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 DIY dry shampoo to get up to a week without washing your hair!
Ingredients you will need: cornstarch or arrowroot powder, baking soda, and bentonite clay. Optional ingredients include cocoa powder and essential oils.
This post was updated January 2019
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. I’d just rinse with water, apply conditioner, and style it again. But after I stopped highlighting my hair, my curls began to loosen, and 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 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 for DIY dry shampoo is awesome.
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Homemade Dry Shampoo Ingredients
- Organic cornstarch or arrowroot powder: this is used to help absorb extra oil in your hair.
- Baking Soda: helps with odor control.
- Bentonite clay: 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.
How To Use Homemade Dry Shampoo + Video
- Apply to dry hair with an old makeup brush so it disperses lightly and evenly throughout.
- After applying the dry shampoo, allow it to sit for a few minutes, then comb through your hair.
- Tease hair and brush out any tease lumps.
- Style hair with heat tools.
- Reapply as needed between shampoos.
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 dry shampoo 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.
- 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.
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 Dry Shampoo Recipe
Homemade Dry Shampoo
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.Print Pin RatePrep Time: 3 minutesIngredients
- 2 Tbs Cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 2 Tbs Bentonite clay
- 2 Tsp Baking soda
- Cocoa powder Optional
- essential oils optional- like rosemary, lavender, etc.
Instructions
- Mix together the ingredients well. If you have dark hair you can add cocoa powder to darken it up.
How To Use Dry Shampoo
- Apply dry shampoo to dry hair with an old makeup brush so it disperses lightly and more throughout. After applying the dry shampoo, allow it to sit for a few minutes than comb through your hair. Tease hair and brush out any tease lumps. Style hair with heat tools. Reapply about every day or as needed between shampoos.
Tried this recipe?Mention @ablossominglife or tag #ablossominglife!Do you use and love dry shampoo? Has it made your life any easier?
Shelby @Fitasamamabear says
I totally live off dry shampoo haha
Amy says
Seriously me too! It’s the best invention!
Renee D Kohley says
That was way easier than I was envisioning! I have never tried dry shampoo but this is great!
Amy says
Super easy! Honestly, for the longest time I just used my homemade powder foundation as dry shampoo haha. But I wanted something that worked better!
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
Dry shampoo is the best invention – but a homemade recipe is even better!!
Amy says
Dry shampoo is life haha.
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri says
I’ve never made my own dry shampoo before but I love this idea. I think I’ve got all of the ingredients on hand to try this except for the cornstarch/arrowroot. I’ll have to grab some to give it a try.
Amy says
Thank you Emily! It’s so easy and a total life saver.
Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama says
My boyfriend loves dry shampoo and I am thrilled to have found such an easy recipe!
Amy says
That is awesome! It is so simple and effective. Hope he likes it!
Tessa Simpson says
Super curious to try this!! Seems like a good idea!
Amy says
I love it. I use it everyday!
Jean says
What an easy recipe, and so cheap too! I definitely will try this out.
Amy says
I’d love to try making dry shampoo at home. I wanted to add essential oils. Any recommendation as to the number of drops to use for the recipe you provide? Thanks!
Amy says
I would add 10-20 drops. Thanks for stopping by!