The 12 Best Hairsprays for Fine Hair, Tested & Vetted by Editors

My hair has three major defining features: It’s straight, thin and it doesn’t hold any shape. I learned this early on, when, after my mother had slaved for an hour to curl my hair, it fell flat within minutes, despite the fact that the hairspray bottle said “firm hold.” Since then, I set off to determine the best hairspray for fine hair, and after weeks of testing myriad brands and living through heat waves and crazy humidity, these are 13 that passed the test. They include the multi-hyphenate and best overall winner Bumble & bumble’s Dryspun ($16), budget-friendly Tresemmé Très Two Extra Hold Hairspray (was $24, now $23) and curl-holding Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray ($30). I also spoke with two celebrity hairstylists about their application tips and tricks.

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• Cynthia Alvarez is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with the likes of Alicia Keys, Ego Nwodim, Becky G, Shakira and Dascha Polanco. Alvarez specializes in extensions and wigs, as well as styling, cutting and braiding. Her work has been featured in Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and InStyle.
• Chaz Dean is a celebrity hairstylist, colorist and the founder of the WEN hair and body care line. Dean has over 25 years of experience, and his salon has styled the likes of Ming-Na Wen, Nicole Murphy, Gilles Marini, Alyssa Milano, Gwyneth Paltrow and many others. WEN is also the winner of multiple QVC Beauty Awards.

To create this list of the 13 best hairsprays for fine hair, I reached out to my favorite hairstylists and asked them for their recommendations. I also combed through data in Google Trends and forums like Reddit to see what people were searching for and loving. Additionally, I polled fellow PureWow editors about the hairsprays they used. Ultimately, I ended up considering 25 hairsprays, testing as many as I could and evaluating them on efficacy (did they do what they promised?), ease of use, longevity and scent. Throughout the testing process, I followed the directions for each product and curled my notoriously flat hair with either the T3 Curl ID curling iron ($249) or the Dyson Airwrap ($599). Then, I went about my daily life in New York City—through multiple heat waves and oppressive humidity (we’re talking 92 percent one day)—to see how each hairspray held up. Below are the ones that made the cut.

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When shopping for hairspray for fine hair, there are a few factors to consider, as different sprays are formulated to yield different results.

“If you’re looking to add more texture, you might want to test out a texture spray, and if you’re looking for a serious hold, you’ll want to go with a freeze spray,” Alvarez advises.

For those looking for “healthy” or “natural” hairsprays, Dean notes that you’ll want to avoid ingredients such as propane, butane, isobutane and vinyl acetate. Additionally, he says, “Avoid products containing drying, damaging and harsh chemicals like propane, butane, isobutane or vinyl acetate. Instead, look for brands containing skin-loving ingredients that will help hydrate, treat and condition your hair while delivering shine, hold and flexibility.”

Then there’s the crunch factor, and Dean has a trick for determining what kind of finish a hairspray will leave behind. “A good rule of thumb is that if it feels tacky, sticky or heavy on your skin, it will leave your hair the same way,” he says. “[When applying hairspray], I suggest spraying it an arm’s length away and misting in a circular motion as you spray so you’re not spraying directly onto one spot. Spritz lightly and let it dry. Layering it like this creates a firmer hold.”

After extensive research and consulting with hair professionals, Bumble & bumble’s Dryspun proved itself to be the best overall hairspray for fine hair. The lightweight formula adds texture and volume without leaving the hair crunchy, and it acts as a dry shampoo and heat protectant. Additionally, your hairstyle will last for days—I tried it and was shocked that my hair looked fresh at the end of day two.