This diy detangler spray is easy to make and stable on the shelf for weeks without refrigerating. It has marshmallow root infused oil for slip for easier brushing.
My poor daughter is 11-years-old and still has baby fine hair. She wants to keep her hair long, but it gets knotted horribly.
She takes karate, ju jitsu, and weapons, so she has her hair in a ponytail several times a week. I know that is what is causing breaking, leading to knotted ends, but she needs to keep her hair up and away from her face.
As if that weren't bad enough for the poor girl, she's also extremely sensitive to hair brushing. Her brothers are both on the spectrum, and she has some sensory issues. This just happens to be one of them.
I'm glad we don't have neighbors because they would be quite concerned the way she carries on when it's time to cut her hair!
We've tried a lot of detanglers, both from the store and homemade. I use a hot oil treatment for her hair about once a month to keep the ends healthy.
A few weeks ago, she used the DIY hair oil for dry hair that I made for myself. I knew it would help her hair, but I was still shocked at how well it worked.
Normally, in the week before her hair cuts, her hair gets very knotted and can even get matted underneath. I worked this hair oil into it and hoped for the best.
An hour and a shampoo later, and the comb was going right through her hair with minimal tangles at the end. I'm not sure who was more thankful, her or me!
That hair oil inspired this DIY detangler spray. The star of this recipe is the marshmallow root, so I don't recommend making it without it. It's really what helps gets the tangles out.
DIY DETANGLER SPRAY WITH MARSHMALLOW ROOT
When I started formulating a recipe for this DIY detangler spray, I knew I wanted something that was shelf stable.
Most detanglers are either water based or conditioner diluted with water. Anything with that much water needs to be stored in the fridge.
Now the odds of me remembering to grab it from the fridge, use it, and put it back and quite slim. I really wanted something that could be put on the shelf and not have to worry about things growing in it.
Normally, I use alcohol to keep the nasties away, but that would dry out her hair even more. I decided to make the base of this DIY detangler spray with marshmallow root out of witch hazel, so it's shelf stable and won't grow nasty things if left out.
MARSHMALLOW ROOT
The marshmallow root
Your hair gets tangles when the cuticle, the outer later, gets damaged and opens up. Detangler sprays work by closing the cuticle.
They can do this by coating the hair, usually with a polymer or wax. Most cheap conditioners have a wax in them that will close the cuticle and make your hair feel amazing, but it will harm your hair in the long run because it coats the stands and they block moisture, which can cause dry or brittle hair over time.
Marshmallow root works differently. It has mucilage, which is a thick glue like substance that coats the hair. When it coats each strand of hair, it makes the hair fibers slippery. This helps reduce tangles and lets the comb glide through your hair instead of getting caught.
Marshmallow root is amazing for your hair, but it doesn't smell all that great. Keep that in mind as you infuse the oil and make this. I added an essential oil to combat the smell.
ARGAN OIL
I chose argan oil
Since Dakota uses this DIY detangler spray with marshmallow root before she leaves the house, this was important to me.
Argan oil helps soften the hair, too.
READ List of Carrier Oils for Hair
LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
As I mentioned I added lavender essential oil
You could also use one of the following essential oils:
WITCH HAZEL
I chose witch hazel
It also helps reduce oil on your hair, so if you have oily hair, this will really be food for your hair.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons marshmallow root
- 4 ounces argan oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 ounces witch hazel
- 2 ounce spray bottle
DIRECTIONS
STEP #1
The first step to making a DIY detangler spray is to infuse the argan oil and marshmallow root. I did this by adding about 3 tablespoons of marshmallow root to a mason jar and covering it with argan oil.
You don't need exact measurements to infuse oil. Just make sure the oil covers the herb, and you're good.
Let it sit for two weeks and strain out the herbs and discard them.
You can also set the jar in warm water on the stove and heat it for about four hours. Put the jar on a canning ring so it's not over direct heat. Again, strain and toss the herbs.
STEP #2
Add the herb infused argan oil and essential oil to a 2-ounce bottle. Fill it with witch hazel.
STEP #3
The oil and witch hazel will separate. You'll have to shake each time you use it.
OTHER TIPS FOR TANGLED HAIR
My daughter's hairdresser told us about the Wet Brush
I also got Dakota a silk pillow case
Try to avoid hair ties. If you do have to use them, use something made for little damage like Burlybands.
Wash your hair with a soap nut shampoo recipe to keep hair smooth and soft.
Instead of wearing hair in a pony tail for sports or working out, wear your hair in a braid.
Detangler Spray With Marshmallow Root
materials:
- 2 tablespoons marshmallow root
- 4 ounces argan oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 ounces witch hazel
tools:
- spray bottle
- funnel
steps:
- Infuse the argan oil and marshmallow root. I did this by adding about 3 tablespoons of marshmallow root to a mason jar and covering it with argan oil.
- Let it sit for two weeks and strain out the herbs and discard them.
- Add the herb infused argan oil and essential oil to a 2-ounce bottle. Fill it with witch hazel.
- The oil and witch hazel will separate. You'll have to shake each time you use it.
Did you make this project?
