OBSESSED! Alterna Bamboo Cleanse Extended Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoos are great for so many things, they can clean up oily roots on 2nd day hair, extend your blow out, give thinner hair a more voluminous look or give a good base for heavy duty 'do!  

In the past it has been near impossible for me to use a dry shampoo on my hair when it was curly, and almost as bad even when straightened. My coarse curls do not take kindly to the dry shampoo powders that have to be sprinkled in and combed over & over to get them to set in and the other aerosol sprays last only an hour or so and you go through them so quickly.

Why I am OBSESSED!
My favorite Ulta girl, Kate, turned me on to this product & I tested in store on my son's oily 2nd day hair. Even after a couple of hours his hair still looked clean. I loved the smell and the fact that it didn't make his hair look extremely dry or matte. I went back the next week and bought it for the real test, my black, coarse curls!

• This products did NOT leave a white/light residue on my darkest of hair. I was able to gently work it through my front part & bangs without combing which is great when I'm really extending my curls. 
• I love the smell, its clean & crisp so I don't have to add an essential oil or spritz a body spray to get rid of the heavy aerosol smell.
• It will get rid of smells your hair has absorbed. I hate it when I leave a restaurant and my hair smells like food. Coarse hair especially locks in smells.  
• It combats oil & product build up in my hair for over 8 hours. 

How I Use It:

• Extend a Blowout/Iron out- comb through your hair the next day/evening (whenever you start to see oil build up) to remove all tangles. Shake well & spray about 6 inches from your scalp. Try to focus on the roots. Lightly comb/brush/finger comb through hair. I tossle my hair upside down & flip back over to get some extra volume. 
• Running Late- mornings when I intended to wash but overslept or just everything goes wrong I use this as my fall back. A few quick sprays down my part and bangs, a little bit of finger combing to work it in & I touch up my curls with a curling iron slightly. You would never know my hair wasn't freshly washed & styled. 
• Locked in smell-call me anal but I can't stand for my hair to pick up smells. Lunch with a client often means I end up smelling Italian food all day. I have a travel sized bottle I keep in my daily bag for these occasions. Flip my head upside down, a few sprays & no more food! Works great on smoke, sweat from running around or any other smell your hair might pick up.
• Add Volume- I typically don't have this problem but if I'm going to using a curling iron to create big curls/waves in my hair, the length & weight of my hair can often make my roots look flat to my head. After you wash & thoroughly dry (this product can get clumpy/cakey if you put it on damp hair) your hair, spray through your roots and part of the way down the shaft. Curl as usual. Flip hair to toss out your curls & massage your roots to activate the product. Not only will this help give your roots a lift, it will help prevent curl fall out & give you great volume!
• Sweat Touch Up- Crazy days where I have to get to the gym before work/on lunch but don't have the time to wash my hair again. Spray through roots & pop into a quick updo. The product will pull away the sweat & give your hair a good clean smell. I also use this on my body at times if I get super sweaty running around and all those bends & creases start feeling swampy!
• Up dos- Often fall out in an up'do is from hair being too soft, too thin or too oily. Spraying dry shampoo before you style will create bulk & firmness to create the perfect look. Its also great for creating a matte look with your hair as well.

TIP: this product is designed to remove oil. If you have already dry hair, get the product in areas other your roots or want to freshen up all of your hair (i.e. remove smell, sweat) I would suggested adding a couple drops of argan oil. Place a few drops in your hands, rub them together & smooth throughout the mid to lower parts your hair. This will give your hair a healthy shine back & adds more yummy scent!

You can find this great product at Ulta for $22 or at any salon that sells Alterna products!