You've probably been there. It is day four. Maybe day five. Your hair doesn't just look "lived-in"—it looks like it has been through a literal oil slick. You reach for your standard dry shampoo, spray a cloud of white powder that makes you look like a Victorian ghost, and ten minutes later, your scalp feels itchier than ever. Most dry shampoos are basically just talc and perfume. They sit on top of the grease, creating a heavy, gritty paste that eventually causes more problems than it solves.
Then there is amika perk up plus dry shampoo.
It is not just a "stronger" version of the original cult favorite. Honestly, the way people use dry shampoo is fundamentally broken, and this specific formula was designed to fix that. While the classic Perk Up is great for a day-two volume boost, the Plus version is a different beast entirely. It is meant for the long haul—the people who want to hit day seven without their scalp screaming for help.
Why the "Plus" actually matters for your scalp
Most people think dry shampoo is just about hiding oil. It's not. If you leave oil, sweat, and product buildup on your scalp for a week, you're asking for inflammation and clogged follicles. This is where the amika perk up plus dry shampoo deviates from the pack.
Instead of just dumping more starch on your head, it uses mandelic acid.
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Yeah, the same AHA you find in high-end skincare. It is a gentle chemical exfoliant. In a dry shampoo, this helps to balance the scalp environment so you don't get 그 "itchy" feeling that usually sets in by day three. It's subtle. You won't feel a tingle, but you will notice that your scalp feels "lighter" even when you haven't seen a showerhead in days.
The ingredient breakdown (No fluff)
- Arrowroot Powder: This is the heavy lifter for absorption. It's way more efficient than the cheap talc found in drugstore brands and doesn't leave that nasty gritty residue.
- Rambutan Seed Extract: This is the secret weapon against "hair smell." It neutralizes odors and actually helps hydrate the scalp.
- Peptides: This feels like a marketing gimmick until you realize they're there to support the skin barrier of your scalp, which gets trashed by traditional alcohol-heavy sprays.
- Sea Buckthorn: Amika’s signature. It’s packed with Vitamin C and A. Basically, it’s food for your hair while you’re neglecting it.
The invisible finish is real
The biggest lie in the beauty industry is "invisible dry shampoo." Most of them are invisible for about five seconds until they dry into a chalky film. If you have dark hair, you know the struggle.
I've seen the clinical data and the user tests—94% of people in a 52-person study agreed this stuff extends time between washes better than anything else they’ve tried. But the real win is the finish. Because it uses arrowroot and a specific "plus" formulation, it doesn't leave that dusty grey cast.
It’s a "dry wash." That’s the best way to describe it.
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amika perk up plus dry shampoo vs. The Original
It's tempting to think you only need one, but they serve totally different masters.
The original Perk Up is a volume play. It’s built with rice starch and is perfect for day two when your hair just needs a little "oomph" and some light oil absorption. It has more "grit." If you want that messy, textured look, stick with the OG.
amika perk up plus dry shampoo is for the "extended clean." It is much more lightweight. It doesn't give you massive volume; instead, it gives you hair that feels like hair. It’s for when you’re on day four and you need to look professional, not like you just walked off a beach.
How to actually use it (Because you're probably doing it wrong)
You can't just spray and pray. If you want this to work, you have to follow a specific rhythm.
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- Shake it like you mean it. The ingredients settle. If you don't shake it, you're just spraying propellant.
- The 8-inch rule. Hold that can at least 8 inches away. If you're too close, you'll get a concentrated wet spot that’s hard to blend.
- The 30-second wait. This is the part everyone skips. You have to let the powders actually sit and "grab" the oil. Don't touch it. Go brush your teeth.
- Massage, don't just brush. Use your fingertips to work it into the scalp. You want to distribute those AHAs and the arrowroot.
A pro-tip for the gym rats
If you know you're going to have a sweaty workout, spray your hair before you start. I know it sounds counterintuitive. But if the amika perk up plus dry shampoo is already sitting there, it can absorb the sweat and oil the second they hit the surface, rather than trying to clean up a mess that has already dried and matted your hair down.
Is it worth the price tag?
Let's be real: it isn't cheap. You can get a can of drugstore dry shampoo for six bucks. But those cheaper options are often loaded with butane and propane as primary ingredients, with very little actual "cleaning" agent.
The amika perk up plus dry shampoo is a "prestige" product for a reason. You use less of it because the absorption is higher. Plus, it’s benzene-free. Amika actually publishes their safety testing results, which is rare in an industry that usually hides behind "proprietary formulas." They test for 1,4-dioxane, heavy metals, and arsenic.
If you're someone who only washes their hair once a week, the "cost per wear" actually makes sense. You’re saving time, water, and the health of your hair follicles.
Final reality check
No dry shampoo is a permanent replacement for water and real shampoo. Eventually, you have to wash your hair. But if you’re trying to train your hair to produce less oil, or you just simply do not have the forty minutes it takes to wash, dry, and style your mane, this is the gold standard. It addresses the scalp health issues that other brands ignore.
Next Steps for Your Routine:
- Identify your "threshold day"—the day your hair usually becomes unsalvageable.
- Start applying the Perk Up Plus one day before you hit that threshold to prevent the oil from pooling.
- Use a scalp-cleansing oil or a clarifying shampoo once a week to fully remove the invisible starch and keep your follicles clear.