COLAB Shampoos

COLAB's shampoo category is all dry shampoo. The brand built its reputation around aerosol dry shampoos that refresh hair between washes without water - 12+ variants are available at skinsli, covering multiple scent profiles from Fresh and Original through Tropical, Paradise, and Unicorn. The range includes a Vegan Hair formula, a compact 50ml travel size, and a Parfum series for anyone who wants a stronger fragrance element. All COLAB dry shampoos absorb scalp oil, add root volume, and extend time between wash days.

  • Dry shampoo specialists
  • Vegan option
  • Travel size available
  • Multiple scent profiles

By Skinsli editorial Updated

Buying guide

COLAB Shampoos: Buying Guide for the Dry Shampoo Range

COLAB focuses entirely on dry shampoo. The brand's 12+ shampoo products at skinsli are all aerosol dry shampoos - no wet shampoos, no conditioners - making it one of the most focused specialist ranges in the hair care category. This buying guide helps you pick the right COLAB variant for your hair type, lifestyle, and scent preference.

What to expect from any COLAB dry shampoo

Every COLAB dry shampoo delivers three core benefits: oil absorption at the scalp, volume lift at the root, and a hair-refreshing scent. The aerosol delivery deposits an absorbent powder onto the scalp that soaks up sebum and gives hair a cleaner look and feel without water. The powder also physically coats the base of each hair strand, which adds a small amount of friction and therefore perceived volume.

Results last through one to two days of normal activity depending on how quickly your scalp produces oil. COLAB does not formulate wet shampoos, so this range is specifically for between-wash use rather than a replacement for regular cleansing.

Comparing COLAB scents side by side

Fresh and Original are the lightest-scented options in the range. Fresh has a clean, slightly cool character; Original is close to unscented. Both work well for anyone who finds strong fragrances in hair products irritating or who prefers a neutral result.

Tropical and Paradise are warmer and fruitier. Tropical sits closer to citrus; Paradise is softer, slightly musky. Unicorn is the most distinct scent in the standard lineup - sweet and unmistakably present. The Parfum editions (1 Fresh, 2 Fresh, 2 Unicorns) amplify these base scents rather than changing them, making them the choice for users who want scent to be a noticeable element of the product experience.

COLAB Vegan Hair Dry Shampoo

The Vegan Hair Dry Shampoo uses no animal-derived ingredients. It is available in the standard 200ml aerosol and performs the same oil-absorbing function as the rest of the COLAB range. The brand has not publicly detailed which specific ingredients differ from non-vegan variants, but the vegan label indicates reformulation of any animal-sourced components.

This is the default choice for shoppers who follow vegan purchasing guidelines or who prefer formulas without animal by-products regardless of formal certification.

COLAB Parfum series: fragrance-led dry shampoo

The Parfum series includes three products: 1 Parfum Dry Shampoo Fresh, 2 Parfum Dry Shampoo Fresh, and Parfum Dry Shampoo 2 Unicorns. These are designed for users who want a dry shampoo where the fragrance component is as important as the hair refresh. The scents track the base variants (Fresh and Unicorn) but with noticeably higher intensity and longer staying power on hair.

The numbering system in the Parfum series refers to variant numbering within the line rather than product quantity. If you have used COLAB Fresh and want a more pronounced version of that scent, 1 Parfum Dry Shampoo Fresh is the direct upgrade.

50ml travel size vs 200ml standard

The COLAB Dry Shampoo Original is available in a 50ml format that is designed for bags, gym kits, and travel. The 50ml can provides several applications and easily fits within standard airline carry-on liquid limits. Most other scent variants are only available in the 200ml standard size.

The 200ml format delivers significantly better value per gram of product. If you are a regular dry shampoo user, the full-size 200ml is the practical choice for home stock. The 50ml is best used as a backup or travel companion.

Application technique for best results

Shake the can before use. Hold it 15-20 cm from your scalp and spray in 1-2 second bursts directly at the root. Focus on the parting line, temples, and crown - areas where oil tends to concentrate first. Let the product sit for 30-60 seconds to absorb oil before working it in.

To blend: use fingertips to massage the root area, breaking up any visible powder, then brush or comb through. On dark hair, applying in smaller amounts and working it in thoroughly before brushing is the most reliable way to avoid white cast at the root.

