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Learn how to make homemade hair spray with this simple 2-ingredient recipe. Remove toxins from your daily routine by using DIY natural hair spray. This hair spray recipe is the best and really works!

Homemade hair spray in amber glass bottle.

DIY HAIR SPRAY 

Y’all know my love for DIYing around here, and hair products are top on my list. I am a simple gal when it comes to hair care, and as long as I have a good stock of DIY dry shampoo, I am good. With many requests for DIY natural hair spray, I decided to give it a whirl. 

I was so happy with the way it turned out (and smelled!) that I had to share it with you. This DIY is so easy to make, and you will never guess what ingredient makes it hold your hairstyle. Sugar! Yup, regular white sugar. 

Learn how to make homemade all-natural shampoo, homemade conditioner, DIY hair serum, DIY sea salt spray, and homemade dry shampoo spray with these recipes. 

PIN IT FOR LATER 

HOMEMADE HAIR SPRAY

Hair spray in glass bottle and hair brush on wicker placemat.

So why not just use a store-bought hairspray? As with most things, conventional hairspray is full of chemicals that you shouldn’t breathe in and most certainly not spray on your head. Hair sprays can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, skin, and lungs when inhaled.

Switching to homemade hair spray is a much safer option, especially if you are working on getting toxins out of your home. Most hair sprays will have polymers in them, including polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), vegetable gums, and gum arabic. You will also find hydrocarbons, propylene glycol, isobutane, propane, and fragrances on the long list of ingredients. 

The environmental working group marks several of these ingredients as dangerous and even gives them an “F” for safety. 

DIY NATURAL HAIR SPRAY 

I spilled the beans earlier and told you the secret ingredient for homemade hairspray. Were you shocked to hear sugar would be in a hair product? Even though sugar isn’t something you would want to put in your body, believe it or not, it has benefits for your hair. And your skin! Have you ever made homemade sugar scrub bars

Sugar works well at exfoliating the skin, and it can do the same for your scalp. Adding a little sugar to your shampoo can help to remove dead skin cells from the scalp. And don’t worry, it won’t leave your hair sticky like you would expect, as it will easily dissolve and rinse out without leaving any residue on the hair. 

The sugar will be the key ingredient in the hairspray and will help your hair hold it’s style, similar to a DIY hair styling cream! White sugar is a must, as brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, and other natural sugars will not work in this recipe. 

Amber glass spray bottle and tan brush on wicker place mat.

NATURAL HAIR SPRAY RECIPE 

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ALL-NATURAL HAIR SPRAY INGREDIENTS 

HOW TO MAKE HAIR SPRAY AT HOME

  1. Bring the water to a boil over high heat and then add in the sugar. 
  2. Stir the sugar water until all the sugar is dissolved. 
  3. Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool. 
  4. Once cooled, add in the alcohol and essential oils. 
  5. Transfer to a glass spray bottle for storage. 

HOMEMADE HAIR SPRAY WITH ESSENTIAL OILS DIY hair spray bottle with white label with greenery in background.

I love using essential oils in my natural hair product recipes because several essential oils have wonderful benefits for your hair. Essential oils can promote hair growth, thicken the hair, and keep the scalp healthy and moisturized. 

For this DIY natural hair spray recipe, I like to add about 10 drops of essential oils. You can use a single oil or make a blend of several oils. This is really up to you! 

BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR  THE HAIR

  1. LavenderStudies have shown that lavender produces more hair follicles to help thicken and strengthen hair.  Lavender has a beautiful floral smell that can promote calmness and reduce stress; stress can be the biggest reason for hair loss.
  2. Rosemary– Rosemary essential oil is the top oil for hair growth and thickness. It helps to treat dry hair as well as overly oily hair and can help prevent split ends.
  3. Tea tree– Melaleuca promotes a healthy, clean-looking scalp. It can be used to help with a dry, itchy scalp and protect against lice.
  4. Cedarwood– This woodsy oil is excellent when you are making products for men because it has a very masculine scent.  In fact, I use cedarwood in all the DIY products I make for my husband, and he approves.  It stimulates hair follicles and increases circulation to the scalp making it a top oil for hair loss prevention.
  5. Peppermint– Peppermint oil is known for the cooling effect it has on the skin when used topically and for its refreshing minty scent.  Peppermint is also great for the hair as it promotes hair growth and thickness.

ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR HOMEMADE HAIR SPRAY

  • 5 drops lavender 
  • 4 drops wild orange 
  • 2 drops rosemary
  • 5 drops rosemary
  • 4 drops tea tree  
  • 2 drops cedarwood 
  • 5 drops peppermint 
  • 4 drops lavender 
  • 2 drops lemon 

I personally love the smell of lavender and wild orange mixed together, so I made a blend of the two for my homemade hairspray. I added in rosemary because I love the benefits it has for my hair. The three smelled wonderful together, and I plan to make my next batch the same way. Amber glass spray bottle with homemade hair spray on placemat.

HOW LONG WILL HOMEMADE HAIR SPRAY LAST? 

If kept in an airtight spray bottle, this recipe will last for at least one year. The hard-proof alcohol and essential oils act as a natural preservative. 

HOW TO MAKE A STRONGHOLD HAIR SPRAY? 

The more sugar, the stronger the hold. However, you won’t want to add too much sugar because it will make your hair feel sticky. I made mine with 1.5 tablespoons of sugar, and that worked great for my hair type.

Try increasing the sugar by one teaspoon at a time to find the best amount for your particular hair type and style. Amber spray bottle of hair spray on placemat with rosemary and tan brush.

HOW TO USE HOMEMADE HAIR SPRAY? 

With either damp or dry hair, style your hair the way you want it, then spray the hair spray generously all over the hair to hold the style.

If you liked this recipe, consider leaving a review below!

And for more great hair care recipes, try one of these next!

4.42 from 39 votes

DIY Hair spray

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 bottle
Learn how to make homemade hair spray with this simple 2-ingredient recipe. Its the best and really works!

Equipment

  • 10 oz spray bottle
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup water
  • 1.5 tablespoons white sugar, adjust if needed
  • 1 tablespoon 80 proof alcohol
  • 10 drops essential oil

Instructions 

  • Bring the water to a boil over high heat and then add in the sugar. 
  • Stir the sugar water until all the sugar is dissolved. 
  • Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool. 
  • Once cooled, add in the alcohol and essential oils. 
  • Transfer to a glass spray bottle for storage. 

Notes

I have a step-by-step video of this recipe above if you prefer some visual references.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, I’m so glad you’re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.42 from 39 votes (39 ratings without comment)

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45 Comments

  1. Adellyn says:

    I have seen recipes using honey, have you experimented with this at all? Any suggestions? I have heard if it is just honey water it will turn into honey beer lol. Seems like mixing in the alcohol and the rosemary would prevent that, or some GSE? I see that you said to only use white sugar, is that because of the fermentation? I know honey has lots of benefits for hair and would love to take advantage but am trying to figure out how. Thanks!

  2. Sarah says:

    I am a little bit worried about the sugar attracting bugs. Any thoughts on that? Beyond that, though, I am super excited to try this!
    I have never used hairspray of any kind because my whole family has very sensitive noses, not to mention the nasty things they put in it, but that has severely limited the hairstyles that are an option to me. I am already imagining the possibilities! Thanks so much!

    1. Laura says:

      We have need had any issues with it.

    2. Lynn says:

      Is it possible to use swerve or xylitol instead of sugar?

      1. Laura says:

        This has only been tested with pure sugar.

  3. Liliana says:

    Can I use cane sugar?

    1. Laura says:

      Yes

  4. Melinda says:

    I just made this hairspray and I love it!! I made it with Lavender, Wild Orange, and Rosemary. I have already made your shampoo and conditioner and love them too! I have very long hair, 2.5 feet to be exact! Thanks for the recipes!

    1. Laura says:

      Wow, thanks for sharing! I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes!

  5. Gretchen says:

    Just wondering if alcohol could be substituted for the water? My hair is very curly and water (moisture) makes it frizzy.

  6. Carmen Musca says:

    Great recipe! Thanks a lot for sharing it! Would you be so kind to let me know the quantity for water and alcohol in grams?

    Stay safe!

    Carmen

  7. Kashvi says:

    Hi Laura,
    I wanted to know if I can use essential lemon oil in the hair spray ?? Also I seriously liked that the recipe is so simple.. Thank you so much

    1. Laura says:

      Yes, lemon has great benefits for the hair! I like to keep things simple. 🙂