You probably have bad hair days sometimes, but did you know that your regular shampoo and conditioner might be the cause? Commercial hair products contain chemicals that may be harmful to your hair, and can certainly cause build-up. After a while, your hair gets harder and harder to manage. Dry shampoo can help you avoid this situation. My stylist friend who owns her own salon recommends dry shampoo to her clients. She says that dry shampoo volumizes hair, gives it a lift, and of course soaks up excess oil. Dry shampoo lets you wait longer between shampoos, leading to healthier hair.
You can buy commercially produced dry shampoos, but they are so easy to make yourself that there’s really no reason to use store-bought formulas. Making your own is also a great skill to have in case there is ever a disruption to your water supply caused by a catastrophic event. Dry shampoo can be made from such common ingredients as cornstarch, cocoa, foot powder, baby powder, baking soda, and arrowroot starch (also called arrowroot flour or arrowroot powder.) Choose your main ingredient based on the color: if you are blond, choose a light-colored product like cornstarch; and if you are brunette, use cocoa powder.
Directions
Put the dry ingredients you are using into a bowl and combine them thoroughly. Choose an essential oil that you like (for fragrance) and add about 5 drops to the dry ingredients. (Peppermint and lavender are two that I like.) Use a funnel to help you get the dry shampoo into a shaker of some kind – either an empty baby powder bottle or a big salt shaker.
Variations
For more fragrance, you can include dried rose petals or lavender.
If you prefer to apply the dry shampoo with a brush, you can keep it in an airtight jar or container.
Remember that it’s important to include cocoa powder in the mix if you have dark hair. Otherwise you’ll end up with a halo of grey-tinged roots.
Directions for Use
Sprinkle the dry shampoo (or dab it on with a blush brush) to your roots and scalp. Less is more: use just a little bit and use your fingers to massage and distribute it.
Wait several minutes for the dry shampoo to work its magic. You may see whitish balls forming on your hair, which is a sign that the product is bonding with the oil in your hair.
Brush the dry shampoo out of your hair with a fine-bristled hairbrush.
Dry shampoo is great to bring with you when you go camping, or when you don’t have access to a reliable water supply for showering. It’s all natural, healthy for your hair, and will leave your hair looking clean and smelling great.
