The magic of dry shampoo

MANILA, Philippines - Everybody loves to have a good blow dry at the salon. Our luscious locks, when we are fresh out of the salon, are full of volume. It makes us wish that the sway and swag of our hair retains its shape for days without end.

Yet nature’s elements such as wind, dust, sweat and oil just love to make a sly side-sweep entrance that make your precious mane go limp and lack luster.

Then Hollywood celebrities like Jessica Simpson brought about a new sensation in the name of preserving the “I just stepped out of the salon” look! The secret: “dry shampoo.”

Dry shampoo is basically talcum in aerosol form. As we know, talcum or powder absorbs excess moisture from oil and sweat. That’s why many users complain of a white dandruff-looking residue on their hair if not used properly.

There truly is a proper way to use it if our hair has gone a day or two without actual shampooing. Though it sounds disgusting, it’s not really a matter of hygiene but simply, vanity.

Since there are no dry shampoos available just yet in the Philippine market, not to worry, even other Hollywood celebrities like Angelina Jolie rely on good old baby powder to get her hair looking fresh despite all the kids she’s busy trotting the world around with, with partner Brad Pitt.

Here are five easy steps to achieve the look:

1. Part you hair in several sections, one at a time. First, right at your natural part. Sprinkle a light dusting of baby powder onto the scalp since this is where oil is secreted.

2. Rub the powder onto the scalp for a few seconds. Not too vigorously as this only encourages the scalp to secrete more oil. Just enough for the powder to do its mattifying duties.

3. Do the same to other sections of the hair, concentrating on the crown or frontal portion of your hair since this is the focal point of your face and head.

4. Depending on the length and, dare we say it, the oiliness of your scalp, sprinkle a bit more all over your hair. Tilt your head to get to the back and lower portion of your head.

5. To remove all possible residue, shake off the excess from your hair with your hands or brush it off with a wide tooth brush/comb. Style as usual!