I am a self confessed dry shampoo addict. I love how fresh it makes my hair on the days inbetween washes & with having fine hair, it helps to give me that much needed volume. It also makes creating updos so much easier & I am always trying out new hairstyles.
As someone whose hair looks limp & greasy the day after washing it, I don’t know how I ever lived without this extraordinary substance. It’s definitely a lifesaver for me. Dry shampoo makes life so much easier, not having to wash my hair every day.
Whilst I love Batiste Dry Shampoo & all their beautiful scents, as well as one of my favourite vegan brands, Love Beauty & Planet, I wanted to test out a homemade version as a way to save money, customise the scent, use less chemicals on my hair & be kinder to the environment.
So here goes,,,my journey to DIY dry shampoo making…
Blonde Hair:
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 – 1 tsp ground ginger (not recommended for sensitive scalps)
- For dark blondes only – Pinch of cocoa mixed in
- 2-4 drops of essential oil of choice to scent (optional)
Dark Hair:
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2-4 drops of essential oil of choice, or cinnamon (optional)
Red Hair:
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- Essential oil of choice (optional)
*Recipes/ingredient recommendations from LuxyHair & Live Beauty Health
NOTE: I don’t have any allergies or sensitive skin, however, I carried out a patch test just to be safe & I advise doing the same. Also, I don’t advise using essential oils which are photosensitive, unless planning to avoid the sun completely.
Mix the ingredients to your preference based on your hair colour. I have light blonde hair so I needed a brighter version & therefore just used cornstarch scented with my favourite essential oils.
To apply the homemade dry shampoo I used a large, clean make-up brush. I dipped the brush into the mixture & tapped off any excess before applying to my roots. I then rubbed this in with my fingers & brushed through my hair to avoid a powdery residue being left & voila!…fresh looking voluminous hair.
“Sorry I can’t hear you over the volume of my hair.”
– Unknown
I was actually surprisingly impressed by this DIY dry shampoo. I expected it to make my hair feel like straw, but this homemade version actually kept my hair softer than the commercial brands. I didn’t overdo it though on application, just as needed. It also soaked up any excess oil so well & at less than 1€ instead of nearly 5€ I can’t complain. I added essential oils to scent & to tailor-make the mixture to my hair, as I’m sensitive to strong smells.
I recommend making sure you brush your hair through properly to ensure no powder residue is left & there you have it, you’re a dry shampoo princess!
An alternative option to using cornstarch is arrowroot, however I’ve not yet found this here & haven’t got around to ordering online. You can also make a wet version by adding 1 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup vodka/rubbing alcohol/witch hazel & place it in a spray bottle ready to spray on roots, or oily parts of the hair (Source: wellnessmama.com). I prefer the dry version though, for less alcohol on my hair.
Happy dry shampoo making!