Hair spray is an essential styling product, but a lot of us have a love-hate relationship with it. You've probably had some run-ins with hair sprays that left your strands sticky, stiff, or crunchy. Does the term "helmet hair" apply to your experience with some products? Even though it might have preserved your hairstyle, it also might have transformed your hair into something that didn't look quite natural.
“Hair spray, once considered a vestige of post-war presentation, has undergone more than your typical makeover," says hairstylist and groomer Timothy Aylward. "Innovations in polymers and powders have ushered in a new generation of multitasking spritzes designed to democratize beautiful hair." With the countless innovations in haircare since hair spray’s conception, finding the right product for your hair concerns and needs doesn't have to be a challenge.
From drugstore formulas that are worth their weight to sprays that secure your style and control frizz, there’s something for everyone in this list. Below, the best nine hair sprays money can buy in 2025.
The Best Hair Sprays, at a Glance
- Best Overall: L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
- Best Investment: Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray
- Best Drugstore: Tresemmé Extra Hold Hairspray
- Best for All Hair Types: R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray
- Best for Frizz: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium
Best Overall: L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
Pros: Trusted by experts, ultrafine mist, humidity-resistant formula
Cons: None we can think of
Size: 11 oz. | Benefits: Smooths frizz, long-lasting, flexible despite strong hold | Scent-free: No | Hold time: Up to 24 hrs.
Almost every hairstylist I spoke to recommends this classic hair spray. "For all hair types, I recommend Elnett—a classic with supreme hold and comes in an array of options from color-treated to extra-strong hold (my favorite)," says editorial hairstylist Dritan Vushaj. "It's extremely brushable and has the best hold. The scent reminds me of a bygone era."
Customer review: “Great product for a great hold! Its smell is light and nice. This spray gives you hold with just the slightest use. I love this product because it does not harden your hair but still holds! The small bottle tends to last me a long time.”
Best Investment: Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray
Pros: Includes hair-loving ingredients, offers long-lasting hold, texturizes, adds shine
Cons: Some may not prefer its strong scent
Size: 9 oz. | Benefits: Signature Côte d’Azur scent, adds shine, protects and hydrates hair | Scent-free: No | Hold time: Not listed
Justine Marjan is the hand behind some of our favorite celebrity hairstyles—namely Khloé Kardashian’s slicked half-up, half-down style, which the stylist achieves with this Oribe strong-hold hair spray. But there are many reasons this spray comes highly regarded: Its ultrafine formula seals hydration along with your style and adds an extra dose of shine, offering long-lasting hold and nourishment. Its formula, infused with provitamin B5 and hydrolyzed wheat protein, imparts conditioning benefits and even protects your strands from UV damage.
Customer review: “Best I’ve ever used. You can jump and you can run, you can go clubbing till it’s dawn but your bangs will stay exactly the way you sprayed it on before you left your house. Must have for me and the Mr.”
Best Drugstore: Tresemmé Extra Hold Hairspray
Pros: High performance at an affordable price point
Cons: May feel too stiff on ultrafine hair
Size: 11 oz. | Benefits: Anti-humidity, impressive hold, works on all hair types | Scent-free: No | Hold time: Up to 24 hrs.
Stylists and beauty editors alike can't stop raving about this extra-strength hair spray by Tresemmé that protects against humidity and frizz while providing all-day frizz control. Its price point may be low, but this formula holds its own among its pricey competitors—after all, it’s classic for a reason.
Customer review: “This product holds your hair so well and controls the frizz! I like it because no matter what I do, my hair stays using this product! 10/10 recommend.”
Best for All Hair Types: R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray
Pros: Offers hours of hold and flexibility
Cons: Not ideal for those sensitive to fragrance
Size: 9.5 oz. | Benefits: Easy to layer, non-crunchy feel, includes nourishing ingredients | Scent-free: No | Hold time: Not listed
"For all hair types, my go-to hair spray is R+Co's Outer Space,” says celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos. Favored by professionals because of its versatility (it thickens hair, volumizes styles, and offers flexible hold), this movement-friendly hair spray is easy to use on sets and for performances with fast hair changes. Plus, each spray emits a concoction of damaged strand-soothing ingredients, including pro-vitamin B5. “It's very lightweight and long-lasting, but your hair looks natural without looking like you just left the salon,” he adds.
