In the days BCP (Before Curl Products) was available, hairsprays were stiff, sticky, and smelled like Aqua Net and Final Net. I remember my bottle of Final Net, which I plastered on my blow-dried and straightened hair. My hair felt like a helmet. It was a fire hazard!
How hairspray has changed
Hairspray was born in the 1940s and developed by a manufacturer originally manufacturing aerosol cans in WW2 for insecticides. Hairsprays have evolved with new technologies, innovative ingredients, and various holds.
The latest generation of hairspray can lock waves and curls in place without crunch. Many are designed specifically for curly hair. They promise to prevent your waves and curls from turning to frizz, even on the most humid days. And it can help create more volume and lift at your roots. And many of these new hairsprays have conditioning properties and ingredients that hold.
Types of hairsprays
There are three varieties of hairspray:
Flexible Hold Hairsprays
These have the least amount of hold, making them ideal for waves and curls. They provide hold without crunch, maintaining movement rather than paralyzing your tresses. Most hairsprays for wavy and curly hair are flexible sprays, and those with medium hold.
Medium Hold Hairsprays
Sometimes, these are called working sprays and have a stronger hold. They provide a hold without making your hair feel like plastic.
Maximum/Firm Hold Hairsprays
These are the strongest sprays to keep your curls in place. These may not be the best choice for everyday styling for curly girls, but they may be useful for certain occasions.
Here are a few great options for flexible, medium, and strong-hold hairsprays.
Flexible Hold Hairsprays
1. Ouidad Curl Last® Flexible-Hold Hairspray
The iconic curl brand Ouidad has two hairsprays. This flexible, buildable finishing spray holds curls in place while maintaining softness and bounce. It is formulated to keep curls pliable and encourage movement. Natural moisturizers like hydrolyzed oat protein and sunflower oil help control frizz; it can be layered for a stronger hold or used to boost volume on fine hair.
2. Ouidad Going Up! Volumizing Texture Spray
This volumizing texture spray infuses manuka honey to create a soft, touchable style. It separates curls for volume and lift.
3. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Soft Texture Finishing Spray
This salon brand has developed two hairsprays in the Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil collection – a favorite for those with waves and curls. The Invisible Oil Soft Texture Finishing Spray is infused with signature 6-Oil Blend, this finishing mist gives styled hair a soft, casually-tousled texture, with light hold. It is designed for dry or damaged hair, and anyone who wants soft texture that lasts.
4. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil UV Protective Dry Oil Finishing Spray
The ultra-lightweight formula delivers radiance, softness, and frizz control. UV filters help protect hair against the drying effects of the sun, making it a good option for curlies who spend a lot of time outdoors. Dry, dull hair is left looking revived and healthy.
5. TRESemmé Flawless Curls Frizz Control Moisturizing Non-Aerosol Hair Spray with Coconut oil
This lightweight paraben-free formula provides all-day curl hold and frizz protection. It promises defined curls without feeling stiff and sticky.
6. Innersense I Create Finish
This flexible-hold spray is made with certified organic honey, rooibos tea, and aloe and rice proteins; this non-toxic hairspray nourishes and strengthens strands without any sticky residue. Aside from banishing humidity and infusing your mane with antioxidants, it smells like fresh, calming lavender.
7. Amika Fluxus Touchable Hairspray
This flexible working hairspray provides an all-day style that you’ll still be able to run your fingers through. It includes ingredients like sea buckthorn- a “superfruit” with the fatty acid omega seven typically found in fish oil. It promises to promote elasticity and provides superior hydration.
8. R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray
This flexible spray contains Amphomer Polymer, which thickens and provides flexible hold and heat styling protection. It also contains
Pro-vitamin B5, this conditioning agent moisturizes, thickens, and builds volume.
9. Aveda Air Control Hairspray
This water-free formula can be layered to create light, workable hold. It contains pine and certified organic flax seed, which are natural holding agents, and conditioning ingredients such as certified organic jojoba and aloe. Aveda is funding the construction of wind turbines to ensure that Air Control™ has a net-zero impact on the Earth’s climate.
10. DevaCurl Flexible Hold Hairspray
Stay-put style with flexibility! A wind and humidity-resistant spray that gives you flexible hold, frizz control, and shine.
11. Nexxus Maxximum Hold Finishing Mist Hairspray
Nexxus Maxximum Hold Finishing Mist Micro-fine, flexible hair spray helps maintain hairstyles by providing superior, long-lasting control for hard-to-retain styles, providing maximum hold while maintaining touch ability.
12. Kevin Murphy Bedroom Hair
This flexible texturizing spray provides separation and movement, allowing you to run your fingers through your curls. The formula is enhanced with ginger root to help increase elasticity and suppleness.
13. Pantene Pro-V Level 2 Lightweight Finish Alcohol-Free Hairspray
This NaturallyCurly Best of the Best award winner offers an ultra-lightweight hold that Wavies love. At less than $5, this Holy Grail is budget-friendly too. Pantene Pro-V labels their hairsprays “Level” 1-5 to signify the amount of hold, so you can always find exactly what you need.
Medium Hold Hairsprays
14. MONAT Studio One Flex Control Hairspray
This light-to-medium-hold hairspray is a versatile finishing spray that provides a buildable, flexible hold. It is infused with REJUVENIQE® to help condition waves and curls.
15. CHI Better Together Dual Mist Hairspray
This unique spray is adjustable to offer two hold options. The “Good” hold setting provides a natural hold perfect for styling, beachy waves, and taming flyaways. The “Great” hold setting provides a stronger hold for updos, braids, tight curls, and slicked-back ponytails. It contains white tea, Panthenol/Provitamin B5, and a conditioning blend of natural botanicals.
16. ZOTOS: All about Curls Curls for Days Finishing Mist
This frizz-blocking spray promises a long-lasting hold that blocks out humidity for 48 hours. It offers long-lasting hold free from SLS/SLES Sulfates, Silicone, and Parabens.
17. Living Proof Frizz Humidity Shield
This weightless finishing spray contains polymers that promise to offer six times the humidity protection to prevent frizz. It also contains emollients designed to smooth the hair shaft.
18. Color Wow Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
This lightweight spray provides an all-day, flexible, brushable hold.
Firm Hold Hairsprays
19. Sexy Hair Spray + Play Volumizing Hairspray
This hairspray provides a medium to high hold that promises up to 120 hours and provides up to six times the volume and lift. This workable hairspray provides up to three days of humidity resistance. It also provides 450 ̊ F of thermal heat protection.
20. It’s a 10 Miracle Superhold Finishing Spray Plus Keratin
This spray offers a super firm yet weightless hold. It contains Hydrolyzed Keratin, a conditioner proven to smooth the hair cuticle, creating excellent shine and smoothness.
21. Aveda Firm Hold Hair Spray
Aveda’s firmest-hold hair spray offers long-lasting hold and humidity defense for all hair types. The fast-drying spray, the non-flaking formula contains a blend of organically derived flaxseed, marshmallow root, aloe, and hydrolyzed wheat protein helps provide an all-day, humidity-resistant hold.
21. Redken Triple Take 32 Extreme High-Hold Hairspray
This extreme high-hold hairspray promises to keep your curls in place without the crunch. The super-fine, fast-drying mist also gives hair volume and 24-hour humidity resistance. The fragrance is a mix of jasmine, orange blossom, and sandalwood.
Read next: The 20 Best Styling Products for Type 3 Curls
