Homemade dry shampoo combines simple ingredients to help decrease oily hair and extend the time between hair washing. Follow these simple tips to make and use this recipe to get up to a week without washing your hair!

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homemade dry shampoo in a glass container with a brush and lavender and eucalyptus around it

For awhile, I had been using my homemade powder foundation for my face and as a dry shampoo (you know I love when a product can do double duty!).

But as many of these recipes start, I decided I needed something stronger, so I headed to the store to find the best natural option. I found a brand with great ingredients (the same ones used in this recipe), but the little container was almost $10.

I’m far too cheap for that. Why would I pay so much for a tiny container of something when I already have all the ingredients to make a fantastic homemade dry shampoo in my pantry?

So I headed home and whipped up this recipe for homemade dry shampoo, and it works SO well. I just love it.

Simplifying Life With Dry Shampoo

This homemade shampoo has become a staple in my house. Well, it’s just for me… after having my second child, I needed to find ways to save time, and dry shampoo does exactly that.

And let’s be honest, I want to look put together without a lot of effort. This allows me to go up to a week without washing my hair. Ok, that may sound gross, but hear me out.

In high school, my hair was super curly, and I could easily go two weeks without washing my hair. Now my hair is wavy, frizzy, and has lots of wispies (thank you, postpartum hair loss).

I love my children, but I also loved when I didn’t have weird pieces of hair that flip up and look like horns. They are totally worth it, though.

And one day that postpartum hair loss will grow back in, and my kids will be grown, and I’ll long for them to be little again, hair loss and tantrums and all. It’s the very tragic cycle of parenthood.

I already feel this way, as my baby started taking steps at 9 months old. Now that he is 10 months, he is basically running. He hasn’t really started talking yet, but I think I’ll be even more emotional when that happens. It truly isn’t fair that they grow up so fast.

Ok, back to homemade natural dry shampoo so I don’t start crying over my rapidly aging children. Whether you’re running late or you just want to spend less time washing and styling your hair, dry shampoo is the best friend you’ll ever have. And this recipe is awesome.

dry shampoo in a glass container on a rattan woven map with a brush and napkin

Why you will love this recipe:

Natural Ingredients: Made with just a handful of natural ingredients and leaves out harmful chemicals and toxic ingredients like baby powder.

Good for all hair types: Whether you have fine hair or thick hair. This recipe will work.

Easy: It is super easy to make your own dry shampoo.

Cheap: Most natural dry shampoos are super expensive for what you get. A small jar for $12. No thanks. This just costs maybe a dollar to make.

Extend between washes: This diy recipe goes onto greasy hair to absorb the natural oils, and can extend hair washing by a couple days.

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Tips For Using Dry Shampoo

These are the most helpful tips I’ve found with using homemade dry shampoo. Doing these things allows me to go 4-7 days between hair washing.

Apply the dry shampoo solution to clean, dry hair. Yes, before it starts looking dirty. This allows the dry shampoo to already start to work before your hair starts to get greasy. Apply daily or every other day as needed.
Tease your hair near the root. The texture gives volume and helps it look less greasy.
Style your hair with heat. This will help prolong your hair between washes. Especially if you work out and you hair gets a little sweaty. Use a hair dryer to blow dry the roots.
When taking a shower, cover your hair with a shower cap or some type of covering. The steam always makes my hair flat and frizzy, but this seems to cut down on it
A little goes a long way. Start by using a small amount and add more as needed.

homemade dry shampoo in a glass container on a woven place mat with lavender and eucalyptus next to it

Ingredients:

Organic corn starch or arrowroot powder: This is used to help absorb extra oil in your hair.
Baking Soda: helps with odor control.
Bentonite clay: (Optional) helps absorb extra oil. You can find this online, at local health food stores, and I’ve even found it in the bulk section of our local co op.
*Cocoa Powder: This is totally optional. If you have dark hair, adding cocoa powder to the dry shampoo will make it darker, which will help it blend into your hair a bit better. If you have light hair, you can skip it. If you have black hair, you could add a little bit of charcoal powder for black.
Essential oils: Optional. Tea tree, rosemary, and lavender essential oil are good options. Rosemary has been show to help with hair growth.

Side note: If you only have corn starch (or arrowroot) and cocoa powder, that will work for dry shampoo. The other ingredients are helpful, but are not totally necessary.

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Homemade dry shampoo combines simple ingredients to help decrease oily hair and extend the time between hair washing. Follow these simple tips to using DIY dry shampoo to get up to a week without washing.

How To Make Dry Shampoo:

In a bowl, mix together the dry shampoo formula: cornstarch, baking soda, bentonite clay, cocoa powder.

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if desired. It is completely optional

Write down how much cocoa powder you needed to add for future reference. Trust me.

Store in an airtight container.

This recipe will last about a year.

How To Use

Apply to dry hair with a large makeup brush so it disperses lightly and evenly throughout.

Dip make up brush into the dry shampoo and that tap off the excess powder.

Apply directly to roots.

After applying the dry shampoo, using your fingers, rub it into the scalp and allow it to sit for a few minutes, then comb through your hair. This will help work through the oily roots and absorb and excess oil.

Tease hair and brush out any tease lumps.

Style hair with heat tools.

Reapply as needed between shampoos.

FAQ:

What can I use as DIY dry shampoo?

The main ingredient is corn starch or arrowroot powder. There are other ingredients you could use to increase the effectiveness of the recipe.

Is dry shampoo just baking soda?

This could be too drying and cause irritation to just use baking soda. I recommend adding other ingredients.

What is a natural alternative to dry shampoo?

Yes. Making your own at home is very easy to do. Mix together cornstarch, baking soda,

Does DIY dry shampoo really work?

Yes. It will absorb excess oil allowing you to go longer between hair washes.

Need more natural hair recipes? Check these out!

This is my favorite DIY Natural Hair Gel
Pair it with my anti-frizz serum
Natural Hairspray is quick and easy.
DIY Scalp Scrub. – This is amazing for itchy scalp. It has brought me so much relief to my flaky scalp.
Homemade Detangler is the best natural recipe.

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you came back and gave it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @ablossominglife