While nothing beats a hot and relaxing shower, some days it’s hard to find the time. For those hectic days, dry shampoo is a quick way to freshen up dirty hair. The combination of arrowroot powder, talc powder and tapioca powder create an oil absorbing powerhouse that leaves hair feeling refreshed. Simply apply the powder directly to your roots, and use your hands to work in the powder. Scented with Relaxing Fragrance Oil, this dry shampoo smells of vanilla, lavender and musk.
Because the powder is white, dry shampoo can leave a slight powdery color in darker hair. You can add mica color to the powder to darken the powder, but this can make the powder quite messy and may color your scalp. If you’d like to experiment with color in your dry shampoo, we recommend adding 1/2 tsp. of mica colorant to the powder and working up from there. When adding color, the powder will still look white. To test the color, spread the powder on the back of your hand to see the true color. In our tests, oxides did not mix in as well as mica colorants and were very streaky.
What You’ll Need:
10 Plastic Powder Shakers
6 oz. Arrowroot Powder
3 oz. Tapioca Powder
2 oz. Talc Powder
6 mL Relaxing Fragrance Oil
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!ONE: In a large bowl, add the tapioca powder, arrowroot powder and talc powder. Use a whisk or your hands to fully incorporate the powders.
TWO: Add Relaxing Fragrance Oil, and use your hands to blend the fragrance in thoroughly. Continue to blend until there are no “chunks” of fragrance oil in the mixture; this can take several minutes of mixing.
THREE: Transfer powders into the plastic powder shakers. Once ready to use, apply the powder to your roots and use your hands to blend in. Hair is instantly refreshed!
Have you used dry shampoo before? I absolutely love it for busy mornings when a shower is not possible!
- 10 Plastic Powder Shakers
- 6 oz. Arrowroot Powder
- 3 oz. Tapioca Powder
- 2 oz. Talc Powder
- 9 mL Relaxing Fragrance Oil
- In a large bowl, add the tapioca powder, arrowroot powder and talc powder. Use a whisk or your hands to fully incorporate the powders.
- Add the Relaxing Fragrance Oil, and use your hands to blend the fragrance in thoroughly. This can take several minutes of mixing.
- Transfer powders into the plastic powder shakers. Once ready to use, apply the powder to your roots and use your hands to blend in. Hair is instantly refreshed!
is there any substitute for Tapioca powder? any help is greatly appreciated. thanks
In place of the tapioca powder, you can use more arrowroot powder. It helps absorb oil well. 🙂
Arrowroot powder: https://www.brambleberry.com/Arrowroot-Powder-P3706.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Is there any other substitute for Arrowroot powder? I would like to try this too but I am not really sure where to get that powder here in the Philippines.
Great recipe by the way!
You can add more tapioca powder in place of arrowroot powder! You can also add a bit of cornstarch or baking soda. Both of those powders absorb oil well. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I and many coworkers use a dry shampoo when on the back end of a weeks of 12 HR night shifts when the last thing you feel like doing is washing your hair. I originally used an 8 oz container and mixed arrowroot powder for blond hair. Then added organic cocoa powder to arrowroot powder a few days later. Then for my hair I just made a bottle for me! I used the arrowroot powder mixed with some ground hibiscus for my red hair. I did add a bit of Rose clay in it it works very well. I usually wash my hair weekly, 2x a wk at most but if it’s getting time and my hair is feeling dirty I will sprinkle some hair powder all over my scalp then brush! It really does!
I love the ground hibiscus for red hair, that is such a great idea! I use dry shampoo all the time as well. I have color-treated hair, so the less I wash the longer my color lasts. Not to mention second day hair holds a great curl. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I too use the hibiscus for red and the cocoa powder for brown or mix a little of each for a bit more auburn. I don’t use the tapioca, talc , nor fragrance oil. Just the arrowroot & the colors I need. I still have a really old bottle of Bumble & Bumble hair powder that I think they changed to a spray but I’ve had it many years don’t use weekly but that stuff cost around $20-30 for that 4 oz bottle!! Crazy!! I prefer our all natural any day !!
Absolutely, I love making my own dry shampoo because it’s cost effective and works just as well as store bought! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’d asked about the talc in this powder since while I am thrilled to have discovered a source for this ingredient I thought it would be simpler to produce a talcless powder as a product to sell. I experimented and the recipe below (based on Bramble Berry’s) has gotten very positive reviews.
(And in answer to people who don’t know why one would use a dry shampoo I’d suggest to them that washing and drying longer hair (my own is waste length) is not a quick and easy proposition, and there are also circumstances, for example being sick and/or in hospital when one is simply unable to do so.)
So for anyone who wants an alternate feel free to try:
Two parts arrow root,
One part tapioca powder,
One part cornstarch,
Half part baking soda.
Sample recipe:
Two ounces arrow root,
One ounce each tapioca powder and cornstarch,
Fifteen grams (0.5 ounce) baking soda.
Thanks so much for sharing your recipe! It sounds like it would work great at absorbing oil and keeping your hair nice and fresh. Plus, it’s a great alternative for people who don’t want to use talc. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I recommend that anyone who uses talc to do research on it. Talc has been linked to ovarian cancer and other gynecological illnesses. I love the idea of using corn starch instead. Thank you 🙂
Hi Jesica!
Some people have concerns about talc being linked to cancer. From what I understand, that is possible with talc in its natural form, which can contain asbestos. However, I can assure you our talc powder doesn’t contain asbestos and is safe under normal conditions of use! If you would like MSDS on our talc powder, let me know. 🙂
However, it is definitely possible to leave it out of this recipe! That’s one of my favorite things about making my own products – I can choose exactly what to include! Grey Dove’s talc-free recipe looks lovely.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
It sounds like this works for some people, I’ve never really heard to dry shampoo before. I imagine this same recipe would work for a body or foot powder. But I don’t get the concept I guess. I’m never “too busy” to brush my teeth and take a shower every day…..
