Let’s face it, sometimes it is just too much work to wash your hair. Once it is wet there is no going back. The hair dryer and perhaps other styling tools will have to come out. A ten minute shower becomes an hour long ordeal, made even worse if it is in the morning. Who wants to get up an hour earlier just to wash their hair. But, the alternative is dirty, greasy hair, and that never feels desirable.

This is why so many of us turn to dry shampoo. A few sprays into the roots and all that grease is soaked up, providing life and lift! But, dry shampoo can be expensive and a can doesn’t always last long. So, it is always good to know how to make your own if you are in a pinch.

There are plenty of great DIY dry shampoo recipes out there, and these are a few of our favorites.

Cornstarch Dry Shampoo

This simple dry shampoo recipe can be made in just a few minutes and is brilliant at absorbing any extra oil from the roots.

Add one tablespoon of baking soda to a quarter cup of cornstarch and mix well. If you wish, you can swap the cornstarch for arrowroot powder as it also has oil absorbance properties. To make it more suitable for darker hair shades you can add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder, making it less visible at the roots . Simply apply to the roots with an old makeup brush and massage. Comb the hair through and style hair as normal.

TIP: To give this dry shampoo a fresh smell, add a touch of baby powder.

Bentonite Clay Dry Shampoo

Bentonite clay is an excellent ingredient for giving lift back to dull roots while soaking up any extra oil.

Mix equal parts bentonite clay and arrowroot powder and mix thoroughly with a spoon. For an extra touch of luxury, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and be careful to mix well to stop any clumping of ingredients. A favorite oil to add is peppermint as it has a gorgeous fresh scent that is invigorating, particularly in the morning. Grapefruit and lemon oils are also great if you need a refreshing boost. For something a little more soothing, try adding chamomile or lavender oils.

Cheesecloth Method

If you are really in a pinch and have no dry shampoo ingredients available, or just want to try something different, you can rely on a simple piece of cheesecloth. Simply wrap it around a stiff bristled brush and comb through your hair. The fibers wrap around the strands, stripping it of excess oils.

For tips on saving those dry, cracked lips, check out this blog post. If you have any alternatives to store bought dry shampoo, we would love to hear about them! Leave your best tips in the comments below.