DIY Dry Shampoo – 2 Ingredients, 2 Minutes

I will be the first to admit I am not a beauty person. Hair washing has always felt like another item on the to-do list, not a relaxing ritual. So when I discovered this dry shampoo, it was a genuine game-changer.

Let me set the scene: I have three kids, a to-do list that never ends, and a tolerance for bathroom time that is best described as “functional.” The idea of a long bath and an elaborate beauty routine as self-care? Lovely for some people. For me, it sounds like more work.

So dry shampoo has been my quiet ally for years. The problem? Most store-bought versions come in aerosol cans that leave a white cast on dark hair, smell aggressively floral, and create a cloud of fine particles that make me cough. I have also tried the tinted versions marketed for brunettes, but the spray-nozzle accuracy required is beyond me. I always end up with more product on my bathroom mirror than on my scalp.

Then I found a recipe so simple I barely believed it would work. It uses two pantry ingredients and an old makeup brush. That was several years ago, and I have not bought a commercial dry shampoo since.

Why this works better than store-bought

• No white residue on dark hair – thanks to a little cocoa powder
• Precise application – a makeup brush lets you target exactly where you need it
• No inhalation hazard – no aerosol mist floating around your bathroom
• Cheaper – pennies per batch vs. $8-15 for a drugstore can
• Customizable scent – a few drops of essential oil, or none at all

The ingredients

Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) is the base. It absorbs oil and blends into light hair invisibly. For darker shades, unsweetened cocoa powder adds color without any of the synthetic dyes found in commercial tinted dry shampoos.

A few drops of essential oil are optional but nice. Lemon, lavender, or rosemary all work well. If you have sensitive skin or are pregnant, skip the essential oils or stick to gentle options like chamomile.

How to apply it

1. Dip a fluffy makeup brush or a clean powder puff into the mixture
2. Tap off the excess
3. Dab lightly at the roots and along your part line
4. Let it sit for a minute (or overnight if you are planning ahead)
5. Brush through your hair to distribute and remove any excess

That is it. No spraying, no white streaks, no cloud of dust.

A word on essential oil safety

Essential oils are concentrated plant compounds and should be used with care:

• Always dilute them in a carrier powder or oil – never apply undiluted essential oils directly to your scalp
• If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a medical condition, check with your healthcare provider before using essential oils
• Some oils (like rosemary) are not recommended for young children
• Perform a patch test on your inner arm before using a new oil on your scalp

If in doubt, leave the essential oils out. The dry shampoo works perfectly well without them.

Yield: about 1/4 cup (enough for weeks of use)

DIY Dry Shampoo

Print

Active Time 2 minutes

Total Time 2 minutes

Difficulty easy

Materials

• For dark hair:
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 5 drops essential oil of choice (optional)
• For light hair:
• 4 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
• 5 drops essential oil of choice (optional)

Tools

• a small jar to keep the powder in
• makeup brush

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Shake or stir until evenly mixed.
3. Apply with a makeup brush to the roots as needed.
4. Let sit for at least a few minutes, then brush through thoroughly.

Notes

Arrowroot vs. cornstarch: Arrowroot powder feels slightly finer and less chalky, but cornstarch works just as well. Use what you have.

Cocoa powder: Use plain, unsweetened cocoa powder - not hot chocolate mix. For very dark hair, you can increase the cocoa ratio. For medium brown hair, try a 1:1 mix.

Storage: Keeps indefinitely in a sealed container at room temperature.

Frequency: This is meant to stretch the time between washes, not replace washing entirely. Most people find it buys them an extra day or two.

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Have you tried making your own dry shampoo? I would love to hear what ratio worked for your hair color – or if you skipped the cocoa and went full arrowroot.