I started using dry shampoo a couple years ago after my hairdresser told me that I had been overwashing my hair. He said my hair was too dry, and that I should only be washing my hair every two to three days at most (not every single day like I had been).
It took me a little while to get used to not having squeaky clean hair every day, but after awhile I got used to it. And now, thanks to using dry shampoo on my non-wash days, I absolutely love it!
My hair has never been softer. It even has a healthy shine that I’ve never really had before.
Two Versions of Dry Shampoo
When I started making my own dry shampoo, I went the powdered route (find my recipe for dry shampoo powder here). It’s super simple to make, and it made a lot of intuitive sense to me. If your hair is a oily or flat in between shampoos, then shaking on a little powder to absorb the oil, just makes sense. And it worked great. I even figured out how to customize the recipe for my red hair as well make versions that worked well for my brunette and blonde friends and family.
But my teenage daughter was used to using the store-bought dry shampoo sprays from Sephora, and it was harder to get her to switch. So I researched, experimented and came up with this simple recipe for a dry shampoo spray.
- Like her Sephora sprays, my homemade dry shampoo spray starts out as a liquid.
- And they both have highly absorbent powders (like calcium carbonate) to absorb the excess oil and add volume to hair.
- But unlike the store-bought dry shampoo sprays, the homemade version doesn’t have a long list of toxic ingredients. Just three simple ingredients in my DIY version. That’s it.Â
Versatile Dry Shampoo That Works for Everyone
This dry shampoo sprays works well for all hair types whether you have dry, normal, and oily hair.
And because so little powder (calcium carbonate) is used, it works well for all hair colors (redhead, blonde, brunette, gray, purple, pink, green, etc.)
Why I Love This DIY
- It absorbs oil, odor, and sweat. It refreshes hair, allowing you to stretch out the time in-between shampoos.  That leaves hair softer, stronger, more hydrated, and less frizzy.
- It boosts volume. By absorbing excess oil, it lightens the weight on the hair. That permits the hair to be lifted away from the scalp, adding volume and giving life to your hair.
- Thanks to essential oils, it has a light, fresh scent.
- It’s naturally free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum, formaldehyde and other toxins.
What’s in dry shampoo spray
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Calcium carbonate is a naturally occurring calcium salt. It’s found on 4% of the earth’s crust in the form of limestone, marble, and chalk.
It’s a white, odorless power.
It has a very alkaline pH which lifts the keratin scales on your hair, making it feel cleaner and giving your hair volume.
But the real reason it’s used in this dry shampoo spray is because it is a fantastic oil absorber.
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vodka or other clear grain alcohol (use 80-120 proof)
Vodka thins the calcium carbonate, dilutes the essential oils, and most importantly, evaporates quickly so the dry shampoo dries quickly, leaving your hair refreshed and ready to go.
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essential oils
Essential oils add a nice, clean scent to the dry shampoo.
And if you choose essential oils like rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and cedarwood, they can also help with hair growth as well. Want even more help promoting faster, stronger hair growth? Check out my recipe for mermaid hair growth tonic here.
How to make homemade dry shampoo spray
step 1:Â use a funnel to add 1 teaspoon calcium carbonate powder to a 4 oz spray bottle
tip: Choose a spray bottle that’s made from materials safe to use with diluted essential oils. Glass, stainless steel, and certain types of plastic (plastic #1 HDPE or plastic #2 PET) work well.
tip:Â choose a spray bottle with a trigger spray (like this); that will help the dry shampoo spray out in a very fine mist and not clump in your hair.
step 2:Â add a scant 1/2 cup of vodka or other clear grain alcohol
tip: There’s no need to measure if you’re using a 4 oz spray bottle. Simply, fill the bottle most of the way full, leaving a bit of room for the essential oils.
step 3:Â Add 20-25 drops of essential oil
You can add any essential oils you’d like. Here are a few combinations I love:
- 15 drops lavender + 8 drops spearmint
- 10 drops rosemary + 10 drops peppermint
- 10 drops sweet orange + 10 drops vanilla oleoresin
- 10 drops lavender + 8 drops sweet orange + 2 drops ylang ylang
- 12 drops sandalwood + 4 drops patchouli + 4 drops sweet orange + 2 drops jasmine
- 10 drops grapefruit + 8 drops sandalwood + 2 drops ylang ylang
- 8 drops copaiba + 5 drops cedarwood + 5 drops sweet orange + 5 drops vanilla oleoresin
- 10 drops lavender + 4 drops tea tree + 4 drops rosemary + 6 drops spearmint
step 4:Â put on spray top and shake well.
step 5: add a label (click here for a free printable label)
tip: You can print this label on full-sheet label paper, or do what I do and print the label on regular printer paper and attach it to the spray bottle with packing tape. It’s cheap and easy to do. Plus, I find that the labels stay on better using packing tape than with regular label paper, and the packing tape protects the label really well, which keeps the labels looking great for a long time.
tip: To help the label stick really well, first wipe the tube clean with a little rubbing alcohol. Allow to dry and then apply the label.
How to use
- use on dry hair
- shake well to mix before each use
- hold a small section of hair up and away from roots
- spray dry shampoo on roots near scalp
- use fingers to massage into roots and pull through hair slightly. Toss hair around a little to help it dry faster.
- allow to dry completely and see if you need. Continue add a little more dry shampoo until you get the result you’re looking for. Let dry completely.
- then style as normal
note: At first, the dry shampoo will smell a bit of alcohol, but the alcohol smell goes away quickly as it dries. And then you’ll just have the great smell of your essential oils.
Where to get supplies?
This website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.Â
vodka or other clear grain alcohol— Of course, you can get vodka wherever you might normally get your hard spirits. While I don’t drink, I do use vodka in several of my homemade beauty and cleaning recipes, so we get a giant bottle of vodka from Costco. It’s cheap and last forever.
calcium carbonate— find it online here
vanilla oleoresin— find it online here
4 oz spray bottle with trigger sprayer— find them online here
click here for free printable recipe and label
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Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Disclaimer: Please know that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link. Â
