DIY Dry Shampoo: How to Make Dry Shampoo At Home

Washing your hair every day, or even every other day, may come as a surprise to you, but excess product could actually damage your tresses. While shampooing can remove oil and dirt, too much of it can strip your hair of its natural oils, drying out your scalp and leaving your hair greasy or lifeless. This is where a DIY dry shampoo can be a lifesaver – it removes oil, grease, and excess buildup, giving you that long-lasting salon-style hair any time of the day.

Although this homemade dry shampoo makes your hair less oily, it is not a replacement for a deep cleanse. However, it can be used after a sweaty workout or days when you’re simply too lazy to do your entire shower routine with shampoo, conditioner, and blow-dry. Moreover, it can make your hair stronger and healthier in the long run!

Materials:

Note that the tutorial uses an anti-stress essential oil, which is a mixture of Limonene, geraniol, and citral. However, you can use whichever aroma you desire (lavender is another excellent choice for beautiful-smelling hair).

Optional for Dark/Brown Hair:

• 1-2 tsp charcoal powder or unsweetened cocoa powder

Note that you can use charcoal to create a dry shampoo for darker hair. This makes a dark powder that blends better with darker shades or tones.

Other Materials:

• Bowl
• Jar with a lid
• Spoon

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix ¼ cup of cornstarch, 1 tbsp of baking soda, and 2 tbsp of kaolin clay.
2. Add 5-10 drops of your chosen essential oil to the mixture; adjust to your desired level of fragrance. In this video, an essential oil for anti-stress (a combination of limonene, geraniol, and citral) is used. However, feel free to add any type of essence or aroma that you desire.
3. Mix the powder and essential oils with a spoon until completely blended.
4. If you are making DIY dry shampoo for dark hair, then add charcoal powder. This will darken the color of the dry shampoo, so it won’t be visible in your hair. For lighter brown hair, add 1 tsp of powder. For those with darker hair, one additional tsp of powder for a darker-colored shampoo is recommended. If charcoal powder is not available, you can also use unsweetened cocoa powder with the same amount.
5. Stir the powder together with a spoon.
6. After the DIY shampoo is mixed thoroughly to your desired shade or color, transfer it to a jar or any other container of your choice.

How to Use DIY Dry Shampoo:

1. When you need a quick freshening up, apply the dry shampoo to your roots. Take a makeup brush (a large blush brush is recommended for better coverage) and dip it lightly into the jar with the dry shampoo.
2. Get rid of excess powder by tapping the brush in a sink or the edge of the jar.
3. Lightly tap the brush on the crown of your head, along the hairline, or on your part. You can lift up different sections of your hair, tapping or brushing the powder toward the root for maximum effect.
4. Let the dry shampoo sit for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute to soak up all the oils in your hair or scalp. It needs time to absorb before you brush it out.
5. Using your fingers, massage the dry shampoo lightly into your hair. You can also use a brush to distribute the powder evenly throughout the strands, for better results.
6. Your hair should now feel light, weightless, and less oily, just as if it was washed that morning!

Conclusions

Why purchase expensive and strongly scented dry shampoo from the store when you can make it with just a few simple ingredients in the comfort of your own home? This homemade dry shampoo tutorial is the best way to keep your hair oil-free while also preventing damage that can arise from washing it too frequently. Don’t stop at one DIY hygiene product, and try our other tutorials, such as our DIY laundry detergent tutorial or our DIY body soap tutorial.

If you’re looking for more hygiene tips, check out our tips for preventing skin damage while showering.