Byrdie
In This Article
The Inspiration The Formula The Packaging How to Use The Reviews
In the beauty world, dry shampoo is a hot-button issue. The concept of using a product to eliminate excess oil and save yourself from a full wash day is universally accepted. It’s the specifics in the formula, application, and overall strategy that are highly debated—and understandably so. We’ve all heard too many stories of a powder bottle exploding in a work bag or a white cast so opaque it looks like a bad dye job. Above all, no one wants a product that results in a stiff, grainy feeling, making you wish you had just washed your hair in the first place. It’s a hard product to master, but when done right, it’s a hair hero.
Like most of us, Babba Rivera, founder of hair wellness brand Ceremonia, had a similar experience. Having founded the brand back in 2020, she sought to create intentional haircare products rooted in her Latinx heritage that brought a spa-like experience to your hair routine. But after curating an impressive product roster, which includes everything from a powerful shampoo and conditioner to a luxurious scalp scrub, there was one product category she had yet to tackle—dry shampoo.
Ahead, Rivera shares what it was like creating her latest innovation, Ceremonia Dry Shampoo Con Arrowroot. Plus, hear our editors' reviews after putting this new launch to the test.
Ceremonia
The Inspiration
“I have had a love-hate relationship with dry shampoos,” says Rivera. “On one hand, I wanted to get an extra day between washes, but to instead infuse my scalp with [the harsh ingredients] found in regular dry shampoo just didn't feel right to me. [It turned into] my guilty pleasure; I was trying not to use it, but I still needed it."
At no surprise, she quickly added this category to the top of her product development list. With all Ceremonia products, Rivera not only wants to solve a problem but also offer long-lasting benefits for your hair and scalp. To help figure out how exactly she could reimagine this category, she turned to her community. “We conducted surveys and round table conversations where we would ask people everything about dry shampoo,” she explains. “We learned that this is a hot topic for people, with a lot of strong opinions.” The top three most prominent themes from consumer research were that people wanted a dry shampoo that was sustainable, travel-friendly, and left your scalp feeling good.
Rivera’s next mission? Finding an ingredient that could check off these requirements while also being healthy for your head.
Ceremonia
$28 at Sephora
The Formula
Ceremonia’s approach to product development has always been intentionally tied back to Rivera’s Latinx heritage. “There are so many powerful natural ingredients in Latin America that just haven’t reached the global world stage,” says Rivera. So when she began the hunt for a key ingredient to formulate a better dry shampoo, she once again turned to natural alternatives. “We replaced what you would usually do with talc with arrowroot,” she explained. “Arrowroot is a natural ingredient that is super effective yet very gentle on the scalp. It doesn’t rub the scalp barrier or strip away the essential oils that are natural to your scalp. It absorbs the excess oils without stripping away your natural oils.”
While the product has a slight scent, it is far from overpowering. “All of our products are very sensorial, but no formula has more than 1% of fragrance," says Rivera. "In our consumer studies, 98% agreed that this product effectively absorbed all excess oils as well as odor. They also agreed that it was super travel-friendly and could fit in their purse."
Ceremonia
The Packaging
The typical packaging for dry shampoo toggles between an aerosol can or a loose powder container with a brush or push dispenser. This product uses neither. Instead, Rivera dreamed up an alternative way to showcase her product. “I had this pouf in my head,” she says. ”But when it came to executing it with all the parameters regarding formula, stability, sustainability—all the things that we want—it was way more complicated than one would think.”
The simple concept would allow customers to get a very precise application without getting a sudden overflow of powder. But the biggest challenge was then designing this idea with 100% PCR. “We don't use any virgin plastic. We're plastic-negative certified, and that's something that we're not willing to compromise on whatsoever,” explains Rivera.
Without settling on any of the strict requirements, a product design was created. How does it work exactly? In simple terms, the powder sits at the base of the container. The top, which can be screwed off, is where the pouf sits. Rivera compares the texture to that of a beauty blender but a bit softer. “It’s the perfect filter because [the powder] spreads out, which results in a finer application,” she says. Once you tip the container over, the powder flows from the base to the tip, allowing you to dispense the product. But more on that below.
Ceremonia
How to Use
When opening your bottle for the first time, screw off the pouf to remove the seal underneath. Once you reattach the top, twist it towards the side that says open and tap the pouf to release the powder. The harder you tap, the more product will come out and vice versa. “If you just want a little touch-up, close off the powder top and use the leftover product across your head," suggests Rivera.
“The formula is buildable and microbiome friendly, which means that it won’t [interfere] with the pH level of your scalp, so you can reapply freely. A really little goes a long way,” she says. “I usually apply it to the base of my roots and rub it in with my fingertips. Then, if I want more volume, I use a small bristle brush to give me a little extra lift.”
In Rivera's routine, this has been essential for quick touch-ups after a workout or on days she can't wash her hair until the evening. "Usually, my roots are greasy, and my ends are pretty dry," she says. "I apply the dry shampoo on my roots, and then I use our rescue spray and guava living conditioner on my ends. That way, I get a refresh from root to tip."
The Reviews
Holly Rhue, editorial director
Holly Rhue
“I’m usually not one for innovative dry shampoo packaging—a standard spray bottle usually serves me just fine. With that being said, Ceremonia’s new launch is so delightfully portable that I couldn’t resist giving it a go. I opened it at my desk, threw it in my bag to take home, and truthfully forgot about it for a few days. To my absolute delight, not a single granule leaked into my purse thanks to the twist-to-lock design. (The mess is what turns me off from most aerosol dry shampoos.) That, and the formula really does perform. I (newly ) have curtain bangs and am quickly learning that they get flat and greasy fast, but Ceremonia’s Dry Shampoo keeps them feeling clean and fluffy with minimal gritty texture (the powder is super finely milled, almost the texture of powdered sugar). I did find that you have to punch the sponge into your roots pretty aggressively to get enough product out—but once you get over the very brief learning curve, this one is a winner.”
Adelaide Giesey, editor
Adi Giesey
"For the longest time, I have held on to my aerosol dry shampoos out of pure convenience. When my roots start to look greasy, I need something I can apply on my way out the door. So, Ceremonia's on-the-go claim was the first thing that caught attention. While I will admit I was apprehensive about not being able to control application or accidental spillage, this product exceeded all my expectations. The formula is quick to absorb and is completely transparent, even on my brunette strands. I was able to go multiple days without washing my hair by simply adding a fresh layer of this dry shampoo—something no other product has ever allowed. No matter how many times I reapplied, I never felt a residue or crunchy feeling. It is the perfect size to keep at my desk or throw in a purse. Consider me obsessed!"
Ali Webb, associate editor
Ali Webb
"I’m always curious to try new non-aerosol dry shampoos, especially for travel and quick touch-ups—and this one from Ceremonia is ideal for on-the-go. While I’d caution to be careful when opening it for the first time, once set up, I found the puff style to be both convenient and effective. It minimized oil at my roots, was easy to blend and distribute, and left my hair looking truly refreshed."
Bella Cacciatore, news editor
Bella Cacciatore
"I already find most dry shampoos to be chalky and gritty, so I get especially scared of powder formulas. However, in the interest of being more eco-friendly, I gave this one a shot and I was pleasantly surprised! The powder is fine and a little but goes a long way. It quickly soaked up any oil and gave me a boost of volume without looking or feeling powdery. I also love the cute little puff for precision and on-the-go application."
If you’re still not convinced, here are more dry shampoos we’ve tested and love.
