Homemade “Dry” Shampoo

0 Posted by - September 24, 2012 - Hair & Beauty

Know what I don’t have time for sometimes? Well, lots of things. Cooking dinner. Pooping. Eyebrow waxes. But today we’re talking about shampooing.

Yes. Sometimes I don’t have the extra 10 minutes it takes to shampoo. Mostly, though, I just don’t because I’m lazy. Also because I’m trying to grow out my hair and I read that you shouldn’t shampoo every day, and that’s a good enough reason for me.

Know what, though? Hair gets gross after a few days. Enter the amazing Jillee.

I’m seriously not picking on Jillee here. I know I tried her frozen yogurt dots and they didn’t work for me, but you all know that when stuff doesn’t work on this blog, the blame can sit squarely upon the tester, not the pin. Plus, Jillee is forever posting super-pinnable stuff on her blog.

So, yesterday I decided to try this… after I went on a 20-minute wild goose chase for the empty spray bottle I knew was somewhere in the goddamn house.

I was sorta right. It was in the garage. Yeah, I don’t know either.

To get started, I dumped the corn starch in the bottle. Or, well, tried.

In hindsight, mixing it in a bowl would have been the better choice. Don’t judge me. I was tired.

Anyway, I applied liberally and then blow-dried my hair. Keep in mind that at this point, my last shampoo had been three days earlier.

Much to my amazement, it totally worked! Reviews from people I saw and asked included, “Fluffy!” and, “Uh, it looks normal to me.” Also, today (a day later), it still looks good.

Sure, it smells a little bit bad. I mean, it has alcohol in it, so you know. My sister-in-law suggested using vodka instead of rubbing alcohol. Then I would just smell like me, so that could work.

Anyway, I’m keeping a bottle of this around because, honestly, I think it even works better than the actual dry shampoo I bought from the store. Jillee FTW.

  • Kaylah

    Wooop wooop! First to comment :-P I was hoping you’d post today :) I’ll have to try this for sure!

  • amillionmistakes

    I made a batch of this yesterday, but realized at the last second that I had picked up peroxide instead of rubbing alcohol.  Luckily I realized this before I sprayed it in my hair…I started over, and used vodka – it worked.  And I didn’t smell like a hobo.

  • JulieHaywardBrantley

    Did this take less time than shampooing your hair? And why is there blow drying involved? I mean…I don’t typically blow dry anyways, so do I have to if I use this? And why am I so confused by this seemingly simple concept…

    • Kaylah

      JulieHaywardBrantley.. Well, usually, when you wash your hair, you have to actually get in the shower, dry off, redress, blow dry, redo makeup from being in the shower. With dry shampoo, spray, dry a little, and done.

      • Doctor Tarr

        Kaylah JulieHaywardBrantley I guess some of us assumed that bathing was still going on. If one is not showering, then I think dirty hair isn’t going to be the top issue.

        • JulieHaywardBrantley

          Doctor Tarr  Was exactly my point. If you’re showering…is this less time consuming that actually just washing your hair? But thanks for your attempt at a witty comeback.

  • KatrinaDuv

    I’m wondering if this will work because my problem isn’t grease, my scalp starts itching and my head smells like sweat? Kind of gross, I know but … is this just for greasy hair?

    • KristyCalesSchlak

      KatrinaDuv You could brush scented body powder through it? I do that sometimes but I have blonde hair, I don’t know if this will work that great for brunettes. 

  • Run_Chata

    I’m definitely going to have to try this. The dry shampoos I’ve bought/tried all seem to make my hair feel greasier than it was before I used the dry shampoo.

  • http://www.stringingintherain.etsy.com stringingintherain

    You could prob put a couple drops of  scented oil in this to make it smell better?  just a thought :)

  • http://thissillygirlslife.com/ ThisSillyGirlsLife
  • RosieY

    I feel like a total wet blanket but I have to warn people:  Using this (or any dry shampoo with alcohol as an ingredient) on a regular basis WILL dry out your hair and lead to breakage. Seriously, alcohol on your hair is okay every once in a while but doing it a few times a week will not turn out well.

