Dry shampoo is one of those products where the difference between an average formula and a really good one can be surprisingly noticeable.
That’s why Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo gets so much attention. It’s designed to do more than simply disguise greasy roots.
Living Proof says its Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo absorbs oil, sweat and odor, helping hair look, feel and smell cleaner between washes.
And judging by thousands of customer reviews, it does a pretty impressive job.
So, is Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo actually worth trying?
I think it can be — particularly if ordinary dry shampoos leave your hair feeling heavy, obviously powdered or still slightly dirty.
Looking for more options? Read our Guide to the Best Dry Shampoo
What Is Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo?
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo — often shortened to PhD Dry Shampoo — is an aerosol dry shampoo designed to refresh hair between regular washes.
Its main purpose is to absorb:
Excess oil
Sweat
Unwanted odors
It also adds a little texture and body while leaving behind Living Proof’s distinctive fragrance.
Like most aerosol dry shampoos, it uses absorbent powders rather than water to deal with greasy roots.
One of the primary ingredients is rice starch, which helps soak up excess oils.
Living Proof also uses a microporous mineral blend and odor-neutralizing ingredients as part of the formula.
At a Glance
Best for: Oily roots, sweaty hair and extending time between washes
Main benefit: Absorbs oil, sweat and odor
Finish: Fresh, lightly textured hair
Volume: Yes, some added body
Fragrance: Crisp, fresh, time-release fragrance
Main absorbent ingredient: Rice starch
Best suited to: Anyone who wants a more refined dry shampoo experience
How Does Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo Work?
Living Proof describes this as a dry shampoo that “actually cleans” hair.
I think that claim needs a little context.
It doesn’t clean the scalp in exactly the same way that conventional shampoo and water do.
Instead, the formula uses fast-absorbing powders to take up excess oil and sweat, while odor-neutralizing ingredients help hair smell fresher.
After applying it, you leave the product on the hair for around 30 seconds and then physically work the powder out by massaging the roots or brushing through the hair.
That removal step is particularly important.
Rather than simply spraying product onto greasy hair and leaving everything sitting there, you’re supposed to let the absorbent ingredients do their work and then remove the excess.
The result should be hair that looks and feels noticeably fresher.
Does Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo Actually Work?
The customer feedback is extremely strong.
Ulta currently lists Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo with an average rating of around 4.5 out of 5 from thousands of reviews.
A high proportion of reviewers also say they would recommend it to a friend.
The most frequently reported benefits include:
Great fragrance
Effective cleansing
Added volume
Gentleness
Some added shine
Oily hair is also one of the most frequently mentioned hair types among reviewers.
That suggests its strongest use case is exactly what I’d expect: rescuing oily roots when you’re not quite ready for another shampoo.
How Good Is It for Oily Hair?
This is where Perfect Hair Day seems to shine.
Rice starch is one of the key functional ingredients in the formula, and Living Proof combines it with other absorbent materials designed to take up oil and sweat.
For slightly oily second-day hair, you probably won’t need very much.
For noticeably greasy hair, the brand recommends working in sections and concentrating the product on the areas that actually need it.
I particularly like this approach because randomly coating your entire head in dry shampoo isn’t usually necessary.
Focus on:
The parting
The crown
Around the hairline
The temples
Under bangs or a fringe
Any visibly oily root sections
That should give you the refreshing effect without unnecessarily coating the lengths of the hair.
Does It Remove Sweat?
This is one feature that makes Living Proof Perfect Hair Day more interesting than some basic dry shampoos.
The product is specifically marketed as absorbing sweat as well as oil.
That could make it particularly useful after:
A workout
A hot commute
Humid weather
Wearing a hat
A warm night
Any situation where the roots feel slightly sweaty but don’t justify a full shampoo
Of course, there’s a limit.
If my scalp were genuinely dirty and heavily sweaty after exercise, I’d still prefer to wash it properly.
But for relatively minor sweat and oil buildup, this seems like a useful option.
