Whilst hair routines often vary depending on your desired hair trend, cut, style or hair type, there’s one thing I’m sure we can all agree on: once you’ve spent time styling your hair into your desired look, there’s nothing worse than looking in the mirror a few hours later, only to find out your loose waves or bouncy blow-dry have dropped out, your slicked-back bun has a halo of flyaways or your sleek style is no longer as smooth as when you stepped out the door. It’s down to finding myself in this situation far too many times that I now know there’s one haircare product that really is a non-negotiable in any routine, and that’s a great hair spray.
After all, what’s the point in spending hours styling and sculpting your hair if you’re not going to take the time to lock it in place? A gust of wind, unexpected humidity or, at this time of year, the flattening effect of winter accessories can mean all of your hard work will have been for nothing (or at least, your hair won’t look quite as polished as it did when you stepped out of the door). Hair sprays are the final defence against all of the above, and when applied correctly, will feel as invisible as if you were wearing nothing at all.
Don’t believe me? If you’ve been burned by crunchy, crispy hair sprays in the past, allow me to convince you otherwise. You see, in the past few years, hairspray formulas have transformed. Now, hair sprays aren’t about coating the hair for a helmet-like finish. Instead, the best formulas offer lightweight hold with little to no residue that still leaves your strands soft to the touch. Plus, many hairsprays today also feature added benefits, like hydrating ingredients, humidity defence and heat protection, meaning they do so much more than just set your style in place.
To prove it, I’ve rounded up seven of the best hair sprays to shop right now. Plus, I also spoke to Neale Rodger, style director at STIL Salon, to get his expert advice on how to apply hair spray like a professional.
The Best Hair Sprays, Confirmed
- The Best Overall Hair Spray: Color Wow Cult Favourite Firm + Flexible Hairspray (£29)
- The Best Strong-Hold Hair Spray: Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Hairspray (£6)
- The Best Lightweight Hair Spray: Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray (£27)
- The Best Hair Spray for Curly Hair: Curlsmith Flawless Finish Hairspray (£23)
- The Best Affordable Hair Spray: V05 Ultimate Hold Hairspray (£5.15)
1. Color Wow Cult Favourite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
My personal favourite hair spray, there are so many reasons to love Color Wow’s cult-favourite formula. Firstly, and most importantly, it provides a medium hold, setting styles without leaving them feeling crispy or dry. Secondly, it’s infused with hair-loving ingredients, like keratin and silk, which aim to improve hair health so that strands look healthier and feel stronger over time. And lastly, like most Color Wow products, it also works to protect the hair as it styles, offering heat protection, UV protection and humidity resistance all wrapped into one.
Pros
- Medium hold
- Helps strengthen hair over time
Cons
- May not be strong enough for some
2. Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Hairspray
The ultimate strong-hold hair spray, Got2b’s Glued is beloved by professional hairstylists and beauty lovers alike. Designed to lock styles in place for up to 72 hours, it delivers serious hold that will stand up to wind, rain and whatever else is thrown at it. I like to use this hairspray as the final step in any slicked-back look to ensure no flyaways come loose. Just be warned, once applied, you'll want to avoid brushing too heavily, as this can cause unwanted flakes. You might want to give hair a double shampoo after liberal application.
Pros
- Strong-hold
- Affordable
Cons
- Can flake when brushed out
3. L’Oréal Paris Elnett Hair Spray With Vitamin E
Few hair products can boast quite as legendary a history as L’Oréal Paris’ Elnett Hairspray; however, since the cult classic product launched back in 1960, it’s gone through a few reinventions. This vitamin E-infused version is one of my favourites, delivering the same hold we know and love whilst also adding hydration back into the hair. As a result, hair feels stronger, looks healthier and over time will have more lustre and shine, all whilst still holding your style in place.
Pros
- Contains nourishing vitamin E
- Boosts shine
Cons
- May not suit oily hair types
4. Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray
Of all the hair sprays included in this edit, Living Proof’s formula is the lightest, making it a great option for those with fine hair or who struggle to build volume and want to avoid products that may weigh strands down. Designed to flex and move with the hair, adding hold without any unwanted stiffness, Living Proof’s hair spray feels truly invisible once applied. Despite its weightlessness, however, it still delivers mid-level hold, smoothing flyaways and locking in styles. It won’t stand up to intense weather or intricate styles, but for day-to-day wear, it’s a winner.
Pros
- Great for fine hair
- Ultra-fine mist
Cons
- May not be strong enough for all
5. VO5 Ultimate Hold Hairspray
Hair spray may be an important part of my haircare routine, but I’ll be honest, it isn’t always a product I want to spend a lot of money on. It was during one of these more frugal shops that I got my hands on VO5’s Ultimate Hold Hairspray, and now I’ll argue you’d be hard-pressed to find a better hairspray for under £10. The spray is ultra-fine, working to coat the hair without weighing it down, and it delivers hold without any stiffness. Oh, and it smells like coconuts, too. Does it get any better than that?
Pros
- Affordable
- Buildable hold
Cons
- Scent may not suit all tastes
6. Curlsmith Flawless Finish Hairspray
Whilst curly hair types don’t necessarily need to opt for a different hair spray than straight or wavy hair types, it can be beneficial to keep your curls looking their best. Curlsmith’s Flawless Finish Hairspray was formulated with curly and coily hair types in mind, and so it’s designed to be incredibly lightweight, so as not to interfere with the body or bounce of curls. It’s also alcohol-free, to prevent dryness, and contains humidity protection, to protect against unwanted frizz. Complete with a strong hold finish, this is one hardworking hair spray that will make a great finishing touch in any curly-hair routine.
Pros
- Great for curly and coily hair types
- Additional humidity protection
Cons
- May not suit fine hair
7. Arkive The Mastery Hairspray
Lastly, we’ve got a hair spray that has the professional seal of approval, Arkive’s The Mastery. Created by hairstylist Adam Reed, it’s a strong-hold hair spray that is designed to set styles without aerosols. For that reason, it's great for use on updos where you need targeted application, or in place of a gel in a curly hair routine. What I love most about this hair spray, however, is the scent. Featuring the same fragrance as Arkive’s No One Elise perfume, it feels like a hair spray and hair fragrance in one, turning applying it into a little moment of luxury.
Pros
- Medium, flexible hold
Cons
- Scent may not suit all tastes
What Are the Benefits of Using Hair Spray?
“People forget that hair spray isn’t just for freezing a style in place anymore,” explains Rodger. “A good hair spray will give hair a bit of polish, help calm flyaways and add longevity without making hair feel helmet-like. It’s basically the finishing touch that keeps everything looking intentional rather than accidental.”
What's the Best Way to Apply Hair Spray?
“The biggest mistake people typically make with hair spray is spraying too close,” Rodger tells me. “Always hold the can at least a forearm’s length away, to give you hold without that crunchy, stuck-together feeling. I always tell clients to mist the hair in light layers, let it settle for a few seconds, then add more only if needed. This will keep the hair soft.”
“My top tip: if you have hair that drops quickly, apply a light mist before running the brush through to blow-dry or tong your style. This melts the spray around each strand of hair and will give you hold for days.”
What’s the Difference Between a Flexible and a Strong-Hold Hair Spray?
“Flexible hold hair spray is great for everyday styling as it will keep movement in the hair, ensuring your waves still swing and curls don’t look stiff. Strong hold is the one you reach for when you need a style to really stay put—like for an updo or a long day of events,” Rodger says. “Think of flexible-hold as support, and strong-hold as security.”
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