How to Make Homemade Hair Spray: 7 Simple Recipes

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Do you love using hairspray to add texture to your hair, but can't use it because of the harsh ingredients? Or maybe you're just tired of paying so much for store-bought hairspray (why is it so expensive anyway?). Whatever the reason, the good news is you can easily make your own hairspray right at home using ingredients you probably already have. To help you get started, we've rounded up 7 super simple DIY hairspray recipes you can try. Use one of the recipes below to get beautiful styled locks using affordable, all-natural ingredients.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Sea Salt Hairspray

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  1. Try to use filtered or distilled water if you can. Ordinary tap water contains too many chemicals and minerals, which may cause buildup in your hair overtime. Heating the water will make the salt easier to dissolve.
  2. You can also use Epsom salt instead. [1]
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  3. Stir with a spoon until it has melted. Coconut oil will be the most nourishing for your hair, but it is solid at room temperature. You will likely need to warm your hairspray under hot water each time before you use it. If this bothers you, try argan or olive oil instead. [2]
    • If you have oily hair, reduce the oil to one teaspoon (five milliliters).
    • If you have dry hair, consider adding an extra one to two teaspoons (5 to 10 milliliters) of oil.
  4. Allow the to mixture cool before adding 4 to 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. If you'd like your hair spray to be unscented, you can leave the essential oil out. [3] For extra holding power, stir in one to two teaspoons (5 to 10 grams) of hair gel. This is great for those with curly hair. [4]
  5. Place a funnel down the neck of a spray bottle. Holding the bottle steady, carefully pour the mixture into the bottle. If you can, try to use a glass spray bottle. Many people find that the oils (both coconut and essential) will degrade plastic bottles overtime.
  6. This will help further blend the ingredients. Overtime, the oils will separate, so you will need to shake your bottle before you use it. If you used coconut oil, this will be even more noticeable, and you'll need to hold the bottle under hot water for a few seconds. [5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Sugar Hair Spray

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  1. Bring it to a boil. This will make it easier to dissolve the sugar. Also, try to use distilled or filtered water. Ordinary tap water contains minerals and chemicals that may cause buildup in your hair.
  2. The more sugar you add, the stronger hold your hairspray will have. For extra hold, add 2 teaspoons (10 grams) of sea salt.
  3. Let the mixture cool before adding 8 drops of your favorite essential oil. You don't have to add the essential oil, but it will give your hairspray a nice scent when you use it. You can use any type of essential oils that you like, but citrus or lavender are popular choices when it comes to hairspray. [6]
  4. Stick a funnel down the neck of a spray bottle. Holding the bottle steady, carefully pour the mixture into it. Try to use a glass spray bottle, especially if you are using essential oils. Some people find that essential oils cause plastic spray bottles to degrade over time.
    • The finer mist your spray bottle has, the more effective it will be. [7]
  5. Shake it before using it. You may not notice a lot of "holding power" in your hair spray at first. Let the hairspray dry on your hair. If you find that it is not strong enough for you, wait 20 to 30 seconds before applying a second coat. [8]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Other DIY Hair Sprays

