7 Natural DIY Hairspray Recipes for Every Hair Type

Looking for a natural and wallet-friendly hair product to keep your 'do in place? We consulted experts Jazmin Alvarez and Gretchen Friese to bring you a roundup of our favorite homemade hairsprays. Not only are these DIY recipes free of aerosol propellants or artificial fragrances that may trigger allergies but they are also a breeze to whip up. You'll know what's in them—not to mention, how to pronounce their ingredients—so you can be confident that you aren't exposing yourself, your hair, or even the environment, to harmful chemicals. Best of all? They're totally customizable to your specific concerns and preferences. Just keep in mind that you may need to use some hair gel or other product, in addition to the homemade hairspray, to get the same effects that commercial hair sprays deliver. Consider it a more than fair trade-off.

Keep scrolling for some easy natural hairspray recipes you can DIY at home.

Brown Rice + Yucca Powder

Alvarez let us in on her DIY recipe that features brown rice, yucca powder, an antioxidant-rich cleanser, and an essential oil of your choice. "This recipe can work for most hair types and can be adjusted (more or less yucca) depending on the texture," says Alvarez. "For curly to oily textures, use more yucca, for straight, thin or wavy, use less." 

Ingredients:

• ½ cup organic brown rice
• 2 cups water
• ¼ teaspoon yucca powder
• Essential oil of your choice

Instructions:

1. Boil brown rice in 1 ¾ cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Strain while reserving the rice water.
3. Set it aside to cool.
4. Once cool, add yucca powder to the rice water mixture.
5. Slowly add ¼ cup of water until you get a thinner liquid consistency.
6. Add 1 to 2 drops of your favorite essential oil.
7. Pour into a spray bottle and shake until combined. When not using, keep in the fridge for preservation.
   

Aloe Vera + Water

By now, we're all aware of the magical healing powers of aloe vera for irritated, sunburnt skin. But did you also know that this natural moisturizer rich in fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins, can do wonders for the hair and scalp? "Aloe vera contains enzymes that repair dead skin cells on the scalp which may help promote hair growth and prevent itching on the scalp. It also acts as a great conditioner and leaves your hair all smooth and shiny," Friese tells us. This makes it especially beneficial to those with dull, dry hair and/or scalp. "The best form of aloe vera to use on your hair is the raw gel of the plant but it can also be mixed with coconut oil or apple cider vinegar," she adds.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup aloe vera gel
• 1 ¼ cup water
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil apple cider vinegar (optional)
  

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together aloe vera gel with water.
2. Whisk in coconut oil or apple cider vinegar (optional).
3. Transfer to a spray bottle. Remember to shake thoroughly before using.
   

Lemon + Water

This recipe requires no more than two ingredients and 20 minutes out of your day. The citric acid in star ingredient, lemon, works double-time by enhancing your hair's shine and promoting scalp health by absorbing excess oil. It's also a natural way to lighten your hair—in case you're interested.

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon
• 2 cups water
• A pot
• A stove or hot plate
• A strainer
• An empty spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Slice the lemon into wedges.
2. Place the lemon wedges in a pot, and cover them with water.
3. Bring the lemons and water to a boil, and hold them there, until only half of the liquid remains.
4. Allow the boiled lemon water to cool.
5. Then, strain the lemon water, and place it in a clean spray bottle.
6. Label the spray bottle with its contents, "Homemade Lemon Hairspray" and the date you prepared it.
7. If the finished spray feels sticky to the touch, just dilute it with a bit of water. It's easy to tweak.
8. Store your hair spray in the refrigerator between uses. It should keep for up to a week. If your hairspray becomes cloudy, shows signs of mold growth, or smells funny, discard it sooner.

Orange + Water

The previous recipe can also be made with an orange. Try it both ways, and see which you like best. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to your hair spray, to customize the scent or improve the condition of your hair. Those with dry, brittle strands may want to use a bit of ylang-ylang, bay, geranium, and/or sandalwood. Meanwhile, grapefruit, lime, mandarin orange, niaouli, tangerine, tea tree, and vetiver are great for oily hair. And if you're looking to stimulate hair growth, rosemary may help. Just don't add the essential oils until your hair spray has cooled since these oils can't take a lot of heat.

Ingredients:

• 1 orange
• 2 cups water
• A pot
• A stove or hot plate
• A strainer
• An empty spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Slice the orange into wedges.
2. Place the orange wedges in a pot, and cover them with water.
3. Bring the oranges and water to a boil, and hold them there, until only half of the liquid remains.
4. Allow the boiled orange water to cool.
5. Then, strain the orange water, and place it in a clean spray bottle.
6. Add a few drops of essential oil to your hair spray.
7. Label the spray bottle with its contents, "Homemade Orange Hairspray" and the date you prepared it.
8. If the finished spray feels sticky to the touch, just dilute it with a bit of water. It's easy to tweak.
9. Store your hair spray in the refrigerator between uses. It should keep for up to a week. If your hairspray becomes cloudy, shows signs of mold growth, or smells funny, discard it sooner.

Sugar + Jojoba Oil

If you've got straight or wavy hair and are looking for a light hold, you're in luck. Alvarez shared this recipe with all-star haircare ingredient jojoba oil. Not only is it incredibly soothing and hydrating but it also fights frizz, reverses damage, and controls dandruff. For extra hold, simply add more sugar, Alvarez tells us.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
• Essential oil of your choice
  

Instructions:

1. Boil water and add sugar.
2. Heat until the sugar is fully dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and allow the water to fully cool.
4. Add and then add jojoba oil and one to two drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle.
5. Shake to combine. Store in the fridge in between uses. 

Rose Water + Sugar

How do you keep a hairdo in place while emitting a floral sillage—sans perfume? Why, with a rose water hairspray, of course. This DIY recipe calls for nothing more than rose water and sugar. But for extra hydrating powers, "Many people use glycerine along with rosewater to help keep moisture in the hair." comments Friese. A rose water-based hairspray is great for those with scalp issues, chemically damaged hair, or who live in dry climates, she adds. That's because rose water is a mild astringent with anti-inflammatory properties that is said to stabilize hair's pH balance and help to prevent water loss, Friese explains.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rose water
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

1. Using a saucepan, heat rose water.
2. Stir in sugar until fully dissolved.
3. Remove saucepan from heat and allow to cool.
4. Once cool, transfer to a spray bottle and shake well before using.

Castor Oil + Sugar

There are a lot of hair oils to choose from when considering which to add to your regimen, but castor oil is a solid choice. "Applying castor oil to the hair on a regular basis may help lubricate the hair shaft, which increases elasticity and decreases the chance of breakage. Castor oil increases blood flow to the scalp, which promotes healthier hair and possibly promotes hair growth," says Friese. Try adding it to your natural hairspray to treat or prevent hair loss or soothe a dry, flaky scalp. "It can be heavy and sticky so it's a good idea to dilute it with other natural oils like coconut or jojoba," advises Friese.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon castor oil
• ½ teaspoon coconut oil or jojoba oil

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat the water and stir in the sugar.
2. Set aside to cool.
3. Add the castor oil and either coconut or jojoba oil to the mixture.
4. Transfer to a spray bottle and shake thoroughly before each use.