Like a lot of people, I’ve been shampooing less.

I have naturally curly, color-treated hair, and my stylist says that shampooing too frequently can lead to frizz. I think she’s right, but I still worry that my hair will feel oily (or that less-than-fresh odors will emanate from my head).

A few of my friends swear by dry shampoo as a styling tool. These long-haired beauties say it pumps up the volume, adds lift and absorbs excess oil. My hair is short, and it always sticks straight up, but I was still curious about a product that could refresh my scalp between shampoos.

As I was studying up on dry shampoo, I discovered that Aura Cacia has a recipe made from pure essential oils and other ingredients that I already have in my cupboards. It was a perfect way to try something new without making a big commitment.

What You’ll Need

1/4 cup arrowroot powder (aka arrowroot starch or arrowroot flour)*

1 TB baking soda

5 drops Aura Cacia Lavender Essential Oil

*Look for arrowroot powder in the baking aisle.

What to Do

Combine the ingredients in a container with a lid. Replace lid and shake to mix. Next, dip a large, wide makeup brush into the mixture. Carefully shake off the excess and apply to your roots wherever you need oil control and volume. Use fingertips to massage dry shampoo into your hair. Finally, comb through or blow dry from roots to ends. (As with all dry shampoos, absorption times may vary depending on hair color and condition.)

Results

I’m a big fan of aromatherapy, so I loved the gentle lavender scent, and the powder mix did help my scalp feel refreshed. Volume’s not really my issue; if anything, I could use a little less (thanks, Mother Nature). So I also offered samples to a couple of long-haired dry shampoo connoisseurs. Here’s what they said:

“The DIY dry shampoo worked great. I rubbed it on my fingertips and tapped it on my roots. And it took away the oily shine.”

“My assessment is that the DIY dry shampoo is great for a quick pick-me-up, but not heavy duty enough for serious cases like myself. (I'm going on day four with no traditional shampoo!) My guess is that it will work for most dry shampoo users though, and I bet this recipe will make lots of people happy.”

Will you try the recipe? If so, let me know how it works for you!