Vodka For Hair Care: 5 Ways Of Using Vodka Right

Choose this spirit to fight frizz and effortlessly achieve that enviable shine.

Reviewed by Madison Dufour, Barber & Cosmetologist
Written by Arshiya Syeda

Edited by Ramona Sinha, Certified Skin Care Coach

Fact-checked by Medha Deb • Jul 7, 2023

Vodka For Hair Care: 5 Ways Of Using Vodka Right

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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.

In This Article

Is Vodka Really Good For Your Hair?

Woman holding a hairbrush with her hair showing no hair fall

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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

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You Will Need

1 tbsp Vodka
2 cups Water

Processing Time
5 mins

Process

Combine the ingredients in a jug and set it aside to be used as a rinse.
Wash and condition your hair as you normally would.
Pour the diluted vodka through your hair as a final rinse.
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

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth, consistent mixture.
Start applying the mixture to your hair, starting from the roots and working it down to the tips.
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.

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

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You will Need

1/2 cup Vodka
2 tsp Crushed Rosemary

Processing Time
1 hour

Process

Empty both the ingredients in one jar and store this is a cool, dry place for three days.
After three days, strain the mixture to collect the rosemary-infused vodka.
Take 1 tablespoon of this mix and massage it into your scalp.
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

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

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You Will Need

10 mL Vodka
60 mL Conditioner

Processing Time
5 minutes

Process

Add the vodka to a 60mL bottle of your favorite conditioner and shake well.
Wash your hair as you normally would and proceed to condition your hair with the vodka conditioner.
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

Mash the avocado until it is completely free of lumps.
To the mashed avocado, add the rest of the ingredients and stir until you get a smooth, creamy mixture.
Apply this to your hair, starting from the roots and working it to the tips of your hair.
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.

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?

An Asian woman checking a vodka bottle in a store

Image: Shutterstock

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.

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.

3 effective ways to use vodka for hair care (infographic)

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic

Who would have thought that vodka could be such a good hair care solution? It has a low pH level that balances the scalp’s pH and may help detox the hair. It also has astringent properties that protect the scalp and hair. It strengthens the hair follicles, regulates sebum production, boosts scalp health, and decreases hair fall. Vodka helps in frizz control, increases hair shine and vitality, curbs dandruff, manages split ends, and provides hydration to your hair.More importantly, you can use vodka for hair growth and thickening. So, stop drinking vodka, and start using it for hair nourishment, instead!

Caution: Vodka cannot be substituted for any other type of alcohol. Any other type of alcohol will dry out the hair and scalp.

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.

Key Takeaways

Vodka helps seal your hair’s cuticles and control frizzy hair. Using it in your regular hair care routine can result in a smooth and shiny appearance of your hair.
You can make hair masks using vodka to reduce dandruff and clear out excessive sebum production on your scalp.
Since vodka has a low pH level, using it on the scalp can balance your pH at an optimal level.
Vodka’s astringent properties help the hair shaft to retain its smoothness.

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!

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