Ask Kitty Magoo: DIY Dry Shampoo

Dear Kitty,

My hair gets oily in the summer but I don’t always have time to wash it. Help!

Signed,Greasy in Grafton

Dear Greasy,

I hear ya! As someone who enjoys exercise but can’t always shower right after, I’ve struggled to find a way to deal with the sweaty mess that is my post-workout hair. After spending some time on the Internet, I stumbled across the solution: dry shampoo!

The concept is shockingly simple: your roots are greasy so you sprinkle them with an absorbent powder that soaks up excess oil, making your hair appear clean even if you haven’t gone near a shower in days (which I don’t necessarily recommend, but to each her own). You’re probably wondering how dumping stuff on your head could possibly leave your hair cleaner, but it really works! Try this recipe for DIY Dry Shampoo, courtesy of http://www.veganbeautyreview.com.

Cocoa Powder Dry Shampoo

• 5 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 tsp. cornstarch

• 5 drops peppermint essential oil

Mix ingredients in a blender for a few seconds. Apply mixture to roots, wait a few minutes, then brush out. Note that this recipe is only appropriate for dark hair; for blonde hair, simply omit cocoa powder and use 7 tsp. cornstarch.

Other common ingredients include orris root powder, cornmeal, oatmeal, clay, baking soda … basically any absorbent powder will do. Experiment with varying recipes until you find the right one for your hair.

Meow!