How to Make Dry Shampoo

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Tested

If you have ever woken up late in the morning, you know how convenient dry shampoo can be in terms of refreshing your hair when you don’t have time to wash it. While commercial dry shampoos can work wonders on your oily bedhead, you can make your own dry shampoo at home with some simple household ingredients.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Cornstarch Dry Shampoo

A small salt or pepper shaker is the ideal kind of container to store your dry shampoo, but you could even use a cheese shaker.
2
Clean the container. Unscrew and remove the cap from the container. Use warm soapy water to wash away any impurities before you fill it with the dry shampoo ingredients.
- After washing, lay the container upside down on a paper towel to allow it to completely dry.
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3
Add in the dry shampoo ingredients. Once the container is completely dried, use a funnel to add ¼ cup of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of baking soda into the container. Remove the funnel, and use your hand to cover the container opening. Keeping your hand tightly secured to the container opening, gently shake the container and its contents for about 5 seconds.
- Shaking the container like this allows you to thoroughly mix the cornstarch and baking soda together.
- You can substitute arrowroot powder for the cornstarch; they both have oil absorbing properties.
4
Secure the top of the container. Snap or screw on the lid of the container. Make sure that the lid is fastened firmly, with no openings or uneven attachments.
- If the lid isn’t attached tightly, you run the risk of spilling all the dry shampoo on your head when you try to sprinkle it on.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Bentonite Clay Dry Shampoo

Add 1 cup of bentonite clay, and 1 cup of arrowroot powder in a medium sized bowl. ^{[1]
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Research source} Use a spoon to mix the ingredients together until they are fully combined.
2
Add essential oil. Once the powdered ingredients are mixed, add in 5-10 drops of an essential oil of your choice. Mix the ingredients again to combine the essential oil with the powdered ingredients. The more drops of essential oil you add, the stronger smelling your dry shampoo will be.
- This step isn’t mandatory for making a dry shampoo, but it lends a nice fragrance to your homemade product.
- Peppermint, lavender, and chamomile are popular choices for essential oil additions to dry shampoos.
3
Add the dry shampoo to a small container. Use a funnel to add the dry shampoo into your chosen dry shampoo container. A container that resembles a salt or pepper shaker works best for storing your dry shampoo. However, make sure if you use a salt or pepper shaker, that it is either unused or thoroughly cleaned with soap and water. #*Make sure the container is completely dried before you add in your dry shampoo.
- The tiny holes in the cap of a salt or pepper shaker allow for added control when you sprinkle the dry shampoo onto the roots of your hair.
Tightly fasten on the top of the container, and enjoy your homemade dry shampoo. Be sure to look for any possible gaps between the container and its top, so you don't spill your dry shampoo when you're shaking it over your head.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Dry Shampoo For Darker Hair

1
Mix together the dry ingredients of the dry shampoo. Add either ¼ cup of arrowroot powder or ¼ cup of cornstarch and 1-2 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder into a medium sized bowl. Mix these ingredients thoroughly with a spoon. ^{[2]
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Research source}
- The cocoa powder helps to camouflage the dry shampoo in darker hair colors.
Add in about 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. Use a spoon to again mix the ingredients until all of them are fully combined.
3
Add your dry shampoo to a container. Use a funnel to carefully pour the contents of the bowl into a small container. Once the dry shampoo ingredients are added, secure on the top of the container and check for any gaps or openings.
- Consider using a container that looks like a salt or pepper shaker, and has a lid with tiny holes in it. This will allow you to gently scatter the dry shampoo onto the roots of your hair.
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Community Q&A

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Question

Since we are going to add essential oils, will the dry shampoo become liquid?

Community Answer

You should only be adding a drop of essential oil to a very large amount of cornstarch/arrowroot, so no, it will not become liquid if you use a proper amount.

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Question

Do we need to add essential oils for the third method?

Community Answer

Essential oil is not mandatory, it is only used to give your shampoo a bit of fragrance.

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Question

How can I make it so I can spray it on?

Community Answer

Mix some conditioner with some water and add that to your dry shampoo until you're satisfied with the consistency. Put it in a spray bottle and spray away!

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Things You’ll Need

¼ cup of corn starch
1 tbsp of baking soda
¼ or 1 cup of arrowroot powder
1 cup of bentonite powder
1-2 tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder
5-10 drops essential oil of your choice
Empty salt/pepper/cheese shaker

Tips

If you have red or auburn colored hair, consider swapping in cinnamon for the cocoa powder. This may help blend the dry shampoo better into your hair. ^{[3]
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Research source}

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Apply the dry shampoo over a sink to catch any falling residue.

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Once you sprinkle the dry shampoo onto your hair, brush through it to evenly distribute and tone down the look of the powdery dry shampoo.

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[2]

[3]

How to Make Dry Shampoo

Steps

Making Cornstarch Dry Shampoo

Making Bentonite Clay Dry Shampoo

Making Dry Shampoo For Darker Hair

Community Q&A

Video

Things You’ll Need

Tips

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