Contrary to popular belief dry shampoo can be used on hair of all races.
Let’s say you have been putting off washing your hair for the past two or three days.
I know the feeling: every time you look at your straight hair the amount of oil on your scalp makes you cringe, or maybe your natural hair and scalp are starting to smell a little unpleasant. Both of these things could be the case if you are neglecting washing the sew-in you installed a few weeks ago.
Nevertheless, the thought of washing your hair never crossed your mind, be it time, energy, or sheer laziness you are putting that task off until the weekend.
The good news is, using dry shampoo can save the day. The better news is, I am going to tell you how and how not to use it.
What Is It
Now, what is dry shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a starch-based powder, aerosol, or paste that absorbs the oils in your scalp. You can use it to eliminate odors, add volume to your hair, and stretch out the life of a style.
It comes in two forms:
Powder: This looks like a form of baby powder or cornstarch. You can put it exactly where you want to absorb your oily scalp. This formula does not impact the air by leaving a lingering smell like its spray form.
Spray: This is the popular form of dry shampoo and what you will find from your favorite commercial hair care brands. It also is slightly more efficient at soaking up the oils on your scalp because of its component make up.
Background On Dry Shampoo
Even though the first reference for dry shampoo is sometime during the 1960s.
I first stumbled upon it when creating a care package for my aunt stationed in Afghanistan in 2005. Due to limited shower time, dry shampoo was a necessity for her BSL hair because it was the only way she could ensure her scalp stayed fresh amidst the heat of the desert.
We order large economy sizes of the Tresemme product of her choice and sent them to her on a monthly basis. After her tour was complete and I saw my aunt with long hair that was elbow-length. I was impressed so I too started to use the product in between washes.
Lately, hair experts are saying NO to washing your hair more than two times a week because of the drying chemicals in shampoo. Dry shampoo is a great alternative, especially during those weeks when my straight hair gets too oily too quickly.
A clean scalp is a recipe for hair growth.
How To Use Dry Shampoo
How to Use Dry Shampoo On Your Natural Hair
When using dry shampoo it is important that we are clear that dry shampoo only works on dry hair.
1. Separate your dry hair into sections depending on the thickness of your natural hair.
2. Shake the can of dry shampoo and then proceed to spray the product, holding the spray can about 6 to 8 inches away from your head.
When spraying the top layer of your hair that everyone can see, like your leave out or the area surrounding your part, hold the can a little farther away so that you do not spray too much product. The more product your spray, the more you have to work through your hair.
3. Do not panic when the white product comes out of the can. Let the product sit on your hair and scalp for 2 - 3 minutes. The white color will go away as the product absorbs the oils from your hair.
4. Massage the product into your scalp.
5. Work the product through each section of hair with a boar bristle brush or blow dry it through to ensure that you are covering your whole head.
6. Lastly, make sure to spray the tips/ends of your hair as well.
Using these tips will leave your hair feeling refreshed and maybe even a little thicker after this use.
How to Use Dry Shampoo On your Extensions
We all know that many women love hair weaves! So we had to let you know that you can, in fact, use dry shampoo on hair extensions and here is how:
1. When using dry shampoo on your extensions remember to use sparingly. Dry Shampoo a day or two before you are going to wash your hair.
With the braids and tracks already covering the scalp and making it harder to increase air and blood flow to the scalp, you do not want to clog your pores as well.
2. Spray the dry shampoo on your scalp in between your braids and massage into your scalp.
However, after spraying your scalp use a brush with tourmaline bristles on your hair extensions to work the dry shampoo through.
3. Mimic the smell of freshly washed hair by taking a couple of drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or grapefruit oil and massaging it into your hair.
Do not overdo this because you just got rid of oily hair. 3 drops should do the trick!
How to NOT Use Dry Shampoo
1. Do not spray too close to your head. This will work not to work well when you are trying to evenly distribute the product.
2. Do not overspray your hair. It can dull the hair’s natural luster. It is better to spray sparing during the first application and spray again as needed.
3. Dry shampoo is great for a quick fix to an oily scalp, but nothing is a substitute for shampoo and water! After hitting that dry shampoo twice in a row, it may be time to hit the showers before picking the bottle up again for the third time.
4. Lastly, be sure to avoid dry shampoos that leave:
Residue: A build-up that does not absorb after 2 - 3 minutes. Dark hair will show this residue, and it is a pain to get rid of.
Sticky hair: If you feel any coating on your hair after using a dry shampoo you may need to try another brand.
Strong smells: This can vary by user.
Some may have a personal scent that may not react well to certain chemicals in dry shampoo. Science proves that this is true with various hygiene products, not just dry shampoo.
Weight: If your hair is feeling limp or weighed down by a thicker formula try a brand that leaves it with a lighter touch.
Have you ever tried Dry Shampoo?
If so what tips or tricks have helped you successfully use this beauty hack?
Leave your success story in the comments.
