I started playing around with DIY recipes with deodorant and toothpaste. Then I made some lotions (here are a few: varicose vein attacking body butter, stretch mark belly butter, tallow lotion). Then I played around with shampoo.
Once you dip your toes into the DIY world, it's easy to get addicted and wonder "what else can I make??!!"
Hairspray, of course!
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Why Should I Make Hairspray?
- It's cheap!
- It's easy!
- It's full of ingredients that your hair loves!
- It works!
What Ingredients Should I Use?
I'm a big fan of choose-your-own-adventure recipes! This is one of them. Here's a list of optional homemade hairspray ingredients with pros and cons. You can mix and match them to make a custom spray that your hair loves. Keep scrolling to get a few sample recipes to try.
Optional Homemade Hairspray Ingredients:
Sugar:
- Regular, pure cane, white sugar
- Gives your hair volume, shine, and hold
- Too much sugar can make your hair sticky
- Sugar is a humectant, meaning it binds with and absorbs water -- this makes it moisturizing for your hair
- Some are concerned that sugar will attract bees, gnats, ants, and other bugs. I have found that it's heavily diluted and not a problem. You can also add essential oils that bugs don't like to offset the sugar
Alcohol:
- Rubbing alcohol or vodka
- Drys quickly and is non-sticky
- Alcohol can be drying when overused
- Acts as a preservative to extend the shelf life of your spray
Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel:
- Alcohol alternative
- Drys quickly and is non-sticky
- Witch hazel can be drying when overused, but not as drying as alcohol
- Acts as a preservative to extend the shelf life of your spray
Glycerin:
- Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it binds with and absorbs water -- this makes it moisturizing for your hair
- Curly hair tends to do well with glycerin
- Promotes a healthy scalp
- Leaves your hair shiny, strong, and smooth
- Can weigh down thin and low porosity hair (learn about porosity here)
- Best for thick, curly, and coarse hair
- Acts as a preservative to extend the shelf life of your spray
Aloe Vera Gel:
- Use fresh aloe vera from an aloe plant or purchase gel
- Contains vitamins & minerals that repair, nourish, condition, and promote healthy hair & scalp
- Stimulates blood circulation which promotes hair growth
- Can act as a heat protectant if using heat tools
- Also acts as a detangler
- Gel may thicken as it sits so you may need to add water over time to thin it out
Essential Oils:
I use essential oils in almost all of my DIY recipes. Not only do they smell great, my hair and skin love them.
Learn more about what I use & how and grab a discount code here.
- Lavender (soothing)
- Cedarwood (healthy scalp and promotes hair growth
- Peppermint (healthy scalp and promotes hair growth)
- Rosemary (healthy scalp and promotes hair growth)
- Clary Sage
- Sage
- Basil
- Juniper
- Ylang ylang
- Sandalwood (promotes hair growth)
- Lemon (photosensitive, if you have sun sensitive skin or plan on being in the sun, don't use lemon)
- Cypress
- Rose
- Melrose
- Purification (my favorite essential oil ever!)
- Tea Tree (healthy scalp)
Gelatin & Flaxseeds:
I've seen gelatin and flax seeds used in DIY hairsprays. I have found that they thicken too much over time and are better used in a hair gel instead of a spray. I'm including them because some have had great success using them in a spray. Or you can use these in your recipes combined with the above ingredients to create your perfect hair gel!
- Gelatin and flaxseeds are proteins
- Protein strengthens hair & gives it volume
- Too much can result in dry, crunchy, tangled hair
- Low porosity hair generally responds well to protein
- For flaxseeds:
- Boil 1 tablespoons flaxseeds in 1/2 cup water. Strain the seeds out and save the water. Use the water in your spray or gel.
Notes:
- The shelf life of your spray will depend on the ingredients you use. About 2 months is a good rule of thumb.
- Store at room temperature.
- Use as you would any other hairspray. Shake well before each use.
- As with any hair products, too much product will weight your hair down.
- If you're trying to go longer between washes, less is better. Get tips to go longer between washes here.
- The more of each ingredient you use, the stronger the hold. Be patient as you test out different ratios for your hair.
- If your spray nozzle gets clogged, run it under hot water to remove product buildup.
- To create a perfect hairspray for you, be sure to know your hair type and pay attention to pH levels to create a pH balanced spray.
- Get creative!!
- Prefer a hair gel? No problem! You can adjust the ratios, use less water, and add gelatin or flaxseeds to make a gel.
- Want to add some hair nourishing ingredients like rice water, rose water, or your favorite hair oil like argan oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, or fractionated coconut oil? Or lemon oil for it's lightening effects? Go for it!
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DIY Hairspray Recipes: 3 Ways:
Here are 3 recipes to try out! You can adjust the ratios to change the hold level.
Sugar Hairspray:
- 1 cups filtered water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon alcohol or witch hazel
- 15 drops essential oils of choice (see list above)
Aloe Hairspray:
- 1 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel (fresh or purchased)
- 1 tablespoon glycerin
- 15 drops essential oils of choice (see list above)
Extra Hold Hairspray:
- 1 cups filtered water
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel (fresh or purchased)
- 1 tablespoon alcohol or witch hazel
- 15 drops essential oils of choice (see list above)
Directions:
- Slightly heat all ingredients except the essential oils to mix
- Allow to cool
- Add essential oils of choice
- Store in a spray bottle at room temperature
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