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  1. Combine a spray bottle with 2 cups (475 milliliters) of water, 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of almond oil, 10 drops of chamomile essential oil, and the juice of 2 lemons. Close the bottle, and shake it to mix the ingredients. Spray the mixture onto wet or dry hair a few times a week. [9]
    • The lemon juice and chamomile essential oil will help lighten and brighten your hair. The almond oil will help condition it.
    • If you have dark hair, consider using oranges instead. It won't lighten your hair as much. [10]
  2. Fill a spray bottle with 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water. Add 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of each of the following: aloe vera juice, rose water, and vegetable glycerin. Close the bottle, and shake it before using it. Apply the spray whenever you need to tame some frizz. [11]
    • The Aloe Vera juice will help lock moisture in your hair and make it shiny. The rose water will help smooth your hair.
    • For extra holding power, use Aloe Vera gel instead. [12]
  3. This is helpful if you have thin, weak, or brittle hair. Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups (475 milliliters) of water. Add 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of melted coconut oil and 5 drops of rosemary essential oil. Close the bottle and shake it to mix the ingredients. Apply the spray to wet hair, just after you have finished showering. [13]
    • The coconut oil will help moisturize your hair. The rosemary essential oil will help strengthen your hair.
    • This can also be used on dry hair is well. It is perfect for damaged hair types. [14]
  4. Cut a lemon into wedges and boil it with 2 cups (475 milliliters) of water. When the water is reduced by half, strain it into a spray bottle, and let it cool. In a separate bowl, mix 6 to 8 drops of essential oil with 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 milliliters) of vodka, then add it to the citrus water. Close the spray bottle and shake it to mix. [15]
    • Use an orange if you have dark hair. Lemons have the tendency to lighten dark hair.
    • You can use any type of essential oil. Lavender is the most common.
  5. Use water and hair conditioner. Fill a spray bottle 2/3 of the way with warm water. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with your favorite hair conditioner. Close the bottle, and shake it vigorously to mix. Spray the mixture onto your hair to make brushing easier. It can be used on wet or dry hair. [16]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil?
    Community Answer
    You can, but coconut oil is best.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 29
  • Question
    Does salt spray affect my hair? Will it give me lice?
    Community Answer
    No, it won't. Lice are transmitted from exposure to infected individuals. Salt spray is very good for your scalp.
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  • Question
    Will the water and conditioner give me lice?
    Community Answer
    No, this will not give you lice. Lice are transmitted from exposure to infected individuals.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • You can find essential oils in health food stores and in certain arts and crafts shops.
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      • Experiment with different amounts to get different holding power.
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      • Experiment with different essential oils to get the fragrant you like. You can even combine oils to create a new scent.
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      Warnings

      • Homemade hairsprays don't always have the same holding power as store bought hairsprays. They are excellent for adding texture.
        Thanks
        Helpful 14 Not Helpful 1
      • These hairsprays are natural and thus perishable. If they start to smell or look strange, discard them.
        Thanks
        Helpful 8 Not Helpful 1
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      Things You'll Need

      Making a Salt Hair Spray

      • 1 cup (240 milliliters) warm water
      • 1 tablespoon sea salt or Epsom salt
      • 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 milliliters) oil (argan, coconut oil, or olive, uncolored)
      • 4 to 5 drops essential oil (optional)
      • 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 grams) hair gel (optional)
      • Saucepan
      • Funnel
      • Spray bottle

      Making a Sugar Spray

      • 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
      • 4 teaspoons (20 grams) sugar
      • 8 drops essential oil (optional)
      • Saucepan
      • Funnel
      • Spray bottle


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      References

      1. ↑ http://blog.modcloth.com/2014/05/13/diy-surf-spray/
      2. ↑ http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/diy/diy-sea-salt-texturizing-hair-spray/
      3. ↑ http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/diy/diy-sea-salt-texturizing-hair-spray/
      4. ↑ http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/diy/diy-sea-salt-texturizing-hair-spray/
      5. ↑ http://blog.modcloth.com/2014/05/13/diy-surf-spray/
      6. ↑ http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/homemade-alcohol-free-hairspray-that-works/
      7. ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/make-your-own-homemade-hairspray-and.html
      8. ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/make-your-own-homemade-hairspray-and.html
      9. ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/09/3-diy-sprays-for-beautiful-hair.html
      1. ↑ http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-hairspray/
      2. ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/09/3-diy-sprays-for-beautiful-hair.html
      3. ↑ http://pinsandprocrastination.com/smoothing-anti-frizz-aloe-vera-hairspray/
      4. ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/09/3-diy-sprays-for-beautiful-hair.html
      5. ↑ http://helloglow.co/diy-coconut-oil-hair-spray-rosemary-volumizing-powder/
      6. ↑ http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-hairspray/
      7. ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/make-your-own-homemade-hairspray-and.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make your own hair spray at home, start by boiling 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Make sure to use distilled or filtered water, since tap water contains minerals and chemicals that may cause buildup in your hair. Next, add 2 to 4 teaspoons of sugar, stir until dissolved, then remove the saucepan from the heat. If you want to add a fragrance to your hair spray, add 8 drops of your favorite essential oil once the mixture cools. Then, place a funnel down the neck of a spray bottle and carefully pour in your hair spray. To learn more, including how to make lightening hair spray and volumizing hair spray, scroll down.

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Vartika Sushant

        Sep 4, 2020

        "I added less sugar and didn't heat it too much, added about 3 coats on my hair and lasted the whole day of ..." more
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