DIY Hairspray Recipe that actually nourishes and strengthens your hair?? I'll take it! This homemade hairspray is easy to make infused with essential oils to make your hair even healthier.
Raise your hand if you rocked those feathered bangs in the 90's?
You know the ones where the top, back layer of the bangs are teased and curled a mile high and the bottom is curled in giving your face a 1:1 ratio of hair to face.
It was the way to do your hair and all the cool girls did it.
The biggest contributing factor of whether your feathered bangs would turn out great was inevitably the hairspray.
The toxic aroma of alcohol-based Aqua Net and Rave hairspray would fill high school locker rooms to the point of suffocation, yet to get that rad look, we all submitted ourselves to the noxious fumes.
Thankfully, when we know better we do better and so we toss those harmful aerosol cans to the wayside. Turns out, making your own hairspray is as easy as making a cup of {sweetened} tea.
Seriously, back in the olden days, this was a common hairspray recipe used by many women using just water and sugar.
The addition of essential oils is entirely optional, but I like to add some for it's sweet smell and beneficial properties.
If you are interested in more natural hair care articles, check out:DIY Hair Dye Options To Protect and Moisturize Your Hair andTop Hair Loss Causes + the Best Natural Hair Growth Remedies.
Chamomile and Black Tea Ingredients
Chamomile and black tea both contain nutrients and cleansing properties that protect against chemical and heat damage and heal split ends.
They are also rich in antioxidants and amino acids that naturally soften hair and restore luster and shine. The natural coloring and property of chamomile flowers work together to bring out the lighter tones in the hair making it a good option to lighten brown or blonde hair without harsh chemicals.
On the opposite side of the color wheel, black tea naturally darkens hair. And because black tea contains caffeine, it increases blood flow to the scalp promoting hair growth as it penetrates the strands.
Essential Oils in Hairspray
For centuries, people have used essential oils for a variety of medicinal and cosmetic purposes. So, it's no surprise that we would find a select few of these oils beneficial to hair.
We use it in most of our skincare recipes here on the blog.
Lavender oil contains calming properties making it a good treatment for dry scalps since it helps balance natural oils.
Lavender oil may even help with hair loss in people with alopecia areata (an autoimmune condition that causes hair to fall out). (source)
I, myself, have noticed a difference when using lavender oil for hair. It does become thicker and grows considerably quicker.
Lavender is a great oil to add to hairspray for general strengthening and conditioning of your locks.
These lavender skincare recipes are some of my favorite.
Rosemary oil is also rich in anti-oxidants and helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp to promote strong and healthy hair growth.
Like lavender oil, rosemary has also been used to stimulate hair growth since it improves blood circulation to the hair follicles. (source)
When hair follicles are supplied with plenty nutrient-rich blood, faster and healthier hair growth occurs.
Rosemary oil is also great nourishment for dry hair.
A few other best oils for hair you may consider are Sweet Basil, Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, and Thyme. They are all equally healthy for hair in that they promote healthy hair growth and increase blood circulation.
DIY Hairspray Instructions
- I like to steep chamomile or tea the night before for stronger results.
- While the water is still warm, add sugar and mix to dissolve completely.
- Set aside to cool.
- Once cooled, pour the hairspray into a 3 oz. spray bottle and add 5-8 drops of essential oils.
- Cap the bottle and shake vigorously to break up the oils.
- Hairspray is ready to be used.
Because this hairspray technically contains food items, it's best to store it in the refrigerator. However, I have kept mine in my bathroom for over six months and it's still okay to use and doesn't have a funky smell.
As long as it's not being ingested, I'm okay with leaving it out in my bathroom but as always, do what you feel is best for you.
It's also for this reason, that I prefer to use a small bottle so I go through it quick enough that it doesn't spoil.
Please note, this hairspray definitely has a different texture than the alcohol based sprays.
For one, it holds well but it doesn't have that flexible hold that you may be used to.
It contains sugar and sugar is a soluble carbohydrate and carbohydrates tend to become stiff when combined with water.
Notes:
- Depending on your hair, you may want to use less or more sugar that what is called for in the recipe. If you feel it needs a stronger hold, add more sugar. Likewise, if your hair is cooperative and doesn't need strong hairspray, perhaps you can get away with a few teaspoons of sugar only.
- Hairspray does not have to be refrigerated. Keeps up to six months at room temperature.
- Shake before each use.
- Hairspray may become cloudy. That's a natural occurrence and is still okay to use.
- Be mindful of your clothes and surroundings when you spray so as not to get anything inadvertently “sticky.”
- Hair may feel slightly wet after spraying, once it dries, hair will become more stiff.
- Glass spray bottles are always a better option when working with essential oils, but a plastic bottle works in a pinch because of the small amount of essential oils we are using in this recipe.
Let's get to the recipe!
DIY Hairspray Recipe
Yield: 3 oz
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This hairspray recipes is all natural and nourishing!
Materials
- 3 oz water
- 4 tsp organic sugar
- 1 tea bag, chamomile tea or black tea (Earl Grey, English Breakfast)
- 5-7 drops essential oils (lavender, rosemary, sweet basil, ylang ylang and thyme are all great options)
Instructions
- Steep tea in boiling water. Add sugar and stir to dissolve.
- When cooled, add essential oils.
- Directions: Shake before use. Spray 1-2 feet away from hair being careful not to get clothes or surroundings sprayed as it will get sticky.
Notes
Hairspray does not have to be refrigerated but will extend shelf life. Store up to 6 months.It may turn a little cloudy with time, that's a natural occurrence and is still okay to use.
Recommended Products
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Did you make this product?
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Remember that this spray is not your typical hairspray off the shelf.
It may take some adjustment for your hair and learning curve for you to know what works and what doesn't.
Even with this seemingly lousy inconvenience, I still opt out of the harmful sprays and turn to my homemade version when I need my curls to last longer than 2 minutes.
Note: Originally published in February 2016, this article was checked for accuracy and updated January 15, 2020 by Mindy Benkert
