How to Use Dry Shampoo Powder

I am one of those people who can barely make it through the whole day after washing my hair before it begins to get greasy. Over the years I had tried all sorts of things to deal with this, including stretching out the days between washes (which I mention specifically because it's been said to me too many times to count!), but nothing helped.

I never liked the idea of aerosol dry shampoos so for years I made my own simple cornstarch and cocoa powder version thinking that was probably as good as I could get if I wanted to keep it natural and healthy. I was wrong!

It's not an exaggeration to say this Dry Shampoo has been somewhat life changing for me.

Not only has it given me back time every week that I used to have no choice but to spend on hair care, but it's also changed how I feel day to day. Instead of often feeling like my hair looks "meh" or reaching for a hat to hide greasy roots, I'm actually happy with how my hair looks most days. Honestly, that's the biggest win for me!

The trick with powdered dry shampoo is how to apply it. When you're first learning, if you just tip and shake it all over your hair, you may end up with a powdery haze. Read on for some very simple tips for success!

How to Apply

Here's the super simple two step application method!

1. Section your hair and apply the dry shampoo to your roots.

   
   

   Tip: You may want to avoid applying directly on your part line for the day by sectioning and applying the powder on each side of your part, or just focus on applying sparingly.

   
   

   Optional: You can let it sit for a minute or two after sprinkling in if you'd like.

   
   

2. Tousle your hair with your fingers or brush to work the dry shampoo through.

   
   

   Tip: It can work well to flip your head over while tousling your hair.

   
   

   Tip: There shouldn't be any powder visible within a few minutes of working it through. If you happen to have applied too much, simply run damp fingers or a damp cloth through these areas, or you can use a blow dryer to get out the excess. You're definitely not doomed to a day of powdery hair!

Use this Dry Shampoo between washes or as a volumizer any day!

It's very versatile: apply a small amount for volume or if your hair is not very oily, or apply more if it's quite oily. Not only is it very effective at absorbing extra oils but it is also not overly drying so your hair will still feel soft when applied.

It can be applied in a few different ways, and once you are familiar with how much to use, the last method is my go-to:

Powder Puff (best for small or targeted applications)

Sprinkle a little powder directly onto the puff or into the palm of your hand, then dab onto your roots.

Hairbrush (good for small or multiple applications)

Sprinkle a little powder directly onto your hairbrush, then brush through your roots.

Large Makeup Brush (great for small to large applications)

Sprinkle powder into the palm of your hand, then pick it up with the brush and apply to your roots.

Sprinkle Directly onto Hair (the simplest and ideal for medium to large applications)

Carefully shake a small amount directly over your roots. For better control, only twist the lid partially open when dispensing the powder.

Most people find applying in the morning works best, although some prefer the night before. If you’re concerned about powder getting on your clothes while you apply, you can simply lay a towel around your shoulders or apply before getting dressed — though many people find they can apply it just fine without any transfer at all.

If a little powder does happen to land on your face or clothing, it’s easy to wipe away with a damp cloth and you’re good to go!

How to Choose the Right Shade

This silky Dry Shampoo powder is available in two shades, both with a dreamy fresh scent - grapefruit lime for light hair and rosemary mint for dark hair. This is pretty straight forward but there may be a couple questions that come to mind.

What about red hair? Unless you have very dark red hair, the light shade is generally the way to go.

What if my roots are a different shade than the rest of my hair? Generally, choose the shade that best matches your roots as this is where most of the powder will be. However, the shades are very flexible (keep reading!).

What if I like one scent more than the other? Having two shades helps create a more balanced, natural-looking finish and reduces the chance of either a light powdery look or a darker cast in the hair — while still working well across a range of hair tones. If you’re drawn to a particular scent, you can definitely try the one you love most. Start with a little less than you normally would, and adjust from there to find what works best for you!

Refillable Shaker Bottles? You Bet!

Did you know the aluminum Dry Shampoo shaker bottles are endlessly refillable? And it's easy! There are two options for refilling:

For a completely package free refill, head to your local refillery on Vancouver Island where they'll fill up your bottle from their bulk supply (and if they don't carry it yet, please request it!).

If you're not close to a refillery that carries the bulk powder, you can simply order a Refill Pack through my online shop. Each pack fills your bottle TWO times. It's a great way to reduce packaging waste and save money!

This Dry Shampoo is Extra Awesome Because...

...it's made with completely natural ingredients - organic tapioca starch, arrowroot starch, bentonite clay, cocoa powder, activated charcoal (depending on the shade) and hair-loving essential oils. It’s not harmful for your skin or the environment when it gets washed down the drain, but actually has beneficial qualities for your hair and scalp!

...the packaging is zero waste and refillable. Plus, if you need to recycle your bottle at some point, aluminum is endlessly recyclable!

...it's vegan and gluten free!

If you've never tried dry shampoo before, it may just be time to give it a whirl. Or if you're already hooked but want a natural good-for-you option, here it is!

A note to avoid possible confusion - dry shampoo is not a cleanser like regular shampoo and there is no water needed.

(As always, other than links to my own products, the links included in this post will bring you to more information, not where to buy a product.)