There is possibly no cosmetic product that has seen more of a ‘glow-up’ in recent decades than the simple can of hairspray. Today’s spritzes are nothing like the ones used in the 1980s and 1990s to keep huge hair in place with an impenetrable, shellac-like covering.
Helmet hair is a thing of the past, due to a slew of innovative products that, while providing grip, yet leave hair feeling like hair. Whatever your hair type or style, a fast spritz of hairspray may make all the difference in ensuring your look lasts from night to dawn.
GET TO KNOW THE EXPERT
John Mouzakis is a stylist and co-owner of Chicago’s 3rd Coast Salon. He has almost a decade of professional experience, working as a hairdresser and lecturer all around the world.
Here are the top hairsprays to satisfy all of your style desires and demands.
1. Overall winner: Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray by L’Oréal Paris
This cult staple was formerly exclusively available in Europe; we’ve heard innumerable stories about hairdressers flying back from Europe with cans upon cans crammed in their baggage.
Happily, it’s now accessible in the United States, albeit it remains the gold standard among hair professionals who use it for red carpets and photoshoots. It provides some substantial grip at that time. But what’s actually cool? Despite the powerful hold, you can quickly brush it out if you decide to change your mind and restyle your hair.
What We Like
- Affordable
- a firm grip
- Hair is silky and brushable after use.
What We Don’t Like
- Strong odor
2. Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Milk Medium Hold & Volume Hair Spray is the most affordable option.
True story: You don’t have to spend a fortune to find a great hairspray. This selection is proof positive of it. It has excellent medium hold and volume, has a pleasant aroma, and is arguably most notable for being air-powered rather than an aerosol that uses greenhouse gases to reduce the carbon impact.
What We Like
- It is suitable for all hair types.
- Affordable
- Air-powered
What We Don’t Like
- The nozzle is prone to becoming blocked.
- Mist isn’t as good as the other possibilities.
3. Unite Lé:Play Hair Spray has the best flexible hold.
Here’s a hairspray for those of you who despise hairspray. One of his favorite formulations is “workable, brushable, and doesn’t flake,” says stylist John Mouzakis, co-owner of 3rd Coast Salon in Chicago. “You can practically run your hand through your hair and never feel like you’re using hair spray,” he says. He also praises it for providing heat protection, making it an excellent choice to apply before curling or blow-drying.
What We Like
- It does not flake.
- Hair is silky and brushable after use.
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
4. Kérastase Laque Couture Medium Hold Hairspray is the best medium hold hairspray.
This mist is perfect for Goldilocks, as it provides the perfect amount of medium-level hold that is neither too flexible nor too strong. Not to mention that it provides humidity protection to keep hair smooth and frizz-free, as well as protection to keep your color safe.
What We Like
- Adaptable grip
- It is suitable for all hair types.
- Provides color protection
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
5. Unite is the best adjustable hold. Hairspray GO365
Mouzakis also like this hairspray, because to its flexibility. He claims that simply rotating the top nozzle, you may modify the grip to your preferred level: gentle, medium, or powerful. (It’s also appropriate for extensions and color-treated hair.) While it is a little more expensive, think of it as receiving three hairsprays for the price of one.
What We Like
- Adaptable grip
- Provides thermal protection
What We Don’t Like
- Strong odor
6. Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25 is the runner-up for Best for Fine Hair.
This product not only adds tremendous bulk, but it also helps ensure your newly voluminous style stays set for up to 120 hours. It also boasts 24-hour humidity resistance and wind resistance of 25 mph. So, if you’re searching for a hairspray to save your style on wet days, look no further.
What We Like
- Extremely long-lasting
- Excellent for humid days
What We Don’t Like
- Strong odor
7. Nexxus Comb Thru Volume Finishing Mist is ideal for blowouts.
This selection is as light as the name implies, making it our go-to finishing step following a blow-out. Its revolutionary Fluid-Fix technology guarantees that your hair remains full, bouncy, and completely touchable. The delicately glossy texture and refined floral aroma are the cherry on top.
What We Like
- Adds luster and hold
- Lovely aroma
What We Don’t Like
- For individuals with thicker hair, this is too light.
FAQ
What Should You Look for in a Hairspray?
There are several hold levels to select from, but Mouzakis recommends choosing for more flexible grips as a general rule of thumb. He recommends only using exceptionally strong or firm formulations for updos.
Otherwise, he recommends “using a lesser hold so your hair may move organically while still keeping your style.” Furthermore, many of these formulations are buildable, so you can easily add another layer for even greater hold.
What is the purpose of hairspray?
“Hairspray is designed to keep your completed style in place while also taming frizz and flyaways,” Mouzakis says. Brushable, more flexible hold alternatives, he says, are also wonderful to apply before a heat tool, like as a curling iron, to help put your style in place as you develop it.
How should hairspray be applied?
“Shake the container and spray approximately a foot away from your hair,” Mouzakis advises. Any closer and you risk over-saturating your hair with product, which, no matter how good the formula, can lead to stiffness and crunch.
What is the shelf life of hairspray?
“Most hairsprays have a one-day shelf life if not brushed out.” “The tighter the grip, the longer it lasts,” Mouzakis explains.
