Say goodbye to store-bought hairspray with our DIY Natural Hairspray recipe! Made with simple, natural ingredients like water, sugar, and essential oils, this homemade hairspray is gentle on your hair and the environment. Say hello to healthier locks without the harsh chemicals. Whip up a batch and get ready to rock those natural waves with confidence!
Once upon a time, I was the hairspray queen. Okay, a lot of us that grew up in the 80’s or 90’s were. Aqua Net ruled the roost back then. If your hair had to reach toward God himself, Aqua Net was what you needed.
Looking back now, I don’t think any of us realized the damage that we were doing to our hair. I am more than sure I spent over fifteen years repairing damaged hair over and over again because of excessive hairspray use.
But as someone with incredibly thick and naturally curly hair, I need a great hairspray if I want to wear my hair in anything other than a messy bun. These days, I lean toward my own homemade and natural hairspray. Not only does it work incredibly well, but it’s easy to make and toxin free. It’s actually one of my favorite DIY beauty products that I make!
Are there harmful chemicals in hairspray?
Yes. As I said earlier, hairspray is full of toxins and just like the 90’s, most folks still don’t realize exactly how many harmful chemicals can be included in hairspray. They contain sulfates, hydrocarbons, synthetic chemical copolymers such as Vinyl acetate-crotonic acid, among others.
Some of the specific chemicals found in hairspray are:
- Carboxymethylcellulose
- Denatured alcohol
- Hydrofluorocarbon
- Polyvinyl alcohol
- Propylene Glycol
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone
These chemicals can cause a wide variety of side effects including low blood pressure, allergic reaction, asthmatic reactions in the lungs, hives, vision changes, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and in some cases; even death. Yes, hairspray poisoning is a thing.
The same products that you use as fuel additives, anti-freeze, vinyl siding cleaner, adhesives and more are all in that can or pump bottle of hair spray. USDA organic hair sprays are not much better honestly so don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re healthier just because they bear a paid for label on them.
Is Hairspray Damaging to Your Hair?
The quick answer is yes; hairspray is very damaging to your hair. Take all of the other ingredients aside, the levels of alcohol alone in commercially sold hairspray is damaging enough to your hair. Denatured alcohol is used in hairspray as way to help it quick dry. Because of the nature of the product though, it strips the natural oils from your hair which damages it.
Once the oils are stripped, your hair is susceptible to breakage, hair loss and more.
Note: This DIY hairspray recipe contains vodka as the quick drying agent. Vodka is a natural by product of the fermentation process that is then boiled to create a stronger percentage by volume. Please do not confuse the addition of the vodka with the same alcohols that are included in conventional hairspray.
Does Homemade Hairspray Work?
Yes! This DIY natural hairspray really is the best hairspray you can make at home! It has a fantastic hold while only using natural ingredients such as vodka, sugar, salt and essential oils. The flower extract from the essential oils are included not only for fragrance, but also for the benefits each one offers hair.
In the recipe I call for you to use jasmine essential oil, but if you would prefer to use another oil in its place, that is perfectly fine. Rosemary essential oil, Chamomile essential oil, Cedarwood essential oil, Geranium essential oil and Sandalwood essential oil are all very beneficial to the hair and will work perfectly in this natural hair spray.
How to Help Your Hair Detox
Like any natural hair product, your hair will react to the change. This is true no matter if you’re using the best hair spray you can find or something such as my DIY coconut shampoo recipe. Your hair and scalp are used to chemicals and as such you may find that your hair is frizzy – or worse – for a couple of weeks.
Detoxing your hair can help speed the process up but there is nothing that will absolutely stop it. But, rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar can help. As I said, nothing will stop it, but the ACV rinse can make things a bit more manageable and speed it up just a tad.
How to Make Homemade Hairspray
To use your homemade hairspray, fill a glass amber colored 4 oz spritzer bottle. Since the mixture contains essential oils, the dark amber glass will help them retain their beneficial properties longer. Light is the enemy of an essential oil.
After styling, spritz your hair in short spurts. Allow the hair to dry and you are good to go!
DIY Natural Hairspray
Equipment
- 4 oz Spritzer Bottle, Amber or Blue Colored Glass
Ingredients
- 4 oz Distilled water
- 2 Tbsp. Vodka
- 1 Tbsp. Granulated sugar
- ½ tsp. Pink Himalayan salt fine grain
- 15-20 drops Jasmine essential oil
Instructions
- Heat distilled water in a small pot until it is warm enough to dissolve salt and sugar, but not hot.4 oz Distilled water
- Once warmed, remove from heat and add vodka, sugar, pink Himalayan salt and jasmine essential oil. Stir until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved.2 Tbsp. Vodka, 1 Tbsp. Granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp. Pink Himalayan salt, 15-20 drops Jasmine essential oil
- Pour into a spritzer bottle. Use as you would any other natural hairspray.