Monday, July 6, 2015

Dry Shampoo, Part Deux


Oh, our poor hair. While it’s been called a woman’s crowning glory for at least a few decades (perhaps even a couple centuries), most of us have a love/hate relationship with our hair. Mostly hate. When one has fine, straight hair like mine, it can be really hard to find the love.
One would think, when you live in a humid environment like I do, my hair type would be tame and slick. Au contraire! It frizzes and does almost as much crazy stuff suffered by those blessed with curly hair. So, I’ve been observing the rising interest in the “No Poo” movement for a while. I finally found the courage to try it almost 2 months ago. (Those who have tried it claim eliminating shampoo makes your hair thicker and reduces frizz.)

For those thinking of doing the same, here’s something to consider. You don’t have to go cold turkey. For several years, I had already ceased washing my hair every day. Maybe it was just laziness, but when you have to be out the door before 7 AM, it’s nice to have some mornings when your routine is more relaxed. There is also an upside if you decide to go “No Poo”. Since your hair is already used to not being washed every day, you can start stretching out the number of days between washing. It may take a bit longer to go “Poo” free, but some might find it a less dramatic way to make the change.

So, how does “dry shampoo” fit into the “No Poo” movement? If you’ve visited this blog in the past you may have seen a previous post for dry shampoo. I have since changed the formulation a bit, and it’s no longer necessary to use any kitchen appliances to make it. Products like oat flour are now easy to find in the suburban grocery stores where I shop. The version I’ve used on my rabbits works very well to clean out “wet” messes they occasionally get in their long hair. I thought it might be useful to help me keep my resolve to eliminate suds from my hair. There was also another motivation for trying it. Some of our travel plans for our Airstream include staying in remote places for some solitude and stargazing. Even with an RV, when you do that kind of camping, you only have the resources you bring with you. Water is the most important and squandering it isn’t an option. You might say I’ve been field testing. I figured if I could use the dry shampoo and go about in public with confidence, then the testing was a success.

There is no hard and fast formula for making your own dry shampoo. After trying the bunny version, I decided oat flour didn’t need to be in mine. It contains 3-4 tbsps. of starch to 1 tbsp. of baking soda. When I make a batch, I use what is available in my pantry at the moment. The bulk of the formula is mostly corn starch. It’s easy to find and inexpensive, but if you prefer to keep your body care gluten or grain-free; tapioca, potato and arrowroot are good alternatives. Cosmetic clays such Kaolin or Moroccan may good options too. I just don’t have any in my arsenal and haven’t tried them. You will want to choose powders with a really fine texture which will not only absorb excess oil but will also “disappear” into your hair. However, if you have the habit of running your fingers through your hair, you will feel the powder. Luckily, I discovered an unexpected upside. Besides minimizing the oily appearance of my hair, the dry shampoo actually adds some volume. Not “Texas Big Hair” volume, but I’ll take what I can get.

This is another opportunity for therapeutic and aromatherapy crafting. Customize to your heart’s content. I use a few drops each of Lavender, Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary and Sandalwood. All these oils are considered beneficial for hair growth and renewal. They are also believed to be antimicrobial and help reduce oily secretions. These oils are suitable for other skin/hair types as well. Besides its therapeutic properties, there is another reason to add an oil like Sandalwood. It’s known as a fixative in perfumery, which is a role played by many oils derived from wood resins. Just because you’re giving up a commercial product doesn’t mean you have to give up the sensory delight of fragrance, or the perception of being “clean”. Please remember, though, what works for one person may not work for you. Do your research and test new things carefully before incorporating them into your routine. I have fragrance sensitivities, especially in commercial products where you often don’t know if the source is synthetic or natural. That being said, as much as I love Sandalwood and the fragrance longevity it adds to my body care projects, it is used in very small doses. Usually just a drop or two is enough. Any more than that and it makes me sneeze. Of course, making something like dry shampoo in small amounts allows you to experiment more frequently until you find your ideal formula. (And sometimes variety is the spice of life.)

To make your shampoo, you will need a small air-tight container. Some stirring may be necessary if essential oils are added. They will clump in the starch. Bamboo skewers are handy for breaking the clumps up. Finish blending by placing the lid on the container and shaking vigorously for a minute or two. For actual use, you can store in the airtight container, a salt/pepper shaker, or repurposed spice bottle with shaker holes in the lid.

The main goal when applying your dry shampoo is to work it into the hair close to the scalp, but it’s light enough you can rub all the way down to the ends. Use small amounts. You may not need very much, and it will help minimize waste. You also want to “dry shampoo” your hair where it’s easy to clean up. I usually lean over the bath tub. If you use it after bathing, let your hair mostly dry. Otherwise, dry shampoo can be handy for freshening up on those “between” days. After working into your hair, restore order with a comb or brush that’s easy to keep clean. I would recommend getting dressed afterward. Excess powder will be on the back of your neck and shoulders.

Going “Poo” free also means having a replacement for soap when bathing. The following link is for a blog post from Piping Rock. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve purchased many of my essential oils and other aromatherapy products from them.


I like using baking soda instead of shampoo, but the vinegar rinse isn’t my favorite. Since I’m a brunette, I prefer black tea. Instant works great for this, and you can add a few drops of essential oil to it. Herbal rinses such as chamomile for blondes, or calendula for red heads can also be used. When doing “No Poo” research, be cautious with any recommendation for citrus juice or essential oils. Citrus can cause photosensitivity, resulting in skin irritation if you spend time in the sun after using it topically.
Summer is in full swing now, with its more relaxed attitude. Definitely a good time to eliminate shampoo from your routine. By the time winter rolls around again, your hair and scalp should be naturally conditioned, making it much better behaved when the weather gets harsh. (That’s my hope. Static made me absolutely crazy this past winter.)
Wishing you good hair days.


The Project Queen

Part Trois: After 2 weeks, I decided I didn't care for baking soda in my hair care routine. I didn't start with it initially, but added a rinse after having to do yard work in 90+ degree temps with 100% humidity. I felt it made my hair smell stale, not to mention too dry and static. Too dry can lead to breakage, something you definitely don't want when you have fine hair. The biggest reason I initially included a small amount of soda in my dry shampoo was to minimize clumping, since it is a bit coarser than starch. But the reasons it's in the dry shampoo I make for my rabbits has nothing to do with my hair. Clumping just isn't that big a deal, so the baking soda was eliminated from that too. I have been using commercial shampoo once or twice a week, and there are products with a smaller amount of ingredients and no sulphites. Even if a product has "organic" on the label, read the ingredients carefully. If you're finding substances that aren't clearly identified or recognizable to you, don't buy the product. I still use my dry shampoo once or twice a week, usually to stretch out days between shampooing with the store-bought stuff. It also comes in handy when you're traveling with an RV restoration project which isn't finished, and conclude the campground facilities don't meet your standards. (A post covering that adventure will appear on the Stellar Land Yacht, a blog I share with my husband.)


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