The best hairsprays are far from a thing of beauty routines past. Essential to ’60s mod bobs and ’80s gravity-defying crops à la Dynasty, the hairsprays of decades past were crunchy, locking hair into place with stiffness. In 2026, however, hairspray has lightened up, meeting the demands of bouncy blowouts and beach waves with approachable, fluid hold.
Vogue’s Favorite Hairspray
Professional hairstylist Willis Galbraith tells Vogue that today’s leading formulas can be used on any look or hair type. “If you prefer a lightweight hairspray, there are so many options on the market now that feel barely there, so it’s no longer something that needs to be saved just for special occasions,” he says.
Fellow celebrity hairstylist Charley McEwen agrees, adding that hairspray has become less about being overly styled and more about refinement. “I use hairspray daily to keep things looking clean, intentional, and polished, whether that’s for a red-carpet appearance or just a well-groomed, natural look,” McEwen says. “When used correctly, it shouldn’t feel heavy or obvious—and that’s why it works just as well day-to-day as for special occasions.”
I grew up in a home where hairspray was paramount; my mother was known for her beautiful, long hair and never left the house without it styled. From down the hall, I’d hear the whisper of her Suave nonaerosol pump, spritz-spritzing her layers into place—my sign to know she was almost done getting ready. Well into my 20s, it seems I’ve become somewhat of a hairspray enthusiast too. It really is the only thing that keeps my at-home blowout bouncy and smooth.
Below, a look at Vogue’s favorite hairspray formulas, each backed by editor and hairstylist insight.
In This Story
- How Does Hairspray Work?
- Which Styles Can Be Achieved With Hairspray?
- How to Pick the Right Hairspray for Your Hair Type
- How to Make Your Hairstyles Last Longer
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall: L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray
- Why We Love It: “This is one of my go-tos, and I use it on everyone,” says Galbraith. “It’s weightless, brush-able, and leaves the hair feeling natural while still providing reliable hold.” McEwen adds that he recommends this hairspray to his clients because it works on almost everyone. “It gives hold without ever feeling heavy or sticky, which is great for everyday hair, grooming, and more elevated looks,” McEwen explains.
- Editor’s Experience: The compliments keep pouring in on my new blowout routine (I’ve been practicing!). The hairspray keeping my hard work in place is this one. When I’m done with my Dyson Airwrap, I do a light spritz all around my freshly flipped ends. I particularly love how easily I can brush out this formula, without it leaving my thick hair feeling abnormally crunchy or losing its hold.—Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key ingredients: Alcohol denat, dimethyl ether, dimethicone
- More to Know: Unscented, paraben-free, aluminum-free, sulfate-free
- Hold: Strong
- Size: 11 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Brush-able hold with a non-crunchy finish | Some consider this to have a strong scent |
| Humidity resistant |
Best for Fine Hair: Oribe Superfine Hairspray
- Why We Love It: Those who fear supercrunchy hair needn’t look any further than Oribe’s fine-mist hairspray. “This is ideal for thin hair types,” says Galbraith. “It’s a beautifully lightweight and perfect option for when I am looking to finish the style whilst still allowing movement and softness.” That’s thanks to a blend of hydrolyzed vegetable protein for conditioning (and shine!) and Oribe’s blend of botanic extracts that protects against oxidative stress. McEwen agrees: “This one is incredibly lightweight and perfect for finishing a look. It gives beautiful control while still allowing movement, which is essential for modern grooming.”
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, PVP, watermelon seed oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, litchi fruit extract, edelweiss flower extract
- More to know: Cruelty-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free
- Hold: Light
- Size: 2.2 oz., 9 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Ultrafine mist with medium hold | May not provide as much hold on thicker, more textured hair |
| Ideal for fine hair types |
Best for Medium Hair: Kenra Professional Perfect Medium Spray 13
- Why We Love It: According to Galbraith, Kenra’s high-shine hairspray strikes the perfect balance of hold for medium hair types—lightweight enough that it maintains movement, with just enough control sans crunch. “This offers a flexible, medium hold that’s great for everyday styling without feeling stiff or heavy,” Galbraith details. Best of all, this boosts shine for a glossy finish. Expect just enough hold to maintain a loose blowout or beachy waves, without your style falling flat within hours.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, lanolin, aqua, panthenol
- More to Know: Cruelty-free, PETA certified, sulfate-free
- Hold: Medium
- Size: 10 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Touchable, brush-able control | Some say this spray doesn’t hold as well on curly hair |
| Adds a glossy shine |
Best With Keratin: Color Wow Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
- Why We Love It: Loved by celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton (a.k.a. Ariana Grande’s and Kim Kardashian’s go-to stylist), Color Wow’s hairspray is a multihyphenate. “It’s a miracle product,” Priscilla Valles, a Los Angeles–based celebrity extensionist previously told Vogue. “It’s one of those products that does everything in one—flexibility, UV protectant, nonsticky, non-yellowing, humidity protectant, and more.” With hydrolyzed silk and hydrolyzed keratin to strengthen and repair, the spray provides all-day hold while keeping hair touchable and soft.
