Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Make Moisturizing Sea Salt Hair Mist for Mermaid Hair
I’ve always loved my hair after a day at the beach. The salty air always brings out my natural waves and gives it a touch of texture, making many hairstyles, like braids, easier to create! The only thing I don’t like about salty air though, is the way it dries out my hair. If you want to recreate beachy, mermaid hair while moisturizing it at the same time, create my easy moisturizing sea salt hair mist. It smells divine too!
Day three hair is very moisturized thanks to my spray!
The Search for Better Beachy Hair
I think I first remember sea salt spray hitting the beauty shelves in the early 2000’s. Bumble and Bumble came out with a salt spray called Surf Spray and it was intriguing. I wondered if was marketing or if it truly could bring out the waves in my hair like the beach salty air. I tried it and while it did an okay job, it was a bit drying. It was also a bit costly, so I stopped using it.
I added a bit less salt spray to this hairstyle for a softer look
Years later, I tried Ouai Wave Spray, but no matter how little or how much I put in my hair, it left it feeling weird. It was like it almost had too much texture and my hair felt heavy and over perfumed. The spray could work for other hair types (I read the reviews and some people swore by it), it just didn’t work on my naturally wavy color treated hair. I gave up on salty hair sprays until recently.
Day three hair with soft waves thanks to my salt spray
Other Salt Sprays
If you want to buy a salt spray for your hair, there are many on the market. Salt Sprays are meant to add texture to your hair, so if you need a bit of volume or you need some grip for certain hairstyles, adding a salt spray to your hair routine could be beneficial.
This salt spray can be scented using oils you like best
Salt spray is great on short and textured haircuts too! While I haven’t tested the brands below out, you can via my links. All are cruelty free (meaning they have not been tested on animals, which is important to us!):
Sun Bum Sea Spray, Amazon, $15
Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray, Walmart, $8
Beauty by Earth Sea Salt Spray, Amazon, $20
Want to make some mermaid cupcakes for yourself or fun kiddos birthday? Use my quick tutorial below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden for inspiration!
Salt Spray Testing
I saw a recipe for a salt spray on Pinterest and while it sounded like it may be better than the others I tried, I still wondered if it was right for my hair type. I experimented with the recipe, adding in a bit more oil and a different scent to make it more tropical. I tested it out for 2 weeks on my long slightly thick hair and on my husband’s short and very fine hair. It is perfect!
My DIY Sea salt spray
The Recipe
This recipe for salty hair mist is easy and quick AND SMELLS SOOOOOO GOOD! Every time I use it on my husband, it just loves how it smells.
See my 1-minute video tutorial below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Once you have all the ingredients, each batch you make will cost less than most bottles of salt spray you can buy at the store. It is also very natural and suitable for all hair types…even color treated hair. Do something similar to a strand test if you are unsure if it will affect your hair color. Here’s what you need:
1 cup distilled water (grocery store find, distilled water lacks minerals found in tap water so I like it better because will not leave any buildup in your hair)
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel (Amazon)
1 teaspoon jojoba oil (Amazon, you could use amala oil, but I do like jojoba as it has a good shelf-life stability)
1-2 tablespoons fine ground sea salt (grocery store or Amazon, I used 1 tbs, use 2 if you need extra texture)
5-10 drops lime essential oil (Amazon)
15-20 drops coconut essential oil (Amazon)
10 drops vanilla essential oil (Amazon)
Spray bottle (Amazon)
Optional: funnel, small mixing bowl
Note: The essential oils I used was for a “mermaid” and tropical scent. You can scent it however you’d like using other hair and skin safe oils.
The ingredients for my moisturizing sea salt spray
Add the distilled water to the spray bottle. I used a funnel for accuracy.
Distilled water leaves no buildup in hair
In a separate container (like a small bowl), add the sea salt, jojoba oil, and essential oils.
Fine ground sea salt dissolves easily
Funnel or spoon them (I like these mini spatulas) into the bottle with the distilled water.
Scenting my spray
Shake well and mist into hair. SHAKE BEFORE EACH USE as the oil can separate from the water.
Mixing the salty mixture
Spray a little onto dry hair for a softer texture and delicious smelling hair.
Misting it lightly can create subtle texture and waves
Spray more onto hair for more texture, yummy smells and more waves (if your hair bends…not all hair types will “bend”).
I sprayed a bit more in my second test and got more texture
You can add a little more jojoba oil to the palms of your hair and smooth it through your hair for even more moisture and additional frizz control.
DIY Moisturizing Sea Salt Hair Mist
This is GREAT for 2nd or 3rd day hair! It refreshes it by adding moisture back in and makes hair smell great. You can use it on wet or dry hair. I use it on my roots too sometimes to add volume.
If you loved this article, then we know you’ll love this one too: How to Make Mermaid Hair Clips
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.