Dry Shampoo: Tips and a Review

Use a dry shampoo to keep your loved one's hair looking clean between washes if they have difficulty getting in and out of the shower or are bedridden. They are easy to use and usually come as a spray or a powder and nowadays you can find them easily in the drugstore. Just spray the product in the hair, wait about 2 minutes for the product to absorb the oils from the scalp and brush out. If you are in a pinch, you can use baby powder or cornstarch as a dry shampoo. To use either of these I recommend using an old (but clean) blush or shaving brush to apply either the cornstarch or baby powder to the roots of the hair so you don't end up with a big chalky mess in the hair. Wait the 2 minutes then brush out.

I've personally tried the cornstarch, baby powder and Klorane oil absorbing  and gentle oat dry shampoo for myself ever since I got hair extensions put in, hurt my shoulder and wasn't able to wash my hair regularly. Out of the three methods, I have to recommend the dry shampoo first, cornstarch second and baby powder last.

With the Klorane dry shampoos (both aerosols and that I bought myself), I found that the oil absorbing one worked best for me as I have very baby-fine and oily hair. It was dead easy to use, smelled nice, absorbed oils really well and added texture and thickness to my hair. With the gentle oat dry shampoo, it was also easy to use, smelled nice and absorbed oils but left my hair a bit limp. I believe that the gentle shampoo would work best for people with normal to dry hair. Neither of these dry shampoos left much of a white residue in my hair.

Using the cornstarch, I put some on a small plate, applied it with a blush brush to my roots, waited and brushed it out.  It worked pretty well in absorbing the oils from my hair but I found that it left a bit of a white residue in my hair that was a little tricky to brush out.  I used the same technique with the baby powder but I found that it left more stuff behind in my hair but it did smell OK. 

Using both the baby powder and cornstarch was also the messiest method I used as it left powder all over my clothes (not nice on black clothes) and floor whereas the spray dry shampoo was the neatest.

In terms of cost, I'll admit that the Klorane was a bit pricy ($14 CAD not including taxes) and the cornstarch and baby powder the least expensive (about $2 for the cornstarch and $1 ( from the dollar store) for the baby powder) but for its ease of use I think the Klorane was worth it. 

I wish I had remembered about dry shampoos while I was caring for my mom and husband. It would have made their lives a little easier as well as my own.

Cinnamon Toast Lip Scrub

I don't know about you, but this winter has been playing havoc with my lips - they have been so dry that I have a white line where my lips are so dry that it even shows through lipstick. I came up with my version of a lip scrub so that I could deal with this. Currently I have limited resources so, as per usual, I make do with what I have. This lip scrub uses stuff that you probably have in your kitchen right now. If you don't have coconut oil I'd suggest using olive oil.

Cinnamon Toast Lip Scrub

1 Tbsp coconut oil 

3 Tbsp sugar

Approx. 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Mix all the ingredients in a small container or bowl until evenly distributed and has the consistency of a thick paste. 

To use, take a small amount on your finger and scrub your lips. Rinse with water when you feel you're done.

Now I'll admit that these amounts are approximate. What you want is to have the scrub to have the consistency of wet sand or a thick paste. I also like the fact that this lip scrub is edible, moisturizing and works! Part of my reason for adding cinnamon is it's irritating action - who needs expensive lip venom to plump your lips when you can make it your self?

Hope you enjoy!