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What Are the Best Tips for Making Homemade Hair Wax?

Megan Shoop
Megan Shoop

Hair wax is a non-greasy, solid styling medium meant to give hair hold and body without causing it to feel stiff, dry, or clumpy. Men often use hair wax to avoid the stiffness of gel, while women use it to get a soft and natural look. Though many hair care manufacturers sell several versions of this product, some people may prefer to make homemade hair wax. These mixtures should contain natural wax instead of paraffin, as well as moisturizing agents to keep the wax and one’s hair soft. Scented hair wax usually contains essential oils, which are optional.

Homemade hair wax recipes usually start with one or more kinds of naturally-derived waxes. Synthetic wax, like paraffin, isn’t very malleable and may cause hair to become dry and brittle. Beeswax, palm wax, and vegetable-based waxes, on the other hand, are often malleable and slightly oily in their natural forms. This means they warm quickly and absorb into the hair strands to give them a soft, shiny texture.

Rose water is included in some homemade hair waxes.
Rose water is included in some homemade hair waxes.

Recipes usually contain about 1 part wax, whether one or several kinds of wax are used. For instance, if beeswax and palm wax are to be combined, the maker requires about .5 part of each kind of wax. This is usually combined with about 7 parts of oil. Seed oils, such as sunflower or grapeseed oil, are popular choices. Makers using two kinds of oil need about 3.5 parts of each, while those using three kinds of oil would need about 2.33 parts of each.

Grapeseed oil, one of the ingredients in homemade hair wax.
Grapeseed oil, one of the ingredients in homemade hair wax.

Vitamin E oil and aloe sap are two more ingredients that often appear in homemade hair wax. The maker may use from 1.5 to 3 parts of each, depending on how soft he or she wants the finished product to be. All of the above ingredients generally go into a double boiler or into a microwave-safe bowl. They should be heated together until everything is melted. As the maker stirs the mixture, he or she may add up to 20 drops of essential oils.

Essential oils for the mixture may include lavender, rose water, eucalyptus, or mint. Chamomile and citrus may be drying, so it is usually better to stick with oils that are known to hydrate and condition hair. Rosemary oil is also a good choice.

When the mixture begins to cool slightly, it may be poured into small screw-top cosmetic pots. These pots are available at craft stores and online. The homemade hair wax should be allowed to cool overnight and then stored in a cool, dry place.

Discussion Comments

ysmina

@MikeMason--I love homemade hair wax, I've been using one for years and it's better than anything I can get at the store.

I make mine with palm wax, shea butter, castor oil and essential oils. I don't want a wax that only gives shape to my hair and makes it glossy but also something that nourishes it. My hair also tends to go crazy when it's humid, so I want something that will prevent fly-aways for a long time. This recipe which I found after a long search does all of these perfectly.

Castor oil and shea butter are really good for hair and nourish it and make it smooth and shiny. The wax keeps everything in place and I put essential oils just to make my hair smell good. My favorite essential oil for this is rose. The only important tip for making hair wax at home is to mix really well, just take your time while mixing it.

stoneMason

The last store-bought wax I used made me lose hair. I think I had an allergic reaction to it. I want to start making my own hair wax, but I'm confused about which ingredients to combine.

Does anyone have a recipe they can share?

literally45

When I saw the title of the article, I thought for a minute that it was about homemade wax for hair removal.

I'm from the Middle East and this is very popular back home. We make a hair removal wax by mixing sugar and lemon on the stove. It turns into a thick, sticky substance which is essentially the same thing as hot waxes sold in the stores.

I usually buy hair removal wax but there have been times when I ran out and made some at home. It's actually really easy and so cheap compared to store waxes.

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    • Rose water is included in some homemade hair waxes.
      By: Corinna Gissemann
      Rose water is included in some homemade hair waxes.
    • Grapeseed oil, one of the ingredients in homemade hair wax.
      By: Anson
      Grapeseed oil, one of the ingredients in homemade hair wax.
    • Hair wax offers hold without stiffness.
      By: sytilin
      Hair wax offers hold without stiffness.
    • Wax does not always wash out of hair, making removal difficult for some users.
      By: Roman Gorielov
      Wax does not always wash out of hair, making removal difficult for some users.
    • Hair wax may be used to manipulate hair into multiple hairstyles.
      By: takasu
      Hair wax may be used to manipulate hair into multiple hairstyles.
    • Hair wax should contain moisturizing agents to keep one's hair soft.
      By: seprimoris
      Hair wax should contain moisturizing agents to keep one's hair soft.