The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (2024)

The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (1)

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

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
  • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (3)Lightweight
  • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (4)Not crunchy
Cons
  • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (5)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.

2

Best Light Hold

Andrew Fitzsimons Body Volume Blowdry Hold Spray

The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (6)

Pros
  • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (7)Lightweight
  • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (8)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."

    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

    3

    Best Smoothing Hairspray

    R+Co Featherlight Hairspray

    The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (9)

    Pros
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (10)Smooths hair
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (11)Lightweight
    Cons
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (12)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."

    4

    Best for Oily Hair

    TRESemmé Extra Hold Hair Spray

    The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (13)

    Pros
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (14)Strong hold
    Cons
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (15)Can feel stiff

    Buyers love this affordable pick. "I have short, oil-prone hair and this never makes it greasy! It does originally feel stiff, but it eventually goes away with some movement," one reviewer writes.

    5

    Most Versatile Hairspray

    Bumble and bumble Bb.Does It All Hairspray

    The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (16)

    Pros
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (17)Cult favorite
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (18)Versatile hold
    Cons
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (19)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!"

    6

    Best Extra-Strong Hold

    L'Oréal Paris LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray

    The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (20)

    Pros
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (21)19,000+ rave reviews
    Cons
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (22)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!"

    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

    7

    Best for Thin Hair

    Leonor Greyl Spray Structure Naturelle Styling Spray

    The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (23)

    Pros
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (24)Versatile
    • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (25)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."

      8

      Best for Curls

      OGX Bodifying + Fiber Full Big Hair Spray

      The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (26)

      Pros
      • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (27)Doesn't feel stiff
      Cons
      • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (28)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."

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      9

      Best Soft-Touch Hairspray

      Alterna CAVIAR Anti-Aging Working Hair Spray

      The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (29)

      Pros
      • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (30)Doesn't feel stiff
      Cons
      • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (31)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.

      10

      Best for Humidity

      Garnier Fructis Style Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray

      The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (32)

      Now 62% Off

      Pros
      • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (33)Great price
      Cons
      • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (34)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.

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      11

      Best for Shine

      dpHUE Color Fresh Touchable Hairspray

      The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (35)

      Pros
      • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (36)Great smell
      • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (37)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."

        12

        Best Finishing Spray

        Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray

        The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (38)

        Pros
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (39)Doesn't flake
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (40)Long-lasting hold
        Cons
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (41)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."

        Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

        13

        Best Fine Mist

        virtue 6-In-1 Style Guard Hair Spray

        The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (42)

        Pros
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (43)Lightweight
        Cons
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (44)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."

        14

        Best for Curls

        DevaCurl Flexible Hold Hairspray No-Crunch Finishing Styler

        The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (45)

        Pros
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (46)Great for curly hair
        Cons
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (47)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."

        Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

        15

        Best for Blowouts

        Mizani HRM Humidity Resistant Spray

        The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (48)

        Pros
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (49)Prevents frizz
        Cons
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (50)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
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (52)Lightweight and flexible
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (53)Great scent
        Cons
        • The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (54)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."

        Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

        17

        Frequently Asked Questions

        The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (55)

        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.

        The 16 Best Hairsprays for Always-Perfect Hair (2024)

        References

        Top Articles
        Latest Posts
        Recommended Articles
        Article information

        Author: Jerrold Considine

        Last Updated:

        Views: 6188

        Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

        Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

        Author information

        Name: Jerrold Considine

        Birthday: 1993-11-03

        Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

        Phone: +5816749283868

        Job: Sales Executive

        Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

        Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.