If any of you have tried the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray or Aquage Sea Salt Spray you know
why I’m raving about its amazing ability to create gorgeous, beach-ready
hair. Although it has some sort of magic powers creating glorious
curls, it will cost you quite a few pretty pennies. One bottle of Bumble
and Bumble Surf Spray costs around $27 depending on where you purchase
it. Seeing as there are very rarely coupons for this product, there has
to be another way to have beautiful, wavy hair and still keep your $27.
Thank goodness for a DIY version of this Surf Spray. Simple ingredients that cost very little!
- Epsom salt – These can be found relatively anywhere. I used the more finely ground stuff because it mixes easier and faster with the water. Retail cost around $2.18
- Hair gel – There are always great deals on hair styling products, including gel. (Infusium 23, Dove Hair Care and Garnier Fructis all have styling products on sale with coupons.You can also go to BigLots)
- Water – Try distilled or filtered water, it works the best!
- Coconut scented conditioner - It doesn't have to be expensive conditioner - I used Suave brand for $1 at the dollar store. I mostly added this for the "beachy" scent BUT it helps counteract the drying that the salt will cause.
- Spray bottle – If you have one already kudos to you Otherwise you can find them super cheap at dollar stores, BigLots or any discount store. Make sure its 8 fl. oz. - 10 fl. oz. is better, you will need the extra room for shaking.
- 1-2 teaspoons Epsom salt
- 1-2 large squirts of hair gel
- 1/2 tsp of conditioner-use more if you have extra dry hair
- 4 ounces water
OPTIONAL ADD-INS:
- Essential oils: If you have dry or coarse hair, this is a good add-in. They will help condition your hair and add some shine. Choose whatever scent you want - ylang ylang works great for sensitive skin and problem scalps. Rosemary is great to help deepen the color of brunette's hair and chamomile brightens blonds. Use 3-5 drops.
- Tea Tree Oil: Great for sensitive and oily scalps. If you have oilier hair, this is the best oil to add for you since it won't make your hair oilier or weigh it down. Use 3-5 drops.
- More sea salt: You can add a little more if you have oilier/thicker hair. The more salt you use, the more it will dry out your hair. BUT the more you use, the "beachier" your hair will look and the more hold there will be. If the recipe doesn't have enough salt for you, add 1/4 tsp at a time until you reach the desired level. Make sure to record your changes so you know how much to add when you want to make more!
- Lemon or lime juice: This will add a slight citrus-y scent as well as some extra hold. If you don't want to lighten your hair, don't use this! By adding this and going out in the sun, you could lighten your hair. Add a Tbsp at a time and be careful - too much and it will be sticky!
- Hairspray: If you tried the spray and it STILL doesn't have enough hold for you, try adding some of your favorite non-aerosol hairspray to the mix. To keep the "beachy" look, you should use an invisible hold spray. If you don't care about that, use whatever spray you want. Just remember that the whole point of this spray is to cause a beachy, messy, undone sort of vibe. If you don't want that, maybe this isn't for you.
- Rubbing alcohol: Several online recipes suggest adding this. If you add lemon juice, you will need to add about 1 tsp to preserve freshness. If you have oilier hair, adding this is fine (even without the lemon juice) it will help the other ingredients dry faster and it will help with hold. Just don't add too much or else you'll smell like rubbing alcohol! You can also try vodka (if you're over 21). The scent isn't as overpowering and you can use a little more of it.
Spray it on when the hair is damp. Blow dry it with a diffuser until hair was fully dry. Then lightly mist it again with the spray and muss it a bit to add more texture. When you add the product and then blowdry, it adds TONS of volume. When you mist the product on dry hair, you add more texture with a firmer hold.
If you're just looking mainly for volume, I would mist this on damp hair, flip head upside down, and blowdry.
If you want the whole "beachy" hair look, mist on damp hair, scrunch, and let air-dry or blowdry with a diffuser. You can even wind dry strands around a large barrel curling iron to add more waves - just don't use the clamp on the iron!
Hope this saves you money and helps you be more beautiful!
