Hairspray is the answer when hair needs to last all day – and night
When you’ve spent time styling your hair so it sits the way it should, it’s natural to want to fix your hair so it lasts all day. This is where hairspray is great, because it puts a protective film on your hair that holds it in place.
You can use hairspray for both short and long hair. Some use hairspray all over their hair, others just to catch the little flyaways that often tease around the face. There are different types of hairspray on the market. This means you’re likely to find a hairspray that focuses on the exact issues you’re experiencing with YOUR hair.
You may need extra hold, or conversely a hairspray that doesn’t weigh your hair down. You may need volume or want to give your hair more shine for a healthier look. There are hairsprays that do it all. As you can see in my product presentation, the range is vast.
If you haven’t already found your favourite, read on as I review the options available to you and give you tips on styling with hairspray.
A good hairspray is for many the most important styling product
A good hairspray, hairspray or whatever you want to call it, is for many the most important styling product in their hair styling routine. It is the product that makes it worth spending a long time in front of the mirror to set your hair. With a good hairspray, you know you can fix the finished result, so your hair looks beautiful and styled all day long.
With several hairsprays in your cabinet, you can add shine to your hair one day and give it a matte finish the next. If you curl your hair once in a while or have natural curls, a hairspray for curls will also make sure that your curls keep their shape and don’t start frizzing or owling.
Hairspray caters to both women and men and most brands are therefore not overpowering in their fragrance. If you’re unsure about which hairspray to choose for your hair, follow along here where I’ll go over everything you need to know about hairspray.
These are the requirements you should have for your hairspray
There are many different hairsprays on the market and therefore you can also make demands on your hairspray or hairspray, as it is also called. Find the best hairspray for your hair and hairstyle by asking yourself these questions.
How strong a hold should your hairspray give?
Hairspray comes in different strengths. You can get a hairspray with light hold that fixes the hairstyle but still allows the hair to move freely. It is ideal for long hair or short hair in tousled styles.
Hairspray for strong hold or extra strong hold is perfect for those who don’t want a single hair not to sit properly. If you use strong hold or extra strong hold, your hair will be completely fixed and cannot move but will keep its shape.
Do you want a matte or shiny finish to your hair?
When buying hairspray, be aware that there are differences in the finish you get with different products. Some hairsprays give a matte look, that is a hairspray that is completely invisible in the hair. Others give your hair extra shine and shine.
Most people choose a hairspray with shine as it makes hair appear healthier and more vibrant. You can also get hairspray with a shimmer effect in silver and gold. But they’re mostly for festive occasions when your hair needs a little something extra.
Do you need a hairspray that also adds body to your hair?
If you’ve experienced that your hair easily clumps and falls together, then there are several things you can do. You can choose to use a hair powder or a dry shampoo which is really good for lifting the roots of the hair. You can also find a hair mousse to help add volume.
However, a super good trick is also to use hairspray with volume. It really makes a difference. Turn your head upside down and spray hairspray on the roots and let it dry for a minute before straightening. It will give your really a lot of volume in the hair.
What texture do you want in your hair?
A hairspray or hairspray doesn’t just give hold to the hairstyle. It can also help you achieve the hair texture you want. Some hairsprays smooth the hair and help give a really sleek look others give a beachy look as if you had used a salt water spray to the hair. If you look around properly, you’re sure to find a hairspray that suits your hair.
Does your hair need special care?
If you often color and/or style your hair with hot styling tools like straighteners, blow dryers or curling irons, then chances are your hair is on the dry side and needs a lot of moisture and care from the hair styling products you use.
Conversely, you may also have oily hair that absolutely does not need any additional oil treatment. Take these considerations into account when choosing hairspray and choose a product that cares for your hair while keeping the style in place.
Need an anti-frizz product?
Many people find that they spend a long time styling their hair and then when they get out in damp weather or start sweating, their hair starts to frizz and become unruly. If you have curls, then you’re probably even more challenged by this issue.
You can find many anti-frizz styling products in the store and they are definitely effective and recommendable if these are problems you can nod to. However, there are also hair sprays that combat the hair’s tendency to frizz and become unruly. A hairspray for curls, for example, is specifically designed to protect hair from humidity.
Do you have problems with the spritzy smell of hairspray?
Hair styling products like hairspray often contain alcohol. So does a styling product like dry shampoo. That’s because the alcohol makes it easier to bind the product to the hair while causing waste product to evaporate in a hurry.
