Easy DIY Hairspray That Works
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Ditch the chemical storm in your regular hairspray with this super simple homemade hairspray! It takes only 2 ingredients and is a breeze to make.
Plus, it costs almost nothing to make, so your wallet will thank you too.
There are so many toxins in the things we put on our bodies, and they can lead to all kinds of problems from thyroid issues to adrenal fatigue and more.
I’ve been working on having cleaner options for al homemade toothpaste, homemade body cream, or homemade eye makeup remover that work well, I’m all over it.
One of the most toxic beauty products is hairspray. I’ve been wanting to find a cleaner option for years, but it’s not easy. Most of the products on the market either aren’t very clean or they just don’t work well.
Thankfully this DIY hairspray option works pretty well and I have a new formula I’m working on as well.
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Why Make Homemade Hairspray?
There are lots of reasons to make your DIY hairspray.
Reduce Chemical Exposure
There are so many toxic chemicals in hairspray that you might not have thought about. Shampoo has a lot of toxic ingredients, but hairspray is typically much worse.
Save Money
The ingredients in this natural hairspray are incredibly inexpensive. Meanwhile, some commercial hairsprays cost as much as $25 for only 10 ounces!
Save the Environment
Fewer chemicals and fewer plastic containers mean a cleaner environment. Even if you recycle bottles, it’s better not to have them made at all in the first place.
Avoid Allergens
When you make your own homemade beauty products, you can avoid not only toxic ingredients but also those that you are allergic to.
Healthier Hair
The alcohol used in many hairsprays is really drying. This spray makes your hair healthy and shiny.
There are recipes for salt hair sprays on the internet, too. They might be fun to use, but salt is drying for your hair when used on an ongoing basis.
Thankfully, sugar doesn’t have the same drying effect.
You can add essential oils to your recipe, which I recommend. That way, you get the benefit of aromatherapy and the possible benefits that your hair might get from the oils as well. For example, the oils in this DIY Hair Growth Blend can be used in your hairspray for added benefits.
Recipe Notes
- 2 teaspoons of sugar works well, but you can adjust the amount according to how much hold you would like. Of course, if you add too much, you will end up with residue on your hair, so try adding just 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon at a time.
- Use filtered water to avoid the toxins in tap water.
- This hairspray should last quite a long time due to the vodka, but discard if it smells off.
- You’re probably wondering, “Won’t I be a bug’s best friend if I use this?” I was worried about that too, but from my and others’ experiences, that’s not a problem at all.
- Technically, if you use essential oils in this spray, you will want to add an essential oil emulsifier. Since you will be spraying this on your hair and not on your skin, it’s not really a problem.
Other Homemade Personal Care Products You’ll Love
If you’re into making your own products, here are some others to try.
– Nourishing Hand and Body Cream – so great and non-greasy.
– Hand and Body Scrub – this is so easy and works amazingly well.
– Invigorating Body Wash – so much better than store-bought.
– Nourishing Hair Rinse – leaves hair super shiny and healthy!
All Natural Homemade Hairspray
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water (filtered)
- 2 teaspoons sugar (use more or less according to how strong you want the resulting spray to be.)
- 1 teaspoon vodka
- 3-5 drops essential oils (optional, for scent and slight preservative action)
Instructions
- Heat water in a small saucepan to boiling.
- Add sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Allow to cool. Add vodka and optional essential oils.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle, using a funnel if desired.
Notes
Safer Store-Bought Hairspray Options
If you don’t feel like DIYing, here are some safer options to try.
The BEST natural non-toxic hairspray that I’ve found is from Rowe Casa. It’s a light to medium hold. Their Hair Gel, Mousse, and Hair Spritz (for hair growth) are great as well. Code WNM gets 20% off your first order.
If you really need a firm hold, this spray from Giovanni is pretty clean as far as artificial fragrances go.
GIOVANNI L.A. Hold Hair Spritz - Maximum Hold - 5 oz (3 pack)
Giovanni's Firm Hold Hair Spritz is a maximum-hold spray that's aerosol free and works great. Colo-safe, cruelty-free and last I checked does not have artificial fragrance but uses natural essential oils instead.
