For the past 80 years, we have used hairspray for many purposes. The first application dealt with having it control your hair when it doesn’t do what you want it to do. You have a curl that sticks out, and you apply a simple spray on the spiral that fixes it in place with the rest of your hair. Or, it’s a windy day, and you need to keep your hair in place. Why use chemicals when you can make your own DIY hairspray with natural ingredients?
As a commodity, hairspray has evolved through the years as a necessary beauty product to a symbol of enforced femininity to using a hairspray that is natural and good for your hair and environment. It’s more important to keep your hair healthy more than keeping it from being unruly. Some people even make their own hairspray, as they have concerns about what they put on their bodies and the environment.
History of Hairspray
In the 1920s, some of the first hairsprays originated from Europe. The product didn’t reach in the US until 1948 when aerosol arrived on the scene. The beauty industry observed the use of the aerosol can during World War II to ward off insects and saw how the same dispenser works for hairspray. The beauty product thrived, and its popularity grew as a mass-produced product.
Terms like updo and styles like a simple oval, winged wave, and smooth swirl formed by the convenience of hairspray. By the mid-60s, it developed into the top-selling beauty product.
That all changed when feminists started protesting in 1968 with the idea it was “instruments of female torture.” It victimized women with coerced femininity. In the 1970s, the hairspray sales declined as hairstyles were predominantly loose and straight.
Its popularity returned in the 1980s as big hairdos resurged with the hair metal scene. Before 1979, concerns about using propellants (CFCs) in aerosol containers surfaced. They have contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer and the upper atmosphere. The chemical became banned in most places on the planet.
Commercial Hairspray Toxic
When the culture started using hairspray, the awareness of dangerous chemicals in commercial products was nonexistent. But times have changed, and today you are more aware of the harmful effects chemicals do to the environment and your body.
Several scientific studies prove that exposure to commercial hairspray chemicals can cause congenital disabilities in infant boys. (x) There are even similar reports of adverse effects on child development. (x)
Chronic lung infection is another concern caused by hairspray based on a scientific study that shows it happens when users inhale chemicals from the hairspray. (x)
Another concern about using commercial hairspray product is contamination. Reach conducted in Japan confirms that some cosmetic products, like hairspray, cannot suppress bacteria’s growth. They uncovered a new species of bacteria called Microbacterium hatanonis, which taints hairspray. (x)
With these environmental and individual concerns about using commercial hairspray, you might make your own hairspray.
DIY Hairspray Recipe
Before you start making your natural hairspray, you need the following ingredients:
- Over 7 ounces of distilled water free from bacteria and other contaminants that may damage your hair and skin and the environment.
- 1 Tsp of Fenugreek extract powder may help kill the bacteria and fungi in your hair follicle. This allows your hair to become stronger and grow naturally. Because it kills the bacteria and fungi that may be present in your hair, you may see a reduction in dandruff and hair loss. Fenugreek is very potent in smell, and some people like it, while others find it overwhelming. (x)
- 1 Tsp of vegetable glycerin as an excellent moisturizer helps prevent breakage in the hair shaft.
- 20 drops of lavender essential oil that helps reduce the smell of the Fenugreek. It also creates a calming aroma and promotes hair growth.
You will need the following cooking utensils:
- Kettle
- Wooden Spoon
- Heat Resistant Bowl
- Set of liquid measuring cups
- Set of measuring spoons
- Funnel
- Once eight-ounce spray bottle
Instructions:
- In a kettle and over medium heat, warm up over seven ounces of distilled water. You want to end up with seven ounces as some will evaporate, so little extra in the kettle will prevent storage.
- Once it’s warmed up, use your liquid measuring cup and measure seven ounces of distilled water and pour it into the heat resistant bow.
- Next, measure 1 teaspoon of Fenugreek, add it to the heated water and mix well.
- Then add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin.
- Add the 20 drops of lavender essential or any essential oil of your choosing. Below is a list of oils you can pick from if you rather not use lavender oil.
- Mix the solution well.
- Take your funnel and place it into your spray bottle.
- Pour the ingredients into the spray bottle.
- Cap the spray bottle with the sprayer and try it on your hair as a test. It should be fine.
Please note: It’s vital that you DO NOT use a microwave. Doing so will cause the beneficial properties of the ingredients to become nonexistent.
This spray is enough for a single eight-ounce bottle. You can spray it on your damp hair and let it air dry or style as usual. You may use this spray every day, but make sure you shake the bottle well before each use. Please note this DIY recipe is not FDA approved. Use it at your own risk.
Fenugreek Powder
As the main ingredient in the hairspray, know that Fenugreek is an herb that may offer you several benefits. It is full of antioxidants, supports hair and skin. It may help with your overall health and well-being. (x)
Essential Oils for Your Hair
As mentioned earlier, if you rather use a different essential oil other than lavender, here are some excellent choices, but first on the list is lavender since it’s used in this recipe.
Lavender
This essential oil may help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth, which is a pleasant combination. (x) It may also help prevent dandruff, itchy scalp and other infections. (x) When used with a combination of different oils such as lemon tree tea and eucalyptus oil, lavender may reduce the chance of contracting lice. (x) Finally, it has qualities that help you relax. (x)
Rosemary
Combining lavender with rosemary may prove beneficial to your health and well-being. A study performed using these two oils suggests they help with short-term memory. (x) This essential oil is the best to enhance your hair growth, making it thicker while increasing cellular metabolism. Additionally, oil increases the microcirculation of the scalp that supports healing. (x) (x)
Orange
It comes from the orange plant. It’s used in a lot of natural cosmetics and soaps. Orange oil is an anti-bacterial and prevents the spread of some of the most dangerous bacteria. (x) Like lavender, it is also a mood booster and calmer. (x)
Peppermint
This essential oil is one of the oldest herbs for medicinal purposes. So, using it for your hair can only mean it will benefit your body and well-being. It’s known for reducing dandruff and improving hair growth. (x) (x)
The fact that it may increase your energy and improve your exercise performance is something to consider for a hairspray. Think about it, it may energize you first thing in the morning as you spray on peppermint hairspray and you for the day. (x)
Cedarwood
Here is another essential oil that can stimulate hair growth and prevent loss of hair. In a study, combined with other essential oils, it proved beneficial. (x) It also helps the scalp and repels insects.
Before using a particular essential oil, make sure you don’t have any allergies by doing a simple test on a small area of your skin.
Where can I buy these ingredients?
You can purchase Fenugreek powder at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying Fenugreek powder to add to your DIY hairspray recipe? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Possible Side Effects of Using DIY Hairspray
When you try a new DIY hairspray product, make sure you test it on a small area of your skin and see if you get an adverse reaction. If you do, then adjust the ingredients by substituting.
Fenugreek may cause skin irritation, so, again, test a small area of your skin. But most side effects of this herb happen when taken internally.
You can test the essential oils on a small area of your skin, as mentioned earlier.
Bottom Line
Scientific research and history tell you many commercially made hairsprays are harmful to your body and the environment after long-term use.
Making your own DIY hairspray that works confirms you are not using any harmful ingredients on your body. Taking the time to make your own hairspray is healthy and helpful because you then know what you are spraying in your hair and the air.
Take the time to test the first batch on a small area of your skin so you know you have no allergic consequences.
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
