If you are on a tight budget, spending money on hair products such as setting lotion may not be within your budget. Whether you are creating a wet set, curler set or going for a wavy, natural look, a setting lotion helps to hold your hairstyle in place. You can make your own setting lotion quite inexpensively using items that you may already have in your pantry.

Pour 1 cup of warm water into a large measuring cup. Peel open a package of unflavored gelatin and add 1 teaspoon to the warm water.

Stir the warm water and unflavored gelatin to combine, using a metal whisk. Pour the gelatin-based setting lotion into a 12-ounce squeeze bottle.

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the setting lotion. Attach the cap to the squeeze bottle and give it a shake, dispersing the scent throughout the setting lotion.

Squeeze a quarter-sized amount of setting lotion into the palm of your hand. Massage the setting lotion in your damp hair prior to styling.