Best Hair Spray for Everyone – Top Picks and Buying Guide [December, 2023]

Using the right hair spray can make a world of difference in styling and setting your hair. With so many options on the market, it can get overwhelming to choose the best hair spray for your needs.

We tested and reviewed the top-rated hair sprays to help you find the perfect one. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know – how to pick the right hair spray, top product recommendations, usage and care tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

How to Choose the Best Hair Spray

With a dizzying array of hair sprays available, keep these factors in mind when selecting the best one for your needs:

Hold Strength

Hair sprays come in varying hold strengths – light, medium, firm, strong, and maximum. Choose as per your hairstyle requirements:

• Light hold works for subtle shaping and flexible hold. It won’t disrupt your style.
• Medium hold provides reliable traction for common styles like waves, curls, and basic updos.
• Firm hold sets styles securely and keeps them lasting longer. It offers molding with some flexibility.
• Strong hold gives a sturdy grip with limited flexibility. It’s ideal for sculpted styles and updos.
• Maximum or super hold delivers uncompromising hold for elaborate styles. Expect a stiff, cast-like finish.

Ingredients

Check the ingredients to avoid potential irritants. Many hair sprays contain alcohol which can dry out hair. Alternatives like flexible fabric fibers, waxes, and plant extracts provide hold without harsh chemicals.

Finish

The finish your hair spray provides is crucial for the final look. Options include:

• Matte finish for texture and no shine.
• Light shine for a subtle sheen.
• Wet look for high-gloss styles.
• Touchable hold for soft, movable hair.

Hair Type

Get a hair spray formulated for your hair texture and concerns. Options like:

• Volumizing – Add body for fine, flat hair.
• Smoothing – Tame frizz and flyaways for unruly hair.
• Thickening – Coat strands for the illusion of density.
• Color/UV protection – Shield hair color from fading.
• Heat protection – Minimize damage from hot tools.

Top 14 Best Hair Sprays

After extensive testing of the highest-rated and most popular hair sprays available online, we compiled this list of the 15 best options for women:

1. Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Spray

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• Rating: 4.0/5
• Key Features: Marula oil, heat protection up to 232°C, anti-frizz
• Review: Infused with marula oil, this provides frizz control and heat protection while leaving hair shiny and smooth. The lightweight spray helps style hair while safeguarding it from damage. Reviewers say it makes hair very soft and manageable.

2. UrbanGabru Frozt Extreme Hold Hair Spray

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• Rating: 3.9/5
• Key Features: Strong hold, quick drying, humidity resistance, no flaking
• Review: This budget-friendly spray provides extreme hold that lasts. Its quick-drying, non-sticky formula gives a flexible hold with natural movement. The humidity-resistant spray leaves no flakes or whitish residue. Users say it delivers great hold without stiffness.

3. Gatsby Set and Keep Hair Spray – Extreme Hold

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• Rating: 3.9/5
• Key Features: Stronghold, high shine, easy washout
• Review: Enriched with bamboo leaf extract, this spray settles styles firmly while imparting a glossy finish. It does the job without making hair crispy or stiff. The spray holds up well in heat and humidity too. Users praise its long-lasting hold with natural shine.

4. Schwarzkopf Taft Power Mega Strong 5 Hair Spray

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• Rating: 4.2/5
• Key Features: Strong fixing polymers, mega hold, ultra fine mist
• Review: This gives hairstyles an exceptionally strong hold even in challenging weather conditions. The ultrafine mist permeates every strand for all-day hold without stickiness. Users say it holds styles perfectly in place without any crunchy feel.

5. L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Fix & Style Anti-Frizz Spray

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• Rating: 4.0/5
• Key Features: UV filter, 24-hour frizz control, natural shine
• Review: The lightweight smoothing formula tames frizz and flyaways for up to 24 hours, rain or shine. It also provides heat protection while locking styles in place. Users love its shine-enhancing, frizz-taming abilities without feeling crunchy.

6. Gatsby Set and Keep Spray – Super Hard Hold

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• Rating: 3.9/5
• Key Features: Super hard hold, high shine, humidity resistance
• Review: Formulated with bamboo leaf extract, this hair spray delivers uncompromising hold that lasts all day. It resists humidity for long-lasting styles without stickiness or flakes. Users say it sets their hair firmly without feeling stiff or crunchy.

