Natural DIY Hair Spray Recipe
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All-natural DIY hair spray that works amazingly well, tames frizz, and holds well. You will love this easy, strong hold hair spray.
My hair has a mind of its own. Not only is it curly and frizzy, but since having my sweet children, I have these little horns on the side of my head that drive me nuts. I tried using the flat iron to curl them down or heating my hair curly with the best homemade hair gel, but I finally had enough, and made some more of this awesome DIY hairspray.
Originally, this post was published in 2012. Holy cow, that is a long time ago. And I used this recipe for years and years… until my second child came, and I just gave up on keeping perfect locks.
But finally, I said enough with this hair horn on the side of my head and whipped up a batch of hairspray.
What was I thinking waiting so long? I totally forgot how easy this recipe is to make, and how darn well it works. Guess who doesn’t have a horn anymore?
…It’s me. Just in case you didn’t put that together.
It helps that this recipe is “green,” since this natural product contains no harsh chemicals (I use all organic ingredients), won’t harm the environment, creates no waste (since I use a reusable bottle), and helps me rely less on commercial products.
Also, this recipe is so easy, and you have the ingredients right in your pantry. This stuff really works, really holds, and is really cheap. What else could you ask for?
Recipe Highlights:
- Made from natural ingredients: This is a great way to help reduce toxins from your life.
- Promote healthy hair.
- Good for all hair types
- Easy: the good news is that homemade hair products, like this one, can be super easy to make!
Why would you want to make your own homemade hairspray?
Conventional hair spray is made of harmful chemicals, even including plastics, VOCs, and artificial fragrances (which have been called the new second hand smoke).
You can look through the EWG website at different hair sprays and find the good, bad, and the ugly. Many products contain ingredients that have been linked to cancer, cause organ system toxicity, endocrine disruption, etc. Things I definitely wouldn’t want to be using.
Heck, when it is sprayed around me, it makes my asthma flare up, so I can’t use it even if I wanted to. Luckily this homemade hair spray recipe is so, so simple.
FAQ
I’ve never had this issue before. You could put a few drops of bug-repelling essential oils in it, like citronella, if you want. A friend had spilled some and it attracted ants, because, well, it’s sugar. Just make sure to clean up any spills and you should be fine.
Follow the instructions above, and then add in your favorite essential oils.
What are the best essential oils for hair?
Lavender- can help increase the thickness of your hair by increasing the number of hair follicles (source).
Rosemary– can also stimulate hair follicles. Rosemary has been touted to help grow longer, thicker hair and can help with premature baldness (source). Also helpful with dandruff.
Cedarwood– helps stimulate hair follicles, increase circulation, and reduce dandruff.
Peppermint – this study showed peppermint essential oil can significantly increase hair growth.
Chamomile– can soften hair and add shine. (source)
If you want to make a homemade hair spray for hair growth, then try adding a few drops each of lavender, rosemary, cedarwood and peppermint.
*Note: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any medical issues, make sure the essential oils are safe to use before using them. For instance, peppermint is not safe for breastfeeding moms (can decrease milk supply). Rosemary should also not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Many products (even natural ones) contain alcohol, which can be really drying on your hair and cause brittle and frizzy hair. So it is not included in this homemade hair spray recipe.
Sugar! Sounds crazy, I know. But the sugar helps the hair stick together and gives it its hold.
Yes! Comes right out when you wash it.
Absolutely. I have used this recipe for years and can attest it works great.
Give it a try! It’s different than conventional hairspray, but you may just be pleasantly surprised at how well it works!
Not only are the ingredients much safer and better for the environment, but since the bottle can be reused, it is creating less waste!
DIY Hairspray Ingredients
Distilled water- or tap water that has been boiled and cooled.
White sugar (like this one): The amount of sugar you add will determine the strength of the hairspray. Less sugar has less hold, more has more.
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Essential oils (optional): add tea tree,
Small spray bottle (like these)
How To Make DIY Hair Spray
Step 1: Place water in a pot and boil.
Step 2: Once boiling, turn off heat and add sugar to the hot water. Stir to dissolve.