Hi Michael!
This shampoo works great for your hair! My hair is on the oily side, so I love to use dry shampoo after work if I’m going out. That helps freshen my bangs. 🙂
I imagine it would work as a body or foot powder. It helps absorb any excess oil!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I purchased a dry hair powder prob 10 years ago from Bumble and Bumble. I still have the 2 oz with plenty left put it was expensive and has chemicals. So in my quest to eliminate toxins, I made my own. My hair is a med auburn/brown so I just mixed arrowroot powder and added in cocoa powder. I added a small amt of hibiscus powder for the red. Since I had everything, it didn’t cost anything extra to make. I use an old large make up brush like the size to apply loose powder, and dip into the powder on pat into the spots that need it. I stored it in old Noosa yoghurt containers that are perfect for storing small things as it comes with a lid. I have used this method for years now with great results!
Sorry but I didn’t mean to rate this recipe as 3 stars as I haven’t used the particular recipe but don’t know how to remove the rating once posted.
Hi Michelle!
That sounds like an awesome dry shampoo! That’s a great idea to pat it on with a makeup brush. Usually, when I pour it on I tend to spill it all over myself. I’ll have to try that out! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi,
I just made some dry shampoo. I used Bentonite clay in place of the talc, and if you want to tint it, I used a dark Chocolate Illite Clay.
To tint for black hair, I would think you could add charcoal, but I have not tried that yet. I used lavender in mine, for relaxation and healing.
Have fun!!
Hi Dawnia!
That sounds like an awesome mix, thanks so much for sharing your recipe! Clays are great for absorbing oil. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Bentonite clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Bentonite-Clay-P4059.aspx
I’ve been using a similar version of the recipe for a couple years now. Plain arrowroot powder is all I use tho, not the other powders. I add a few drops of lavender & rosemary for scent and instead of micas, use cocoa powder, cinnamon and spices to add color. My hair is light so I usually only add the EOs but experimenting with spices for color would be much cheaper than buying micas and most of us already have spices in our kitchens… was wondering tho, for black hair, what about activated charcoal powder? It would probably still be light but after brushing maybe not too bad? Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration you have given me! Peace & love
Crystal
Hi Crystal!
That recipe sounds awesome! I imagine it smells wonderful, and I love the idea of using cocoa powder to match your hair color. 🙂
Activated charcoal is very light, so I imagine it would mix with hair well! It may help to have someone test it out and see what they think.
Activated charcoal: https://www.brambleberry.com/Activated-Charcoal-P4956.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
How would this work in a spray can? My girls love dry shampoo and I wondered how to incorporate in a aerosol can!!!
Thanks!
Lisa
Hi Lisa!
Because this powder is in dry form, I don’t believe it would spray very well. You may need to mix it with something to make it spray. We didn’t try this recipe in an aerosol can, so I’m not exactly sure what you would mix it with! You may try cyclomethicone, which is a lightweight liquid silicone that adds a silky texture to your skin and hair. 🙂
Cyclomethicone: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cyclomethicone-P4560.aspx
If you find a combination that works for you, let us know how it goes!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have cycolomethicone on hand so I’ll give it a try! I will post after I’m done experimenting!
Thanks for the input!
You’re welcome! Can’t wait to hear how it goes. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Good day,
This is a wonderful post/recipe, thank You! I’ve wanted to try a dry shampoo for years but had no idea how to make it.
I do have two questions; regarding the colour for dark hair would it be possible (that is make a nice shampoo) to add some dark coloured clay like rhassoult instead of micas?
And is there any ingredient that could be substituted for the talc? Perhaps cornstarch or baking soda?
Thank you so much, I am really excited. If I can use something other than talc (which I don’t have right now) I’ll be mixing some of this up once I’ve heard from you!
I agree with you about the Talc . It’s so scary and to much controversies
Hi Grey Dove and Naomi!
From a quick internet search, it appears people have concerns about talc being linked to cancer. From what I understand, that is possible with talc in its natural form, which contains asbestos. However, I can assure you our talc powder doesn’t contain asbestos and is safe under normal conditions of use! If either one of you would like the MSDS on our talc powder, let me know. 🙂
I totally understand if you want to leave it out of this recipe! The great thing about making your own bath and beauty products is that you can choose what goes into them.
For this recipe, you can increase the arrowroot powder and tapioca powder. You can try baking soda if you like! We didn’t test that in this recipe, so a small test batch may be helpful to see how it works.
Also, you can definitely give the clays a try! As with the micas, it may be a bit messy and can color your scalp. A small test batch would be helpful in that instance as well. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Dear Kelsey,
Thank you so much!
Actually, I’m rather fond of talcum powders, and they are increasingly hard to find! None of my other suppliers offers talc so I’m thrilled to find yours. However, I am impatient and would like to try this recipe right away; and in addition I think it does have great marketing potential (thank YOU) and people have been unhappy about talc for several years now. They quit using it in baby powder a long time ago, and now with this recent product recall by one of the brands that still offered it talc truly has a bad press. As a small business for me it just isn’t worth it. So I will add it to my next order (for my own intense satisfaction!), and in the mean time experiment with the three ingredients I have on hand and I know won’t get customers excited (in the wrong way!).
Once again thank you for a great post, fab recipe, and excellent service with your helpful prompt reply!
Grey Dove
I totally understand! Sometimes you have to work with what you have on hand, and what your customers prefer. 🙂
Also, you’re welcome – so glad you like the post!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry