Introduction
Life without dry shampoo? It’s a thought so terrifying that I can’t even imagine it. But if you’re ever stuck without your favorite powdered, fragrance-free savior of greasy hair, don’t worry! There are other ways to get rid of oil and grease in your strands without having to buy another bottle of dry shampoo. Here are 10 things you can do (or use) when you don’t have dry shampoo:
Use baby powder.
Using baby powder is one of the easiest ways to get a lightweight, dry effect without sacrificing texture. To use it as dry shampoo, dust a little bit on your roots and brush through with a brush. You can style as usual from there!
However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before using baby powder:
It’s not good for dark hair because it will make your highlights stand out too much (and make your hair look gray or white).
It’s not good for oily hair because it makes oily areas more shiny and clumpy.
It’s also not great on curly or dyed hair; if anything, using baby powder will do more harm than good in these cases.
Spray with hairspray, then brush.
Spray with a light, non-sticky hairspray.
Brush hair to remove excess spray.
Brushing in the opposite direction of your hair growth, brush downward from root to tip in a gentle motion.
Repeat as necessary until you feel like your hair is looking good enough for public consumption.
Spray with perfume.
When you don’t have dry shampoo on hand, use perfume.
A light spritz of perfume at the roots will help disguise oily hair without making it look like you’ve just washed your hair.
For best results, apply after washing your hair but before styling it. (If you’re low on time and need to go out right away, skip this step.) The oiliness of your roots will be absorbed into the rest of the strands as they dry, leaving them looking fresh and clean—even if they’re not!
If you don’t want to use perfume as dry shampoo, try using hairspray instead. The same principle still applies: spray a fine mist onto wet or damp hair so that it doesn’t look greasy when air-dried or styled later on.
Brush your hair upside down.
Brush your hair upside down. This will help lift the roots and separate them from the scalp.
Use a wide-toothed comb to brush your hair and get out any tangles, especially if it’s long or curly. If you have very straight hair that tends to tangle, use a detangling spray on damp strands before brushing them (see below).
Use a boar bristle brush instead of a nylon one if possible; natural materials tend to be gentler on the scalp than synthetic ones are. A lot of people find that using both types helps—the silicone shafts help smooth flyaways while the boar bristles get rid of frizz and add some volume without causing damage or irritation like metal bristles could do if used for too long at once (especially if they’re nickel-plated).
Blow dry your hair.
Blow drying your hair upside down can help prevent static, and using a brush to distribute the oil will ensure it’s not just sitting on top of your head. A round brush is best for this step because it distributes natural oils evenly throughout the hair shaft while still giving you volume at the roots.
If you’re looking for more hold, try a paddle or boar bristle brush instead—they’ll provide more control than the round brush variety without weighing down your locks too much. If you want something even lighter than those two options, then look no further than a silk scarf! It’ll give you plenty of hold without weighing down even fine strands (and bonus: it won’t leave behind any residue).
Apply a non-oily facial moisturizer to roots, then comb through hair.
If you don’t have dry shampoo, you can use a non-oily facial moisturizer to absorb oil in your roots. Just apply it to your scalp and comb through hair for even distribution.
If you’re worried about using a heavy moisturizer on your roots, you may want to try this trick: Apply the lightest layer of lotion possible (and only near roots), then use a fine tooth comb or brush to distribute it through the rest of your hair.
Translucent powder will help absorb oil.
Use translucent powder. The best way to absorb oil is with a translucent powder, preferably one that matches your hair color and contains no dyes or fragrances.
Use a good brush: You’ll want to use a soft, wide-toothed brush so you can get all of the oily areas on your scalp and neck without rubbing too much or pulling at them.
Get heavy-duty stuff: There are some products that promise “oil absorption,” but they don’t always live up to their claims (and they often have all kinds of other ingredients that can clog pores). Just go for straight cornstarch; it works every time!
Use cornstarch for blonde or gray hair and cocoa powder for medium to dark hair. If you have very dark colored hair, you can use a combination of the two for more control.
If you have blonde or gray hair, cornstarch is a great option. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 cup of water to make a paste. Then apply it to your roots and let it sit for two minutes before brushing out thoroughly.
If you have medium to dark colored hair, cocoa powder is an excellent choice when dry shampoo isn’t available. Mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder with 1/4 cup water until there are no lumps remaining in the mixture and apply it directly over your scalp where needed. Leave on for up to 10 minutes before brushing out thoroughly with a wide-tooth comb or brush (you may need to brush more than once).
You can do without dry shampoo if you get creative.
Baby powder
Hair spray
Perfume
If you’re in a pinch, try using one of these things to help absorb oil and add volume to your hair. If nothing else, they’ll at least make you smell nice.
Conclusion
Thanks to these tips, you can get through a day without using dry shampoo. This may not be the perfect solution for everyone, but it will help you get by until your next shower.
