Q&A for How to Make a Hair Protectant Spray

Heat styling can damage your hair even if you use a hair protectant spray. It’s best to limit your use of heated styling tools to once or twice a week.

Yes, it'll be fine.

You shouldn't. Shampoo strips the natural oils out of your hair, meaning it dries it out.

You can just use coconut oil and water in a bottle. As long as you don’t drench your hair in it, it should be okay.

Spraying is the preferred method, but if you have enough patience to wait for it to dry after simply pouring it over your head, that will work too.

Sometimes the oil can fry your hair, so it's a good idea to add other things in with it as well.

No. If you don't have access to distilled water, you can use either filtered water or mineral water.

Yes, it is meant to protect hair against heat from styling products, like a curler or straightener.

You should wait until your hair is dry from the spray before applying any heat.

It all depends on the ingredients, so try to stick with ones with natural ingredients. If that's not possible, than just be sure to give your hair a good rinse out after you have finished with the product.

I am also allergic to nuts, so I use either argan oil or grapeseed oil.

It usually lasts about one or two months.

If the serum contains silicone, it will probably work in the spray. However, conditioner is a better option because it provides the moisture that your hair needs before heat styling.

You could. It can be very effective for thicker hair.

Distilled has minerals that may harm the hair, especially if you have hard water. Over time it may give your hair an orange tint, so I recommend just using filtered water.

Those oils would most likely not be a good substitute, because they are both quite heavy oils and are not fragrance-free.

No, but it will protect your hair from damage during the straightening process.

Since water and oil don't mix very well, this most likely wouldn't be effective in the first place, but olive oil also leaves your hair with an unpleasant aroma, so it is not advised.

No, the silicone in the conditioner is what protects the hair from the heat in that particular recipe. The product should last 1-2 months.

Oils themselves tend to fry your hair, so adding water will give your hair extra moisture. While you can use those oils together, do it at your own risk.

Using just water and conditioner should be fine, but the oils listed in the previous steps are to promote healthy hair and maintain strength within the strands.

2-3 mL would do, but it is such a small amount that you could just go with what they said, which is a quarter-sized amount. It would be very hard to measure out a few mL. It also doesn't have to be exact.

Yes, but be sure to not spray that close to your roots. You can also use grapeseed oil, almond oil, or avocado oil instead.

You should wait for the oil and water mixture, or any heat protectant spray, to dry before using heat styling tools. Applying heat to wet or damp hair can cause damage and lead to breakage. Let the product dry for a minute or two before styling for the best results.

Yes, many DIY heat protectant spray recipes include water as a main ingredient, often combined with oils and conditioner. Water helps dilute the oils for easier application and even distribution. Always shake the bottle before use to mix the ingredients properly.

Yes, you can make a simple hair protectant spray using castor oil and water. Castor oil is known for its moisturizing and protective properties, helping to reduce breakage and protect hair from heat styling. However, because castor oil is very thick, it is best to dilute it with water or another lighter carrier oil for easier application and to avoid weighing hair down. Shake the mixture well before each use, as oil and water naturally separate.

DIY hair protectant sprays made from natural oils like castor oil, coconut oil, or argan oil provide some heat protection, but they generally don't offer the same level of protection as commercial heat protectants, which can shield hair up to 200–230°C (392–446°F). Natural oils typically begin to break down or smoke at lower temperatures: for example, coconut oil’s smoke point is around 177°C (350°F), and olive oil’s is around 190–210°C (374–410°F). Therefore, DIY sprays may offer moderate protection for lower-heat styling but are less effective at very high temperatures.

Yes, you can mix water, coconut oil, and vegetable oil to create a hair spray or treatment. Coconut oil is a popular natural heat protectant and moisturizer, while many vegetable oils, like olive or almond oil, provide nourishment and some heat protection. Mixing these with water helps distribute the oils more evenly, but always shake well before use. Keep in mind that using too much oil can weigh hair down, especially for finer hair types.