- Key ingredients: Copolymer blend, hydrolyzed keratin, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
- More to Know:
- Hold: Medium
- Size: 10 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Anti-humidity formula keeps hair smooth and shiny | Overdoing it can lead to a bit of stickiness |
| Color-safe and UV protectant |
Best Strong Hold: Tresemmé Extra Hold Hairspray
- Why We Love It: For elaborate updos and special occasions that call for long-wearing styles, only a strong-hold hairspray will do. “If I really need a look to last, I’ll spray a light mist through dry hair and brush through before going in with hot tools,” celebrity hairstylist and Tresemmé ambassador Justine Marjan previously shared. “This allows for additional hold without the hair feeling stiff.” Plus, the formula uses Tresemmé’s Pro Lock Technology (a blend of styling polymers) to lock in moisture and prevent frizz.
- Key Ingredients: Alcohol denat, copolymer blend, limonene
- More to Know: Cruelty-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free
- Hold: Strong
- Size: 14.6 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Provides up to 24 hours of hold | Some find the scent to be strong |
| Humidity and frizz control | Can get sticky if over-applied |
Best Texturizing: Kevin Murphy Bedroom Hair Flexible Texturizing Hairspray
- Why We Love It: For a dry texture spray and hairspray in one, Kevin Murphy’s Bedroom Hair achieves an effortlessly tousled look. The formula adds subtle texture while still maintaining hydration through a blend of gingerroot extract for conditioning and vegetable glycerin to prevent moisture loss. While it’s not a control hairspray per se, it’s great for styling wavy hair looks. Plus, it boasts a pleasant, fresh-powder scent.
- Editor’s Experience: Kevin Murphy’s Bedroom Hair was my go-to back when I was styling and restyling beachy waves on my long hair. I’m not particularly fond of a firm-hold hairspray because I prefer to maintain movement, so my hairstylist recommended this as a finishing spray to add just enough texture to hold my hairstyle. It yields a matte finish that looks natural.—C.C.
- Key ingredients: Alcohol denat, glycerin, gingerroot extract, sunflower seed extract, camellia leaf extract, bergamot peel oil
- More to Know: Sulfate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and vegan
- Hold: Light and flexible
- Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Flexible hold and texture | Some find their hair to be a bit too gritty |
| Hydrating formula |
Best Buildable: Drybar Seltzer Spritz Flexible Hold Hairspray
- Why We Love It: For another flexible-hold finishing spray, Drybar’s ultrafine mist delivers up to eight hours of hold. It’s a bestseller for just how soft your hair feels after spraying, without a hint of grit or crunchiness. That’s thanks to the plant-based formula’s blend of ama-leaf and rosemary extract, both rich with conditioning and antioxidant benefits. Meanwhile, pliable polymers create a flexible, all-day hold without silicones. Best of all, the formula is buildable, so you can decide how light or strong you want your hair control.
- Key Ingredients: Ama-leaf extract, rosemary extract, lemon peel extract, ivy leaf extract, glycerin, polymer blend
- More to Know: Silicone-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalates-free
- Hold: Buildable
- Size: 9 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and natural feel | Not for strong-hold looks |
| Clean formula |
Best Nourishing: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Strong
- Why We Love It: As with all Moroccanoil products, the brand’s hairspray is infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil for added hydration. Even with the addition of other richly nourishing oils, this firm-hold finishing tool is ideal for creating updo styles and can also serve as a foundation before braiding.
