a paint almost, and it’s not exactly foolproof to apply, but it is authentic in covering greys, concealing roots and of course, giving some body and freshness. Ask the Mecca girls to demo.
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Covering greys?? You just got my attention, I’m slightly overdue for a touch-up! I have never used dry shampoo; if I was using it to cover greys would I just apply it where the greys are?
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Best dry shampoo for covering greys as well is Bumble & Bumble from Mecca. Expensive but gives me an extra week or two before having to recolor my roots!!!
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How many different publicity photos of you are there Zoe? I mean you look lovely and all but gee you have lots of pics.
You dont want to make any more videos because you want to find time to write. Maybe just stop having your photo taken. This should free up some time.
Love your work as always.
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If I looked like Zoe, I would love to have my photo taken so much!
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That’s so funny, I just went through and counted nine different photos of her against her articles. More than Mia. Maybe it should be renamed Mamazoe.
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Ouch! Comment thorn!
These have been taken over years of monthly Cosmo columns, Bette.
I don’t submit a new one each article, the MM crew asked for a bunch – and the majority are taken from the web – to use as anchors for the articles. They decide which images are used on the post and homepage, not me.
Obviously if it WAS me, I would have EVEN MORE headshots. And foot shots. Elbow shots, too.
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And I am sure your elbows are just as photogenic.
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Ok, but the cat/face thing is just CREEPY!!!
(Also, I’m having trouble logging in?) <this comment not to Zoe lol
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We put photos of all our columnists on the site, next to their stories. Bec, Kate, Mia, Zoe, myself. And we try and have as many as possible to have a new one each week lest the front of the site look a bit same-same.
It’s not like Zoe is begging us to run a different one each week!
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Bette, what a bizarre criticism.
Guess it is a good day if that is all you have to complain about…
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I love seeing diff pics of Zoe love love love how she changes it up – her look that is.
You rock Zoe!!
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She’s annoying but her advice is good.
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Well thats just rude!
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