Suited to all hair types and textures, 1 through 4c, who want to extend time between washes by refreshing oily roots and adding root lift. amika positions it especially for balanced-to-oily hair and scalp types; anyone with a very dry or sensitive scalp may want to use it sparingly, since any starch-based dry shampoo can be drying with heavy or frequent use.

Most dry shampoos rely on aluminum starch or talc to soak up oil, and both are well known for leaving a visible cast on hair that isn't light blonde. amika built Perk Up around rice starch instead specifically to address that, which is why it's marketed as leaving less trace on darker hair rather than just being another dry shampoo. Sea buckthorn oil is included as the formula's plant-based active, giving it a conditioning element beyond pure oil absorption. The result is a root-refresh product aimed at people who've been put off dry shampoo by chalky buildup rather than by the concept of dry shampoo itself.

Shake the can well before use. Hold it about 8 inches from the scalp and spray directly onto roots in a sweeping motion, focusing on oily areas. Let it sit for about 30 seconds so the rice starch can absorb oil, then massage it in with fingertips or brush it through to distribute and remove any excess.

Pros: Rice starch genuinely behaves differently from talc or aluminum-starch dry shampoos on darker or dyed hair, absorbing oil with less visible grey-white cast; sea buckthorn oil adds a plant-derived conditioning ingredient beyond plain filler starch; works across the full stated 1–4c texture range rather than being formulated for one hair type.

Cons: Like any aerosol dry shampoo, it doesn't clean hair — it only absorbs surface oil and adds texture, so it's a between-washes tool, not a shampoo substitute; the propellant-based delivery means it isn't a minimal-ingredient or fragrance-free option; very oily roots may still need a second light pass rather than one spray lasting all day.