Customer review: “The scent is very nice, not too strong. It gives my fine, wavy hair the right amount of hold, support. I can run a brush or comb through it, and it still looks great. The day after l wash my hair, it's still holding a style.”
Best Flexible-Hold: Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode Hairspray
Pros: Provides a natural-looking, frizz-free hold
Cons: Reapplication needed for all-day wear
Size: 10 oz. | Benefits: Versatile use, lightweight feel, layerable | Scent-free: No | Hold time: Not listed
"Sometimes you need one product that can do it all, one holy-grail spray that can declutter your counter or be thrown in a weekend bag,” says Aylward, describing his top pick: the Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode. "This miracle of modern hairdressing is light enough to refresh second-day hair but can also be strong enough to transport your high pony to snatched territory,” he adds. Its formula is tailored to preserve hairstyles while fitting all hair types. Though, people particularly praise its ability to hold curls.
Customer review: “This product is perfect for my fine and pin straight hair! It’s light but still holds my curls and it smells great. Great for the perfect natural wave look. I’m on my third or fourth bottle!”
Styling Tip:
“Spritz on bangs before blow-drying for an instant refresher that lasts all day, mist strands pre–flat iron for a humidity-proof, sleek look, or apply point-blank to ponies to keep your baby hairs from having a tantrum." —Aylward
Best Strong-Hold: Got2B Glued Blasting Freeze Spray
Pros: Delivers a long-lasting and strong hold
Cons: Slightly sticky finish when layered
Size: 12 oz. | Benefits: Versatile formula, can act as a hair cement | Scent-free: Not listed | Hold time: Until next shampoo (days)
"Got2b's Blasting hair spray is always a favorite with super-strong, thick hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Iggy Rosales. “It can tame any hair, and you can continue to layer it for a shellacked finish," she adds. Despite this can’s considerably low price, this formula imparts the most impressive hold money can buy. Its long-lasting strength is great for creating slicked-back hairstyles, but it’s also malleable to cement and style spiky looks or secure volume.
Customer review: “This hair spray keeps my hair in place all day. Really helps keep my bun and fly-always in place. I'm an Army girl so this hair spray helps me keep my hair in regulation despite all of the things we do throughout the day.”
Best for Thin Hair: Redken Max Hold 32 Hairspray
Pros: Provides all-day hold without any crunchiness
Cons: Though it claims 24-hour hold, you may still need a midday spritz
Size: 9 oz. | Benefits: Great for damaged hair, crunch-free wear, texturizes and holds styles | Scent-free: Yes | Hold time: Up to 24 hrs.
For thin hair, Giannetos relies on hair spray like Redken Max Hold 32 because it combines texture and lasting hold without making the hair crunchy and heavy. Not only does this spray secure hairstyles for true all-day hold (yes, even fine hair!), but it also offers impressive texture without making your strands sticky. Plus, it’s resistant to humidity-induced frizz for up to 24 hours.
Customer review: "As far as hair products go, I’m very very picky about what I like or don’t like. I do special event hair makeup and this stays in my kit. It provides such good hold without being super sticky or overly fragranced. I’ve bought about six cans so far and have no plan to stop purchasing!"
Best for Thick Hair: Sachajuan Hair Spray Light and Flexible
Pros: Seals in styles with a lightweight finish
Cons: Expensive
Size: 6.8 oz. | Benefits: Long-lasting, medium hold; controls frizz; layerable | Scent-free: No | Hold time: Not listed
"The key with thick hair is layering hair spray, so I like to work in sections as I'm laying or curling the hair." explains Vushaj. Because of this, it’s imperative that hair sprays strong enough to slick or hold thick manes are also light enough to be layered. “I'll spray a section after it's styled and then spray the next section,” he adds. Sachajuan’s lightweight spray offers flexible hold while feeling virtually weightless, allowing you to build up the product more seamlessly than others.
Customer review: “I really like this hair spray. The packaging is so beautiful. The scent is super sophisticated, not like anything I've used before, and I love it. The formula is not crunchy at all and has a nice hold.”
