Dry shampoo is a hot topic in the beauty world. The concept of using products to remove excess oil and save a wash day is widely accepted. It’s the details of the formula, application, and overall strategy that are highly debated, and rightly so. We’ve all heard too many stories about powder flasks exploding in work bags or whites that are so opaque that it looks like the dye didn’t work. Best of all, no one wants a product that leaves their hair feeling coarse and grainy, making them wish they had washed their hair in the first place. It’s a difficult product to use, but if used correctly, it can be your hair hero.
Like most of us, Babba Rivera, founder of hair wellness brand Ceremonia, had a similar experience. Founding her brand in 2020, she set out to create intentional hair care products rooted in Latin heritage that bring a spa-like experience to your hair routine. But after curating an impressive list of products that includes everything from powerful shampoos and conditioners to luxurious scalp scrubs, there was one product category we hadn’t yet tackled. It’s dry shampoo.
In the coming days, Rivera will tell us what it was like developing her latest innovation, Ceremonia Dry Shampoo Con Arrowroot. Plus, hear our editors’ reviews after testing this new release.
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inspiration
“I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with dry shampoo,” Rivera says. “On the other hand, I wanted to take an extra day between washes, and instead injecting the[harsh ingredients]found in regular dry shampoo into my scalp didn’t feel right to me. (It) turned into my guilty pleasure. I tried not to use it, but I still needed it.”
Naturally, she quickly added this category to the top of her product development list. With all Ceremonia products, Rivera wants to not only solve problems, but also provide long-term benefits for your hair and scalp. To understand how exactly this category could be reimagined, she turned to the community. “We conducted surveys and roundtable conversations asking all kinds of questions about dry shampoo,” she explains. “We found that this is a hot topic for people and that there are a lot of strong opinions.”The top three most prominent themes in the consumer survey were: They wanted a dry shampoo that would keep them dry.
What’s Rivera’s next mission? Find ingredients that meet these requirements while also being good for your head health.
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official
Ceremonia’s approach to product development has always been intentionally connected to Rivera’s Latin heritage. “Latin America has many powerful natural ingredients that have not yet reached the world stage,” Rivera says. So when she started looking for key ingredients to formulate a better dry shampoo, she turned again to natural alternatives. “We replaced the work we would normally do with talc with kudzu,” she explained. “Arrowroot is a natural ingredient that is highly effective and yet very gentle on the scalp. It does not scrub the scalp barrier or strip the scalp of its natural essential oils. “Absorbs excess oil.”
The product has a slight scent, but it’s not overwhelming. “All of our products are highly sensory, but none of our formulations contain more than 1% fragrance,” Rivera says. “In a consumer survey, 98% agreed that this product effectively absorbs all the excess oil as well as odor.” They also liked that it was very travel-friendly and fit in their wallet. agreed. ”
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packaging
Typical packaging for dry shampoo switches between an aerosol can and a loose powder container with a brush or push dispenser. This product does not use either. Instead, Rivera came up with another way to showcase his product. “I had this pouf in mind,” she says. “But doing it with all the parameters around formulation, stability, sustainability and all the things we wanted was a lot more complicated than we thought.”
The simple concept allows customers to apply the powder with great precision without sudden spills. However, the biggest challenge was designing this idea in 100% PCR. “We don’t use any virgin plastic. We’re plastic negative certified and that’s something we don’t want to compromise on in any way,” Rivera explains.
The product design was created without exacting requirements. How exactly does it work? Simply put, the powder is at the bottom of the container. The top part can be removed with a screw and is the part on which the pouf sits. Rivera compares the texture to that of a beauty blender, but it’s a little softer. “It’s the perfect filter because it spreads[the powder]so you can apply it more finely,” she says. Tilting the container allows the powder to flow from the root to the tip, distributing the product. But more on that below.
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How to use
When opening the bottle for the first time, unscrew the pouf and remove the seal underneath. Once the top is reattached, twist toward the side labeled “open” and tap the pouf to release the powder. The harder you tap, the more product comes out, and vice versa. “If you’re just looking for a touch-up, close the powder top and use the remaining product all over your head,” suggests Rivera.
“This formula is buildable and microbiome-friendly, so it doesn’t affect your scalp’s pH levels and can be reapplied at will. A little goes a long way,” she says. “I usually apply it to my roots and blend it in with my fingertips. If I want more volume, I use a small bristle brush to add a little more volume.”
This is essential in Rivera’s daily routine for a quick touch-up after a workout or on days when she can’t wash her hair until the evening. “My roots are always oily and my ends are pretty dry,” she says. “Apply dry shampoo to the roots, then use Rescue Spray and Guava Living Conditioner to the ends. This will refresh your hair from roots to ends.”
review
Holly Lu, Editorial Director
holly lou
“I’m not a big fan of innovative dry shampoo packaging; a standard spray bottle usually suffices. That said, Ceremonia’s new product is so portable that I couldn’t resist trying it. I left it on my desk and threw it in my bag to take home and forgot about it for a few days, but thanks to the twist-and-lock design, not a single granule leaked into my bag. turns me off from most things aerosol Dry Shampoo) Also, this formula really works. I have (newly) curtain bangs and quickly learned that they quickly become flat and oily, but Ceremonia’s dry shampoo minimizes the rough texture and leaves them clean and fluffy. It retains its feel (the powder is very finely ground, almost the texture of powdered sugar). I found that I had to be quite aggressive with the sponge at the roots to get enough product, but once you get past the very short learning curve, this is a winner. ”
Adelaide Giesy, editor
Adi Geese
“For a long time, I bought aerosol dry products just for convenience. I’ve been using shampoos for a long time, and when my roots start to get greasy, I need something I can apply on the go.So Ceremonia’s on-the-go claims first caught my attention. I admit I was worried about not being able to control the spill; This product exceeded all my expectations. The formula absorbs quickly and is completely clear even on my brunette. I can go days without washing my hair just by adding this dry shampoo. This was not possible with other products. No matter how many times I reapplied it, it never felt sticky or sticky. It’s the perfect size to keep on your desk or toss in your bag. Think I’m crazy! ”
Ari Webb, Deputy Editor
Ali Webb
“I’m always interested in trying new non-aerosol dry shampoos, especially for travel or for quick touch-ups, and this one from Ceremonia is perfect for on-the-go use. But be careful when opening. Once set, I found the puff style to be convenient and effective, it minimized oil at the roots, was easy to blend and distribute, and left my hair feeling really refreshed. It looked like.”
Bella Cacciatore, News Editor
Bella Cacciatore
“I’m especially scared of powder shampoos because most dry shampoos are chalky and gritty. But from a more eco-friendly standpoint, I tried this and was pleasantly surprised. Powder is fine. Although it is a small amount, it absorbs the oil well, so I was able to increase the volume without looking or feeling powdery. I also liked the small puff for precise application. ”
If you’re still not convinced, here are more dry shampoos we’ve tested and loved.
