You know what? I didn’t plan to be the “rosemary water person.” My scalp got itchy last winter, and my hair looked dull. My aunt kept saying, “Use romero.” I shrugged. Then I tried it. And I kept trying it. Here’s my real take, with the simple recipe I use now and what happened week by week.
(For a more detailed, step-by-step version of this experiment, you can check out my full guide here: I Made Rosemary Water for My Hair: What Worked, What Didn’t, and the Exact Recipe.)
For an evidence-based rundown of how rosemary water can help calm itchiness, reduce excess oil, and even support healthy growth, read this concise overview of its benefits here.
Why I Tried It (and My Hair Type)
- Hair type: wavy 2B/2C, fine strands, oily scalp, dry ends
- Color treated? Yes, toning every few months
- Routine before: wash 3x a week, light leave-in, heat once a week
My goals were small: less itch, less oil, a bit more shine. Growth would be nice, but I didn’t chase it.
What I Used in My Kitchen
- Fresh rosemary: 3 to 4 sprigs (hand-length)
or dried rosemary: 2 tablespoons - Water: 2 cups (I used filtered water from my Brita)
- A small pot and a strainer
- A glass jar with lid (I used a clean 16 oz mason jar)
- Spray bottle (helpful, not required)
That’s it. No fancy gear. The smell is piney and clean, a little like a cold walk in the woods.
Two Easy Ways I Make It
I tested both. My scalp liked Method 1 more. My friend with very dry hair liked Method 2.
Method 1: Gentle Simmer (My Go-To)
- Rinse the rosemary.
- Add rosemary and 2 cups water to a pot.
- Bring to a low simmer. Keep it gentle.
- Let it simmer 15 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Cover and steep 30 minutes.
- Strain. Cool. Pour into a jar or spray bottle.
Color looks like light tea. Fridge life: up to 7 days.
Method 2: Cold Steep (Softer Scent, Lighter Feel)
- Put rosemary in a jar.
- Pour in 2 cups cool water.
- Cover and chill 12 to 18 hours.
- Strain.
This one is mild and smells less strong.
If you want another visual, step-by-step walkthrough of brewing and using rosemary water, you can find a handy DIY guide here.
Quick note: Don’t add essential oil straight to your scalp water. It needs a carrier, and it can burn. I learned the hard way on my neck. Red patch. Not cute.
How I Use Rosemary Water
- Wash hair like normal.
- After conditioner, I rinse it out.
- Then I pour or spray rosemary water on my scalp and lengths.
- I let it sit 3 to 5 minutes.
- I either do a quick rinse with cool water or leave it in. On work days, I leave it in.
- I use it 2 to 3 times a week.
I also used it on non-wash days: a few sprays on my roots when they felt greasy. It gave a fresh feel without that sticky dry shampoo vibe.
What Happened: My Week-by-Week Notes
- Week 1: Scalp itch calmed after the second use. The smell felt soothing. My husband said I smelled like a nice garden. I’ll take it.
- Week 2: Less oil at the roots by day 2. My waves clumped better. I saw a bit more shine.
- Week 3: Noticeably less hair in the shower drain. Not zero, but less. I didn’t change my shampoo.
- Week 4: My crown felt fuller on day 2 after wash. Tiny “baby hairs” started to stand up along my hairline. Could be new growth or just healthier roots. Either way, I smiled.
- Week 6: Itch is rare now. My ends look less ragged. I still trim, but I stretch a trim by two weeks.
- Week 8: Routine feels easy. I stick with the simmer method. Cold method is fine, but my scalp loves the warm one more.
To be fair, I also cut heat to once every two weeks. So yes, that helps too. I like honesty.
The Good, The Meh, and The Oops
- The good: Calmer scalp, a clean root feel, softer waves, light shine. Cheap and fast.
- The meh: The smell can linger a bit. I like it; my kid said I smelled like focaccia. Not wrong.
- The oops: I left a jar in the fridge for 12 days. It got cloudy. Toss it by day 7.
Tips That Actually Helped
- Use fresh rosemary if you can. It smells brighter. Dried works fine though.
- Keep it in glass. The scent sticks less than in plastic.
- Patch test first. Dab on your inner arm or behind your ear. Wait a day.
- If your hair is very dry, try the cold method and rinse it out.
- If your scalp is very oily, leave some in at the roots. It feels crisp and clean.
- Add-ins I tried:
- A few mint leaves (nice tingle, not harsh)
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per cup (extra soft, but do this once a week, not more)
- Don’t boil it hard. A rolling boil made mine smell sharp and bitter.
- Bonus tip: shopping for fresh herbs is even more fun with company—if you’re in Strasbourg and want to turn your market run into a relaxed meet-up, you can set one up through Plan Cul Strasbourg. The page walks you through easy ways to connect with like-minded locals and highlights laid-back spots near the city’s best produce stalls where you can chat over coffee before picking up your rosemary.
- Out in Wyoming? If you’re swinging by the Downtown Laramie farmers’ market, you can pair your herb haul with a bit of flirting by skimming this quick Laramie hookups guide—it pinpoints relaxed venues and simple ice-breaker ideas, making it easy to meet fun locals while you stock up on fresh rosemary.
Quick Troubleshooting
- Itchy or red skin? Stop. Rinse with cool water. Try the cold method or use it only on lengths next time.
- Hair feels stiff? You used too much or left it in too long. Rinse lightly.
- No change after 4 weeks? Try 3x a week, and check your shampoo too. Gentle cleansers play nice with this.
Storage: Keep It Safe
I stick a tiny date label on the jar lid—whipped up in seconds with CoverMaker—so I always know when it’s time to brew a fresh batch.
- Keep in the fridge.
- Use within 7 days.
- If it smells off or looks slimy, toss it.
Who Should Skip It
- If you’re pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor first.
- If you have a rosemary allergy or very sensitive skin, don’t use it.
- Kids’ scalps can be sensitive. I skip it on my little one.
Final Take: Will I Keep Using It?
Yep. It’s simple, cheap, and it helped my scalp most of all. My waves look a bit shinier, and I shed a little less in the shower. Is it magic? No. But it’s a calm, steady helper. Like a friend who brings soup.
If you want my exact recipe, here it is one more time, short and sweet:
- 3 to 4 fresh sprigs or 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
- 2 cups water
- Simmer 15 minutes, steep 30, strain, cool, fridge 7 days
- Use 2 to 3 times a week as a final rinse or scalp spray
I’ll keep a jar on the top fridge shelf. It sits next to my oat milk and makes me feel a little put together. Funny how that works.