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A wise man once said that Gretchen Wieners's big hair signified that it was full of secrets. But if you ask us, the volume of her hair had a lot to do with the holding power of her hairspray.
It's a topic that comes into question often with hair products: the ideal balance of hold and movement. According to Riawna Capri, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of Nine Zero One salon in Los Angeles, the perfect formula is one that delivers lightweight-yet-reliable hold and versatility. But there are times you need more hold than others.
Below, we're letting you in on Capri's ultimate favorite, plus 15 more of the best hairsprays. Don't just take our word for it—the reviews speak for themselves.
1
Pro Pick
Oribe Superfine Strong Hairspray
Pros
- Lightweight
- Not crunchy
Cons
- Pricey
"It's great to hold but also great if you decide to change your mind—it doesn't leave any buildup, and you can brush right through it if you need. It's my favorite," says Capri.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Adds volume
Cons
"I have a love-hate relationship with hairspray, and I really like this one," says one reviewer, who adds, "It's super light, but it [holds] my hair in place. I have naturally straight hair that's thick and doesn't hold curls too well. This hairspray has helped with that issue."
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Pros
- Smooths hair
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pricey
As one superfan says, "This is almost beyond hairspray—an angel's breath of gentle hold, smoothing but not stiffening the hair." Plus, she adds, "Also the packaging is excellent."
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Pros
- Cult favorite
- Versatile hold
Cons
- Nozzle clogs
According to one user, "This really does it all! I spray my hair dry to hit it with an iron in day two. On day one, it's a great, medium-hold spray that is not sticky and it volumizes [so] I don't need dry shampoo!"
Pros
- 19,000+ rave reviews
Cons
- Can be too strong for some
We'll let this rave review take it from here: "I have used this hairspray for many years. Why? It works, it lasts, it is reasonably priced; it is dependable. The sprayer feature works every time! The spray holds hair in place! It is simple! It does the job!"
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Pros
- Versatile
- Nonaerosol
Cons
Here's how one reviewer uses this product two ways: "This product gives life to my colored, highlighted, thin hair! Spray on mid-length to ends and gently 'scrunch' product into hair—bouncy, shiny, frizz-free waves that last for three days! And for blown-out straight hair, I spray directly on hand and fingers then stroke through mid-length to ends, creating frizz-free, shiny hair that moves freely."
Pros
- Doesn't feel stiff
Cons
- Nozzle tends to clog
"This hairspray adds volume so easily," one fan writes. "Super light, and holds my curls in place all day. It holds extremely well without making my hair feel or look stiff."
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Pros
- Doesn't feel stiff
Cons
- Strong scent
This versatile option does so much without ever feeling crunchy. "Love to use it for slicking hair back into ponytails and buns. Also holds curls and flyaways down well," a review says.
Pros
- Great price
Cons
- Hold is too strong for some
Live in an extra-humid climate? Buy this hairspray. "To me this is the best hairspray out there. Its control is excellent, even on the most humid day," one Amazon reviewer says.
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Pros
- Great smell
- Good for color-treated hair
Cons
"I absolutely love this product! It smells amazing, and it's not sticky on my hair at all," a fan of this spray writes, adding, "It dries pretty quickly, and it leaves my hair looking shiny and clean."
Pros
- Doesn't flake
- Long-lasting hold
Cons
- Feels stiff
One fan says, "I like how this hairspray keeps my style in check for the day. It gives me a great finish and no flaking. I use a heat brush on my hair and use this spray to set it. There is no sticky residue, and my hair is soft and shines."
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Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pricey
Try this option if you want gentler application and hold. "This is the hairspray I've been looking for all my life," one fan says, describing it as "a fine mist that doesn't blast my hairstyle out of place when I spray it and holds without being crunchy or sticky."
Pros
- Great for curly hair
Cons
- Strong scent
Hairspray can easily turn curls crunchy, but not with this one. "It doesn't give you any crunch and it's flexible but gives you a good hold," a fan says. "I am shocked to even become a hairspray user; it has changed my hair routine completely."
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Pros
- Prevents frizz
Cons
- Can be stiff
"When I wear my naturally curly hair in a straight, blow-dried style, HRM prevents my hair from frizzing up during humid situations, such as a rainy day or working out at the gym," a longtime user says.
16
Best for Wavy Hair
Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray
Pros
- Lightweight and flexible
- Great scent
Cons
- Hold isn't as strong as expected
"I love this product. I have wavy/curly hair and I can use this in days I refresh, when I heat style my hair, and for flyaways. It's not crunchy, and my hair is soft after I sleep on it," one fan describes, adding, "No, this isn't the hairspray you'd use for events, but it's great for day-to-day."
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17
Frequently Asked Questions
How far away should I apply hairspray from?
To avoid that crunchy, super-hard texture, spray hairspray from an arm's distance away onto the hair to lock in any hairstyle. This will deliver a fine mist all over the area, making sure it's soft rather than stiff.
What's the best way to tame flyaways with hairspray?
"One of my favorite tricks is to spray the hairspray on the flyaways from an arm's-length away, then use the bottle's curved edge to pat and roll down the flyaways without a crease or comb mark," Capri says.
Can I use hairspray as a heat protectant?
While many hairstylists do spray hairspray on each section before heat styling, it's always a good idea checking the instructions to see if the specific formula is intended for heat protection. If it's not on the label, chances are you should also be adding protection into the mix.