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Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » DIY Beach Waves Hair Spray

DIY Beach Waves Hair Spray

May 30, 2012 (Updated: July 30, 2019)   —  by Katie Wells

DIY Beach Waves Sea Salt Spray Recipe

Reading Time: 4 minThis post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Hair Spray Supplies+−
    • Ingredients for Hair Spray
    • Hair Spray Instructions
  • How to Use

Second to Dry Shampoo, sea salt spray is probably my most used hair product, and it is also super easy to make yourself!

Sea Salt spray or Beach Waves Spray has gained popularity lately, and it is the product most often used for those beachy waves that are so popular. Many of the sea salt sprays are also drying to the hair, as salt pulls moisture and natural oils out.

Homemade Beach Waves Texturizing SprayThe gold standard of beach sprays for hair (in my opinion) is Bumble to Bumble Surf Spray, which does work great, but costs $25 a bottle which is about $24.50 out of my price range for hair products. This particular brand uses Magnesium Sulfate (aka Epsom Salt) instead of Sea Salt, which makes it less drying to hair. It also has some natural oils (aka Conditioner) to replenish hair.

This is one of the simplest natural hair care recipes to make at home, and it literally costs about 1/50th of the store bought versions. It adds great texture and volume to hair without the chemicals. If you make it yourself, you can also customize to your hair type to get the texture you want.

I use this all the time and it works great, even on my hair that can be hard to tame and really hard to get to hold a curl. In fact, I used this in the cover for my recent cookbook, and I got a lot of questions about how I got my hair to stay like that and if I used natural products (I did).

My whole protocol for the cookbook cover hair was texturizing spray and dry shampoo for volume, this ceramic curling wand for curl/waves, and sugar and salt spray to set.

Hair Spray Supplies

  • hot water
  • epsom salts
  • Himalayan or Sea Salt (optional but adds stiffness
  • aloe vera gel
  • natural conditioner (I’ve used this Organix coconut one and Dr. Bronners Lavender Coconut ) or a few drops of almond oil or jajoba oil (optional- you may not need it if you have fine/oily hair)
  • Optional: a few drops of essential oils or a spritz of your favorite perfume for scent- Lavender and citrus are great options
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon vodka or alcohol- if you want to lighten hair (the lemon juice lightens and the alcohol preserves)

Ingredients for Hair Spray

  • 1 cup of hot water (not boiling)- Can also use strong Chamomile Tea as the base if you want to lighten hair or black tea as the base if you want to darken hair, but you will need to keep in the fridge.
  • 2 tablespoons epsom salts (or more for extra texture)
  • 1/2 tsp Himalayan or Sea Salt (optional but adds stiffness)
  • 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
  • 1/2 tsp conditioner (optional- don’t use if you have fine/oily hair)
  • Optional: a few drops of essential oils or a spritz of your favorite perfume for scent- Lavender and citrus are great options
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon vodka or alcohol- if you want to lighten hair (the lemon juice lightens and the alcohol preserves)

Hair Spray Instructions

  1. Get a spray bottle that holds at least 10 ounces. I used a glass bottle made from an old apple cider vinegar bottle and a regular spray top. I also tripled the recipe to accommodate the size of my bottle.
  2. Put the hot water (or tea) in the spray bottle and add the epsom salts, sea salt (optional), aloe vera, conditioner, scent (optional) and lemon juice/vodka (if using).
  3. Put the cap on the bottle and shake for 1-2 minutes or until epsom salts and sea salt are dissolved. Store in the fridge if using lemon juice or tea base, or at room temperature if you aren’t. Will last 3-4 months or longer.

How to Use

DIY Sea Salt Texturizing Spray Recipe

Spray on damp hair and scrunch with a towel to dry for loose beach waves. (See picture of me- please excuse how large my nose looks in this picture and the fact that I am not wearing any make-up! Also, please excuse my lack of hair photography skills!)

Spray on dry hair and on roots for volume and texture without the waves. (See picture of the volume it gave my three year old. Excuse the apple eating and unorganized bookshelf!)

diy beach waves spray recipe

If your hair is straight and thin and you want all-day waves: Wash hair the night before and spray hair with Beach Spray while still damp. Then, either french braid into pigtails or wrap in a tight scrunched bun on top of your head. and leave overnight. By morning, your hair should be dry. Spritz with a little more spray and take out the braid/bun. Voila- all day beach waves. Spray with additional spray and scrunch if you want more stiffness.