Also this hairspray is another one that I like. It’s very reasonable and is low on the toxic scale too.
White Rain Advanced Formula Extra Hold Hair Spray 7 oz (6 pack)
White Rain's Unscented Extra Hold Hairspray is a fairly clean option for those who really want a traditional hold from their spray without a bunch of fragrance. The bottle size is great too - fits well in most purses, gym bags, etcetera.
This Poofy Organics Hair Spray is super clean but it’s a very light hold. I like it on the longer portion of my hair because it’s conditioning in addition to the light hold, but it’s too heavy for my bangs.
Code WNM gets 10% off your first order and they have free shipping at $70.
If you have a more natural hairspray that you like, please do share in the comments.
What hairspray do you currently use?
will this hold curls? I have straight hair and want to use this
Yes, it does. But of course not as strong as the commercial ones w/ plasticizers in them. Hope it works!
I have been using this product for two weeks now and wanted to give my opinion.
First, I am a twice-a-week hair washer, run Aveda phomollient through my hair, blow-dry and then spray with TRESemme 4.. On the other days, I simply wet it with my hands and blow dry followed by a spritz of hairspray. As my products run out, I am replacing them with homemade ones, hence this recipe.
I made the recipe exactly as stated except without the Rosemary oil since I didn’t have any. I spray my hair with this while it is wet and run through with my hands, then blow-dry, then spray a bit after dry.
Some things I like other than the obvious lack of toxicity:
1. The hold is GREAT! I am really surprised about that.
2. There is enough product in my hair that I don’t have to spray it every time I style it. I just dry and it has hold enough to last all day long! Yeah, it lasts longer!
Some things that are just ok:
1. When I spray initially, it is a little heavy and my hair looks a bit wet and keeps that look. Not so bad for my “blow and go” style, but may not be what everyone wants.
2. I bought a cobalt blue bottle from Amazon to put it in. The spray setting is a little wider than the store-bought and goes everywhere. That is more a matter of me learning how much to spray the bottle than the product itself. I bought a little 3oz. spray bottle for traveling.
3. I have to keep it in the fridge so it lasts longer. Not a problem really since I am only using it twice a week.
So, I am MORE THAN HAPPY with this spray! I will definitely keep using it and celebrate one more item that is a great choice for the environment and for my health, not to even mention my pocketbook! Thanks so much, Adrienne!
This is so great! Thanks for sharing! And I love blue bottles!!!! You are fortunate you only have to use it twice a week. You must have great hair!
How is this in the heat and humidity of summer? does it attract insects?
I have never heard of anyone having insect issues. Enjoy!
Do you really need ALL of those oils? Ordering all of them seems kinda expensive.
They are optional. You don’t need them. 🙂
Hello there, I don’t have any of the oils you’ve listed neither can I buy them. I was wondering would using coconut oil do any good?
Thank you.
You need an essential oils – coconut oil isn’t an essential oil – so I would just leave it out. Hope it works well for you!
I am highly allergic to hair sprays and any products that have plasticizers in them. Highly means dangerously allergic. I have just prepared this recipe and cannot wait to try it.
I hope you enjoy it!! I have to make a batch myself.
Are the essential oils just for fragrance so I can skip then because u don’t have any of these at hone and don’t want to go out and buy them
You do not need to buy them. They are for fragrance and might have some therapeutic effect on your hair but they aren’t needed. Enjoy!
Do you keep it in the fridge or can it be stored at room temperature?
I can’t make shelf life claims – it will depend on your water and the bottles you use, etc. However I recommend small batches and storing in the fridge as anything made with water can breed bacteria. I have stored mine at room temp and have never had any observable issues, but I haven’t tested the spray :).
can u tell way to make hairwax also
Sorry – I don’t know. Maybe in the future. Are you looking for a styling gel?
yah!!
How do you store it? I would imagine in a refrigerator, but I thought I would ask.
