Let’s Make Our Own Dry Shampoo!

By Lilveggiepatch @Lilveggiepatch

For the past six months or so, I’ve been cutting back on the number of times I wash my hair each week. Hair stylists have been telling me for years that daily washing is the best way to accumulate build-up, strip hair of its natural oils, and keep it looking flat. I have fine hair but I have a lot of it, and one of the biggest grips I have is that it ends up looking pretty limp a couple hours after I wash it. Now that I’ve backed off on my hair and only wash it every 2- 3 days, it’s looking and feeling so much healthier. (Don’t worry, I still shower daily .) Second and third day hair also holds style a lot better. But no one likes greasy strands. So what’s my secret? Dry shampoo! I first discovered it back in 2009, and used it primarily to give my hair mega volume for weddings and other fancy events (it responds very well to teasing).

I try to stay away from aerosol cans whenever possible, and unfortunately most dry shampoos come in them. My favorite dry shampoos are made by Bumble & bumble, but at $35, I’m just not willing to budget for that repeated expense. I’ve been looking around for a solid dry shampoo recipe with minimal ingredients, and I managed to whittle mine down to just two! Bonus: it smells like chocolate.

HOMEMADE DRY SHAMPOO (for brunettes)

Adapted slightly from this post, click to find the recipe for blondes

  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1/3 c. cocoa powder

Mix ingredients together and put in a glass shaker (I used one of those cheese + spice shakers you see at pizza places). Shake onto roots and massage well.

Tips:

-use on clean hair, too! I find the best way to extend my shampoo is to use dry shampoo on the first day, as well as the second and first, before I have a chance to build up oil.

-massage, massage, massage. Not only does it ensure all the oil on your scalp gets soaked up, but it provides great volume!

-this is a brown shampoo, so make sure you lean your head over the sink or drape a towel around your shoulders so it doesn’t get on your clothes.

Don’t mind the dirty mirror… looks like someone it’s time for Spring cleaning!

I’ve been using my homemade dry shampoo all week, and I’m officially obsessed. I washed my hair Monday and rubbed it into the roots when it was dry; I also sprinkled some on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, when I went to the gym, my hair didn’t look greasy at all. And if you’re like I am and rock the low-maintenance topknot look when you don’t feel like a labor-intensive style, your bun will have major volume and staying power. Obsessed.