Ever used Sea Salt Spray? Ever made your own hair products? Tell me below!

Super easy hair spray recipe for an all natural texturizing hair spray that costs less than a dollar to make and gives hair volume and waves.

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Category: Beauty

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Previous Post: «How to Make Your Own Dry Shampoo for Light or Dark Hair DIY Dry Shampoo for Dark or Light Hair
Next Post: 7 Natural Baby Care Recipes All natural homemade baby skin care recipes»

Reader Interactions

Discussion (257 Comments)

  1. Jenny P

    June 4, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    I have everything but the aloe vera gel, do you think I could get the same effect without it?  Or should I go grab a little for this? 

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      June 4, 2012 at 7:09 PM

      You probably can… It’s just for the moisture and shine… Let me know how it works!

      Reply
  2. Jocelyn

    June 1, 2012 at 12:43 AM

    Thanks to another great blog (Crunchy Betty, if you’re wondering!), I tried rinsing my hair with the water that quinoa has been washed in. Pour it through your hair after washing, leave in for 3 minutes, then rinse out. I have fine hair that wants to wave, but can’t so much and this little trick gives me silky waves. It’s amazing! I am definitely trying your recipe, though. I absolutely love beach hair! Thanks for the share!

    Reply
    • Claire

      June 2, 2014 at 8:45 PM

      Hmm! I’ve got to try this. My hair is like that, too… doesn’t want to be stick straight, but not quite a wave, either. I better get to rinsing some quinoa. 😉 Do you know how long a shelf life it has?

      Reply
  3. roxanne

    June 1, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    This is fantastic!  I buy those beach hair sprays and they are expensive!  I’m definitely gonna try this!

    Reply
  4. Amy Stadler

    May 31, 2012 at 10:37 PM

    I have thicker hair that is sadly prone to frizz 🙁 does this cause a lot of frizz or control frizz at all? It looks great and I hate having to dry & straighten my hair everyday or pull it back in a pony tail when I don’t feel like it.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      May 31, 2012 at 11:19 PM

      Mine frizzes somewhat easily too and this didn’t cause frizz at all. I’d add a little extra oil or conditioner if you’re worried about it though…

      Reply
  5. Cari Osborne

    May 31, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    I just want to say THANK YOU! I have recently educated myself about the dangers of chemicals in household products and as I’ve been looking for alternative solutions I came across your site. It is THE most complete (and useful) site I’ve found for making your own without being too complicated, and the things I’ve tried so far really work! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      June 1, 2012 at 10:40 AM

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply
    • Kes Wilder

      January 19, 2020 at 4:29 AM

      What are your thoughts on using rubbing alcohol instead of vodka?

      Reply
  6. Wellness Mama

    May 31, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    Inspired by the commercial versions that have mostly the same ingredients but are really expensive 🙂 and thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Armando

      July 23, 2014 at 9:22 AM

      Hi,

      Thanks for the tips!

      I was interested in making this, and I would like to know if this recipe needs a natural preservative in it for shelf life, especially if we’re using an essential oil in it. Can bacteria even survive in a salt based solution?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Wellness Mama

        July 23, 2014 at 2:14 PM

        Well, yes, it can.It’s best to store it in the fridge if you are concerned.

        Reply
  7. Chan Rambo

    May 31, 2012 at 9:12 AM

    That is AWESOME! I’ve seen “homemade salt spray” recipes before, but they always call for adding some commercial hair gel, which for me defeats the purpose of avoiding those chemicals. I make my own shampoo and conditioner, but have not had any success with homemade styling product yet – this looks like it could be my first big win in that arena. Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Brianne

    May 30, 2012 at 11:34 PM

    I can’t wait to try this! I’m almost out of my “Dream Curls” spray, which is very similar to the beach waves spray… So you’ve saved me a trip to the store! 
    And I agree with Smoochagator above — nice to see a picture of YOU! You’re lovely! 