7. Arata Sea Salt Thickening Hair Spray

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• Rating: 3.7/5
• Key Features: Sea salt, biotin, niacinamide, volume boost
• Review: Enriched with sea salt, biotin and niacinamide, this spray adds texture and body for fuller, thicker hair instantly. The lightweight formula doesn’t leave hair sticky or stiff. Users say it adds great volume and texture.

8. UrbanGabru Unlimited Hold No Gas Hair Spray

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• Rating: 3.7/5
• Key Features: Strong hold, no CFC gases, paraben-free, brushable formula
• Review: Providing strong hold without harmful gases, this brushable spray keeps styles locked in place. The paraben-free formula gives movable hold for restyling ease. Users say it holds styles perfectly without feeling stiff or flaky.

9. Beardo Strong Hold Hair Spray

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• Rating: 4.0/5
• Key Features: Strong hold, natural shine, easy washout
• Review: Made for men, this non-sticky spray gives a natural shine while locking styles firmly in place. It washes out easily without drying out the hair and scalp. Users say it provides great hold without leaving hair crunchy or brittle.

10. Ustraa Strong Hold Hair Fixing Spray

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• Rating: 3.9/5
• Key Features: Strong hold, shine fixers, easy washout
• Review: Providing relentless strong hold, this spray locks hairstyles securely. Natural ingredients like sunflower seed extracts add shine. It washes out easily without residue buildup. Users say it keeps hair fixed firmly in place all day.

11. Svish Hair Volumizing Wax Spray

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• Rating: 4.7/5
• Key Features: Strong hold, matt finish, volumizing, water resistant
• Review: This wax-enriched spray offers volume while keeping hair fixed firmly in place. The weather-resistant formula provides a matte finish and flexible hold. Users love its thickening effect and strong yet natural hold.

12. The Man Company Styling Hair Spray

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• Rating: 3.9/5
• Key Features: Extra stronghold, matte finish, no stickiness
• Review: Formulated for men, this provides an unrelenting strong hold for the boldest styles, while avoiding stickiness or flakes. The matte finish spray adds texture and definition too. Users say it holds hair securely in place all day.

13. Toni & Guy Volumizing Hair Spray

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• Rating: 4.0/5
• Key Features: Body-boosting polymers, heat protection, smoothing
• Review: Adding volume and lift at the roots, this gives hair a fuller appearance while guarding it with heat protection. The spray creates smooth, shiny styles minus stickiness or crunchy feel. Users say it makes their hair look thick and bouncy.

14. BBLUNT Hot Shot Firm Hold Hair Spray

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• Rating: 3.9/5
• Key Features: Instant firm hold, high performance polymers, brushable formula
• Review: This delivers an instant firm hold using advanced polymers, keeping hair fixed in place without stiffness. The brushable formula allows easy re-styling. Users say it provides long-lasting hold without making hair crunchy.

Top Hair Spray Comparison

How to Use Hair Spray

• Wash and towel dry your hair after shampooing. Let it air dry slightly so it’s damp but not sopping wet.
• Apply any styling products like mousse as required. Rough dry hair with a hair dryer and brush.
• Section out hair as needed for your desired style. Use a brush and blow dryer to style each section as required.
• Once hair is styled, hold the can 6 to 8 inches from your head and spray lightly all over. Avoid aiming directly at the roots which can make hair limp.
• Let it set for a minute or two. Don’t touch or comb through hair while it sets.
• If needed, respray any areas that need more hold. Use sparingly.
• For extra hold, spray each section as you style it before spraying all over at the end.
• Fluff and arrange your hair with fingers once set. Avoid brushing once hair spray is applied.

Hair Spray Tips and Precautions

• Shake the can well before using. Hold it upright while spraying.
• Apply lightly and evenly for the best hold. Too much can make hair sticky and stiff.
• Mist the spray out a bit first if using for the first time. Avoid spraying directly on your scalp.
• Apply to clean, dry hair for best results. Don’t spray on wet hair.
• Spritz onto your hairbrush and brush through hair for a softer hold.
• Use a volumizing spray at the roots. Avoid spraying ends to prevent heaviness.
• Set hairstyles with cool air from your dryer instead of hot which can cause stickiness.
• Carry a travel size can for touch-ups on-the-go if needed.
• Store at room temperature away from extreme heat or cold.