Some people find the spritzy air in hairspray annoying. The problem is that it’s hard to find an alternative. You can, however, get hairsprays that are much less spritzy than the main body. Look for a hairspray that contains fatty alcohols. That’s because fatty alcohol doesn’t have a pungent scent.
Different types of hairspray
Hairspray is no longer just hairspray. Today, there is a huge range of different hair sprays that focus on tackling different issues many experience when styling their hair.
Some hairsprays are great for adding volume to the hair, some are non weighing and therefore perfect for fine hair, others provide strong hold so the hairstyle stays put all day and night long. Read on for the different options you have when buying hairspray.
Hairspray with extra hold
If you want to make sure that every hair stays in place, you’ll need a hairspray with extra strength, or strong hold, as it may also say on the can.
If you have short hair that you want to ensure stays in place throughout the working day, then hairspray with extra hold is just what you need. It’s also great for beautifully styled long hair, holding locks in place.
Hairspray for curly hair
If you have curly hair, you should get to know a hair spray for curly hair. It’s formulated to solve the challenges associated with curly hair.
If you have curls, then you probably know all about curls that start to frizz or frizz if the weather is humid. If you choose a hairspray for curly hair, it will give you the hold on your hair that you expect from a hairspray, but it will also give your hair a coating that is so thin that it won’t weigh your hair down. This coating protects the hair from humidity. You could say it’s a hairspray that’s anti-frizz.
Hair spray with volume
Creating volume in your hair can be difficult, especially if you have longer hair that gravity wants to weigh down. A volume hairspray contains fibres that help to add body to hair.
Take one section of hair at a time, lift it up, and give it a single spray of hairspray. Hold the lock away from the head for 10 seconds until the hairspray is dry. You’ll have a full head of hair.
Hairspray for baby hair
Baby hair, straw hair, pimply hair – the short unruly hairs along your hairline have many names. They can be really hard to control, especially if you have your hair up or want a sleek look. For many years, people have used regular hairspray and a small comb or spoolie to save the little hairs in place. It’s still my favourite method because it works.
But now there are also new exciting products on the market, namely hairspray for baby hair which is more like a mascara. However, it has the same effect as the hairspray method. It’s just smaller and much easier to keep in your make-up bag or handbag.
Hairspray with shine
If your hair is dry or worn, it can easily start to lack shine and instead look dull and lacklustre. What your hair needs is a lot of moisture. You can give it that with a good shampoo and conditioner for dry hair.
But you can easily get the shine back in your hair temporarily by using a hairspray with shine that gives your hair both hold but also lots of shine.
5 great tips on styling with hairspray
In conclusion, here’s a guide on how to get the best results when using hairspray on your hair. Use them and get great results every time you style your hair with hairspray.
- Your hair must be 100% dry – In order for your hairspray to fix your hair and hold your style in place, it’s important that your hair is completely dry when you use hairspray. This is because hairspray needs a completely dry surface, i.e. dry strands of hair, in order to stick.
- Minimum 30 cm. distance – Many people make the mistake of holding the hairspray can too close to their hair. If this happens, the hairspray will not be distributed evenly and you will end up with your hair being weighed down because the layer is too thick. So always keep at least 30 cm away from your hair.
- Apply a thin, even layer to your hair – You’re not supposed to use half a can of hairspray when styling your hair. Less is more when it comes to hairspray. Instead, spray a thin layer into your hair from a good distance. If there are sections that need more hold, give them an extra spray once the first coat is dry.
- Spray the roots for maximum volume – Many people don’t realise it, but you can actually create a lot of volume in your hair with hairspray. If you spray the underside of your hair, especially the roots, and let it dry, it will automatically plump up your hair and make it look like more.
- Use anti-frizz hairspray on humid days – There’s nothing that can ruin a good hair day like damp weather. Damp weather makes hair frizz and behave strangely. Luckily, you can avoid this by choosing an anti-frizz hairspray or a hairspray for curly hair, both of which protect hair from outside moisture.
Have you figured out which hairspray is the best for your hair?
So we’re coming to the end of the road in my review of hairspray and all its benefits. I hope I’ve made it easier for you to choose the right hairspray for your hair type, hairstyle and the issues you’re experiencing with your hair.
I didn’t have space for all the product information on each hairspray, that would have made the article too long. But if you think you need more information about one of the featured hairsprays, I’ve included links directly to the retailers.
On their pages you can find further information about the individual products. By linking to the retailers, I’ve also made it easier for you to see where you can get your hair styling products for less.