How to Make Hair Spray at Home

Have you ever wondered how to make hair spray at home? If so, you have found the right read! I have been using this recipe for over 10 years, and I’m so excited to share it with you!

Why Make Your Own Hair Spray?

Toxic Ingredients in Hair Products

Did you know that there are toxic ingredients in many popular hair care products? This may sound shocking, but after learning how little of a role the FDA plays in protecting the public from unsafe cosmetics, it is no surprise.

In a government document, the FDA says, “The law does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, to have FDA approval before they go on the market.”

That same document reveals that recalls of dangerous and toxic chemicals found in cosmetics, “are voluntary actions taken by manufacturers of distributors.” That’s like cops expecting you to voluntarily write yourself a ticket for going 100 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour school zone.

Wow. Just… Wow.

So, cosmetic companies basically do whatever they want without consequence, until they get caught. When that happens, they usually just pay a settlement and keep slinging products as usual.

Lawsuits against cosmetic companies are more common than people realize because it’s not hot news. You have to actively search for articles about the dangers associated with beauty products like the ones called, “Dozens of Lawsuits Claim Hair Relaxers Cause Cancer and Other Health Problems,” and “Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update July, 2023.”

Homemade Hair Spray is Safe

Buying hairspray at the store can put you at risk for harmful toxins that may cause cancer over time. In contrast, homemade hair spray is completely safe for you to use! Unless you are allergic to orange juice, flax seeds, aloe, or tea tree oil, homemade hair spray is harmless.

Homemade Hair Spray is Effective

In case you are wondering, yes, homemade hair spray is effective. You can use it to smooth frizz, hold curls, and maintain all of your favorite styles for just as long as store-bought hair spray will.

Homemade Hair Spray is Cruelty-Free

Speaking of harmless, if you buy products that are cruelty-free, I want to say “thank you for supporting awesomely kind companies!”

Unfortunately, some hair care products that are labeled “cruelty-free” are still tested on animals! There are legal loopholes that allow some companies to get away with literal murder. If you want to buy products that are truly cruelty-free, it can take a lot of research that you may not have time to do.

However, when you make your own hair spray, you know it’s cruelty-free!

Homemade Hair Spray is Nourishing

Orange Juice Nutrition Facts

One of the main ingredients in this hair spray recipe is organic orange juice. The University of Rochester Medical Center reports that orange juice is an excellent source of the following nutrients:

Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Potassium
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Niacin
Folate

Aloe for Hair

Another ingredient in this homemade hair spray recipe is aloe vera juice. Aloe is packed with the following nutrients for your hair:

Fatty acids
Amino acids
Vitamin E
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin A

A WebMd article says that aloe vera controls helps reduce itchiness, protect from UV damage, and promote hair growth.

Flaxseed for Hair

I’m guessing you probably already knew that aloe vera is great for your hair, but did you know that flaxseed is too? Flaxseed is packed with the following nutrients:

Vitamin B
Vitamin E
Protein
Omega-3 fatty acids
Antioxidants
Lignans
Selenium
Manganese
Magnesium

In this medically revie wed article, it is said that flaxseed nourishes the hair and scalp. According to Celeste Arnold of Celeste Arnold Hair and Makeup, the “vitamin E in flaxseed provides nutrition to the scalp and reduces free radical damage.” She also says that it adds elasticity and shine and can even make your hair grow faster!

Tea Tree Oil for Hair

The main purpose of tea tree oil in this recipe is to act as a natural preservative, so your hair spray doesn’t mold.

According to the National Library of Medicine, tea tree oil “has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, including yeasts and dermatophytes.”

In case you are wondering, “Dermatophytes are a unique group of fungi that infect keratinous tissue and are able to invade the hair, skin, and nails of a living host,” according to Science Direct.

Homemade Hair Spray is Fun to Make!

Homemade hair spray is fun and easy to make! You’ll be so proud of your finished product too!

How to Make Hair Spray at Home

Hairspray Ingredients

Make sure to use organic hairspray ingredients whenever you can!

Orange Juice (just oranges in the ingredients)
Aloe Juice (Not aloe gel. This can be found at health stores and has a consistency close to water. If you cannot find it, you can use water instead!)
Whole Flax Seeds
Tea Tree Oil

Other Materials Needed

Measuring Cups and Spoons
Cooking Pot
Whisk
Small Plate or Bowl
Strainer (fine mesh)
Stainless Steel Bowl
Spray Bottle
Plastic Container (for freezing excess)

Process

Clean the stove top and counter space in your kitchen.
Gather your ingredients and other materials.
Pour orange juice, aloe vera juice (or water), and flax seeds into the pot and heat on medium-high heat until boiling, stirring often. Make sure the flax seeds don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Make sure the flax seeds don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
Test the hair spray for consistency by using your whisk to drop a little bit onto a plate. When cooled, touch the spray and rub it between your fingers. It should be slightly sticky!
If the spray is sticky, turn off the heat and pour the mixture through a strainer and into the stainless bowl.
Throw the seeds in the trash or compost.
Add the tea tree oil and gently stir it in with the mixture.
Let the hair spray cool on the counter for a while, and then set it in the refrigerator to cool further.
After it has cooled for a few hours, your hairspray may have a gelatinous texture like thick gravy!
Pour it into your spray bottle, only filling it halfway.
Fill the rest of the spray bottle with water to dilute the stickiness. Store your spray bottle in the refrigerator between uses.
Pour the remaining hair spray into a plastic container to freeze for later. You do not have to dilute it to freeze it.