Stylist tip:
Vushaj makes sure each section of hair is “no bigger than the width of the round brush” he’s using when spraying separate layers.
Best for Frizz: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium
Pros: Provides weightless, flexible hold
Cons: None we can think of
Size: 10 oz. | Benefits: Non-crunchy nor flaky, attractive scent, resists humidity | Scent-free: No | Hold time: Not listed
"Moroccanoil's Luminous Hairspray Medium Hold is my pick for curly, kinky hair," says celebrity groomer and hairstylist Ben Talbott. He prefers this formula for its frizz-fighting capabilities too, keeping styles locked in their looks without bending to the will of humidity or feeling too stiff—however, there is a strong-hold version available if longevity is what you’re after. Talbott also lauds this hair spray for its “divine” fragrance and the way it makes your hair feel afterward thanks to a blend of argan oil and UV filters, which nourish and protect your strands from the sun. “It's an ideal choice if you like to change your style throughout the day and to keep any wayward curls in place,” he adds.
Customer review: “I’ve tried to branch out on finishing products but I always come back to this hairspray. Perfect hold, no flakes, and helps keep my flyaways down. Also does a great job at keeping hair slick in humidity.”
What to Look For in a Good Hair Spray
Your definition of the perfect hair spray will differ from the person next to you based on a few key factors, all which you should take into consideration as you decide on your next purchase.
- Hair Type: While most hair sprays work for all hair types, you might want to be more intentional about your formula of choice if your hair leans very thick, thin, or is prone to frizz. Thicker strands means heavier hair, so you’ll need a formula that offers flake-free, buildable hold like Sachajuan’s Light and Flexible Hair Spray to keep your tresses sleek and secure.
- Target Benefits: Not all hair sprays are created equal, and that’s because some offer more benefits than others. While a budget-friendly yet high-quality hair spray like Tresemmé’s Extra Hold Hairspray is great for slicked-back styles, you may want something with a bit more nourishment and UV protection without compromising on hold, which will lead you to Moroccanoil’s humidity-fighting hair spray.
- Level of Hold: If you like to save hair spray for clean-girl bun days, then you’re better off going for a strong-hold spray like Got2B Glued Blasting Freeze Spray to snatch your hair to the gods. However, if you’re a middle-of-the-road user and gravitate between light mists for preserving curls and heavy hands when securing intricate updos, then R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hair Spray’s medium-hold, brushable texture could be of interest to you.
FAQ
Which is the best hair spray on the market?
Now, everyone will have a different answer to this question, but after chatting with several experts, the most recommended hair spray was our best overall pick: the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray. This classic spray earned its flowers for being ultrafine, spreading evenly, and offering crunch-free wear that defies humidity. Because of this, your hair can have movement; strong, slick hold; or whatever you need on any given day. (Plus, the price point is just right.)
What is a good alternative to hair spray for fine hair?
If you have fine hair, a strong- or medium-hold hair spray might be too much for your thinner mane—but that doesn’t mean you can’t use sprays that boost longevity. A good alternative would be a finishing spray, which often offers light hold and extra shine, or a hybrid texturizing spray like R+Co’s Balloon Dry Volume Spray. “This aerosol, part dry shampoo, part texturizing spray, imparts just the right amount of grip and fluff to make even the laziest of ponytails presentable," says Aylward. "To use, just flip your hair over and spray loosely, focusing on roots and the back of the head where hair tends to get flat, and ruffle with your fingers.”
Can you use hair spray on all hair textures?
As aforementioned, yes—you can use hair spray on all hair textures! Whether thick, thin, curly, coily, kinky, or pin-straight, there’s a hair spray out there made with you in mind, and we’re here to help you find it.
How We Tested
We chatted with a lengthy list of celebrity and editorial hairstylists with multiple years of experience in the beauty industry to find which hair sprays have served them and their high-end clientele the best. As beauty editors with heaps of hair products in our collections, we also assessed our own tried-and-true favorites, putting them to the test in our everyday lives and providing our feedback based on wear, feel, and scent. To take things even further, we looked at what real online shoppers think about the products by doing a bit of research in the reviews section of each product to get a better understanding of each formula.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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