How frequently to use COLAB dry shampoo

COLAB dry shampoo is a between-wash product, not a substitute for regular shampooing. Most users find it effective for one to two uses between washes. Using it more than three times in a row without washing can cause product accumulation at the scalp, which can block follicles over time.

A common pattern: wash hair, use dry shampoo on day two, optionally use again on day three, then wash again. This cycle suits most people and keeps scalp health stable while reducing the need for daily washing.

COLAB dry shampoo by hair type

Fine and limp hair benefits most visibly from dry shampoo because the root-lifting effect adds apparent density. Thick hair needs a more generous application for thorough coverage but responds well to the oil control. Curly and textured hair can use COLAB dry shampoo at the roots; avoid applying to mid-lengths and ends where the curl pattern sits.

Colour-treated hair can use COLAB dry shampoo safely. The formula does not contain bleaching or colour-stripping agents. However, lighter-coloured hair near the root is more forgiving of visible powder than dark regrowth, so users with significant colour contrast between scalp and lengths should apply carefully.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

  • The COLAB range at skinsli is exclusively dry shampoo. The brand does not carry wet (rinse-out) shampoos, conditioners, or other hair care formats in the current skinsli catalogue. All 12+ COLAB products in the shampoo category are aerosol dry shampoos designed for between-wash use.

  • There are currently 12+ COLAB dry shampoos in stock at skinsli spanning scent profiles including Fresh, Original, Tropical, Paradise, and Unicorn. The Parfum series (1 Fresh, 2 Fresh, 2 Unicorns) extends three of those scents in higher-intensity versions. The Vegan Hair variant is formulated without animal-derived ingredients and rounds out the range.

  • No. COLAB dry shampoo refreshes hair and absorbs oil between washes, but it does not clean the scalp the way a rinse-out shampoo does. Powder builds up at the scalp with repeated use and needs to be removed with a proper wet shampoo wash. COLAB is designed to extend the time between washes - typically by one to two days - not to eliminate washing altogether.

  • The COLAB Vegan Hair Dry Shampoo is formulated without animal-derived ingredients. Whether the broader COLAB range is certified cruelty-free depends on the specific accreditation body and the brand's current certification status, which is not listed on skinsli's product pages. For the most current information on cruelty-free status and which products are included, check COLAB's official brand channels.

  • Tropical has a brighter, more citrus-forward character. Paradise is softer and slightly musky with a gentler fruit presence. Both are warm scents that sit above the neutral Fresh and Original options but below the sweetness of Unicorn. If you want a summer fruit quality that reads as energetic, Tropical is the stronger choice. For a more subdued, romantic fruit scent, Paradise fits better.

  • Volume effect in COLAB dry shampoos comes from the powder formula rather than the scent variant, so any COLAB product in the range produces the same root-lifting result. The most visible volume boost occurs when product is applied at the root immediately before styling. For maximum lift, apply dry shampoo, wait 60 seconds, then use a round brush or diffuser while the powder is still at the root.

  • COLAB dry shampoos do not contain bleaching agents, sulphates, or colour-stripping ingredients, and they are generally considered safe for colour-treated hair. The main consideration for coloured hair is the powder residue on dark regrowth near the scalp - this can look white if not blended in thoroughly. On consistently coloured hair without significant root contrast, this is not an issue.

  • The Parfum editions have a noticeably higher fragrance concentration than the base variants of the same name. In practical terms, the scent is more perceptible from arm's length and stays on hair for longer after application - whereas the standard Fresh may fade within a few hours, the Parfum Fresh maintains its scent presence for most of the day. If you find standard dry shampoo scents too subtle to be satisfying, the Parfum series is the more appropriate choice.

  • Empty aerosol cans should be fully depressurised before disposal - press the nozzle until no more gas or product comes out. Once empty and depressurised, aerosol cans are recyclable as metal in most US municipal recycling programmes. Do not puncture or flatten aerosol cans before recycling. If the can still has residual product in it, check your local guidelines for disposal of partially used aerosols as they may require hazardous waste handling.

  • COLAB aerosol dry shampoos should be stored at room temperature away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Do not store in a car, near a heater, or in any space where temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F) as aerosol cans can become pressurised and dangerous when overheated. The product does not require refrigeration and can be stored at ambient room temperature for the duration of its shelf life.