Homemade Hairspray with Essential Oils
Homemade Hairspray
I often receive emails and messages from readers requesting recipes that they may not be able to find on the blog. By far, the most sought-after DIY recipe has been homemade hairspray! And I can totally see why - hair spray is a toxic shit-storm! Even though aerosol cans no longer contain ozone-depleting CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), and haven't since the 70s when ozone depletion was brought to public attention, the can itself is just another form of human waste destined for the landfill.
Not surprisingly, the majority of popular hairspray brands on the Environmental Working Group website are rated between an 8-10 out of 10. Ratings are based on concerns for cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies and immunotoxicity.
Common ingredients in hairspray, and ones that pose health and environmental risks, include:
RETINYL ACETATE (VITAMIN A ACETATE) - Biochemical or cellular level changes, Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
FRAGRANCE - Ecotoxicology, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Miscellaneous, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
LILIAL (BUTYLPHENYL METHLYPROPRIONAL) - Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Persistence and bioaccumulation
HYDROXYCITRONELLAL - Allergies/immunotoxicity
AMYLCINNAMALDEHYDE - Allergies/immunotoxicity
GERANIOL - Ecotoxicology, Allergies/immunotoxicity
EVERNIA PRUNASTRI (RING LICHEN) EXTRACT - Allergies/immunotoxicity.
And the list goes on, and on, and …
Homemade Hairspray Recipe with Essential Oils
I would consider this hairspray to be light-medium hold. I use it mainly for taming fly-aways and holding a natural-looking curl.
While you're at it, go ahead and infuse this hairspray with energizing properties using a combination of energizing/uplifting essential oils - orange, rosemary, lemon & grapefruit!
I add this combination of essential oils to the hairspray for, one, a lovely scent, and two, a boost of energy - because when was the last time you tried to make your hair beautiful and didn't need a boost of energy? Whether it be getting ready for work or hittin' the town with your ladies!
Ingredients
1.5 cups filtered water
2 tbsp white sugar
2 tbsp 80 proof (40%) alcohol, e.g. vodka, rum, spiced rum, gin
4 drops of rosemary essential oil
4 drops of sweet orange essential oil
4 drops of lemon essential oil
4 drops of grapefruit essential oil
Instructions
Boil the water in a kettle and measure out in a pyrex measuring cup.
Add the white sugar (only white sugar will work!) and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, add the alcohol and essential oil and mix.
Pour into a pump-spray bottle.
Shake before each use.
Homemade Hairspray