- Key ingredients: Alcohol denat, argan kernel oil, hydrogenated olive oil, vitamin E
- More to Know: Cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, formaldehyde-free, and mineral-oil-free
- Hold: Strong
- Size: 10 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Adds shine and has a soft-to-touch finish | Some say the nozzle tends to clog |
| Lightweight despite strong hold |
Best for Textured Hair: Redken Spray Wax
- Why We Love It: McEwen loves Redken’s Spray Wax for enhancing texture. “I use Spray Wax to build shape and separation rather than as a traditional hairspray,” he says, noting it works on all hair types from fine and straight to thick and naturally textured. “It’s great when you want a slightly lived-in, effortless finish.” Galbraith adds that it works well for styling men’s hair, giving a slightly matte, lived-in finish. It’s also favored by model Salem Mitchell, who recently took to TikTok to gush about how this pick kept her flyaways at bay and her sew-in looking flawless all day (even in extremely humid, summer weather).
- Key Ingredients: Alcohol denat, glycerin, copolymer blend, soybean oil, tocopherol
- More to Know: Vegan and biodegradable
- Hold: Medium to strong
- Size: 5.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Adds texture and control to all hair types | Not paraben-free |
| Works well for sew-ins and leave-outs | |
| Nonsticky and humidity-resistant finish |
Best Tight Curls: Bronner Bros Pump It Up Styling Spritz
- Why We Love It: Beauty editor Kiana Murden raved about the Bronner Bros Pump It Up Styling Spritz when we brainstormed the best hairsprays. She’s been using it since her childhood relaxer days, whether setting hot-iron curls or keeping her ponytail in place for picture day. Years later, she still keeps it stocked in her vanity. This fast-drying hairspray is known for providing a strong, long-lasting hold on textured hair—for slicked-back styles, sculpted edges, and more. As for conditioning benefits, the formula is enriched with silk amino acids and panthenol to nourish hair and add a subtle hint of glossy shine.
- Key Ingredients: Alcohol, silk amino acids, panthenol
- More to Know: Cruelty-free, allergen tested
- Hold: Strong
- Size: 8 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Fast-drying, superstrong hold | Some find the fragrance to be strong |
| Versatile for styling, from wigs to slicked-back styles |
Everything You Need to Know
How Does Hairspray Work?
“Hairspray helps set the shape of the hair and gives you control over the final look,” says McEwen. “It’s great for managing flyaways, enhancing structure, and making sure the style holds up throughout the day, especially under lights and cameras.”
Which Styles Can Be Achieved With Hairspray?
“Any hairstyle can be achieved with hairspray—ponytails, chignons, hair worn down, or anything where you really want to lock in the shape and hold,” says Galbraith. McEwen uses hairspray to enhance the hair’s natural shape rather than to freeze it. “For men especially, movement is key,” he says. “You want the hair to look effortless but still controlled.”
How to Pick the Right Hairspray for Your Hair Type
McEwen stresses understanding your hair’s texture, density, and the result you want before reaching for a hairspray. For finer hair types, he recommends lighter-weight, texturizing hair sprays. “Thin hair shouldn’t use a very heavy or strong hairspray, as it could feel too stiff or weigh the hair down,” he says. On the contrary, stronger formulas work great for structured styles or sleeker looks that require maximum control, regardless of hair thickness.
If that’s all too much, you can stick to a safe bet. “I tend to gravitate towards flexible, buildable formulas that allow you to adjust as you go,” McEwen says. Galbraith adds that it all comes down to personal style preference. “Consider how much hold you want and how much product you like to feel in your hair,” he says, reiterating that L’Oréal Elnett is always his go-to.
How to Make Your Hairstyles Last Longer
McEwen prefers to spray hairspray in light layers, only where it’s needed. “Often I’ll spray it onto my hands or a comb first and work it through specific areas for more precision,” he says. “This gives you control without losing movement. It’s about building the hold gradually rather than overloading the hair.”
On the other hand, Galbraith advises lightly spraying each section with hairspray before applying heat tools and finishing off your hair with a light layer afterward. “This technique really helps lock in the style and gives added hold and longevity,” he says.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—like celebrity hairstylists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate thoughtful edits.
As it relates to hairsprays, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, and the styles they can achieve. To do this, we paired our personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights.
Meet the Experts
- Willis Galbraith is a London-based celebrity hairstylist. His roster includes Salma Hayek, Devon Windsor, Alison Oliver, Nadine Leopold, Camille Charrière, and more.
- Charley McEwen is a London-based celebrity hairstylist and groomer. His roster includes Taron Egerton, Lucas Bravo, Nick Jonas, Jake Gyllenhaal, Helen Mirren, Nicole Scherzinger, and Kelly Rowland.
