DIY Natural Herbal Hairspray
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One of the hardest things to do when trying to go all natural is trying to find natural hair care products that don’t cost a fortune. Normal hairspray is loaded with chemicals! You can just tell when you spray it and its hard to breath! Am I right? I grew up with a hairspray loving mom (sorry mom for throwing you under the bus 🙂 and I remember her spraying her hair like it was going out of style! You could walk into the room and it was like you were hit with a wall of hairspray! Have I ever told ya’ll how much I love my mom! She’s the best!
The best part of this hairspray is that it works great! I have been using it for over a year and love it. I especially love that it cost next to nothing (fits it my budget :), is eco-friendly, and helps reduce waste. Plus, it is completely customizable and you can make it smell exactly how you would like! It’s so easy and cheap to make that you will never want to go back to the store bought stuff. Here is the super simple recipe:
DIY Natural Herbal Hairspray
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 1/2 Tbs sugar (White or Brown)
- 10-15 drops essential oil (here is a great kit with some of my favorite essential oils)– orange, lemon, mint, rosemary (promotes hair growth), or any essential oil you like. You can use one or blend them. My favorite is lemon or orange.
- Fine mist spray bottle
Direction: Dissolve sugar in hot water. Let mixture cool completely and mix in essential oils (if the water is too hot the essential oils may decrease in smell). Fill spray bottle and its ready to use.
To use: Lightly mist over hair, wait 30 seconds to dry, and reapply if needed. Be careful not to over spray and soak your hair. Plus, this stuff is strong and a little goes pretty far.
Side note: People have questioned me whether or not this would attract bugs. From my experience, I have not had any issues with this hairspray attracting bugs! And bugs love me.
Super simple to make, works great, and is all natural. Can it get much better that that? Have you ever tried to make homemade hair care products? What was your experience?
I party here…
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I want to try this. I have really curly hair and tried An olive oil jojoba oil mix to help with the frizz. Made my hair super soft but didn’t do the job.
Try this diy serum recipe for your hair. It’s great! I have super frizzy hair and it has really helped. Best part is, it doesn’t weigh the hair down.
http://talknaturaltome.weebly.com/beauty/silk-and-shine-diy-hair-serum
Very interesting product! Found on Mop It Up Monday 🙂
Stop over & link it up to our 1st SUPER SUNDAY Link Party
http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/06/super-sunday-party-1/
Lori
Whoneedsacape.com
Not Your Average Super Moms!
I’m sorry I just saw this I will link up to your second party this week!
thanks for sharing this. It’s great. I put in a few drops of coconut oil to give it that beachy smell, also because the bottom of my hair is dry. Also I put some freshly picked, smashed up rosemary and thyme into the hot water and let it sit for 10 min.s before I took out the solid leaves. Also I made a batch with lemongrass essential oil and that smelled fabulous. You have inspired me.
Jo, I LOVE your idea and think I will do the same. Thank you for sharing!
Awesome idea! Thanks so much for sharing this! Pinning!
I tried this and it worked great!! 😀 Thank you so much for this DIY, you’re simply the best! But I have a question: if I don’t use all the herbal hairspray can I keep it for more than 2 or 3 days? If I can, should I put it in the refrigerator?
Speaking of frizzy hair do you know of any replacement for my shine spray this producy helps keep my hair smooth.
Coconut oil ads a great shine…a little goes a loooong way!
Sounds great, but I wonder if the water might make my naturally frizzy hair worse?
Don’t worry Cindy it doesn’t! I have very frizzy hair!
Great recipe! Please note that oils that are not safe for animals are still not safe even if they are Doterra brand! Aura Cacia is a great brand of oils, as an aromatherapist, I have done my research. Thanks again for sharing such wonderful recipes, I love your blog!
Sorry Michelle, but it doesn’t matter how pure the essential oils are, not all oils (in fact, very few) can be taken internally, certain oils are toxic to dogs (including Tea Tree, frequently used in canine shampoos etc), and cats should NEVER be treated with essential oils. It is OK to use them aromatically, but PLEASE be careful when taking internally or around animals. Blessings
I use many essential oils internally and I’m still alive and kicking.
