It’s alchemy for your hair. Okay, not exactly, but DIY dry shampoo spray – or dry shampoo powder for that matter – does feel pretty magical on days you need a quick way to “wash” your hair without, er, washing it. Now, if you’re thinking that a dry spray doesn’t quite make sense, here’s the deal: Your hair is dry, the spray is wet.
Interesting, no? Let me tell you more: By absorbing excess oils, dry shampoo transforms limp, oily strands into voluminous, grease-free tresses in just a matter of minutes. It can help your hair look great while washing less often, and that’s a good thing because:
- Most store-bought shampoos contain detergents that strip oils from your hair (This one is an exception)
- Washing your hair too often will stimulate your scalp to produce extra oils in order to compensate.
- This often leads to a situation where the scalp is very oily, but ends are dry and possibly damaged
DIY dry shampoo spray and dry shampoo powder can both be helpful in breaking the cycle of overwashing/excessive oil production. Over time, most people find that they need to use less dry shampoo between washes as their scalp adjusts to the new routine.
Powder Or Spray ~ Which One Should I Use?
I’ve found both to be helpful in different situations. When my hair is already styled and I just need a little volume/oil control at the roots I use homemade dry shampoo powder. On days I need to style from scratch or have all-over oiliness I prefer the spray. The method that works best for you might be different, though, so you might try making both at the same time to see what you like more. They both call for the same ingredients and together they’ll take about five minutes to make, so it’s easy to try them both.
Bottom line: Whether you hit the snooze button one-too-many times, spent your “getting ready” time trying to convince your toddler that he must, in fact, wear pants, or just want to extend the time between washes for healthier hair, give this stuff a try.
Bonus fact: Your hair may actually already contain trace amounts of gold – no alchemy needed! (source)
Tip For Avoiding Clogs
Use a high-volume styling spray bottle like this one to avoid clogs. If you’re using a different bottle and it does become clogged, try soaking it in hot water and clearing the nozzle with a needle to get it working again.
DIY Dry Shampoo Spray For All Hair Colors
I have almost black hair and this recipe does not leave any light spots on my hair, but for those who have issues with some shampoo being visible after styling I’ve included another recipe below.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c cup water
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch (where to buy arrowroot powder, where to buy non-GMO cornstarch)
- 2 tablespoons vodka – rubbing alcohol can also be used, but it is more drying (info on sourcing non-GMO vodka can be found in this post)
- a few drops of essential oil, optional (lemon, peppermint, rosemary, bergamot, lemongrass and lime are good options)
To Make
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle.
To Apply
Arrowroot and cornstarch powder tends to settle at the bottom between uses, so shake thoroughly. (Also, apply before you get dressed to go out. The spray may land on clothing and leave a light layer of powder.)
Hold spray bottle about three inches from hair and apply wherever it looks greasy. Hair should be damp, but not soaking wet. Dry with a hair dryer – this will only take a couple of minutes because it’s just damp- then touch up any spots you missed if necessary. Style like you normally would.
DIY Dry Shampoo Spray For Dark Hair
I have almost black hair and this recipe does not leave any light spots on my hair, but for those who have issues with some shampoo being visible after styling I’ve included another recipe below.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c cup water
- 1 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch (where to buy arrowroot powder, where to buy non-GMO cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa or cacao powder (where to buy cocoa powder, where to buy cacao powder)
- 2 tablespoons vodka or rubbing alcohol (info on sourcing non-GMO vodka can be found in this post)
- a few drops of essential oil, optional (lemon, peppermint, rosemary, bergamot, lemongrass and lime are good options)
To Make
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle.
To Apply
Arrowroot and cornstarch powder tends to settle at the bottom between uses, so shake thoroughly. (Also, apply before you get dressed to go out. The spray may land on clothing and leave a light layer of powder.)
Hold spray bottle about three inches from hair and apply wherever it looks greasy. Hair should be damp, but not soaking wet. Dry with a hair dryer – this will only take a couple of minutes because it’s just damp- then touch up any spots you missed if necessary. Style like you normally would.
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If I made this, I would use vodka over the rubbing alcohol. Vodka isn’t drying like rubbing alcohol is.
Thank you!
Won’t the spray bottle get clogged with the arrowroot powder?
I haven’t had a problem with clogging, and I’ve been using it for awhile 🙂
What kind of bottle do you use? I just made this yesterday and the bottle I got is already clogging 🙁
Mine sure did. It worked for about 3 sprays. Anyone have a suggestion to combat this?
Is it safe for color treated hair?
Any idea of potato starch would work as the starch in this?
*if*
It think it’s possible, but I haven’t tested it so I can’t say for sure.
I have been making this recipe for a while now, but in place of the water I like to use rose or lavender scented witch-hazel. I found that the arrowroot powder or cornstarch that I used would make my scalp itch, and the witch-hazel offset that!
Thank you for the witch hazel tip! I far prefer that option over using alcohol…and have a TON of it! I have a few different essential oils, so I should be able to infuse the WH myself 🙂
The head itching would happen to me too! Thanks for the tip!/
I have curly hair and I have found that most treatments/ shampoo etc do not work the same with curly hair as they do straight, especially natural or homemade products. Do you have any tried and true shampoo, conditioner, and other care products for us curly girls?
I forgot to mention! It took a few weeks for my hair to get used to natural shampoo and conditioner after store bought, don’t get discouraged if your hair goes out of whack right after switching.
People wait until morning to shower? Showering at night gives you the time to let your hair air dry.
Is the blow-drying necessary?
I’ve found it improves my results. You might want to try it with/without blow drying and see what works best for you.
