How to Make Natural Hair Spray and Styling Gel

Like many store-bought products, you can make your own hair styling solutions at home for a fraction of the cost. Hair spray and styling gel are easy to make, inexpensive, and smell great. You can create a custom scent by using your favorite essential oils in your homemade hair styling products, as well.

Hair Spray

Make all-purpose hair spray by boiling two cups of water and one lemon, chopped into ½-inch pieces, until it has reduced by half. Cool the mixture then strain it into a pump spray bottle. Store your homemade hair spray in the refrigerator and discard any remaining spray after one week.

If you prefer to store your hair spray at room temperature, add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. Your homemade spray can then be stored for up to two weeks.

If you have dry hair, use a small orange instead of a lemon and skip the rubbing alcohol. You'll get hair spray that holds well without further drying your hair.

For extra hold and a custom scent, dissolve one tablespoon of sugar in a cup of water, boiling it for three minutes. Be sure that the sugar completely dissolves. Add a tablespoon of vodka or grain alcohol and two or three drops of your favorite essential oil. Store your hairspray in the refrigerator and use or discard it after a week.

Hair Gel

Dissolve ½ a teaspoon unflavored gelatin in ½ a cup of warm water and put it in the refrigerator. Stir your homemade gel well before using it. It will keep for one week. This gel recipe doubles easily if you use the full amount in just a few days. For gentler hold, dissolve ¼ teaspoon of gelatin in one cup of boiling water instead.

To make a nearly unscented gel, boil 2 tablespoons of flax seed in one cup of water for 10 minutes. Let the mixture sit for an hour then strain well. Add two or three drops of your favorite essential oil if you prefer a custom-scented hair gel. This gel provides strong hold, so use it sparingly until you know how it works with your hair and your styling habits.