DoTerra is 100% pure grade essential oils and there are only 2-3 you shouldn’t take internally because they are pain relieving oils, every other oil is completely safe to ingest and is safe to use very small amounts On animals.
Not on cats or birds
Wont insects be attracted to the sugar? Somehow I don’t think Insects sitting in your hair would be attractive. Citrus oils and some other essential oils they will cause increased sun-sensitivity so if any gets on your skin say around your face this cant be good and I wounder if they do this to skin will they also do this to your hair?.
Is it just me or do y’all picture honey bees dive bombing women with beehive hairdos?
lol, what oil would give hair some shine
While your hair is still wet apply a thin layer of coconut oil to your hands and run it over your hair, then towel dry. It doesn’t leave it oily but does produce a nice shine and improves overall hair health. Rosemary essential oil is also good for your hair and scalp.
apple cider vinegar rinse in shower gives shine
Sugar water has been used for centuries to keep curls in hair 🙂 Dip a comb into sugar water, comb through a section of hair and roll. Leave rollers in over night (or rag rollers) then remove in the morning for perfect curls. Touch up as needed with sugar water.
I like the idea of adding essential oils since you can add the ones that can keep bugs away and still smell pretty.
That’s an interesting tidbit!
Since I live out in the country, I have a concern if this formula would attract insects, bees etc.
My thoughts exactly. Talk about your “beehive” hairdo!
I tried this years ago with honey instead of sugar. I’m thinking that you haven’t had a problem with attracting bugs because citrus is a natural deterrent to them! I didn’t add any scent to mine, but I’m thinking, I’ll try your idea! Thanks 🙂
What is the shelf life of this product?
Pinning to try this out.
Doterra essential oils are 100% pure certified therapeutic grade. They not only can be safely taken internally, used aromatically or topically but can also be used on animals. Just as for children, it’s best to dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil) when used on small animals.
Michelle @ On A Wing And A Prayer
Yep. I love doterra oils. May I ask how you know they are safe on animals? I asked Justin at HQ and he was unsure.
Although doTerra is pure and fantastic there are still oils to avoid with animals.
As for attracting bugs it would be about what oil you use.
About lemon and other citrus. If it gets on skin stay out of the sun for 12-24 hours depending on the quality of oil. Also on hair with the sun it can lighten hair.
I hadn’t heard of this recipe but it makes sense and I may try!
Dogs and horses are ok with essential oils because their systems are like humans. Birds and cats are NOT ok with essential oils. Their systems do not allow the essential oils to leave. So the essential oils stay in their system. The hairspray will be ok though. Be careful if you spray directly on the animals or use a diffuser.
Citrus oils actually keep bugs away so it should counteract the sugar attracting them. Citrus certainly keeps mosquitos away.
What a great idea!
This is an awesome idea, but can I remind readers to make sure that if they have pets that the oils are safe for them?
There’s an article below with a little more information. Essential oils are toxic to many animals, and for birds, even a slight amount in the air can kill them due to the different way their lungs are structured.
http://www.naturalnews.com/022909_pet_health_essential_oils.html
And here’s a list of some essential oils that are thought to be safe for birds
http://www.essentialbird.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14:-safe
I’m looking forward to getting some birdie safe oils and trying this out for myself!
Are you spraying your hair with a parrot on your shoulder? What are you doing with your hairspray?
LOL nah I am just kidding, but would regular chemical hairspray not be worse?
Use young living oils. They are therapeutic grade and even sell essential oils for animals. I am a distributor if you are interested.
I saw this on the Rachael Ray Show. Good to know it really works. I will be trying this!
Hi Amy,
This formula looks inviting, especially since I have been looking for increasing ways to make total changes to my grooming regimen. Question: Won’t water weigh down the hair vs. using some form of alcohol (not rubbing alcohol). Although I have been able to experiment yet with making this, I have heard of formulas using (for example) vodka instead of a water/sugar solution. Your comments on this would be appreciated. THANKS, and many blessings to you! <