Festival Field Hair Powder
A dry powder for day three: arrowroot takes up the oil at the roots, kaolin clay adds grip, and a teaspoon of cocoa powder keeps it from going white on dark hair.
You will need
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 1 tbsp kaolin clay
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
The ritual
- Sift the arrowroot, kaolin and cocoa powder together into a small jar.
- Shake it hard until the colour is completely even throughout.
- Test a pinch on a hidden section and adjust the cocoa to your shade.
- Dust sparingly onto dry roots with an old blusher brush.
- Wait two minutes, then work it in hard with your fingertips.
Why these ingredients
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder
- Arrowroot is fine and slippery, and takes up oil at the roots without leaving hair feeling coated or chalky.
- 1 tbsp kaolin clay
- Clay adds grip and body, so hair sits with a bit of texture rather than falling flat again by lunchtime.
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- A teaspoon warms the colour enough to disappear into brown hair. Without it, dark roots go visibly grey.
Easy swaps
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder → cornflour, which works nearly as well and costs less.
- 1 tbsp kaolin clay → rice flour, blended fine, for a lighter finish.
- 1 tsp cocoa powder → more or less to match your shade, or none at all on fair hair.
Keep it clean
Mix with freshly washed hands and clean, dry bowls and spoons. If a recipe is stored, use a jar or bottle washed in hot soapy water and dried completely, and never dip wet fingers into the batch.
Storage & when to let go
Keeps indefinitely in a sealed jar as long as it stays dry. Decant a small amount into a screw-top tin for the field and leave the rest at home.
What to expect — honestly
Roots look less oily and hair holds a style again, which is enough to get you through another festival day. It is not clean hair and will not smell like it. Two applications in, you will badly want a proper wash.
Common questions
Will it come out properly?
One thorough wash in warm water gets it out. Rinsing under a cold field tap will not, so expect it to hang about.
What if my hair is fair?
Leave the cocoa out entirely. Arrowroot and kaolin alone are near enough invisible on blonde and light brown hair.
This recipe is shared for general cosmetic enjoyment, not medical advice — see how we research and write in our editorial policy and the full safety guide.
