Dirty Hair? Dry Shampoo!

Hey ya'll!
I spent most of last week/weekend in sunny Phoenix visiting my aunt...and it was fabulous. Seriously wonderful. Had a great time, met lots of people, and took relaxing to a new level. In fact,  I may have been slightly depressed to return to Nebraska...especially since I took a 30 degree cut in temperature. So VERY thankful for the time I got to spend with my aunt! I can't wait to get back there again....

So, in the week since I've been back, it seems like I have been trying to play catch up. And when you are playing catch up, the first thing that goes out the door is washing your hair (ok, maybe thats just me.) Um... gross. I know, but seriously. This brings me to one of my favorite inventions ever. DRY SHAMPOO.

This is typically my go-to for dry shampoo. It's TIGI-Rockaholic "Dirty Secret".  For those of you who are completely oblivious to this amazing invention, dry shampoo is typically used for Day 2 and 3 hair that you haven't washed. It absorbs oil, and leaves hair looking refreshed. It also smells great!

I typically spray the product in my bangs and roots area, let it sit for a minute or so, and then comb through and shake it out. And..tada.. fresh hair! No wash. So, my problem with this stuff? It is like $20 a bottle. Which is fine and dandy, but I could blow through a bottle in a week or two. Um, I don't have time or money to be replacing this stuff that often.

After doing some research, I heard that CORNSTARCH is often used for absorbing oil in both hair and skin. So, basically, I just went for it. I poured a little cornstarch in a bowl, grabbed my kabuki brush and swirled it around, and just started dabbing it in the "typical" areas of concern. Anyways, this works like a dream. Seriously, I highly doubt I will buy another bottle of dry shampoo EVER when I can buy a box of cornstarch for like 79 cents.

Now, I did a little experiment, and went 3 days without washing my hair. I used the cornstarch to refresh my hair after I bathed, and it went very well. I didn't try to curl my hair or anything during this time period, I simply wore it down and straight (and on day 3 I went for the sock bun!)  So, if you have any major styling you want to do, you may need to wash your hair.

Next time you need a quick pick me up, but don't have time for a wash, check your pantry. Cornstarch is a fantastic sub for dry shampoo. Yay!

The Shampoo Diaries

I will admit it. I am a shampoo snob. But, with confidence, I will say I have come to this decision over years of experimentation.

It all started  as a young girl.  I was raised on Biolage. (Well, that came out wrong. No, I didn’t eat it.) My mom always used Biolage shampoo for my sister and I. We both had long hair and she stressed the importance of “taking care of your hair.” Which,  apparently to her,  meant using salon products!

Fast forward 20+ years, and I cannot quite break the grip on this philosophy. And, I don’t want to! I performed an experiment last year (per my friend Steph's request :) ) and experimented with buying non-salon products (you name it, I have tried it) and actually used them for weeks at a time. I have to say, in my opinion, the difference is obvious from the start! My hair always felt heavy, sticky… lacking volume.. etc etc.

So, what do I use you may wonder?

I think the “secret” to shampoo is to never keep using the same one for too long! I have no scientific proof for this. In fact, I made it up. Its my own theory. But I have an arsenal of shampoo in my bathroom… and I switch out sometimes daily! Of course, over the years I have developed some standard favorites. And here they are...

Biolage

What can I say, old habits die hard. Biolage comes in a variety of kinds for your hair type (normal, dry, oily, etc.) I have found that I like to use the "Normal" or "Hydrating". Truth be told, they all work and smell great. 

TIGI Bedhead Urban Anti-dotes 3

I sought this shampoo out when my hair went through a really dry, brittle state due to a medication I was taking. The first reason I fell in love was because of the smell. I think it smells fantastic! But this shampoo does keeps  my hair so soft and it really does a great job at repairing your hair if it is damaged. 

Redken All Soft

I love how smooth and manageable this shampoo makes my hair. Plus, the smell reminds me of summer. And tanning lotions. And laying out by the pool. Triple bonus! 

Well, there you have my shampoo closet. I am always trying new things, so the truth is, there are about 2-3+ more shampoos that are rotating around right now. But these are my old faithfuls. If you can't find a shampoo you love, I would recommend one of these. 

It's OK to admit if you are a shampoo snob. There is no shame….