I’m so excited about this recipe!!! We do quite a bit of hiking/backpacking, and I’ve been looking for a solution to the hair washing issues you get when you’re traveling in the backcountry – thanks so much for this!
I just finished my first batch of the spray, and my sprayer no longer works. I think it got clogged. Any recommendations on a sprayer that works long term? I used one similar to the picture with a glass bottle. Thanks!
You mean you finished the whole bottle and and it just clogged? If so, I would soak in hot water and try to unclog. You might also try these methods: http://www.glamour.com/lipstick/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2011/11/does-this-annoying-beauty-prod.html
Yes, I made it through the whole bottle but the last few times I used it, it wasn’t spraying a full spray. Thank you for the tips. I soaked the whole sprayer in hot water then had to poke the sprayer hole with a pin to completely unclog it.
I made the spray a few days ago with a sage-infused vodka and it works amazingly! I’m having problems now with the spray bottle clogging up. Each time I use it it gets clogged! Has anyone tried using an applicator sponge or cotton ball? I’m desperate!
Bummer that it keeps getting clogged! I haven’t had a problem with mine, so I wonder if maybe this issue is more likely to happen with certain types of nozzle. Maybe something that is designed to work with higher volume would work better? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NJE0PO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=mommypotamus-20&linkId=b28a430b99e3dbe22b332cb03242181a&language=en_US
How big of a spray bottle does this recipe make? Thanks
I am curious if you have had the problem of this solution not being as effective toward the end of a batch. Before every use I shake the mixture to make sure the water, vodka, and arrowroot powder are mixed well. After each use I clean out the spray nozzle to avoid clogging. When I make a brand new batch it works wonders for a few weeks. Once I get to less than half a bath or about a fourth of the batch remains, it is not very effective. Do you have the same problem?
It’s not a big deal as I could just make a new batch when this starts to happen, but I’m just trying to not waste my ingredients.
Thanks for your help!
I have dark hair and want to use cocoa powder and witch hazel, with a water and cornstarch. Would there be any issues with this mixture?
Do you think it would work if i used baby powder instead of cornstarch? im asking because i’ve heard that both would do fine as a dry shampoo on their own, but i dont want to try it and find out that it is horrible for my hair
Baby powder often contains cornstarch, but it sometimes contains clay as well. Clay would be too drying for hair, so I would stick to cornstarch or arrowroot.
I was thinking of using an old ”cleaning product” type spray bottle,maybe it will not clog up . Once i rinse it out hehe, I’m definitely trying this dry shampoo, thanks!!
Very late to the party, but THANK YOU. My hair has got very greasy transitioning away from commercial shampoo (your coconut oil shampoo bar is amazing, by the way). I’ve just used this and as though by magic my locks are soft and shiny. Fantastic stuff.
Even men can use it ?
And will it harm ur hair I mean cn it be a cause of hairfall ?
I made the no color recipe above & overall, I love it, but I have dark brown hair….Will adding cocoa powder be an issue with clothing or pillowcases?
I did notice it on my clothes, etc…pretty much anywhere other than my hair that the spray landed. Now I put my robe on and stand in the shower. Sounds silly, but it’s so much easier than washing my hair every day.
I just made this recipe – I used arrowroot powder and a combination of jasmine and orange essential oils. I have dark hair and it worked quite well, however I felt that I could see maybe the slightest white residue, so next batch I’ll add in the cocoa just to see. I’ll use this recipe again!
Just a suggestion…try citrus essential oils that are not photosensitive – they can cause reactions like sun sensitivity abs hair lightening…unless the desire is to highlight hair…like grapefruit or a steam distilled citrus….i like rosemary and mint to help support healthy scalp and hair growth…?
Do you think I could substitute in witch hazel for the vodka?
This dry shampoo has changed my hair completely!! I have thin, oily hair, and it gives it life, body, and volume. Wow. Thank you.
Love this spray!!! I have fine, long hair and it works wonderfully!!!
I’ll admit I was skeptical at first, but I’m trying to transistion to as many natural beauty items as possible, so I decided to give it a try…This spray has worked wonders on my hair! It works even better than my Batiste dry shampoo, AND I don’t feel like my lungs are full of powder when I’m done! Thank you for sharing!!!
This clogged 2 spray bottles so far, expensive spray bottles. I am getting a bit frustrated now, tried quite a few recipes of Mommypotamus, some work well, others are complete disaster. I dont think I will try any more recipes as they are all hit and miss and I have wasted enough money now.
Hi Boryana, so sorry you had that experience. You might try soaking the sprayer in hot water and then using a pin to clear the nozzle if needed. A few other readers that use this recipe have said their bottles occasionally become clogged and that’s what has worked for them.
Thanks Heather, I did soak them and used a needle to try and unclog them, but it didn’t work! I will have to buy a different type of nozzle, will see if I can get the one you recommended above!
Hi there!
I had this problem with the first spray bottle I used. The key is to find a spray bottle with a larger tube. Some of the spray bottles have a very thin tube that gets clogged easily. I found one that has a wider tube at the dollar store and I never have issues with it getting clogged!
Hope this helps!!! 🙂
Dear Heather,
Can i used another liquid instead of vodka?can you give me the suggestion.
Quick question about the vodka. I’ve never tried this, but am very interested. Once the spray dries, would you be able to smell the vodka? Like if I wanted to use it before I went to work, I wouldn’t smell like a party animal right? Haha.
What is the shelf life of this spray? Thank you
okay i have dark so looked up Can rubbing alcohol change hair color? and the answer was It will turn your hair blonde, but it will also dry out your hair pretty bad, all the smoothness will be gone. So, not a good idea.
I’m wondering if a pump oil sprayer might work? It’s designed to thicker fluids.