Hair Spray: Get The Best, Forget The Rest

The hair spray you choose depends on the hair styling process.

If you do alot of intricate styling, it's a good idea to have both a working spray and a finishing spray.

Hairspray comes in aerosol and pump forms, which you choose is strictly personal preference.

Generally, the aerosol products dry faster. Some people are partial to the pump action sprays simply because they're less impactful on the environment.

This page breaks down the best of the best in each of the following categories.

Light Hold Hair Sprays | Medium Hold | Firm Hold

Light Hold Hair Sprays

Alterna Caviar
Shine & Define Spray

Alterna Caviar Shine & Define Spray

This conditioning spray will boost shine and help to define waves and curls without any sticky residue. It helps tame frizz and hydrate the hair, for more youthful looking locks.

Alterna's Caviar line contains ingredients which help combat aging factors (i.e. chemical processing, environmental impurities, and physiological changes) on a cellular level.

That's right. Anti-aging for hair.

A great styling tool to control hair while restoring (and/or maintaining) strength, vibrancy and elasticity.

Aveda Witch Hazel
Light Hold Hair Spray

Aveda Witch Hazel Light Hold Hair Spray

This light hairspray is ideal for fine hair which is easily weighed down by heavier products. It provides a bit of control, eliminates static and smooths flyaway hairs.

This is a great product if you prefer a natural finish to your hair as it has a very light hold. And it works well for people who are sensitive to smells because there is no odor after it dries.

Medium Hold Styling/Working Hair Sprays

This type of hair spray allows for combing and moving the hair around during styling. The aerosol working sprays can be used as thermal stylers as well, offering protection from the heat of a flat iron or curling iron. If you use a medium hold hair spray as a finisher though, you'll be disappointed unless you like a very light hold.

An aerosol working hairspray is great for supporting backcombing. Spray underneath each section after you've backcombed it for extra hold. Also works well for sculpting hair when creating updos, but don't overuse it or the hair may become sticky and difficult to work with. A liquid (pump action) styling hair spray can be used on wet hair, usually to define and control unruly or coarse hair.

NON-AEROSOL WORKING SPRAY

Bumble and bumble
Holding Spray

Bumble and bumble Holding Spray

Non-aerosol working hairspray that won't flake, add crunch or leave a residue. Hallelujah! This spray works really well for holding curls and for heat styling with a curling iron or flat iron.

A great choice for achieving the more natural, moveable styles of today. Use this product sparingly, especially if you have fine hair... a little goes a long way.

AEROSOL WORKING SPRAYS

Bumble and bumble
Bb. Does It All
Styling Spray

Bumble and bumble Bb. Does It All Styling Spray

In true form, for a working spray, this product is perfect for controlling the hair while crafting updos, waves or other intricate styles.

It also provides protection from the intense heat of a curling iron or flat iron without being sticky or heavy.

Firm Hold Hair Sprays

Finishing spray has a very strong hold factor and is intended to be used after all styling is done. They have a high alcohol content and are usually heavily scented to disguise the alcohol smell.

Cover the hair with a thin veil of finishing hair spray, quickly smoothing any strays into place before it dries. Great for creating lasting updo's.

FIRM HOLD AEROSOL HAIRSPRAYS

Bumble and bumble
Bb. Classic Hairspray

Bumble and bumble Bb. Classic Hairspray

Flexible finishing spray that'll hold your style well, without over doing it. This product is ideal for those who live in humid or windy climates and need a hairspray that can withstand the weather.

However, this one is slightly lighter than other finishing sprays, so if you're after an extreme hold, opt for one of the others.

Sebastian Originals
Shaper Hair Spray

Sebastian Originals Shaper Hair Spray

Long-lasting, firm hold hair spray great for fine hair. This one is my all-time favorite aerosol hair spray. Not too sticky, but very effective for holding a finished style.

Like any firm hold hairspray, the nozzle can get clogged occasionally. Simply scrape any built up spray off the nozzle and run it under lukewarm water (never hot) for a minute until it sprays properly again.

FIRM HOLD NON-AEROSOL HAIRSPRAYS

Paul Mitchell
Freeze and Shine
Super Spray

Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray

Very strong hold finishing spray, great for all hair textures. This spray will maintain your style all day and night and is not as heavy as some pump action firm hold sprays.

No flaking or buildup with this product and it really does deliver on shine! The more you use, the more hold you'll achieve, so it's a versatile hairspray.