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13 Of The Best Hairsprays To Keep Your Hair Perfectly In Place
Not crispy or crunchy.
Hairspray got a bit misused in the 80s era of leaf blower blow dries but formulas have come a long way and no longer envelope you in a cloud of hairspray smog.
From non-sticky hold, to glossy waves, hairsprays are pretty much the only tool in your hair kit you'll ever need.
Dom Seeley, Color Wow International Creative Director gives his top tip on how to apply it to your advantage: 'The best way to apply hairspray is usually around 10-12 inches away from the hair. If you want to prep your hair or relieve static or frizz then you can spray your hairspray onto a boar bristle or paddle brush then use the brush to evenly distribute the product through your hair'.
For those with curls that normally find using hairspray instantly results in knots, Seeley has the solution: 'You typically don't want a hairspray with alcohol in as this will dry out your hair'.
ELLE have rounded up the best hairsprays on the market, so you can keep that style around for longer - minus the crunchiness.
If you've been blessed with a set of curls but often find hairspray just leads to a whole head of knots, this enhancing spray will be a game changer. It gives you the same holding power of hairspray, without the stickiness or dryness, so your curls stay intact for longer.
Hair by Sam McKnight Modern Hairspray Multi-Task Styling Mist
Not only is this the chicest hairspray you will ever see but the fine mist is almost undetectable on ends and can be brushed out easily the next day so you don't have so spend the morning vigorously trying to wash it out with shampoo.
All the hold without any of the stickiness, this hairspray will keep your styled hair intact throughout the day, even in the most humid of weather conditions.
R+Co Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hairspray - £23.50
Ideal for enviable waves, this hairspray provides you with spanx-like hold whilst avoiding any brittleness, so your hair can swish to its heart's content.
This curl-friendly hairspray is chock full of nourishing ingredients such as black seed oil and aloe vera to keep curls bouncy and in place, without drying out the strands.
Amika Fluxus Touchable Hairspray - £20
This fine mist creates an invisible shield around hair, making it totally weatherproof. Unlike a traditional hairspray that leaves hair as dry as a piece of toast, this adds a hit of hydration, leaving hair touch-ably soft.
This fast drying formula will banish any unwanted frizz and provide superglue-like hold without the stiffness. We'll even go as far as to say it's windproof, which is about as good as a hairspray can get.
This does what it says on the tin and provides gravity-defying lift to hair, without any uncomfortable crunchiness. Formulated with avocado oil and omega 3 fatty acids, it provides instant shine with weightless hold.
The turbo jet engine of hairsprays, this mist will act as a push up bra to flat hair to provide you with an instant lift. Scrunch into roots for some added oomph.
Normally hairspray will leave you with a vodka-ry taste in your mouth (no matter how much you hold your breath) but this totally non-offensive spritz instantly melts into hair whilst providing a much needed boost.
ghd Curly Ever After Curl Hold Spray
For curls that stay fresh and bouncy with no tell-tale residue or crispiness, look no further.
Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode Hairspray - £25
Ideal for keeping baby hairs in-check, apply a touch of this to a toothbrush and style to your heart's content. It provides all-day hold without leaving any unwanted white residue behind.
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
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