Step 3: Let cool and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Place in a clean spray bottle with fine mister.
To use:
Spray bottle should be on its finest mist. Give the hair spray a good shake. Lightly spray a thin coat of hairspray on hair; once dry, you can reapply.
*Warning: don’t just go crazy with it, or else you will end up with a wet head. Apply and reapply in very thin coats.
Storage:
Shelf life is about 2 weeks. Keep in the fridge for longer storage or add a preservative.
Tips For Using And Styling Your Hair With Natural DIY Hair Spray
- Wash your hair with a natural shampoo and conditioner. Check EWG.org to see how yours rate.
- Style your hair as you would with blow dryers and/or curling irons.
- I like to use a bit of my natural anti-frizz serum when styling.
- Once you are done, apply thin layers of homemade hair spray on dry hair, letting it dry between. Using too much at one time will leave you with wet hair. For areas that are really troublesome (aka my horns), I will apply a thin layer of hair spray, use my hand to hold it down for a few seconds, and then remove my hand and apply a little more. This does the trick.
Variations: More Natural Hair Spray Recipes
Use rose water.
Stronger hold: Add extra sugar for a stronger hold.
Hydrating: add a teaspoon of aloe vera gel
Rosemary: To help encourage a healthy scalp and possibly even reduce hair loss, try using rosemary water or add rosemary oil to the natural hairspray.
Want more natural hair care recipes? Check these out!
- The best DIY Hair Gel for curly hair.
- Anti-frizz serum is another favorite.
- Rosemary Oil For Hair Growth
- I couldn’t live without my Homemade Dry Shampoo
- Homemade Natural Detangler Spray
- Dandelion Oil
If you try this recipe and love it, I would appreciate you coming back and giving it 5 stars. Please and thank you!
DIY Hair Spray
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1.5 Tbs sugar
- 5-10 Essential oils
Instructions
- Place water in a pot and boil.
- Once boiling turn off heat and add the sugar. Stir to dissolve.
- Let cool and add essential oils if desired.
- Place in spray bottle with fine mister.
Wow! I had no idea that you could make your own. Looks so simple – definitely trying!
It works really well for me! Hope you love it too
Awesome! I rarely use hairspray and never want to buy it for the rare occasion where I need it.
My first thought was like someone else commented, that I would be attracting bugs… I guess I’ll have to find out! Thanks for sharing.
I must say its been spring/almost summer here in Southern Illinois. The bees are out and I have not been swarmed yet! So I think we will be ok!
I will definitely have to try this. I don’t buy hairspray, but sometimes I really need it. Instead I walk around with “crazy hair.”
Haha I know how you feel! I did the same thing until I made this recipe. Thanks for commenting 🙂
This is fantastic. I want to try it for sure. Does it wash out of your hair easily?
Thanks Shiloh! Yes it does, I don’t do anything special just my normal shampoo
Excellent!!!
Thank you 🙂
This is awesome! I love DIY beauty products. Thanks for sharing!
I have a homemade lemon sugar scrub on my blog. I would love for you to follow me and check it out! 🙂
Your newest follower,
Sarah @ http://www.dottedlinecrafts.blogspot.com
Thanks Sarah! I will check it out! I’ve actually been looking for a lemon sugar scrub since my friend made me some for Christmas!
Wow! What a great recipe! I have given up on most things commercial as far as beauty products – you read one book and it all goes downhill from there 🙂 I might have to try this! I don’t need hairspray all that often, but being able to use it once in a while would be great. I’m not really concerned with bees…more mosquitoes and black flies 🙂
Totally agree except mine was documentaries haha. I don’t use it that often either but it was getting annoying that when I wanted and needed it I never have any on hand. Mosquitos could be a problem here to but I hear if you rub basil leaves on you it acts as a natural repellent!
I will try this!
Just a bit worried, won’t my ‘nectarhead’ attract the bees?
Haha I hope not! I haven’t tried this during the summer yet but my hair doesn’t smell like sugar or anything. I guess we will have to find out!