Different Types of Hair Sprays

Working Hair Sprays

These flexible, brushable sprays allow you to rework and style hair after applying them. They provide a light hold.

Finishing Hair Sprays

Meant to lock in finished styles, these provide a long-lasting firm hold. They can feel stiff if applied heavily.

Volumizing Hair Sprays

Containing polymers that swell and plump up hair strands, these add lift and body especially at the roots.

Shine Sprays

These contain oils or silicone to coat hair and seal in moisture for added luminousness and gloss.

Thermal Protection Sprays

They protect hair from heat damage caused by styling tools up to temperatures of 230°C or more.

Curl-Defining Sprays

Containing humectants, these help seal in moisture to maintain bouncy, distinct curls.

Color Protection Sprays

With UV filters, they help prevent oxidation and fading of hair color because of environmental factors.

FAQs about Hair Sprays

Q. Which is the best hair spray brand?

Some of the most popular and top-rated hair spray brands include Tresemme, L’Oreal Paris, Schwarzkopf, Gatsby, Ustraa, UrbanGabru, Svish and Arata. Tresemme and L’Oreal Paris make some of the best hair sprays for daily styling and heat protection. Brands like Schwarzkopf and Gatsby offer hair sprays with stronger hold for sculpted styles. Ustraa, UrbanGabru and Svish have good hair sprays for men. Arata is known for its natural hair sprays.

Q. Which hair spray is good for daily use?

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Spray is an ideal daily use hair spray as it not only provides a flexible hold but also protects hair from heat damage. L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Anti-Frizz Spray is another excellent choice for daily use as it controls frizz for 24 hours while locking in styles. For men, Beardo Strong Hold Hair Spray offers reliable hold and easy washout suitable for daily use.

Q. Which hair spray is best for hair growth?

Arata Organic Hair Thickening Spray containing sea salt, biotin and niacinamide helps boost circulation to promote hair growth. The UrbanGabru Hair Spray infused with sunflower seed extract also helps nourish hair and improve growth. Using these hair sprays can assist healthy hair growth as part of a regimen. But hair sprays alone cannot deliver significant growth.

Q. Which spray is good for natural hair?

Arata Organic Hair Thickening Spray is a good natural option as it contains sea salt, biotin and niacinamide to add volume and texture without chemicals. Ustraa Strong Hold Hair Fixing Spray is also free of sulfates, parabens, silicones and other harsh synthetics making it suitable for natural hair. Using these minimally formulated sprays reduces the risk of buildup on natural hair.

Q. How does hair spray work to hold styles?

A. Most hair sprays contain plastic polymers that coat each strand and bind them together to keep hair fixed in the styled position. As the spray dries, polymers crystallize and set the hairstyle in place.

Q. Does hair spray damage hair?

A. Frequent heavy use of hair spray can lead to dryness and breakage over time. To avoid damage, focus sprays on mid-lengths and ends instead of roots. Also shampoo regularly to remove product buildup.

Q. Should you spray hair spray on wet or dry hair?

A. Always apply hair spray to clean, dry hair only. Spraying wet hair makes it sticky and stiff when dry. The polymers need to set on dry hair strands to effectively hold the style.

Q. How long does hair spray last in your hair?

A. Most hair sprays can keep your hairstyle locked for 24-48 hours. Humidity and weather conditions affect longevity. Touch-ups may be needed for longer wear. Wash hair thoroughly later to remove all traces.

Q. Is hair spray bad for your hair?

A. Occasional use of hair sprays is fine for most hair types. But some ingredients like alcohol can be drying with repeated use. Avoid spraying roots excessively. Use nourishing products to counteract any drying effects.

Conclusion

While hold and longevity are essential factors, also consider any special needs like heat/UV protection and volumizing when choosing a hair spray. Avoid heavy stiff sprays if you dislike too much rigidity in your locks.

We hope this comprehensive guide helps you pick the ideal hair spray to make styling your tresses easier. Try out our top recommendations for salon-worthy hair every day!