In my ongoing bid to remove as much pointless plastic from my life as possible, and reduce my chemical load, I’m experimenting with different homemade beauty products.
I still use my homemade deodorant daily, and would never go back to aerosols.
You can find that recipe HERE. Honestly, it really works.
I’ve had mixed success with homemade soaps. I find the melt and pour bases ‘waxy’, so instead I get liquid refills and solid shampoo from zero waste shops.
Dry shampoo is another unnecessarily chemical laden product, when you can make your own at home, instead of a petrochemical fueled spray.
Why Dry Shampoo?
Homemade dry shampoo is a great alternative to commercial dry shampoos that can contain harsh chemicals and additives. It’s easy to make and can be customised to suit your hair type and preferences.
Here’s a simple recipe for making your own dry shampoo at home:
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1/4 cup baking soda (optional)
- 5-10 drops of essential oil (optional)
- Spoonfuls of Cocoa Powder (until the desired colour is reached)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch or arrowroot powder and baking soda. Stir in teaspoons of cocoa powder until your reach the desired colour.
- Add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture and stir well. (This step is optional but can help to add a nice scent to your dry shampoo. Mint is a fresh one that goes well with cocoa, Rosemary is good for hair growth or Tea tree is anti bacterial but doesn’t smell as good!)
- Store the mixture in an airtight container, such as an old jam jar.
- To use, simply apply the dry shampoo to your roots using a makeup brush or your fingertips. Massage it into your scalp and hair, focusing on the areas that tend to get oily.
- Let the dry shampoo sit for a few minutes to absorb any excess oil, then brush or shake it out of your hair.
I’ve made this without the baking soda and it also doubles as talc for those sweaty Betty moments on a hot day!
My 2 ingredient recipe: arrowroot powder or corn-starch, cocoa powder.
This recipe is more comprehensive: https://www.treehugger.com/how-to-make-a-diy-dry-shampoo-5188508
Plus, when you add cocoa powder, it smells deliciously chocolaty!