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      May 31, 2012 at 11:42 AM

      Awwww… Thanks 🙂 let me know how it works for you

      Reply
  9. Las

    May 30, 2012 at 8:10 PM

    I love it!!  Having the Beach wave hair without going to the beach.  I often do mine through curling iron then using my hands to separate the waves.  I will try this one soon, but one question, won’t it leave the hair stiff and dry?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      May 30, 2012 at 9:28 PM

      It does leave hair a little stiff, but it hold the waves in. It is surprisingly like actual beach hair…

      Reply
    • Ginessa

      May 5, 2014 at 11:47 AM

      yes that salt does wonders for thin hair

      Reply
  10. Smarna

    May 30, 2012 at 7:33 PM

    This. Is. So. Cool! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Ann Marie

      October 11, 2014 at 1:57 AM

      I know this was posted awhile ago but I wanted to say thanks. Also, you do not have a big nose, you look lovely without make-up (what I can see you), you have good photography skills, good to see your daughter eating an apple and the bookshelf is neat.
      You have nothing to apologize for lovely lady.

      Reply
    • Georgia

      March 21, 2015 at 9:26 AM

      I made this a while ago and used it for a while until I realized that the salt was drying out my hair from the tips up. They felt like straw. This is bad since my hair has always been really healthy.

      Reply
      • sarah

        November 6, 2015 at 11:33 AM

        Once a week or so- do a oil treatment to your hair-
        I love coconut oil but most any will do –
        Drench hair in oil and leave on wrapped in a towel for a half hour to an hour-
        Oil ruins everything -so use a towel you dont care for.
        Then wash out- begin by working shampoo in and then adding in water,
        this helps break down the oil and your hair is beautiful and healthy looking again!
        Hope that is helpful and lets you enjoy beach hair when you want without drying out your hair.

        Reply
        • Vanessa

          December 8, 2015 at 10:48 PM

          Great tip for oil removing: dish detergent is awesome for removing oil stains, even the gunked up mechanic oil stains.

          Reply
          • Haydee

            June 24, 2016 at 8:52 AM

            Dawn brand-name dish soap is GREAT for removing clothes stains… The secret with oil stains is to try getting rid of it as soon as possible. I always have a little oil perfume roll-on bottle filled with it in my purse for accidents when eating out.

          • Jon

            November 17, 2018 at 12:31 PM

            Mayonnaise is fantastic for removing oil too, even vaseline (that’s how I discovered it! 1920’s fancy dress…), it emulsifies it all super fast, and washes out with soap/shampoo. A bit weird, I know, but useful especially if dish soap turns out to be a bit harsh or ineffective.

    • Carla

      June 17, 2015 at 10:08 PM

      Leaves the worst feeling on my hair! Feels dry and icky. Or better yet, feels like straw!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        April 5, 2016 at 11:25 PM

        That’s pretty much what sea salt spray does! It can feel kind of icky but the texture really helps with styling as clean hair is often so hard to style & hold in place.

        Reply
    • Diana Presence

      March 4, 2016 at 4:25 PM

      Thanks wellness mama, i am so thankful to use your receipe today. This is what i was looking for long ago. I used it today,but my whole hair was white,and i started itching alot. Is there something that i used that was wrong? Will u please tell me? I so much needed this for my hair. What i used was: hot water,alo vera gel, epsom salt,conditioner and drops of scent. What did i do wrong pls? Diana.

      Reply
      • Wellness Mama

        March 4, 2016 at 7:36 PM

        What kind of conditioner did you use?

        Reply
        • Lauren

          March 27, 2016 at 7:17 AM

          Can I substitute kosher salt for the sea salt?

          Reply
          • Wellness Mama

            March 27, 2016 at 1:26 PM

            Yes, but it might be a bit more flaky…

    • Erica

      August 20, 2016 at 4:34 PM

      I’ve been using for about 6 months and I really like it. I wash at night, use the spray and let my hair dry while I sleep. Just a little more spray in the morning cures bed head. The build up of salt will make your hair feel dry, I find that this is easily cured with a good conditioner like coconut oil, smashed avocado or mayo once weekly fixes the issue. Good luck!

      Reply
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