If ever a beauty product needed a glow-up, it’s hairspray. Have you seen pictures from the eighties? Shellac-like hairspray turned your perfectly coiffed hair into a helmet with just a few spritzes. There was no softness, no movement; hair looked stiff and felt worse. Hairspray is also used to leave white residue flakes on your clothes. It was a crunchy, crusty mess.

Thankfully, hair care has come a long way. It still gives you control of the old spritzes. Only now, there’s an array of formulations that control frizz, boost volume, and tame flyaways while leaving your hair feeling soft and touchable. If you need that old level of stiffness to keep your hair in place, like for a formal up-do, you can build up to it by using several applications.

The best hairspray is whichever product will do what you need — add some texture, create lift, or keep your style in place. You don’t need to buy the most expensive salon brand, and you certainly don’t need a gendered product. So, gentlemen, there’s not exactly the best hairspray for men; there are only hairsprays that do the job or not. 

We’ve made a list of our favorite products to tame your tresses, whether you have curly hair, fine hair, thin hair, and everything in between, all without the crunch. 

1. Not Your Mother's She's A Tease Volumizing Hairspray 8oz

Shape, lift, hold, and tease. This pro-volume, anti-humidity, anti-frizz hairspray is infused with nutrient-rich apple blossom and bamboo extracts to promote shine and enhance your hairstyle with a firm hold and a smooth, flawless finish. Fight frizz and reach new heights with She’s a Tease Volumizing Hairspray.

$8.59

2. Sun Bum Dry Texture and Hold Spray 4.2oz

Sun Bum’s Dry Texture Spray gives your hair a boost of grip and volume with medium-level hold and a matte finish. Your style will last all day and night with a weightless texture that’s workable and buildable. It also helps to protect color-treated hair from damaging UV rays and shields it from becoming dull, brittle, frizzy, and discolored.

$14.99

3. TRESemmé Extra Hold Hair Spray 1.5oz

Need a hold that lasts? Try TRESemmé TRES Two, a hairspray that gives you an extra level of hold and control to tame even the most stubborn flyaways. You spend time creating the perfect ‘do, so secure your style with a firm hold hairspray that delivers lasting results. TRES Two Extra Hold Collection is also humidity-resistant to hold even under the most demanding conditions.

$2.69

4. Aussie Hairspray Headstrong Volume 10oz

Headstrong Hairspray gives a lift to all hair types — straight, wavy, curly — but pays special attention to flat tresses that need a little plumpin’. This volumizing hairspray locks and holds your full hair in place. Take your style to all new heights with a hairspray formulated with bamboo and Australian Kakadu Plum to breathe some life into tired tresses and seal your ‘do with the perfect finish.

$5.89

5. Pantene Hairspray Styling Maximum Hold 11oz

Style with the strength that only Pantene Pro-V Maximum Hold Hairspray can provide. This nutrient-rich, fast-drying hairspray goes on smoothly without any stickiness. It’s formulated to create texture or add smoothness while adding lift and shine to your hair. Pantene resists humidity to control frizz and flyaways all day long for healthy hair that’s in control.

$6.79

6. John Frieda Hairspray Volume Lift for Fine or Flat Hair 10oz

Looking for long-lasting hold and fullness? Spritz on some of John Frieda’s Volume Lift Hairspray. This humidity-resistant spray is formulated with Air-Silk Technology to maintain your hair’s volume without the weighted-down feel. You’ll have more time to shape your style and volumize your hair. Its gentle, fine mist goes on evenly for easy to apply, all-over coverage that won’t weigh you down.

$8.99

7. Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray 8.25oz

Want a styling product that gives your hair workable hold without crunchy stiffness? Garnier Fructis is a versatile hairspray that provides the strong, flexible control you need and the natural, healthy-looking movement you desire. With 24-hour control and anti-humidity protection, your look stays touchable all day long, even in extreme humidity.