I had mine on the counter. I am thinking that some kind of preservative would be needed if you don’t use it up quickly so making a smaller batch would be a good idea.
1. Is the sugar okay for my hair and would it put a weird sticky-ness in my hair?
2. What kind of sugar? Powdered sugar, brown sugar, white sugar, cane sugar, etc.?
3. Does this spray get rid of nasty frizz and fly-aways?
4. What kinds of essential oils? And is it optional to put essential oils in?
5. Will it make my hair possibly more wavy?
6. How well and long does it hold up hairstyles?
Sorry, I ask a lot of questions 😛
Thanks in advance!
Hi there!
1. I’ve never had that issue at all and have never had a reader say that she did.
2. I use white but I think any could work. If you use powdered use less. There is often corn starch in powdered but it’s so little I doubt it would make a difference.
3. Yes, I think so.
4. You can use any one you like but I would stay away from “hot” oils and would choose something like lavender, etc. that is a scent you like. It’s optional.
5. A little more wavy – yes.
6. Depends on your hair and the weather.
Enjoy!
Thank you!! I’m looking forward to making and using it 🙂
Sugar is perrrrrfect for hair … It is the best natural straightener … But use 100% natural brown – crystallised sugar … The chemically prepared sugar are no good.
Can i use almond oil
Almond isn’t an essential oil and it might make your hair greasy so I wouldn’t do it. Sorry.
I think i wil be little sticky type :/
It isn’t sticky if you follow the instructions. Hope it works for you!
I’m about to make this now…. I have Locs and I’m about to curl them and dry under a good dryer and was looking for a nice simple recipe to help with holding the curls… Wish me luck!?
Please do come back and share. I need to make a new batch of this :). I’ve been leaning on store bought and want to go back….
The hold was great, but I used way too much sugar (1 cup water, 4 tbsp Sugar), currently have sugar crystals in my hair!?… But as you said it’s super cheap so no big deal, I’ll just add more water to the mix and try again… Loving that I didn’t buy it from the store and would have ended up with a worthless expensive can of spray sitting around lol x
So glad!!!
Recipe calls for tsp and looks like you used tbs! That’s probably why.
Great post, thank you for sharing, I shall look forward to trying this out!
I’m about to make more myself :).
I want to try it but I want to know if I but it on straighten hair will it go back to curly and can I use argon oil?
It should hold fairly well – depends on your hair. Argan isn’t an essential oil but it’s good for the hair :).
I made this hairspray just as directed, using a few drops of pure organic orange essential oil. It seems fine and does work, but all of a sudden my scalp is very itchy and flaky. Would any of these ingredients cause that?
Hi there. Are you spraying it on your scalp? Anyone can be allergic to anything so I am not sure but I would be careful so you don’t have a worse situation.
Some essential oils can be phototoxic (which means they increase the skins sensitivity to the sun, sometimes resulting in burns or darker skin pigmentation), particularly citrus oils, perhaps this is why your head became itchy. Try a different essential oil, perhaps Geranium, Lavender or Palmarosa.
Hi Maree. Thanks for your comment.
I got the following from the oils company that I work with:
I hope that helps.
Can you use tea tree oil to make this hairspray?
If you mean as an essential oil to add, yes you can.
Would this solution with the ugar be good for spring? Or is it not enough to attract bees or ther sugar prefered insects?
You shouldn’t have any problems. If you read through the comments you’ll see no one has – hope you like it!
Sounds fine but use a glass bottle instead of a plastic one when you use essential oils in the spray. The oils could leach chemical components from the plastic into your spray…
Yes, it depends on the quality of the bottle. Plus they are very diluted so it likely isn’t much of an issue. I use glass :). Thanks!
I used this hairspray but my hair became dry and brittle after drying. I don’t know why it happened but I think because it’s sugar water and I didn’t boiled till it became syrup I just heated and it became a little thuck but not syrup. Can you please tell me what’s wrong with this hairspray????
I’m not sure – did you use plain sugar? Typically it would be salt that would dry your hair. Mine isn’t syruppy at all – maybe that’s it.