    • stacy73

      RosieY That was my first though too: Eek!! Dryness and breakage are never good for growing out hair!  :(

  • average_jane

    Just cornstarch by itself works fine. No need to go adding stuff.

    • Kaira

      average_jane I tried it and even after brushing and blow drying like crazy I couldn’t get it out of my hair? HOw do you get it out of your hair and scalp?

  • KungFuAlex

    I have to agree with RosieY.  Alcohol is a majorly drying ingredient.  Using this because it is faster or easier makes sense, but using it to avoid shampooing to help grow out your hair is kind of self-defeating.

  • JulesKitty

    Put some Febreeze in that mix. You’ll smell fresh. I am not a trained professional. Don’t be pissed if your hair falls out or if toxic chemicals soak into your brain.

  • Truffles8761

    Well shit fire and save matches!  I am really glad this works because I do, occasionally use a dry shampoo.  I’ve been using Tresemme.  It’s good stuff but I like cheap.  If I can make it myself for a few cents, I am all over it.  Nice job Pintester.  Think I’ll use vodka and add a twist of lemon for scent.  Then I can have a sip or two whilst brushing my hair out.

  • LisaWood1

    Good gravy! you people are as crazy as I am!.  To Doctor Tarr, thanks for the chuckle first thing this morning, and to a millionmistakes, God Bless, this sounds like something I would do and then wonder why my hair was orange.  Thanks Pintester, I ALWAYS laugh out loud at your posts.  You Rock girl!

  • scotpjmacdonald

    You definitely need to make time for pooping. Maybe if you wax your eyebrows WHILE pooping you could buy a little time?

  • ElizabethLeeCassels

    After reading all these posts I decided not to try it- i wouldnt want my hair to dry out and i can never grow it out because the in between stage makes me so mad that i end up cutting the shit again to the same style that i didnt really like and decided to grow out. So here is my solution when not having time to wash hair because maybe it is taking too long to poop- throw on a fucking ball cap, drink the vodka and then you wont care what anyone thinks of your hair anyway! problem solved!

  • http://pinterest.com/ioffendreason IoffendReason

    Alcohol can’t be too great for your hair? I just use talcom powder. I have super oily, dark brown hair. I can’t even use conditioner on the roots, so I was surprised when it worked. I thought it’d make it look grey, but nope! :) Smells better too ;)

  • meinswife

    I have used this and I love it! As far as they drying issue goes, I only ever use it on already oily hair, so I don’t think I’m doing all that much damage. It’s not like I’m using it on clean, dry hair. Also, I’m only using it on my roots and I usually only use it every few days or so. I’ve used it forever and I haven’t had any issues with drying or breakage. I am just sure to treat my ends and style like normal. Oh, and it’s not like you skip a shower, you just don’t wet your hair. Not terribly difficult and it saves me loads of time drying!

  • Teach381

    Mostly I just think you’re lucky, cause if I didn’t wash my hair for 3 days it’s look like it was combed with a pork chop.  True Story.

  • TraceyArsenault

    HAHAHHAHA!!! “My sister-in-law suggested using vodka instead of rubbing alcohol. ThenI would just smell like me, so that could work.”  I just spit a bit of wine all over my keybaord…hey do you think I could use red wine instead of rubbing alcohol…?????

    • Tess

      I bet you could! Maybe it would give auburn hilights! Great idea!

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  • Upthereinlights

    A tip- I used the last bit of a bath and body works body spray (mostly alcohol and water) to mask the smell.  It totally worked and my hair smelled great!

  • possumhill

    Holy cow – I love this blog! Now following. I have one, too, if you’d like to take a look: possumhillfarms.com

  • roboaty

    My dry shampoo costs $2.50 so it’s actually probably cheaper.

  • Hannah

    Just a note, I wouldn’t use this if you have colored hair. Alcohol will fade your color. You’d be better off just using the cornstarch alone. I sprinkle some on my roots, then brush through my hair and hit it with the blow-dryer and it works fine for me!