It’s one of those mornings: you’re running late, you’ve got to be out the door in minutes, but when you look in the mirror, your hair looks oily and in need of a wash.
You frantically search every drawer for dry shampoo, only to come up empty-handed. Don’t panic! The answer to your hair crisis might be hiding in your pantry.
The good news is that you don’t need a store-bought product to get a clean, fresh look. Here are five common household substances that you can use instead of dry shampoo to absorb oil, add volume, and save your morning.
These brilliant and simple alternatives will get you out the door feeling confident and ready for whatever your day holds.
1. Baby Powder
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Thanks to its well-known ability to absorb moisture, baby powder is a beloved option for homemade dry shampoo. This gentle and effective hack works wonders in a pinch, leaving your hair feeling incredibly fresh and clean.
To use it, simply shake a small amount of baby powder into your fingertips and gently rub them along your roots. Start off with a very small amount and add more as necessary.
For those with darker hair, you can mix a bit of cocoa powder with the baby powder to help it blend in seamlessly. The powder will act like a sponge, soaking up the extra oils and leaving your hair with a beautiful, natural-looking volume.
2. Cornstarch
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When you’re in a hair emergency, it’s amazing what you can find in your own kitchen! Another pantry essential that will come in handy is cornstarch.
For easy and mess-free application, you can pour some into a salt shaker. The shaker will help you get the powder right at the roots where you need it most.
- If you have grey, blonde, or other light-colored hair, you can apply cornstarch directly to your hair. It will blend in perfectly while working its magic.
- For darker hair, simply stir some cocoa powder or cinnamon into the cornstarch before applying. This brilliant hack ensures the powder blends in seamlessly, leaving your hair looking clean and feeling incredibly soft.
3. Makeup Setting Powder
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The very same setting powder that keeps your face from looking oily can fix your oily roots, too. This brilliant beauty hack is the secret to a perfectly fresh look, using a product you already have in your makeup bag.
The absolute best way to use makeup setting powder on your hair is by using a large, fluffy makeup brush. The brush allows for precise application, so you can lightly dust the powder right at the roots where you need it most.
It brings a soft, silky feel that replaces the typical hay-like, chalky texture of some other dry shampoos. With this simple trick, your hair will look clean, feel amazing, and have a natural-looking volume that will last all day.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
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Although substituting liquid for dry shampoo may seem odd, we swear that it works. Mix one drop of apple cider vinegar per ounce of water in a spray bottle to make dry shampoo. Then, spray liberally at your roots.
The key to using this procedure successfully is to plan because you must wait for the mixture of water and apple cider vinegar to dry before you can see the results.
Once your hair dries, it should look and feel less greasy. Vinegar doesn’t leave behind a physical powder or residue and has beneficial toning effects on the scalp.
5. Hand Sanitizer
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We’re back at it again with liquids, but this one comes with a strong warning. The alcohol in hand sanitizer can dry out your hands, and it will do the same to your hair.
The harshness of it prevents it from becoming your go-to dry shampoo, and those with sensitive scalps may want to stay away from it entirely.
However, if you’re in a true beauty emergency and it’s the only thing you have for greasy hair, this hack can work in a pinch. You can rub just a tiny bit onto your roots as a very last resort.
The alcohol will quickly evaporate, taking the excess oil with it. It’s a quick fix for a dire situation, but for the health of your hair, it’s a hack that should be used with extreme caution.