DIY Beauty: dry shampoo with arrowroot powder

Okay, after being totally frustrated that Klorane had pulled out my favorite dry shampoo from the shelves, I decided to improve my DIY dry shampoo formula. So I headed to the supermarket to get a pack of arrowroot powder. I seriously cannot remember how I got to know about this powder and I wasn’t even sure if it’ll work. But being desperate, I decided to throw caution to the wind. But knowing that the Victorians used to sprinkle arrowroot ­powder on their hair to help absorb grease definitely brought me some comfort.

Using a thickener
Anyway, before this, I used a combination of rice flour, baking soda and corn starch but the combination wasn’t ideal for my greasy hair. However, I seem to have nailed my formula better using a combination of arrowroot powder and rice flour. Maybe because the arrowroot powder is a thickener, it is somehow able to adhere to my hair and hence, causing this DIY dry shampoo to work well for me. In fact, my hair is able to stay grease free for almost the entire day except during times when the weather is unbearably hot.

Makes hair soft
For this formula, I used equal parts of arrowroot powder and rice flour. The only thing I don’t like about this dry shampoo is that it makes my hair a tad soft and hence, flatter. But that’s not such a big issue and so I’m happy to continue using this. It’s definitely cheaper than the commercial products. More important, it works pretty okay for me!

Purpose and usage of dry shampoo
In case you’re new to dry shampoo and are wondering how it’s being used, dry shampoo is to “cleanse” the hair of grease in between shampooing sessions. In my case, my fringe gets oily within an hour after washing my hair and so dry shampoo is imperative and I literally can’t leave home without it. How do I use it? Well, just pour some into my hand, and “brush” the powder into my hair. I usually leave the powder in the hair for a few minutes before brushing with a hair brush or comb.

Availability
The pack of arrowroot powder is available at Cold Storage for about S$12. Although I had thought it’s kinda of costly but the price is definitely nothing when compared to the commercial brands. Afterall, the big pack can last me a rather long time! And as for rice flour, it’s available in the supermarkets too.

Up next, I might try to get my hands on orris root powder and/or kaolin clay powder to tweak the formula better.

Comments

  1. Marla says:

    I have never tried that combo to sub as a dry shampoo. My two favorite brands are Got2b Rockin’ It and Batiste Dry Shampoos. They give my hair amazing body.

  2. xin says:

    i can’t live without dry shampoo either. i have a batiste standby on my work desk, and if i am going out in the eve after work, i will have to use it to save my oily fringe and flat hair. I love the volume it gives ? i have also try keeping a small jar of baby talc in my bag, but ever since it spilled and messed up my whole bag, i scrapped that idea.
    xin last post is: Random Updates: When the Itchy Hands Get Inspired

  3. NPB says:

    Never really tried formulating or using a dry shampoo, but arrowroot powder seems to be a very effective shampoo. Might this a try.
    NPB last post is: No Posts Were Found!

  4. jenny says:

    I love this blog! Have you guys also check out Hudabeauty.com? It’s amazing! ?

  5. EcoBeauty says:

    How come you always manage to find those special types of flour/powder, haha? I thought I’ve been spending so much time in grocery stores but it seems not really long enough ’cause I haven’t seen those sorts yet. I think the most ‘unique’ I’ve spotted was mung bean powder.
    EcoBeauty last post is: EthicBioskin Organics: Really, Really Premium Handmade Skincare Products from Etsy! (Review + Giveaway)

  6. Sesame says:

    Haven’t seen Got2b Rockin’ but have seen Batiste but don’t like the ingredients I spotted.

  7. Sesame says:

    Batiste is a spray on aerosol formula right? Saw it has alcohol and wasn’t keen on it.

  8. Sesame says:

    Yeah, so far, it seems to be the best ingredient that works for my hair.

  9. Sesame says:

    Oh I have seen it…Huda is so beautiful!

  10. Sesame says:

    This is from Cold Storage. I do spend quite a bit of time walking the aisle. ?

  11. Swati says:

    honestly, I have never made out how to use dry shampoo for hair!!! I am really skeptical about it but will try it…arrowroot powder is easy to get here ?
    Swati last post is: More questions…

  12. Sesame says:

    I have been using dry shampoo for decades now…totally can’t live without it.

  13. Mary says:

    I tried arrowroot powder as a dry shampoo and it was a bit thick in my hair, maybe because it is very fine and not oily. I wonder if your orignal rice flour version would be perfect for me.
    Mary last post is: New product! Honeybee Gardens Lipstick in Aztec

  14. Sesame says:

    Oh it’s thick for you? It’s great for me because it sticks to my hair and hence, helps with controlling the greasiness. But I do need to comb out the powder a bit longer.

  15. spark says:

    I recommend you to use Faciano Dry Shampoo, since many people are disappointed with the hair powder. Faciano Dry Shampoo isn’t the powder at all, but it has great effect to clean away oil & keeps the hair very shining.

  16. Sesame says:

    Where can you get it?

  17. miso says:

    That’s amazing DIY, thanks a lot. I would like to introduce you a non-powder dry shampoo though-Faciano Dry Shampoo. It has no residue and great effect to clean our hair oil away quickly. Also I feel my hair soft, no itch with good smell.

  18. Sesame says:

    Is it available in Singapore? But I won’t like it if it’s aerosol form or if it conains alcohol.

  19. Bettina says:

    What’s the ratio of arrowroot vs rice flour?

  20. Sesame says:

    I use 50-50.

  21. Shelby says:

    I use plain ol’ baby powder! It works wonders and you can buy scented types (like magnolia, or lilac) at your grocery store.

    I apply it with a hand and then use a bristle brush to distribute it evenly. Works like a charm, every time!

  22. Sesame says:

    I used to use baby powder but dry shampoo really works better.

  23. Dagmar says:

    What a lovely blog! :))

    In Italy we use the chickpea flour as a dry shampoo.

  24. Sesame says:

    Oh wow…chickpea flour as dry shampoo sounds interesting. I can’t seem to find chickpea flour that easily here (maybe I haven’t looked hard enough) but I like to give it a try when I can get my hands on it.

  25. Terese says:

    Having read this I thought it was extremely informative.

    I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put
    this short article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both
    reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
    Terese last post is: Terese

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