Allure

Hair

8 Best Hairsprays to Lock in Your 'Dos All Day Long

 

No crunchiness or heaviness in sight.

When it comes to styling products, hairspray easily earns our vote for “most improved.” Once known for creating stiff, crunchy, and nearly immovable styles, the best hairsprays today are a far cry from the lacquered looks of decades past. The latest and greatest formulas are more undetectable than ever, no matter their hold level, and work across all hair types. Whether you’re locking in a bouncy blowout, smoothing a sleek bun, or adding a bit of lift at the roots, today's sprays work harder and smarter than ever.

When it comes to hairspray, the hold level makes all the difference. Lightweight, flexible formulas, or what stylist Mark Townsend calls “working sprays,” are ideal during the styling process, allowing you to shape and adjust without committing to a final look. Once you're ready to lock everything in, strong-hold sprays come into play, helping secure the style while smoothing down flyaways. Townsend’s go-to trick for a polished finish is to spritz a bit of strong-hold spray on a clean toothbrush to tame edges around the hairline or nape.

To explain what distinguishes a good hairspray from a great one and how to find the right formula for your needs, we also tapped stylists Shelly Aguirre (based in Chicago) and Michele Aquino-DeJesus, (based in Riverdale, NY to share their go-to picks and tips. Whether you have fine strands that need a featherlight touch or coily textures that demand extra security, these 10 standout hairsprays help you create sleek, frizz-free looks without crunchiness or a tacky feel.

Best Overall: Amika Fluxus Touchable Hairspray

Why we love it: Few things are more frustrating than spending an hour perfecting your hair, only to have humidity unravel it the second you step outside. Amika’s Fluxus Touchable Flexible Hold Hairspray is the antidote to that. Designed as a buildable mist, this flexible spray keeps your style in place without stiffness, flaking, or crunching. It’s powered by butyl ester of PVM/MA copolymer (a mouthful, we know, but it basically just means it keeps your hair from freaking out in humidity) and sea buckthorn, a superfruit rich in omega-7 that helps nourish the scalp and boost softness and elasticity. The subtle scent is a smoothie consisting of bright grapefruit, juicy apricot, and warm vanilla, making every spritz feel like a mood boost.

Expert feedback from hairstylist Michele Aquino-DeJesus

“Amika Fluxus Hairspray is a kit essential, especially when a client wants their style to feel effortless, not stiff. It offers a flexible, lightweight, brushable hold that works beautifully across all hair textures.” Aquino-DeJesus reaches for it often after silk presses and blowouts to maintain bounce and polish without sacrificing shine. “It gives hold without crunch or residue,” she adds. Bonus: The scent is fresh without being overpowering, and it doesn’t dry out the hair.

More to know

Key ingredients: sea buckthorn, butyl ester of PVM/MA copolymer
Hold level: light to medium
Fragrance-free: no

Best Staying Power: Kenra Professional Volume Spray

Why we love it: If you're looking for your hair to defy gravity, humidity, and 25 mph winds, Kenra Volume Spray 25 Super Hold Finishing Spray is the hairspray you’ve been looking for. Known for its near-legendary staying power, this spray delivers up to 120 hours of hold—yes, five full days—without flaking or dulling the hair's natural shine. It’s a favorite among stylists for red carpet-level volume, bridal styles, or any moment where touch-ups aren’t an option. “Kenra 25 is my ride-or-die, my go-to when I need serious hold that lasts from morning to night,” raves Aquino DeJesus. “It’s especially great for finer or straighter hair that struggles to hold volume, but I also use it to set more structured styles on thicker textures without stiffness or crunch. The humidity resistance is a game-changer, especially for my clients in tropical or coastal climates.” And despite the intense hold, it dries fast, feels surprisingly lightweight, and leaves hair looking natural rather than shellacked.

Tester feedback from Allure tester Sam Escobar

When they need a little oomph for their hairstyle of the day, they whip out the Kenra Shaping Spray. "It gives great hold, smells amazing, and doesn’t leave my hair feeling crunchy or dry," they say.

