Best DIY Dry Shampoo for Light & Dark Hair

A few months ago I got in trouble from my hair stylist.  I had been one of those people washing my hair every day (every. single. day.)  And as I was getting older, this everyday hair washing habit was drying out my hair.

I needed to find another way to get that clean, just-washed feeling that I loved every morning.  I experimented with creating several different versions of homemade dry shampoos and came up with a recipe that I absolutely LOVE!

Turns out it’s even better than my old wet shampoo ways!

  • adds volume, making it look like I have more hair
  • gives an instant lift to my roots and oily hair
  • keeps my hair healthier by extending time in between shampoos
  • smells amazing
  • a big time saver and simplifies my life
  • portable and easy to use everywhere – great for busy mornings, after the gym, camping, travel, before nights out, etc.
  • all natural!!

 

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

What’s in this homemade dry shampoo?

rice flour – absorbs oils, improves manageability, and increases hair elasticity

arrowroot powder – light, soft, and absorbent – all of which helps it absorb excess oil and leave hair feeling silky soft

colloidal oatmeal – relieves irritation, calms itchy scalps, moisturizes (humectant that pulls moisture from air), helps thicken and strengthen hair, and works to help make hair less brittle and more elastic

kaolin clay  or Moroccan red clay or French red clay– fine, light, highly absorbent clay that soaks up excess oil.  This is the hardworking powerhouse of this dry shampoo.

note:  Kaolin clay is great for all colors of hair.  Moroccan red clay and French red clay are great for redheads or brunettes with red highlights.

baking soda – absorbs oils from your scalp making it look like your hair has just been washed

cacao powder – (optional) use to darken dry shampoo when making for brunettes and redheads

rosemary essential oil – smells fantastic plus it helps prevent excess oiliness on the scalp and reduces inflammation in hair follicles

peppermint essential oil – smells great!  stimulates your scalp, energizes your mind, and helps wake you up

 

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

How to make homemade dry shampoo for blondes, brunettes, and redheads?

step 1:  add 3 tablespoons of rice flour to a glass bowl

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

step 2:  add 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

step 3:  add 2 tablespoons colloidal oatmeal

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

step 4:   add 1 tablespoon kaolin clay (Moroccan red clay or French red clay for redheads)

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

step 5:  add 1 tablespoon baking soda

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

step 6:  add 1 tablespoon cacao powder (omit for blondes)

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

step 7:  add the following essential oils

15 drops peppermint essential oil

15 drops rosemary essential oil

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

step 8:  mix well

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

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step 9:  scoop into an 8 ounce glass jar

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

 

Here’s the Dry Shampoo Recipe One More Time

Mix the following together and store in a 8 oz glass jar:

3 tablespoons of rice flour

3 tablespoons arrowroot powder

2 tablespoons colloidal oatmeal

1 tablespoon kaolin clay (or Moroccan red clay for redheads)

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon cacao powder (omit for blondes)

15 drops peppermint essential oil

15 drops rosemary essential oil

 

best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

How to use dry shampoo?

  • apply dry shampoo with a poofy makeup brush
  • tap off the excess from the makeup brush (a little goes a long way)
  • apply to your roots and the oily parts of your hair
  • lightly massage into hair with your hands
  • Voila!  It’s like a grease eraser for your hair.

 

Ready to make this dry shampoo?  Here’s where I get my ingredients for this recipe:

click here for rice flour 

click here for arrowroot powder

click here for colloidal oatmeal

click here for kaolin clay (for blondes and brunettes)

click here for Moroccan red clay (for redheads)

click here for cacao powder (for brunettes and redheads)

click here for 8 oz glass jars

click here for poofy makeup brush for applying dry shampoo

 

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best dry shampoo recipe -- adds volume to hair, gives instant lift to roots, & it smells amazing! customize for blondes, brunettes, & redheads

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Sarah Lewis

A little thing about me: I 💙 essential oils. I also love using my background in research to help people learn more about essential oils and all the wonderful ways they can be used. I share DIY recipes for natural cleaners that really work, non-toxic beauty solutions, and holistic wellness. My essential oil recipes, info, and tips have been viewed more than 20 million times. I've been featured on MindBodyGreen, Health & Natural Living, All Natural Ideas, This Natural Home, Natural Living Ideas, and Passion for Savings.
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4 thoughts on “Best DIY Dry Shampoo for Light & Dark Hair”

  1. Hi Sarah! I made this recipe, and tried it for the first time today. I can’t tell you how much I really like this!
    I am so grateful for this, as I know longer want to use a commercial product with harmful ingredients. Thank you so much for sharing your great recipes with us 🙂

    • Hi Jennifer,
      Thanks for your kind note! Great to hear from you.
      I’m so glad that you like it. I agree, it feels so get to get yet another toxic item out of our lives.
      Sarah

  2. Hi Sarah! I LOVE your website! I have
    Made many of your recipes, and just love them!
    I have question about your dry shampoo recipe. I am a brunette with lots of red highlights. I wasn’t sure which options to use, since I have both brunette, and red hair. What do you suggest? Thank you so much !

    • Hi Jennifer,
      You mostly want to try to come close to the color of your roots since that’s where you’ll apply and use most of the dry shampoo. I’m guessing your roots are mostly brunette, so I would go with the brunette recipe.
      For folks who have reddish brown hair, they can make a blend of the redhead and brunette recipes by using a bit of cacao powder and a bit a red clay to get a shade close to their color.
      Sarah

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