Eco Voyage

my friend lauren once pointed out that for someone who loves to read as much as i do, she couldn't understand why i never read recipes or the instructions for cooking + meal prep {hence minor mayhem + culinary calamities in the kitchen}.

cooking instructions + recipes don't have compelling plots or clever characters: they're kind of like little laundry lists of things to do all at once in my mind's eye.

although i heard that making your own dry shampoo was as easy as pie {a bit of water, a little cornstarch, a few drops of essential oil + a touch of witch hazel and voila!}, i admit, i was still not propelled to seek out a recipe + make a bantam bowl of it.

i was, however, inspired to seek out the best natural, organic + vegan dry shampoos i could find. what i discovered were some pretty amazing makers + companies giving us water-free, nontoxic ways to keep hair looking healthy + lustrous, when wash+go days become, well, powder+go days.

{not sure how to powder? scroll down for sprinkling tips}

here are four of my top choices, and one honorable mention {so much more than corn starch on these lists of eco ingredients}:

1/ green + gorgeous: this dry shampoo has a sweet, sacchariferous scent + promises to soften, strengthen + nourish. it delivers on all counts. limp locks really come alive after a light dusting. plant-based fragrances yield a fresh + exhilarating bouquet {actually, as i write this post, i find myself sprinkling a touch to my already clean hair just for the scent}. they have a petite size which is perfect for this wayfaring gal who loves to travel light. made from georgia kaolin clay, organic rice starch, tapioca starch + bamboo extract. no chemicals, only the good stuff.

2/ lulu organics: linda aldredge uses food-grade ingredients + no preservatives to craft her handmade, all organic hair powder. they say not to judge a book by its cover, but linda's vintage-inspired packaging is as lovely as her product is effective {i keep it on display in my bathroom}. this dry shampoo is made with love in minneapolis from organic corn starch, rice powder + horsetail powder, white clay + essential oils. there are four scents to choose from {including jasmine and vetiver + black pepper}. i use patchouli amber, and each time i do someone nosedives into my hair + asks about the amazing scent; this simultaneously startles me + puts a smile on my face. available in regular or travel size for gyspy souls. find it at sparrow here in chicago or at these fine establishments.

3/ acure organics: argan stem cell + coq10 dry shampoo was my first, and they say you never forget your first. the truth is, this dry shampoo + i are still an item. this is a fast-acting product that absorbs excess oil + adds texture. with it's light, clean scent, it's still my fave for no-wash days since the odor doesn't clash with the aroma of perfumes i may choose to wear. made from non-gmo organic corn starch + french white clay and oat flour + slippery elm bark flour with lavender + chamomile essential oils. the bottle reads "save water! go dry!" and i say saving water can only be a good thing. paraben, phthalate + sulfate free. {acure no longer packages this product in cardboard, but in plastic}

4/ skinny skinny {this product is no longer available}: offers two invigorating scents: black pepper + rose and grapefruit + cardamom. i'm always drawn to the refreshing scent of grapefruit, so this was my pick. ss breaks it down for green hearts: "The purpose of dry shampoo is to make it possible to go day/s without actually washing your hair. This helps to make sure that hair is healthier because excess washing strips the hair of natural oils and makes it dull and brittle. Many spray formulas are made from toxic ingredients like butane or propane and leave a visible residue in the hair. This unique formula was created to disappear completely in the hair. With exceptionally mild and effective ingredients like kaolin clay and organic orris root powder."

*bonus: moody sisters skincare: a wee jar with a twist cap for no spills, what a novel idea! sister duo, jess + whitney are handcrafting their dry shampoo in the beautiful state of washington. this handmade shampoo is the right price + great for travel. made with organic arrowroot powder, lemon peel powder + witch hazel.

frankly, i only had one concern when delving into the world of dry shampoos: would my head + hair smell fresh?

i thought a product designed to absorb oils would dry out your hair, but these shampoos actually moisturize + add texture to limps locks. here's the trick to using ds: sprinkle dry shampoo on a powder brush, then blow as you would with foundation powder. separate hair + pat dry shampoo on roots of hair. use fingers or hairbrush to brush hair. ta da! that's what we call "no-wash + go!"