How To Pick The Right Hairspray For You

Hairspray might just be the unsung hero of your haircare line-up!

It’s not as glam as a texture-transforming leave-in treatment, or as vital as a scalp serum, but this trusty staple is your secret weapon for creating and perfecting an endless variety of hairstyles, and making sure that they last! 

Hairspray is the essential tool that gives you two styling super powers: CONTROL and HOLD.

The thing is, all hairsprays are not the same. And with so many formulas out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this guide, we want to help you answer questions such as:

• Are you using a hard-hold finishing spray when you actually need a texturising one?

• Are you making your hair crispy and breakable instead of bendable and brushable?

• Are you using a legacy hairspray formula (like your mum’s favourite!) that’s actually outdated and possibly even causing issues like dehydration and colour warping?

 
It’s a fact: The right hairspray can work miracles! But the wrong hairspray could be yellowing your colour or even dehydrating your hair from depositing too much alcohol.

We’re breaking down the most common types of hairsprays, how to choose them and how to use them, so you can confidently pick the ones you need to hit your styling goals.

 

1. FLEXIBLE HOLD HAIRSPRAY: THE EVERYDAY MVP

If you’re all about natural movement, this is your go-to. Flexible hold hairsprays help give hair body and bendable, pliable qualities that make it easier to mold and shape a style. 

Stylists call these sprays “working sprays” because they can be applied anytime during the styling process to help make hair more cooperative and manageable. 

WHEN TO USE THIS KIND OF HAIRSPRAY: 

    • Everyday Styles: Soft waves, loose curls, or relaxed ponytails that need gentle hold without stiffness.

    • Taming Flyaways: Keeps frizz and stray hairs under control while maintaining a smooth, polished finish.

    • Snatched Ponytails & Sleek Looks: Provides control and a clean look without making hair feel crunchy or weighed down.

    • Natural Movement: Holds your style in place while allowing hair to move freely and bounce naturally.

    • Workable Hold: Great for styles that might need adjusting or refreshing throughout the day — this spray lets you reshape without residue.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST:

Flexible-hold hairspray typically lasts anywhere from a few hours to half a day, depending on the formula, your hair type, and environmental factors like humidity or wind. It’s designed to offer light, natural-looking hold with movement, so it may require touch-ups throughout the day if you’re looking for longer-lasting control.

THE BEST FLEXIBLE-HOLD HAIRSPRAY:

Sassoon's Motion Hold Flexible Hairspray is a lightweight, non-sticky formula that provides all day, brush-able hold without stiffness. Perfect for layering throughout the hair as you style, it provides heat protection so you can flat iron or set hair with hot rollers and get soft, natural long-lasting style results.

 

2. STRONG HOLD HAIRSPRAY: FOR WHEN YOU MEAN BUSINESS

Strong hold hairsprays are all about structure, control and endurance. Whether you’re facing a windy day, a packed dance floor, or just need your special hair style to last through a long event, or active competition, this is your secret weapon.

WHEN TO USE THIS KIND OF HAIRSPRAY: 

    • Anytime You Want To Lock In The look! After you’ve finished styling and have your hair just the way you want it, a firm hold spray is essential to capture and “freeze” the finished style so it lasts as long as you want.

    • Special Occasions: Great for weddings, parties, or events where your hair has to hold up under pressure.

    • Sports Competitions & Ferformances: A must for activities where your hair needs to look flawless while staying secure through movement.

    • Humidity Or Wind Protection: Strong-hold formulas keep frizz and flyaways under control, even in challenging weather conditions.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST:

Strong-hold hairspray is designed to keep your style locked in place for most of the day, typically 8 to 12 hours, depending on the formula and conditions. 

It provides maximum control, making it ideal for structured styles like up-dos or voluminous blowouts that need to withstand wind, humidity, or long days.

Advanced strong hold formulas also offer humidity-resistance so hair doesn’t puff up or frizz out, undoing the look of your style. 

 

THE BEST STRONG-HOLD HAIRSPRAY:

Balmain Hair's Session Spray Strong Hold keeps big volume styles from flopping, falling or frizzing all-day. Plus, unlike many competitive sprays, it was formulated with UV protection.

 

3. TEXTURISING HAIRSPRAY: MESSY CHIC IN A BOTTLE

Texturising hairsprays are designed to give your hair body, volume and “guts” so you can easily create that undone, tousled look without stiffness. 

WHEN TO USE THIS KIND OF HAIRSPRAY:

    • On Clean Hair To Add Grip & Body, especially if your hair feels too soft or slippery to style. 

    • Before Rollers Or Curling Irons, a texture spray can boost hair’s “style memory” and help curls last longer.

      🔥 IMPORTANT: If you are using a texture spray before heat styling, make sure that the formula contains heat protectant, as some texture sprays can actually “fuse” hair in clumps when heated.

    • After Curling Or Styling to break up uniform curls and give them that relaxed, undone texture.

    • At The Roots to boost volume and lift, particularly for fine or limp hair.

    • On Second-Day Hair to revive flat strands and enhance natural texture.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST:

Texturising hairspray typically lasts anywhere from a few hours to half a day, depending on the formula, your hair type, and environmental conditions.

Because they provide a lighter hold, you may need to refresh your hair throughout the day, especially if you're working against humidity or natural oil buildup.

💡 Pro Tip: Work this through your hair in sections, scrunching lightly with your hands. Avoid overdoing it, just a few spritzes will give you that cool-girl texture.

THE BEST TEXTURISING HAIRSPRAY:

Kevin Murphy's Bedroom Hair is a colour-safe texturising spray designed to add instant volume and texture without compromising hair colour. 

Its unique moisturising formula ensures hair remains soft and touchable, avoiding the dryness or stiffness often associated with texturing sprays.