Sharing is caring!

Curious about DIY Hair Spray?

Is it just me, or do you wish your hair didn’t warrant the use of hair spray?

Some hair types are just more inclined to frizz. And hair spray is the quickest remedy to frizzy hair.

Unfortunately, as you may have recently discovered, typical hairspray contains propellants, solvents, fragrances, polymers, and more. You see, hair spray works like this:

  1. First a propellant a.k.a. a liquefied gas under pressure forces the hair spray out of the can.
  2. Next, a fine mist is sprayed on hair and as the solvent evaporates it leaves behind a stiff layer of polymers to keep hair in place.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned two propellants due to health and environmental concerns. Yet, the FDA warns many hair sprays still contain flammable propellants and solvents.

And if that doesn’t have you concerned, how about the damaging effects of hair spray made with alcohols such as Cetearyl, Cetyl, and Stearyl. Each can dry out hair and irritate the scalp.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Read the full disclosure policy.

Related: Dry Hair is Not Your Enemy

Related: Are You Exfoliating Your Scalp?

So, Who Wouldn’t Be Curious About Natural DIY Hair Spray?

However, finding a homemade hair spray recipe that works and doesn’t contain alcohol is a challenge. But, one that I successfully met! It turns out making homemade zero waste hair spray without alcohol is much easier than I expected.

And with the addition of the best essential oils for hair, you can not only eliminate all the toxins found in typical hair spray, but you can also make one that supports healthy hair growth and shine.

In fact, adding essential oils into your hair care regimen can go a long way to help ensure a healthy scalp and strong hair. Grab a printable essential oil hair care reference guide and more in the Simple Living Library.  

simple living library banner

Which Essential Oils are Best for Homemade Hair Spray?

Rosemary Essential Oil

The king of oils for hair, rosemary is popular in hair products to improve dry, thinning, frizzy hair and boost volume. And rosemary’s invigorating, woodsy scent freshens hair.

Lavender Essential Oil

Known to restore silky, soft hair, lavender’s analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties help to nourish hair and bring back its luster. Its sweet floral scent is just an added bonus.

Geranium Essential Oil

If dull, greasy hair is often the result you get with typical hair spray, you’ll be excited to learn geranium helps to cut through the grease and balance oil production. Like lavender, it also lends an uplifting floral scent to your hair.

Finding a homemade hair spray recipe that works and doesn’t contain alcohol is a challenge. But, one that I successfully met! Turns out making homemade hair spray without alcohol is much easier than I expected.

Natural Hair Spray Ingredients:

How to Make a Homemade Hair Spray:

  1. Heat 1 cup water to boiling in a small saucepan.
  2. Next, add two to six teaspoons of sugar depending on the strength of the hold you prefer.
  3. Stir until sugar dissolves. After, remove from heat and allow to cool.
  4. After cooling, add 4 drops of lavender essential oil, 3 drops of geranium essential oil, and 3 drops of rosemary essential oil.
  5. Using a funnel pour into an eight-ounce reusable spray bottle.
  6. Then remove the funnel and place the nozzle and cap on the bottle. Shake well to infuse with essential oils.
Once you mix up a bottle of this DIY hair spray is you’ll be cursing yourself for not trying it sooner.

How to Use Hair Spray to Style Like a Pro

Choose Your Strength

This DIY hair spray is customizable. You can choose the strength of the hold. If you want a brushable hold, you’ll want a lightweight hair spray. So use just 2 teaspoons of sugar.

If you use hair spray for holding braids or updos in place, go for a medium hold spray. Use 4 teaspoons of sugar to make your natural hair spray.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to dance the night away or have another big event to attend, you might want a stronghold. Go all-in with 6 teaspoons of sugar!

Keep Your Distance

Back off your roots, ladies! When applying hair spray too close, you often end up with a greasy, weighed-down appearance. Therefore, spray at least six inches away from your head.

Hold Your Curls

For best results, apply hair spray differently for curly hair. Separate curls and lightly spray each section, holding the hair spray six to eight inches away from your head. Then scrunch together in the palm of your hand.

You May Also Like: Frizzy Hair Taken Over?

Control Frizz

Your first thought might be to spray a cloud of hair spray over your head to control frizz. But, there’s a better way! Apply a little mist of hair spray into your hand. Then gently pat flyaways to manage frizz.

This tip is especially handy if you have flyaways in your bangs or piece within an intricate updo.  I also love to apply my homemade anti-frizz spray to keep frizzy hair in check.

Add Volume

If it’s volume your after, comb hair upward into small sections and apply this DIY hair spray. Work through multiple sections of hair or isolate the area you want volume in.

Tame the Static

This is a little trick I recently learned to tame static. Instead of spraying your hair, spray your brush! Spritz your brush lightly, then comb through your hair to calm static and to help prevent static from happening in the first place.

Prep for Styling

Use a lightweight DIY hair spray to prep for styling. Hold six to eight inches away from your hair and lightly spray on dry hair.

Next, to disperse evenly, run your fingers through your hair, then move on to your hot tools for styling. I recommend a negative ion ceramic hair blow dryer and a ceramic argan oil-infused titanium hair straightener. This technique helps to boost volume and hold in curls, braids, or the like.

As you can see, zero-waste hair spray is not just a quick solution to frizzy hair, nor is it intended solely for a finishing touch. It is truly a multipurpose clean beauty tool! Once you mix up a bottle of this DIY hair spray, you’ll be cursing yourself for not trying it sooner.

P.S. Do you have a styling tip for hair spray? Drop it in the comments below and share your clean beauty DIYs with us #lifenrefleciton on Instagram.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *