Vodka For Hair Care: 5 Ways Of Using Vodka Right

Vodka has been one of the most popular alcoholic beverages globally since the early Middle Ages. But, did you know you could use vodka for hair care? This famous drink is renowned among alcoholics because of its neutral, pleasant flavor, and purified nature. Whether you may or may not appreciate this distilled alcoholic drink, you will be amazed to know that vodka has multiple benefits for hair care. Vodka is an inexpensive choice and works like a rejuvenating tonic to give celebrity-like hair at home. You can also avoid using chemical-based or alcohol-based hair products. And, as strange as it may sound, vodka works. Here’s why:

Know Your Ingredient: Vodka

What Are Its Benefits?
It may help balance the scalp’s pH levels, reduce build-up, tame frizz, boost scalp health, and give you healthy and luscious tresses.

Who Can Use It?
Oily, greasy, and frizz-prone hair types can benefit the most from vodka due to its low pH and astringent properties.

How Often?
Since using vodka too often can dry your hair out, using it once or twice a week is enough.

Caution
Those with dry, damaged, or color-treated hair should avoid using too much vodka due to its drying nature.

Is Vodka Really Good For Your Hair?

Vodka’s low pH and astringent properties make it an effective ingredient to use for hair care. The use of the spirit in your hair care routine can provide the following benefits:

• May help in strengthening hair follicles by forcing your scalp to contract
• Balances the scalp’s pH levels with its astringent properties
• Normalizes sebum production in people with oily hair
• Boosts scalp health and thereby curbs hair fall
• Seals the cuticles on the hair shaft, preventing frizz and adding shine

Following are eight Russian-inspired ways to use vodka in your hair care routine.

How To Use Vodka For Hair

1. Vodka For Frizz-Free Hair

You Will Need

• 1 tbsp Vodka
• 2 cups Water

Processing Time

5 mins

Process

1. Combine the ingredients in a jug and set it aside to be used as a rinse.
2. Wash and condition your hair as you normally would.
3. Pour the diluted vodka through your hair as a final rinse.
4. Let your hair air-dry.

How Often?

Twice a month.

Why This Works

Frizz is caused due to lifted hair cuticles that let moisture into the hair shaft, causing them to swell up. Vodka’s astringent properties tackle this by sealing the cuticles and ensuring that your hair shaft remains smooth.

2. Vodka For Shiny Hair

You Will Need

• 1 Whole Egg
• 1 tbsp Honey
• 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
• 10 mL Vodka

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth, consistent mixture.
2. Start applying the mixture to your hair, starting from the roots and working it down to the tips.
3. Leave it in for 20 minutes and then rinse it out with cool/lukewarm water.

How Often?

Once a week.

Why This Works

While vodka seals your hair’s cuticles, the other moisturizing ingredients in this pack help condition your hair. This helps give your hair a healthy and luscious look and feel.

Elana Rose, a beauty and lifestyle vlogger, tried an overnight vodka treatment to enhance the shine of her hair and shared the results she noticed in one of her videos: “The shine factor, considering that I have no shine serums in my hair, is actually pretty good. It’s not as much as it would be like, you know, from a real shine treatment, but it’s pretty nice (i).”

Quick Tip

While mayonnaise works great on frizzy and curly hair, it may be too heavy on fine hair types. In addition, it may cause breakouts on your scalp. Hence, do a patch test before using it.

3. Vodka For Dandruff

You will Need

• 1/2 cup Vodka
• 2 tsp Crushed Rosemary

Processing Time

1 hour

Process

1. Empty both the ingredients in one jar and store this is a cool, dry place for three days.
2. After three days, strain the mixture to collect the rosemary-infused vodka.
3. Take 1 tablespoon of this mix and massage it into your scalp.
4. Leave it in for an hour and then rinse it out with cool/lukewarm water and a mild shampoo.

How Often?

Twice a week.

Why This Works

This remedy works for oily, dandruff-ridden scalps as the vodka and rosemary work together to disinfect and soothe the scalp. The mix helps unclog the hair follicles and normalize oil production, and thereby reduces dandruff.

4. Vodka For Hair Growth

You Will Need

• 10 mL Vodka
• 60 mL Shampoo

Processing Time

5 minutes

Process

1. Pour the ingredients in a shampoo dispenser and shake well to combine.
2. Wash your hair as you normally would with this vodka-shampoo mixture.
3. Let your hair air-dry.

How Often?

Once a week.

Why This Works

Vodka stimulates hair growth as it cleanses the scalp and boosts the blood circulation.

5. Vodka For Hair Straightening

You Will Need

• 10 mL Vodka
• 60 mL Conditioner

Processing Time

5 minutes

Process

1. Add the vodka to a 60mL bottle of your favorite conditioner and shake well.
2. Wash your hair as you normally would and proceed to condition your hair with the vodka conditioner.
3. Rinse out and let your hair air-dry.

How Often?

Once a week.

Why This Works

Vodka’s low pH levels help alter the structure of your hair, straightening it without the use of harsh chemicals or heat.

6. Vodka As A Deep Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tbsp Vodka
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 1 Egg Yolk
• 1/2 a Ripe Avocado

Processing Time

30 minutes

Process

1. Mash the avocado until it is completely free of lumps.
2. To the mashed avocado, add the rest of the ingredients and stir until you get a smooth, creamy mixture.
3. Apply this to your hair, starting from the roots and working it to the tips of your hair.
4. Leave it in for 30 minutes and then wash it out with cool/ lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Once a week.

Why This Works

While the vodka cleanses and seals your follicles and cuticles, the other natural ingredients work to condition and moisturize your hair. This hair strengthening mask will leave you with deeply conditioned, luscious hair.

Note: Using vodka on your hair can have some downsides if not done carefully. Overusing it may strip natural oils, leaving hair dry and prone to breakage, especially if your hair is already delicate. You should include a deep conditioning treatment in your hair care routine at least once in 7 to 14 days to avoid dryness.

Did You Know?

Unless you are allergic to bee pollen or honey-based products, honey is safe to use on your hair. However, if you experience irritation, stop using honey immediately.

What Kind Of Vodka Is Good For Hair?

You can use any brand of vodka for your hair. Keep in mind that using vodka too often can dry out your hair, and so, it should be used in moderation.

Is Alcohol Bad for Your Hair?

Alcohol can impact your hair differently, and it’s not all bad news. There are two key alcohol categories: short-chain and long-chain fatty alcohols. Short-chain alcohols like SD Alcohol 40 can be problematic, found in some styling products. They speed up drying but strip moisture from your hair, making it dry and brittle. The same goes for beer, vodka, and other alcohols meant for consumption. They dry out your hair.  Avoid them if your hair is naturally dry. Look out for ingredients like SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, ethanol, etc. On the other hand, long-chain fatty alcohols can be beneficial, providing hydration and smoothness to your hair. So, alcohol’s impact on your hair depends on the type. In situations where fast drying is essential, short-chain alcohols may be necessary but use them sparingly.

Infographic: 3 Effective Ways To Use Vodka For Hair Care

After beer, vodka is the next buzz-worthy hair care ingredient for obvious reasons. It is touted as an effective ingredient to manage frizz, add shine to the hair, minimize sebum, and help with other hair-related concerns. If you are eager to try the vodka hack for your hair, we have listed the three easiest ways to use it safely. Check out the infographic below to learn more about it.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does vodka lighten hair?

Vodka cannot lighten your hair by itself. Mix it with some lemon juice to lighten your hair or remove brassy tones.

Can we apply vodka on the face?

You can apply vodka to your face as it works as a facial toner to tighten your pores.

Does vodka help dry scalp?

Vodka can remove buildup, excess sebum, and dirt from the scalp. It may also help remove the flakes on your scalp. But you should apply vodka after you apply oil and before you wash your hair.

Illustration: Vodka For Hair Care: 5 Ways Of Using Vodka Right

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to make your own shine-enhancing vodka hair treatment with just a few simple ingredients! Check out this video and get ready to achieve beautiful, glossy hair in no time!

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in street and slum communities in South America.

Read full bio of Madison Dufour

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha

Medha DebCommerce Editor

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

Read full bio of Medha Deb