$5.99

8. IGK Flexible Hold Hairspray: 1-800-HOLD-ME No-Crunch 5oz

Reworkable, no-crunch, cruelty-free, medium hold hairspray uses next-generation styling polymer technology for brushable hold without being crunchy or sticky. Formulated with avocado oil, it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids to hydrate dry hair and prevent breakage. Your hair will also enjoy an added glow thanks to Hi-Shine Micro-light Reflectors that add a subtle, healthy sheen to your hair.

$30.99

9. Suave Hair Spray

This finishing spray provides you with all-day style control without the heavy price tag. Its lightweight formula helps hold your shape and style while keeping frizz and flyaways at bay. Your hair will stay full, soft, and brushable without any stickiness. Feel free to run your fingers through your hair; it’ll be touchably beautiful all day.

$5.79

10. Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Hairspray 17oz

Turn up the volume and check the humidity at the door. Embrace your hair’s body and shine with Herbal Essences Body Envy volumizing hairspray. This hair spray delivers a maximum strength formula that provides 24 hours of volumizing hold and humidity protection that’s gentle enough for everyday use. Get it all with a boost from a zesty citrus fragrance.

$7.49

11. L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Lock It Bold Control Hairspray 8.25oz

Get a long-lasting, extra-strong hold for any hair look with L’Oréal Paris AHS LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray. Lock your bold style in place, strand by strand, with up to 48-hour control. This quick-dry, light mist hairspray is water-free and humidity-resistant without dampening your style. It’s the perfect choice for locking in your braided hairstyles.

$6.39

FAQ

What is the number 1 hairspray?

If you’re looking for the hair product beloved by celebrity hairstylists worldwide, you want to find a can of L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray. Stylists have been bringing it into the States for years. Thankfully, it’s now available in the US and is probably the best drugstore hairspray you can buy. 

Elnett Satin is a strong-hold hairspray that stays soft and brushable. It comes in a fine mist aerosol for even coverage and strand by strand control that goes where you want it. You get sexy hair with a locked-in style, whether you’re doing a simple blowout or a complicated updo.

What is the best brand of hairspray?

The best hairspray brand depends on your hair type and what you need it to do. Let’s take a look. 

Best hairspray for fine hair: Fine hair needs light and airy products to keep your style from getting weighed down and falling flat. If you’re looking to pump up your ‘do with a medium hold spray, John Frieda Hairspray Volume Lift for Fine or Flat Hair has your back. Aussie Hairspray Headstrong Volume is an excellent option if you need long-lasting volumizing. Both products come out as an extra-fine mist that goes on with a light touch while providing the hold you need.

Best hairspray for curly hair:Curly hair needs a hairspray that protects from the frizz-causing humidity, locks in moisture, and won’t weigh down the waves. For general purposes, TRESemmé TRES Two for Maximum Hold Hairspray will hold your curls in place while locking out humidity. If you need extra frizz-fighting power, John Frieda Frizz Ease Moisture Barrier Hairspray will keep things under control.

Best hairspray for humidity: Curly hair isn’t the only hair type that suffers under excess humidity. All styles can fall flat when there’s too much moisture in the air. Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray delivers the hold you need while creating a barrier between your hair and the humidity in the air. Your hair will be soft and manageable no matter the weather.  

Best texturizing hairspray: Sometimes, your hair doesn’t only need volume. It requires the extra dimensionality that comes from a texturizing spray. It’s especially true if you have a layered hairstyle. Primp with Sun Bum Dry Texture and Hold Spray to lift and sculpt your style into free-spirited, tousled hair texture with a medium level of control.

Best smelling hairspray: This is entirely subjective, but we love hair that smells fresh and fruity. Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Hairspray 24-hour hold and a sweet, citrus scent that will wake you up.

What is the healthiest hairspray to use?

The number one concern when using hairspray is alcohol. If your hair tends to be dry, alcohol in any hair product can push it over the edge and into Frizz City. Both Pantene Hairspray Styling Maximum Hold and Aussie Hairspray Headstrong Volume are alcohol-free and have added ingredients to keep your hair smooth, healthy, and manageable.