Check Out These 12 Types of Hair Spray and How to Use Them

Loose, up-do, straight or curly hair...No matter what type of hair you have or the style you're going for, there's a hair spray for you!

Making your hair look perfect is the mission of hair spray. These cosmetics stand out among the basics that cann’t be missing from your bathroom or makeup area. Spraying a little of these substances is helpful to make your hairstyle look more elegant and last longer.

Your choice of hairspray should depend on what you need to use it for, but above all, on your type of hair. They will be a useful tool as long as you have the right one and know how to apply it. Read on to find out which of these products is right for you.

What is a hair spray, and what are its benefits?

A hairspray or hair fixative is a mixture of substances that make it easier to hold your hairstyle. You spray it on and, as it dries, it connects areas or films between fibers to hold locks in place and protect them from the wind and humidity.

Among other functions, these styling tools add volume, moisturize and control frizz. You can find aerosols for a uniform and generalized look, but with more chemicals. There are also non-aerosols, with higher water content than alcohol.

Over time, the formulas of these products have opened the way to more natural ingredients to prevent the possibility of drying out the hair fiber. The manufacturer contemplates the use of long-chain molecules or polymers that support the hair structure.

If hairspray is used properly, it provides the following benefits:

• Volume control
• Prolongation of the finish
• Shine, softness, and elasticity
• The ability to avoid constant touch-ups
• The prevention or reduction of frizz

Types of hair spray

Although there are many types of hairspray, the way to use them tends to be the same. The first thing to do is to shake the bottle for a few seconds before pressing the spray button.

When you press the valve, hold the bottle vertically and 25 to 30 centimeters away from your head. Otherwise, your hair will be too wet.

The next step is to comb your hair to set the spray. A second round is also OK if you want more hold. In the case of styled hairstyles, you should spray “working fixative” as you create the design.

Each type of hairspray is intended to be adapted to the needs of the type of hair. There’s hairspray for thermal protection when blow-drying or flat ironing and texturizing or gel spray, for example.

With the help of your stylist, you can determine which hairspray is right for you. For this purpose, we present you with some other varieties of the product.

1. Basic

Basic hairspray has no special features other than what’s relevant for setting and moisturizing. It’s a mixture that you can apply on any occasion and works for all hair types.

2. Medium hold hairspray

The particularities of this hairspray are hold, volume, movement, and bounce control. The medium hold is designed for subtle styles such as ponytails or backcombing. The composition resists humidity, dries fast, and contributes to no stiffness.

3. Styler spray

This spray is similar to the working spray, except that a working spray is used while styling, while a styler spray is usable during and at the end of styling.

The drying is slow, so as it happens, you move forward with the styling. Stylers provide free movement, natural bounce, and a shiny finish.

4. Spray for volume

These are also known as thickeners. This is a type of hairspray similar to regular hairspray, with the addition of more thickness and volume. The technique is to coat in strands of your hair so that the hair gets the illusion of extra body and texture.

The proper application is from the roots. Another trick is to spray from the source but with the hair upside down, so that when it returns its normal position, it shows the effect.

5. Antifrizz hairspray

A publication in Perception magazine comments that high temperature and humidity lead to frizzier, wilder hair. The article claims that changes in humidity disproportionately affect frizz.

Anti-frizz hairsprays help to keep static or wind out of the hair. These are ultra-flexible formulas that ensure a fresh look, regardless of weather conditions.

6. Curling iron spray

Curling sprays are ideal if your waves are natural or if you want to shape them. Alcohol-free sprays provide the characteristic flexibility of curls to give the appearance of movement rather than stiffness.

For natural curls, we recommend spraying on damp hair and letting it air dry. This way, you get more definition. Flexible hold sprays made with a water base are best.

7. Freeze spray

This is the star of hairsprays, because it’s formulated to provide extra hold. Typically, the hold of these products extends up to 24 hours without making the hair look stiff.

8. Professional finish sprays

These are the aerosol sprays that go at the end of the hairstyle. Their composition is dense; they’re made to preserve the style all day long.

Although the hold is strong, it doesn’t prevent brushing. The variety of this cosmetic class includes glossy hairsprays and matte-finish hairsprays.

9. Straightener spray

Sprays for straight hair are prepared to smooth the cuticle and rescue the hair from dullness. It’s common that they fuse proteins, such as keratin, and natural elements, such as aloe vera.

In addition to vitality, they make the hair look tame. You can apply this type of hairspray and style as usual.

10. Hair loss

According to the Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CUN), hair loss can be congenital or acquired. In some cases, it’s repairable.

An anti-hair loss fixative is made with panthenol and polysaccharides, which strengthen the hair follicle and prevent hair loss. You can include them in your hair care routine.

11. Hair sprays for shine

A text published by Coiffure Professionelle magazine points out that hair shine is a consequence of light reflection on the cuticle and that dullness varies depending on how open or closed the cuticle is. In turn, it says that dull-looking hair is the result of damaged cuticles.

With the hair spray for dull hair, you offer maximum shine, because it contains oils that enhance shine. For example, it often contains coconut oil.

12. Strengthening sprays for brittle hair

The hairsprays for hair that tends to break have nourishing and moisturizing agents to strengthen the strands and prevent breakage.

Recommendations when spraying your hair

For the best effect when applying hairspray, it’s necessary to check that there are no obstructions in the nozzle when pressing the atomizer. In this case, disassemble the tool so you can clean the valve with hot water.

It helps the look if you run your fingers through your hair while spraying the product, as this ensures that it covers all areas. In difficult or small areas, you can comb through with a toothbrush.

In addition, it’s important to keep the distance between the bottle and the head. This way, the substance is dispersed instead of clumping.

How to choose the best hair spray

The right hairspray is the one that meets the needs of the hair. When selecting, consider the flexibility factor, so that the hair moves without heaviness. However, if you want to fix the hair, freezing or professional finishing sprays are preferable.

Also, take into account the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC/LVOC) content, which are gases emitted by the product that can have adverse health effects, as stated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Finally, it’s advisable to try sprays whose ingredients are natural. Check labels and consult with styling specialists to learn about the most beneficial ingredients for your hair.