What About Odor?
Living Proof also uses odor-neutralizing ingredients rather than relying entirely on perfume to mask unwanted smells.
That’s something I find appealing.
Adding fragrance on top of hair that doesn’t smell particularly fresh isn’t quite the same thing as dealing with the original odor.
The product then adds its own time-release fragrance to give the hair a fresher scent.
What Does Living Proof Dry Shampoo Smell Like?
Fragrance is actually one of the most frequently praised features in customer reviews.
Living Proof describes the product as delivering a crisp, time-release scent.
The ingredient list also includes lemon, bergamot and orange peel oils alongside other fragrance ingredients.
That said, fragrance is always going to be subjective.
There are also reviewers who dislike the scent, although they appear to be in the minority compared with those who praise it.
If you’re extremely fragrance-sensitive, this probably wouldn’t be my first choice.
Does It Leave White Residue?
This is one of the biggest questions with any dry shampoo.
Nobody wants to solve greasy roots only to replace them with obvious dusty patches.
Living Proof’s application method is designed to help prevent that powdery finish.
You spray it onto the roots, leave it for approximately 30 seconds, then massage or brush the product out.
That last step shouldn’t be skipped.
The powder is there to absorb oil. Once it has done that job, working the product thoroughly through the hair helps remove excess residue.
People with very dark hair may still need to be more careful with application because rice starch itself is pale.
I would definitely start with less product rather than spraying heavily.
Does It Add Volume?
Yes.
Customer feedback regularly mentions added body and volume among the product’s benefits.
This makes sense.
Greasy roots become heavier and flatter.
Once some of that oil is absorbed, the hair naturally regains a little lift.
Dry shampoo also gives freshly washed, slippery hair slightly more grip, which can make styling easier.
So while this isn’t primarily a texturizing spray, I’d expect noticeable extra body around the roots.
Is It Good for Fine Hair?
I think fine hair is one of the strongest candidates for this product.
Fine hair tends to display oil quite quickly because there’s simply less hair available to disguise what’s happening at the roots.
It can also become flat very easily.
A combination of oil absorption and increased root volume therefore makes a lot of sense.
What About Thick or Curly Hair?
It’s certainly not restricted to fine hair.
Customer reviews include plenty of people with thick, wavy and curly hair too.
For thicker hair, I’d spend a little more time sectioning it before spraying.
If you only spray the visible surface, the product may never reach the oily roots underneath.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo Ingredients
The formula includes:
Rice starch
Cellulose-derived ingredients
Zeolite
Denatured alcohol
Lemon peel oil
Bergamot peel oil
Orange peel oil
Fragrance
The manufacturer notes that ingredient lists can change, so I would always check the packaging if you’re avoiding a particular ingredient.
Does It Contain Alcohol?
Yes.
Alcohol Denat. appears high on the ingredient list.
This isn’t unusual for aerosol dry shampoos, but it is worth knowing if your scalp or hair is particularly dry.
Some reviewers do report that the product can dry their hair out.
For that reason, I’d concentrate it on oily roots and avoid spraying it unnecessarily through dry ends.
How to Use Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Living Proof’s instructions are slightly more involved than simply spray-and-go.
Step 1: Shake It Really Well
The manufacturer emphasizes shaking the can thoroughly before application.
This helps distribute the absorbent ingredients properly.
Step 2: Section Your Hair
Separate your hair so you can actually reach oily areas rather than just coating the top layer.
Step 3: Spray From 6–10 Inches Away
Apply in a sweeping motion, targeting greasy areas.
Step 4: Wait 30 Seconds
This gives the powders time to absorb oil and sweat.
Step 5: Massage or Brush It Out
Massage the roots with your fingertips, shake the hair through or brush it.
This step helps remove excess powder.
Step 6: Add More Only If Needed
If the roots still look oily, shake the can again and repeat lightly.
I think this is one dry shampoo where following the instructions properly probably makes a considerable difference.
