As someone with an oily scalp, the days I skip washing my hair are a disaster. My hair looks flat, the roots are visibly greasy, and I end up looking messy and unkempt. Since I’m not a big fan of dry shampoo sprays, I needed something else to bring my hair back to life. That’s when I discovered hair texture powders.

Vogue’s Favorite Hair Texture Powders

– Best Overall: SexyHair Big Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder, $22
– Best for Updos: Oribe Swept Up Volume Powder, $44
– Best Dry Shampoo: Bumble and Bumble Prêt-À-Powder Dry Shampoo Powder, $35
– Best Volumizing: Moroccanoil Texture & Volume Hair Powder, $30
– Best Tinted: dpHUE Camo+ Tinted Dry Shampoo Powder, $29

As the name suggests, hair texture powder is a product that instantly adds volume and texture. It often works like a dry shampoo, absorbing oil and keeping your hair looking fresh between washes, while also making it easier to style. “Hair texturizing powder is one of my favorite tricks for creating instant volume, grit, and separation,” says celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. “It gives hair that effortless, lived-in texture and helps styles hold without feeling stiff or sticky.” Here’s everything you need to know.

In This Story
– What does hair texturizing powder do?
– What are the cons of hair texture powder?
– How to Use Hair Texture Powder
– How We Tested
– Meet the Experts

Best Overall: Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Powder Play
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SexyHair Big Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder, $22 at Amazon

Why We Love It: Hawkins’s current favorite is this texture powder from Sexy Hair. It’s lightweight and fragrance-free, blending in easily to add volume at the roots. He says it’s a must for anyone with fine or slippery hair. “It gives incredible lift at the roots, adds texture exactly where you need it, and a little goes a very long way,” he explains.
Key Ingredients: Rice bran oil
Size: 0.53 oz.

Best Dry Shampoo: Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder Dry Shampoo Powder
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Bumble and bumble Prêt-À-Powder Dry Shampoo Powder, $35 (now $30, 14% off) at Amazon, $35 at Blue Mercury, $35 at Nordstrom

Why We Love It: We love a classic. This dry shampoo checks all the boxes: it’s lightweight, absorbs oil, adds volume, and keeps hair looking and feeling fresh. Plus, it works for almost everyone.
Editor’s Experience: Full disclosure: I usually don’t like dry shampoos. I have a very oily scalp, and when I don’t wash my hair, it looks like I’ve dipped it in oil. Dry shampoo often makes it look worse. So I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It not only absorbs excess oil but also adds volume on non-wash days. It’s lightweight and blends seamlessly into my black hair without leaving any residue. For the few times I need a dry shampoo, this is what I use. —Audrey Noble, contributor
Key Ingredients: Silica, corn starch, tapioca starch
Size: 2 oz.

Best for Updos: Oribe Swept Up Volume Powder
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Oribe Swept Up Volume Powder, $44 at Amazon, $44 at Blue Mercury, $44 at Nordstrom

Why We Love It: Celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims likes this hair texture powder because it lifts hair without weighing it down. The formula is buildable, so it works for a variety of hairstyles and adds extra grit—perfect for updos or dramatic volume. For special occasions or red carpets, this is your go-to.
Key Ingredients: Antioxidants, vitamin E, aloe vera, tapioca starch, hydrolyzed quinoa
Size: 0.21 oz.

Best Volumizing: Moroccanoil Texture & Volume Hair Powder
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Moroccanoil Texture & Volume Hair Powder, $30 at Blue Mercury

Why We Love It: If you’re worried about hair texture powder leaving your hair sticky or stiff, try this one. It’s a lightweight, non-aerosol formula that gives your roots an instant boost without leaving any residue. Plus, it has the signature sweet Moroccanoil scent, which is lovely. Just spray it at the roots and style.Your desired volume.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil, mineral compound
Size: 0.28 oz.

Best Tinted Texture Powder: dpHue Camo + Tinted Dry Shampoo Powder
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dpHUE
Camo+ Tinted Dry Shampoo Powder
$29 DPHUE

Why We Love It: What’s better than a dry shampoo? A tinted one. This not only gives your hair an instant lift and refresh, but it also comes in different shades to blend seamlessly with your natural hair and cover any grays you want to hide. Plus, the built-in powder brush makes application super easy—always a nice bonus.

Key Ingredients: Rice starch, avocado oil
Size: 0.49 oz.

Everything You Need to Know

What does hair texturizing powder do?
Sims recommends using a hair texturizing powder to build volume and fullness while adding some grip. It can absorb oil and give your hair a more matte finish. Hawkins adds that a powder formula is much more concentrated than a spray, which allows for more precise application.

What are the cons of hair texture powder?
Hawkins says that overusing it can leave your hair feeling dry and chalky, especially if you already have coarse or very dry hair. Sims agrees and notes that he doesn’t typically use texture powder (or spray, for that matter) on clients with 4A, B, or C hair. When you do use it, Hawkins suggests starting with a small amount, since you can always add more if needed. “A little goes a long way,” he says.

How to Use Hair Texture Powder
Sims likes to lightly sprinkle texture powder at the roots and then massage it into the scalp to avoid buildup. For extra texture, Hawkins works some product through the mid-lengths and ends. But remember: “Less is definitely more,” he says.

How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a well-rounded approach to give you the best recommendations. First, we rely on Vogue’s wide network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity aestheticians—to get professional insight on standout products that these specialists would actually use on their clients. We combine their expertise with our editorial best practices to create the thoughtful selections you see on our site.

For hair texture powder, we chose the best based on these factors: ingredients, powder type, ease of application, powder tint, texture, finish, and the hair-care concerns they address. To do this, we tested each formula ourselves, along with expert advice and reviewer feedback, to decide which ones we’d recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here.

Meet the Experts
Larry Sims is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Gabrielle Union, Zendaya, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
Clayton Hawkins is a celebrity hairstylist who often works with Olivia Rodrigo, Addison Rae, and Jenna Ortega.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about using texture powders for fine hair written in a natural tone with clear answers

Beginner Questions

1 What exactly is a texture powder
Its a lightweight powder that you sprinkle onto your roots It absorbs oil and adds grit which gives fine hair instant grip volume and a matte finish

2 Will it make my hair look stiff or crunchy
No if you use it correctly The key is to apply a small amount to the roots only It should feel dry and textured not wet or sticky You can still run your fingers through it

3 How do I actually apply it without making a mess
Most powders come with a pointed nozzle Section your hair sprinkle a tiny bit directly onto the roots then massage it in with your fingertips Flip your head over for extra lift

4 Can I use it on clean hair or does it need to be dirty
It works best on clean dry hair In fact its great for dayold hair because it absorbs the natural oils that weigh fine hair down making it look freshly washed and voluminous

5 Will it ruin my hair color or leave a white residue
Most highquality powders are translucent If you have dark hair just make sure to rub the powder in thoroughly with your fingers If you see a white cast you didnt massage it enough

Advanced Questions

6 Whats the difference between a texture powder and a dry shampoo
Dry shampoo is mainly for absorbing oil and refreshing hair Texture powder is designed specifically to create grip and volume A texture powder will give you much more lift and hold for styling while dry shampoo is better for cleaning

7 Can I use texture powder for updos and braids
Absolutely Its a gamechanger for fine hair Sprinkle a little on the roots and through the midlengths The extra grip will prevent braids from slipping out and will give a messy bun much more body and staying power

8 My hair feels sticky after using powder What am I doing wrong
Youre likely using too much or youre applying it too close to the ends Stick to a peasized amount for your whole head