DIY Dry Shampoo for Light and Dark Hair

Tired of greasy roots but don’t want to wash your hair every day?
This DIY dry shampoo is a quick, natural fix that absorbs oil, adds volume, and works for blonde, brunette, and black hair—without the chalky white residue.

Made with simple ingredients you probably already have, this recipe takes less than 5 minutes and costs just a few dollars.

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Why You’ll Love This DIY Dry Shampoo

• Absorbs oil instantly (no wet hair required)
• Extends time between washes
• Customizable for your exact hair color
• No aerosols, alcohols, or harsh chemicals
• Budget-friendly and beginner-safe

Unlike store-bought versions that can contain drying alcohols and propellants, DIY options rely on natural powders that soak up oil without damaging your hair.

Prefer to watch this project instead of reading it?

Dry shampoo is a must in my life. There was a time (feels like forever ago) when I would wash my hair every day. Then I would have to blow dry it, which takes forever since I have relatively thick hair. And then straighten it with a flat iron. That is, until I learned about dry shampoo. Now, I only wash my hair about twice a week. Who has the time or energy to be washing, drying and straightening their hair everyday?

Hair Oils

So, it turns out that not washing your hair everyday is actually a good thing. Your hair naturally produces an oil called sebum. When you shower, the shampoo strips the oil from your hair. When the oils are stripped each day, you can wind up with some pretty dry hair.

Plus, your hair will create even more oils, because it is trying to keep itself hydrated. The more you wash, the more oily your hair can become. When I first started skipping washes my hair would be sooooo greasy in like a day. Now, it gets greasy after a few days of no washing.

Jump to Recipe

What is dry shampoo?

Basically, dry shampoo comes in wet or dry form. It essentially absorbs the excess oils on your hair and make your hair look like it was just washed. It does not actually “wash” your hair. You still need to wash your hair a few times each week.

How to use dry shampoo?

First, remember that you can always add more, you can’t take any away once you have added it to your hair. Just work with a little bit at a time.

Find your application tool. I use a large makeup brush. Start by dipping your makeup brush into the dry shampoo, tap off any excess.

Divide your hair and dust: Lift sections of your hair. I like to start at my part and do a few rows of dry shampoo on either side. At the root of each section, just apply a small amount of the dry shampoo. (Remember, you can always add more).

Massage into roots: After you have applied the dry shampoo, you will want to massage any excess into your roots.

Brush: Then you will want to brush your hair to mix in any dry shampoo that may be remaining. It can also help to remove any excess that you might have applied.

Dry Shampoo Ingredients

Tapioca Starch: This is a natural root starch that is in a white powder form. It is known to help absorb oil and reduce the greasy feeling in hair.

Bentonite Clay: This is an off-white powder that is very soft feeling. It is a very fine powder.

Cornstarch: This is a white powder that is super absorbent. It helps to absorb the oils and leave hair feeling light.

Modifying to Match Your Hair Color

Blonde Hair: If you have blonde hair, you can mix a little chamomile powder into your dry shampoo to color it. It does not take much to get it to a nice blonde shade.

Brown Hair: If you have brown hair, dig in your cupboards and grab the cocoa powder. Just add a little at a time, until you are your desired shade.

Black Hair: If you have black hair, you can add a small amount of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is known for its abilities to absorb oil. Please use caution when adding the activated charcoal, as it does not take much to change the color.

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DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe (Works for All Hair Colors)

Base Formula (Start Here)

• 45 g Tapioca Starch
• 45 g Cornstarch
• 10 g Bentonite Clay

This blend is lightweight, absorbent, and gives the best balance of oil control + softness.

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Customize for Your Hair Color

Blonde Hair

• Add a small amount of chamomile powder

Brown Hair

• Add cocoa powder (a little at a time)

Black Hair

• Add a tiny amount of activated charcoal

Pro tip: Always add color slowly—you can’t remove it once mixed.

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How to Use Dry Shampoo (The Right Way)

1. Dip a makeup brush into the powder
2. Tap off excess (this prevents buildup)
3. Apply lightly to roots in sections
4. Massage into scalp
5. Brush through to blend

Start with less than you think—you can always add more.

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Why This Recipe Works

Each ingredient has a purpose:

• Tapioca starch – absorbs oil and reduces greasiness
• Cornstarch – lightweight and softens texture
• Bentonite clay – boosts oil absorption and adds volume

Natural absorbent powders like these are commonly used in DIY formulas because they effectively soak up oil while remaining gentle on the scalp.

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Tips for Best Results

• Use only on dry hair
• Apply at the roots—not the ends
• Don’t overuse (2–3x per week is ideal)
• Store in an airtight container (lasts ~6 months)

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying too much (causes buildup)
• Not blending it in fully
• Choosing the wrong color match
• Using it as a replacement for washing

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Final Thoughts

If you want a fast, natural way to refresh your hair between washes, this DIY dry shampoo is one of the easiest upgrades you can make.

It’s simple, customizable, and actually works—once you get your color and amount dialed in.