Can You Use It Every Day?
Many customers do use dry shampoo frequently, but I wouldn’t personally use it as a permanent substitute for conventional washing.
It can absorb oil, sweat and odor, but it doesn’t replace everything shampoo and water accomplish.
Repeatedly adding dry shampoo without washing can eventually leave product buildup on the scalp.
I’d use it to extend the time between washes, not eliminate washing altogether.
Does It Dry Hair Out?
Potentially.
Most feedback is positive, but dryness is also one of the more common criticisms.
That’s not surprising considering the formula contains both denatured alcohol and absorbent powders.
If you already have dry hair, I’d apply it only where it’s needed: the roots.
Your mid-lengths and ends generally don’t need dry shampoo anyway.
Pros and Cons
What I Like
Excellent oil absorption
The combination of rice starch and additional absorbent ingredients is designed specifically to handle oily roots.
Absorbs sweat too
Useful after exercise or during hot weather.
Helps deal with odor
This is more sophisticated than simply spraying fragrance onto stale hair.
Adds volume
Customer reviews frequently mention extra body and lift.
Feels more like genuinely refreshed hair
This is probably its biggest advantage over some basic dry shampoos.
Very highly reviewed
Thousands of positive reviews suggest that it works well for a wide range of hair types.
What I Don’t Like
Contains fragrance
Not ideal if you’re fragrance-sensitive.
Contains denatured alcohol
May feel drying with frequent use.
Application takes slightly more effort
For the best results, you need to section, spray, wait and massage the powder out.
It’s an aerosol
Some people simply prefer powder or non-aerosol formulas.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day vs Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak
These two are aimed at slightly different types of dry shampoo user.
Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak is the straightforward everyday option.
It provides good oil absorption and works particularly well for quick root refreshes.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day feels more like the option for someone who wants a more complete refresh, particularly because it targets sweat and odor as well as excess oil.
So my choice would be:
Best straightforward everyday option: Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak
Best for a more complete refresh: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day
Perfect Hair Day vs Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
One thing that can be confusing is that Living Proof also makes Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo.
They’re not exactly the same product.
The original Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo focuses strongly on absorbing oil, sweat and odor while adding some texture and body.
The Advanced Clean version is designed to provide more of a freshly washed feel, including increased softness and shine with less visible or textured residue.
I’d choose the original if oil control and volume were my priorities.
I’d be tempted by Advanced Clean if softness and a less powdery finish mattered more.
Who Would I Recommend It For?
I’d particularly consider Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo if you:
Have oily roots
Regularly use dry shampoo
Exercise frequently
Want to absorb minor sweat between washes
Have fine or flat hair
Want some additional volume
Dislike heavy, coated-feeling dry shampoos
Want something that targets odor as well as oil
I’d probably choose something else if you:
Have a very dry or sensitive scalp
Avoid fragranced products
Prefer non-aerosol formulas
Only want a very simple powder-based root refresher
My Verdict: Is Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo Worth Trying?
Yes.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo does considerably more than simply spray powder onto oily roots.
Its combination of oil and sweat absorption, odor control, fragrance and added body makes it a well-rounded product.
The customer feedback is particularly convincing, with thousands of positive reviews and consistently strong ratings.
Its main drawbacks are fairly typical for this type of product: fragrance, denatured alcohol and the possibility of dryness if it’s overused.
But if ordinary dry shampoos consistently leave your hair powdery, flat or unpleasantly coated, Living Proof Perfect Hair Day is definitely one I’d consider.
Beautifully Alive Rating: 4.6/5
Best feature: Excellent oil, sweat and odor control
Biggest drawback: Can feel drying if overused
Best suited to: Oily or fine hair and regular dry-shampoo users
Would I recommend it? Yes — particularly if you want your hair to feel more genuinely refreshed rather than simply less oily.
Read next: 10 Best Dry Shampoo Options for Fresh, Voluminous Hair
View more Dry Shampoo Reviews >
