As a busy mom, I am always looking for shortcuts to reduce my time getting out the door. Since becoming a mom, I’ve taken to packing lunches, setting up my coffee machine and picking out CB’s and my school clothes the night before. As far as the actual morning goes, I’m still working on finding shortcuts, but my absolute must-do and favorite shortcut is using dry shampoo and washing and drying my hair less frequently.
Besides saving time, dry shampoo is healthier for your hair. You have probably heard that sulfates in shampoo are bad, bad, bad news bears. They are the same ingredients that are found in dish detergent, which make them extremely harsh on your hair, stripping it of its natural oils. Over time, hair grows accustomed to shampoo and whenever it’s not shampooed, your hair feels super greasy because the natural oils freak out and try to overcompensate for the oils that have been previously stripped. Very technical terms, I know.
There are sulfate-free shampoos on the market, some better than others. I use the L’oreal brand, but if it wasn’t so expensive, I’d use Wen instead. You can also make your own non-shampoo, like this cool gal — I definitely want to try this, but I’m not quite ready to make this big leap yet.
Anyway, I wash my hair maybe once every 3-4 days and can go as long as 6 if I have to. This includes days of “working out” (i.e. taking my dog for a brisk walk in the hot sun or throwing in a Jillian Michaels DVD), playing at the pool (with my hair up so it barely gets wet), etc. When I first started reducing the number of washes, it took a bit of time to “train” my hair to get used to the lack of shampoo. I’d start by washing every other day and wearing my hair up in a ponytail on the second day so the hair grease was less obvious. Classy, I know. On non-hair-washing days, I simply put my hair in a ponytail or bun and hop in the shower. The ends of my hair will often get wet, but it’s not a big deal. You can also be like my sister and wear an old lady shower cap instead.
Here’s a quick and dirty how-to for using this dry shampoo (I’ll save you the close-up pictures of my head, but if you need a video tutorial, here’s one from the man himself, Oscar Blandi):
- Grab sections of your hair and sprinkle the dry shampoo near the roots or on your scalp (but not directly on your scalp if you have dark hair — it’ll be harder to blend in). It is very important NOT to squeeze the bottle — it will get EVERYwhere if you do!
- Use your fingers to massage the dry shampoo into your hair, kind of scrunching your hair and zhushing it about.
- Repeat in other sections of your hair until the grease is eliminated. I usually end up going around the crown area, focusing specifically near my part where the grease is most visible.
And, voila! De-greasified hair, ready to go in minutes!
Here’s a picture of Lil’ CB and me and my Day 4 unwashed/dry shampoo hair…
We’re screaming to keep away that greasy hair! Just kidding, we’re on Lil’ CB’s first roller coaster ride.
So thankful that it’s (generally) acceptable for me to have dirty hair… ;) Dry shampoo has been a lifesaver in my morning routine and it’s also made my hair so much healthier! Long live dry shampoo!
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
I love dry shampoo too! I wash my hair once 1-2 times a week and swear by dry shampoo on day 3-4.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Oh, thanks you, thank you. I will be “sit month” in roughly a month. In August. In the market for dry shampoo.
clementine / 948 posts
I love dry shampoo as well and actually use the same brand as you. I swear by it!!
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
I have used dry shampoo for 4 + years now. I still can’t my hair to go past washing every other day. If I am lazy and skip it and go 3 days, it is so bad. Like I shouldn’t leave the house. Either way if I don’t wash it, it has to be worn in a pony tail.
And I totally wear a shower cap in the shower. DH makes fun of me. And R thinks it is funny!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
My friend just asked if I use dry shampoo the other day, and I immediately said, “no way!” because the one time I tried it, it just felt so gross and weird in my hair… but you might’ve just convinced me to give it another shot! I love bathing and washing my hair every day though!
pomegranate / 3314 posts
Love dry shampoo! And there are so many good ones available now that it’s become a popular concept. The best I have ever used is Klorane, but because it’s so damn expensive I now just pick up whatever is at a good price at CVS.
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
I’ve never used dry shampoo- but I’m definitely wanting to try! Thanks!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I love dry shampoo too! I just rotate between a few drugstore brands, but it has saved me from having to wash my hair every other day. I have super greasy hair, and after the initial disgusting phase, I can go up to 4-5 days! Of course, the last 2 days are def ponytail days, but I notice a difference!
pomelo / 5220 posts
I have tried the Klorane and Dove ones, I want to try this one next! Thanks for the suggestion
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
Oh I need to look into this I can usually go a day or two without showering but thats my limit Its just hard to find time sometimes with my 2 so this might be something I need to look into stat!
nectarine / 2600 posts
Yes! I never wash my hair. Mostly because I’m lazy. I used to use that same powder, but I haven’t bought it in a long time. Lately I’ve been using the spray dry shampoos, but honestly I feel that the powders are way better.
And I totally use a shower cap! That’s not normal?! lol
blogger / nectarine / 2043 posts
I’ve tried this a few times and it makes my hair feel so heavy and greasy. Maybe I’m not using the best brand?
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
My hair gets gross and greasy after 2 days and by day 3, up in a ponytail it goes! I can go longer in the winter, but in the summer, I need to wash it every other day. I have a dry shampoo, but it’s a spray and I feel like it gets my hair cakey. Yuck! Might need to try your brand and see if I like it better.
blogger / persimmon / 1220 posts
Is it like a powder, or like an oil? I’ve never tried dry shampoo…I already don’t wash it every day (maybe every other day, or every couple days), but my hair is not super oily (it’s more on the dry side) so I never thought to try it. Maybe I should?
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
I really need to try this! I think the sulfates in my shampoo are wreaking havoc on my scalp.
blogger / apricot / 367 posts
Love the Oscar blandi! I never used dry shampoo until i was a mom… and discovered how little time i have to myself to even wash my hair!
blogger / clementine / 998 posts
“our hair feels super greasy because the natural oils freak out and try to overcompensate for the oils that have been previously stripped”
interesting! i’ve definitely heard that as far as far as face washing (dealing with acne for 2/3 of my life!). i’ve heard of people that wash their hair in vinegar (i think??) and i hear it gets SUPER greasy for the first few days.
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
@TheSwissWifeStyle: hahaha! i just feel like an old lady in a shower cap!
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
@Mrs Checkers: it’s a powder! kind of like the consistency of baby powder. i start using it on the 3rd or 4th day after being washed. maybe it’ll help you go even longer?
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
@Mrs. Pinata: my hair has never been healthier since i drastically reduced washings!
blogger / kiwi / 675 posts
you guys are so cute; always love your pics they look like fun. I can’t believe I haven’t tried dry shampoo yet; need to pick some up asap
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
I really, really need to give this a try!
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
I tried some dry shampoo at my sister’s suggestion early on after having Patrick and admit that I’m pretty sure I did everything wrong. And having done it wrong once, I didn’t want to mess it up again! But I’m seriously going to have to check out this product. Thanks for the recommendation and how-to!