Give your hair the refresh it needs with the white residue!

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Have you ever woken up with zero time to wash your hair, but your roots are screaming for some help? That’s me—more often than I’d like to admit. Usually that means I just throw my hair up in a high bun, but even if I do that, I like to get rid of the greasy look as well.

I used to rely solely on store-bought dry shampoos, but I found it really hard to find one that actually worked for a reasonable price. I will admit, that there are a couple name brand dry shampoos out there that do a good job; however between the price, the chemicals, and the annoying white residue, I knew there had to be a better way. That’s when I discovered how easy it is to whip up a dry shampoo DIY at home.

This simple dry shampoo recipe uses just two natural ingredients that you more than likely have in your cupboard, and it works like magic—especially if you need a homemade dry shampoo for dark hair. It doesn’t cause chalky streaks or a powdery finish. Instead, this lightweight dry shampoo powder blends right in, soaks up excess oil, and leaves my hair looking refreshed and full of life.

Even my teenage daughters had to admit that this stuff works better than the store bought ones they were used to!

Now, whenever I need a quick fix, I just reach for my little jar of dry shampoo for dark hair, and I’m good to go. Trust me—you’ll wonder why you didn’t try this sooner!

What’s So Bad About the Store Brands?

It’s easy to grab a can of dry shampoo off the shelf, but most store-bought versions come with some downsides you might not realize. Many popular brands contain aerosol propellants, synthetic fragrances, and harsh chemicals that can irritate your scalp, dry out your hair, or even disrupt your natural oil balance. Over time, that “quick fix” can actually leave your strands feeling dull and lifeless.

Another common issue? Residue. Traditional sprays often leave behind a powdery buildup that looks obvious—especially if you have dark hair. And the ones made for dark hair, don’t seem to work as well …. or is that just me?!?!

I was actually at a conference once with my family. My 12 year old daughter leans over to me and says “Someone didn’t blend well”. I looked up, and about three rows up, a poor woman had two big chalky patches in her hair—it looked like she’d lost a snowball fight on the back of her head. All looked fine from the front, but clearly the back of your hair can be hard to see! If you want to avoid this happening to you, use this homemade dry shampoo recipe instead.

And let’s not forget the price tag which keeps going up and up…… and up. For a product that’s basically a fancy oil-absorbing powder, store-bought dry shampoos can be surprisingly expensive. And most of them don’t work! Making your own not only saves money, but it also gives you control over the ingredients touching your scalp.

All You Need is Two Ingredients!

And you likely have them in your kitchen cupboard already too. I use corn starch instead of the arrowroot powder simply because that’s what I always have around. But if you are looking for a more gentle powder for your scalp, I recommend grabbing some arrowroot powder.

Corn Starch or Arrowroot Powder
Both of these powders are lightweight, natural absorbers that help soak up excess oil from your scalp and hair. They are the superpower that makes this dry shampoo. They leave your roots looking refreshed without weighing your hair down.

Arrowroot, in particular, is extra gentle and often a go-to for those with sensitive skin. Whether you use corn starch or arrowroot powder, this ingredient is the key to that just-washed look—minus the actual wash.

Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder isn’t just delicious—it’s the secret ingredient that makes this dry shampoo for dark hair blend in seamlessly. It helps prevent the white, chalky residue that lighter powders can leave behind, making it perfect for brunettes. Plus, cocoa contains antioxidants and can even give your hair a subtle, natural shine while leaving behind a warm, chocolatey scent.