You’ve seen the viral videos. A simple spray bottle. Some salt. A bit of hair oil. Shake it up. Spray and scrunch. Suddenly—poof—bouncy, beachy curls.
But wait… will this work for your curls? And more importantly, should you even try it?
Read until the end.
What Is a Salt + Oil Curl Spray?
It’s exactly what it sounds like. A DIY spray made by combining:
- Water
- A big small pinch of salt
- A few drops of hair oil
Some people add aloe vera juice or leave-in conditioner too. But at its core, the magic is in the salt for texture and oil for shine.
What Does Salt Spray Actually Do?
This spray creates a lived-in, gritty texture – the kind that has movement and volume.
Here’s how the ingredients work:
- Salt adds light grit and wave definition. It mimics a beachy effect.
- Oil helps soften and seal—keeping the salt from drying your hair out.
- Water reactivates your product from the previous wash day.
So it’s not really styling from scratch—it’s reviving your existing style. So be sure to try this between your washdays – not as a one and done solution.
Is the Salt Spray for You?
This is important.
✅ Ideal for:
- Loose waves (2a to 2c) and fine, soft curls (3a)
- Low density curls
- Day 2 or 3 hair that just needs texture, not full re-styling
- People who don’t have other hair products
🚫 Salt Spray is Not for:
- Coarse or high-density curls (3b, 3c, 4a+)
- Brittle hair prone to dryness or breakage
- Very frizzy hair needing more moisture and control
- Damaged or color-treated hair already struggling with dehydration
How to Use It Without Ruining Your Curls
Let’s keep it simple (because I know you’re busy):
🔹 Step 1: Use it only on dry hair or slightly damp hair.
This is a refresh, not a wash-day product.
🔹 Step 2: Spray lightly from mid-lengths to ends.
Avoid the roots if your scalp is sensitive or oily.
🔹 Step 3: Scrunch gently. DO NOT rake through.
You’re reviving shape, not restyling.
🔹 Step 4: Let it air dry or micro-diffuse.
No touching until it’s 100% dry. Then fluff if needed.
HONESTLiz’s Real Talk:
I’ve tested this on myself and clients. For finer textures, it’s a game-changer. But if your curls are anything like mine—coarse, high density, with a mind of their own—it might not do enough.
In that case, a proper refresh method with conditioner or cream + water is still your best bet. Here’s my exact refresh method.
To avoid getting our spray bottle all clogged up, make sure your salt dissolves in the water all the way.
Final Thoughts
Salt + oil spray isn’t a miracle—but it can be so fun for the right hair type.
If you’re looking for:
- More volume
- Gritty texture
- Quick refresh with zero fuss (and zero product investment)
Then yes, go ahead. Try it.
But if your curls need definition, softness, and stronger structure—you might want to try a different method.
Want more refresh tricks, broken down by hair type? Enroll in my Curly Toolkit or book a 1:1 coaching session.