More to know

Key ingredients: panthenol
Hold level: strong
Fragrance-free: no

Best l: Nexxus XXL Volume Medium Hold Spray

Why we love it: Nexxus XXL Volume Medium Hold Hairspray lives up to the name. This salon-grade formula gives you that blown-out, big-hair energy at home, and keeps it going for up to 48 hours without stiffness or stickiness. The standout component is Nexxus’s proprietary StyleProtect technology, which uses dual-fix polymers to hold shape while shielding strands from wind, moisture, and humidity. Think of it as invisible armor for your hair that also delivers a sleek finish.

Tester feedback from Allure social director Kassidy Silva

"There is no frustration like spending hours achieving perfect curls only for them to immediately fall once you step outside. With a few spritzes of this hairspray, my curls stay intact all night long and have enough flexibility that I can still toss them up into an inevitable updo by the end of the evening."

More to know

Key ingredients: StyleProtect technology
Hold level: medium
Fragrance-free: no

Best Smoothing: Oribe Superfine Hair Spray

Why it's worth it: While other hairsprays can be drying, Superfine Hair Spray is just the opposite, thanks to hydrating aloe leaf extract and conditioning hydrolyzed wheat protein. This sheer formula also wins major points for versatility, as it is easily buildable. No wonder it gets two thumbs up from both Los Angeles-based hairstylist Florido Basallo and Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. “As the name says, the nozzle of this sleek can dispenses a featherweight, fine mist of hairspray that makes distributing it evenly across my waves a breeze,” Calaor says. "I use it to keep my heat-styled waves bouncy and intact without any crunchiness or stickiness.”

More to know

Key ingredients: aloe leaf extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein
Who it's good for: those with frizz-prone hair

Best Strong Hold: L'OreÌ�al Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray

 

Why it's worth it: Originally launched in the 1950s, this L'Oréal Paris classic was only available in Europe until 2008, when it finally made its way stateside—and earned a Best of Beauty Award. (Ask any stylist, and they'll tell you they used to smuggle Elnett back into their suitcase before that.) It's got that superstar-spray status for good reason: The formula delivers both long-lasting hold and a hit of shine and doesn't leave hair knotted or tangled when you brush it out.

Expert feedback from Aquino-DeJesus

“[L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray] is a classic for a reason. It’s incredibly fine, almost invisible when sprayed, yet offers a dependable hold that brushes out effortlessly. I love it for all hair types, but especially on clients with medium to thick textures who need control without stiffness. I often use it as a finishing spray on editorial sets or for polished, soft waves because it holds style in place without disrupting the hair’s texture or shine. It’s elegant, reliable, and universally flattering—truly a stylist’s staple.”

More to know

Key ingredients: VA/crotonates/vinyl neodecanoate copolymer, alcohol denat, hydrofluorocarbon 152a
Hold level: strong
Fragrance-free: no
 

Best Medium Hold: Andalou Naturals Medium Hold Hairspray

Why we love it: Gone are the days of clogging the ozone layer or coughing through a cloud of chemical-filled hairsprays to lock in your style. Andalou Naturals’ Sunflower & Citrus Medium Hold Hair Spray offers a cleaner alternative as a non-aerosol mist that delivers flexible hold with zero crunch and zero stickiness, making it ideal for polished styles that still move. The formula is powered by a fruit stem cell complex (with apple, grape, and bilberry), vitamin C, biotin, and aloe to boost shine, support hair strength, and add volume. Whether used before hot tools or as a finishing spray, it dries fast, works on all hair types, and adds a healthy-looking glow to any style.

Expert feedback from hairstylist Shelly Aguirre

"For blocking out humidity and medium hold, I like Andalou Sunflower and Citrus Brilliant Shine Hair Spray. The humidity protection comes from fruit stem cells, which are combined with other ingredients that I love, including vitamin C, biotin, and apple cider vinegar. It delivers a nice shine without that sticky, crunchy finish. It’s great for those looking for a natural, vegan option as well.”

More to know

Key ingredients: fruit stem cell complex (apple, grape, bilberry), aloe vera, vitamin C
Hold level: medium
Fragrance-free: no

Best Soft Hold: Chi Enviro 54 Natural Hairspray

Why we love it: Hairspray shouldn’t hold your hair hostage. CHI’s Enviro 54 Natural Hold Hairspray keeps styles in place while staying completely touchable. The buildable formula adds structure without sacrificing movement, making it ideal for everything from soft waves to polished blowouts. The addition of CHI’s ceramic compound boosts shine, while silk proteins help maintain strength and resilience. Toss in heat protection and anti-humidity benefits, and this spray works overtime to keep your style fresh, touchable, and frizz-free.

Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor

“Now that I have locs, hairspray isn’t something I reach for often, but when I did, CHI’s Enviro 54 Natural Hold Hairspray was my go-to for years. I could style my silk press into an updo one day and brush it out the next with no sticky or crunchy residue. It sprays precisely, and it wasn’t overly wet, so my hair didn’t revert back to curly.”

More to know

Key ingredients: CHI ceramic compound, silk
Hold level: light to medium
Fragrance-free: no

Best for Heat Protection: Kérastase Laque Couture Hairspray

Why we love it: For a hairspray that holds without hardening, Kérastase’s Laque Couture Hair Spray checks all the boxes. This fine mist offers flexible, long-lasting hold that keeps flyaways in check and volume intact, all while preserving movement and softness. It’s infused with ceramides to support the hair’s structure, micro-beeswax for definition, and xylose to help protect against heat damage. You also get a built-in UV filter for sun protection and humidity resistance for frizz control. Best of all? The formula is color-safe and leaves no visible residue.

Expert feedback from Aguirre

For styles that require heat tools, Aguirre recommends reaching for a more flexible formula like Kérastase’s Laque Couture Hairspray. "If you’re using it for heat protection, you’ll want a lighter hold," she explains. Due to the overall lightness of the spray, it’s perfect for layering, which can help build more hold and control as needed.”

More to know

Key ingredients: ceramides, micro-beeswax, copolymers
Hold level: medium
Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes for a good hairspray?

For Aquino-DeJesus, the best formulas strike a balance between performance and care. “It should lock in your style without compromising movement,” she says. “As a stylist who works with all textures, ingredients matter.” She looks for conditioning agents and anti-humidity technology that help maintain the look while protecting the hair shaft. “A great hairspray becomes part of your styling ritual. It works with your hair, not against it.”

Aguirre echoes the importance of smart formulation. “Look for top ingredients to ensure the product won’t get flaky or sticky,” she advises. “In general, keeping the alcohol content lower is ideal.”

Does your hair type matter when choosing certain hairsprays?

Absolutely. “Finer hair typically does best with lightweight, flexible formulas that won’t weigh it down, while thicker or more textured hair often benefits from stronger hold and added humidity protection to maintain shape and volume,” says Aquino-DeJesus. She’s cautious with drying formulas, adding, “Heavy alcohol-based sprays can be overly drying, especially for textured hair, so I gravitate toward nourishing, moisture-conscious options.” As a Latina, she notes, “One head of hair can have multiple textures. Choosing the right hairspray is about more than hold, it’s about honoring your hair’s unique needs.”

Aguirre agrees that function matters just as much as texture: “Hairsprays can vary, so it depends on what you’re using the spray for,” she says. “Although all hairsprays have alcohol, how close you hold it to the hair also plays a role.” For her, layering is essential: “A workable hairspray will help calm hair down,” making it adaptable.

Is aerosol hairspray better for your hair than non-aerosol options?

According to Aquino-DeJesus, it’s less about the delivery method and more about what’s inside the bottle. “It really depends on the formulation, not just whether it’s aerosol or not,” she explains. Aerosol sprays tend to offer a fine, even mist, which she finds ideal for locking in styles with minimal buildup. “They're great when you need that polished finish without weighing the hair down,” she says. She also notes that not all aerosols are created equal: “Some of the newer, cleaner aerosol formulas are actually gentler on the hair than older, alcohol-heavy pump sprays.” In the end, she says, it comes down to your styling goals and hair texture.

Meet the experts

• Michele Aquino-DeJesus, a hairstylist in Riverdale, NY
• Shelly Aguirre, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
• Mark Townsend, a hairstylist in Los Angeles

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers' experience levels. For instance, an innovative new hair dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.

For our review of the best hairsprays, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair stylists—who have different types of hair, concerns, desired outcomes. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, safety and ease of use, and value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.