Psst, this post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn some money if you click on one (at no additional cost to you). You can read my full disclosure here.
Try this DIY Root Lifting Spray with Rosemary and Nettle to get the volume you've been craving without sacrificing your hair's health!
My hair has always been on the flat side, and before transitioning to a natural hair care routine, I used an amazing Paul Mitchell root lifting spray for giving me added volume. Unfortunately, Paul, and many of his friends, use several ingredients in their products that can jack up your hormones & internal organs, induce allergies (and I'm not just talking about the seasonal kind, although sneezing may be a part of it)… and have even been linked to cancer. (source)
I have to admit though, that even after discovering that he was pumping up my body with toxic chemicals… I still had trouble saying goodbye to Paul… and I may or may not have shed just a little tear when I finally bid him adieu. Everyone's had a dysfunctional relationship at least once in their life right?! No? Just me?
(ehem) Anyways, I always assumed that no one would make me happy quite like Paul did, but that couldn't keep me from trying…
I have seen a few brands touting themselves as “non-toxic”, but pretty much all of them have questionable… or Not so questionable (and down-right dirty) ingredients in them! So frustrating!
Since I've already made several beauty products at home, I thought why not just make it myself?! I'm glad I took on the challenge, because I've created this recipe that I really think you're going to love just as much as I do!
What I love about this homemade recipe is that it is made with natural ingredients that won't leave a sticky residue on your scalp like many store-bought root lifting products do. In fact, a few of the herbal ingredients, such as rosemary and nettle, are proven to help break up clogged hair follicles as well as add to the overall health of your hair. Many commercial root lifting hair products do the opposite, leaving your roots suffocating for air and causing damage to the health of your scalp.
Sharing this recipe with you is special for me since my root lifting spray is as close to my heart as it is to my scalp 😉
DIY Root Lifting Spray (with Rosemary & Nettle)
DIY Root Lifting Spray Ingredients
1/2 cup filtered water
1 Tablespoon dried nettle leaves
1-2 Tablespoons dried rosemary leaves (or 1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary)
1/2 Tablespoon sea salt (like this)
1/2 Tablespoon organic cane sugar (found here)
1 Tablespoon vegetable glycerin (where to get)
1 Tablespoon aloe vera gel (buy here)
3-4 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil (optional)
10 drops Bergamot essential oil (optional)
2-3 drops Rosemary essential oil (optional)
Natural Herbal Benefits
- rosemary is historically used to stimulate hair growth
- nettle is used to reduce hair loss and may even stimulate hair growth
- chamomile adds shine, enhances natural highlights
- bergamot has a silkening effect and repairs damage to hair follicles, also adds a nice fruity scent
DIY Root Lifting Spray Instructions
1. Combine water, nettle leaves, and fresh rosemary sprig in a small pot and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat, and let steep for 15-20 minutes.
3. Strain the “tea” through a fine mesh strainer.
4. Mix in salt & sugar and allow to cool slightly.
5. Add in vegetable glycerin and aloe vera gel.
6. Add essential oils if you like (recommended).
7. Pour entire mixture into a spray bottle (this one would work well).
To Use Your New DIY Root Lifting Spray
Apply conservatively to hair roots (a little goes a long way). Blow dry as usual, brushing away from scalp, or turn head downward to help add even more Va Va Voluminous texture!
Really cool! My daughter and I have this problem, too, LOL, and I’ve found EO’s help! I’d love to see before and after photos of your hair!? 🙂 Thanks, really innovative recipe!
That’s a great idea Megan! I’ll have to add some pics here soon! 🙂
So cool. I used to buy root lifter but it’s so toxic I stopped! Good to know there is a natural alternative. Pinning!
🙂 Thanks for reading and sharing Linda!
It is amazing how well herbs enhance homemade hair care products. Love this.
I know right! I’m still learning so much, but it is really pretty cool how we have everything we need in nature 🙂
This is lovely! I love rosemary + nettle … this is such a great idea! I would love to make this for my hair.
🙂 thanks Emily, hope you’re able to make it and enjoy!
I don’t use heat on my hair so I always let my hair air dry, would this still work without blow drying it?
Hi Embla, I think this works best when you blow dry your hair… I know it’s not good to use a blow dryer all the time, so I use this for special occasions. When I use this and let my hair air-dry I don’t get as much of the volume, however I do get some added texture, which is nice. Also, just an FYI if you are using this as a “texturizing” spray, I’d recommend using a little less spray, because I’ve found it can end up feeling a little sticky when allowed to air dry. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂 I hope that helps!
ive heard Rosemary e.o. Is good for hair growth and have been wanting to try it since my thyroid issues have taken a toll on my hair. This recipe looks perfect! I’m making this asap.
Awesome! I’d love to hear how it goes for you, hope you like it! 🙂
Hi,
Thanks for the sharing this, I really like the idea of the DIY hair spray. I will be buying the ingredients as I plan to make this hair spray this weekend. Just a quick question- how long does the spray last? ( I mean quality and not quantity). Does it need to be refrigerated or kept at any particular temperature?
You know, I kept this spray out for a REALLY long time and it kept well out of the fridge… but I wouldn’t recommend keeping it out as long as I did, haha! The vegetable glycerin and essential oils will help act as a preservative, but I would still recommend keeping it in a cool place out of direct sunlight, and possibly refrigerating. I can’t put a solid number on it, but I’d probably say this will normally keep for 3-6 months out of the fridge and probably 6 months+ refrigerated, I wouldn’t push it much past that. If it smells bad or seems to have a different texture when sprayed, best to be safe and throw it out, you know?
Thanks Sarah 🙂
No problem! Hope you like it 🙂
Hi, thank you for sharing!!! Can i make it without the glycerin? Where i live is really humid so glycerin makes my hair freezy.
Hi Ada! I’ve not tried this recipe without the glycerin. If you give it a try, please let me know how it goes!