Types of Hairsprays Explained: How to Find the Right One for You!

Hairspray might just be the unsung hero of your hair care lineup.

It’s not as glam as a major texture-transforming leave-in treatment (hello, Money Mist!) or as vital as a scalp serum (like Youth Juice!) but this trusty staple is your secret weapon for creating and perfecting an endless variety of hair styles... and making sure that they last! 

Hairspray is the essential tool that gives you two styling super powers: CONTROL and HOLD. Basically, hairspray is the key to making your hair behave in a way that it never would (or could!) on its own. 

The thing is, all hairsprays are not the same. And with so many formulas out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this guide, we want to help you answer questions such as:

It’s a fact: The right hairspray can work miracles! But the wrong hairspray could be yellowing your color or even dehydrating your hair from depositing too much alcohol.

We’re breaking down the most common types of hairsprays, how to choose them and how to use them, so you can confidently pick the ones you need to hit your styling goals and keep your hair strong and healthy-looking. 

1. Flexible Hold Hairspray: The Everyday MVP

If you’re all about natural movement, this is your go-to. Flexible hold hairsprays help give hair body and bendable, pliable qualities that make it easier to mold and shape a style. 

Stylists call these sprays “working sprays” because they can be applied anytime during the styling process to help make hair more cooperative and manageable. 

When to use this kind of hairspray: 

• Everyday styles: Soft waves, loose curls, or relaxed ponytails that need gentle hold without stiffness.

• Taming flyaways: Keeps frizz and stray hairs under control while maintaining a smooth, polished finish.

• Snatched ponytails and sleek looks: Provides control and a clean look without making hair feel crunchy or weighed down.

• Natural movement: Holds your style in place while allowing hair to move freely and bounce naturally.

• Workable hold: Great for styles that might need adjusting or refreshing throughout the day—this spray lets you reshape without residue.

How long will it last:

Flexible-hold hairspray typically lasts anywhere from a few hours to half a day, depending on the formula, your hair type, and environmental factors like humidity or wind. 

It’s designed to offer light, natural-looking hold with movement, so it may require touch-ups throughout the day if you’re looking for longer-lasting control.

The Best Flexible-Hold Hairspray:

Color Wow's Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray is a lightweight, non-sticky formula that provides all-day, brushable hold without stiffness.

Perfect for layering throughout the hair as you style it provides heat protection so you can flat iron or set hair with hot rollers and get soft, natural long-lasting style results.

How to use:

• Shake can well.
• Spray onto hair from about 10 inches away.
• Spray onto a brush (or toothbrush) for more precise application.

2. Strong Hold Hairspray: For When You Mean Business

Strong hold hairsprays are all about structure, control and endurance. Whether you’re facing a windy day, a packed dance floor, or just need your special hair style to last through a long event, or active competition, this is your secret weapon.

When to use this kind of hairspray: 

• Anytime you want to lock in the look! After you’ve finished styling and have your hair just the way you want it, a firm hold spray is essential to capture and  “freeze” the finished style so it lasts as long as you want.

• Special occasions: Great for weddings, parties, or events where your hair has to hold up under pressure.

• Sports competitions and performances: A must for activities like dance, cheerleading, or gymnastics where your hair needs to look flawless while staying secure through movement.

• Humidity or wind protection: Strong-hold formulas keep frizz and flyaways under control, even in challenging weather conditions.

How long will it last:

Strong-hold hairspray is designed to keep your style locked in place for most of the day—typically 8 to 12 hours—depending on the formula and conditions. 

It provides maximum control, making it ideal for structured styles like updos or voluminous blowouts that need to withstand wind, humidity, or long days.

Advanced strong hold formulas also offer humidity-resistance so hair doesn’t puff up or frizz out, undoing the look of your style. 

The Best Strong-Hold Hairspray:

Texas Hold 'Em is our newest strong-hold hairspray. This radical NEW type of hairspray delivers bigger and better Texas-sized styles. 

This powerful formula keeps big volume styles from flopping, falling or frizzing all-day. Plus, unlike many competitive sprays, it was formulated with crystal clear resins so it won’t dull, darken or yellow hair color.

How to use:

• Shake can well.
• Spray onto hair from about 10 inches away.
• Spray onto a brush (or toothbrush) for more precise application.

3. Texturizing Hairspray: Messy Chic in a Bottle

Texturizing hairsprays are designed to give your hair body, volume and “guts” so you can easily create that undone, tousled look without stiffness. 

When to use this kind of hairspray:

• On clean hair to add grip and body, especially if your hair feels too soft or slippery to style. 

• Before roller setting or using a curling iron, a texture spray can boost hair’s “style memory” and help curls last longer.

  🔥 IMPORTANT: If you are using a texture spray before heat styling, make sure that the formula contains HEAT PROTECTANT, as some texture sprays can actually “fuse” hair in clumps when heated.

  
  

• After curling or styling to break up uniform curls and give them that relaxed, undone texture.

• At the roots to boost volume and lift, particularly for fine or limp hair.

• On second-day hair to revive flat strands and enhance natural texture.

How long will it last:

Texturizing hairspray typically lasts anywhere from a few hours to half a day, depending on the formula, your hair type, and environmental conditions.

Because they provide a lighter hold, you may need to refresh your hair throughout the day, especially if you're working against humidity or natural oil buildup.

The Best Texturizing Hairspray:

Color Wow's Style on Steroids is a color-safe texturizing spray designed to add instant volume and texture without compromising hair color.

Its unique moisturizing formula ensures hair remains soft and touchable, avoiding the dryness or stiffness often associated with texturizing sprays. Importantly this formula has HEAT PROTECTANT so it’s ideal to use before styling with heated rollers and tools 

How to use:

• When using a curling iron or flat iron, spray hair section by section for bouncy curls or straight hair that moves.

• For major volume and fuller-looking hair, flip head upside down and spray under-layers.

• For sexy, undone texture, spray through midsection layers and rake through with fingers.

Hairspray vs. Other Styling Products: Your Questions Answered

Is Finishing Spray the Same as Hairspray? 

“Finishing spray” is any spray you apply after styling and there are several types. A “finishing spray’ could provide strong hold. Or, it could simply deliver glossy sheen or UV protection or even a special fragrance. 

Most finishing sprays are good for taming flyaways and creating a sleek finish, but other hairsprays (e.g. those defined as “strong hold” or “flexible hold”) are what you need to  shape and lock in styles.

Is Hairspray Better than Gel?

It depends on your styling needs. Hairspray is great for setting styles, providing hold, and taming flyaways without weighing hair down. 

Gel, on the other hand, offers stronger control for slicked-back looks or defining curls but can feel heavier and less flexible.

Texture Spray vs Hairspray vs Wax: What’s the Difference?

• Texture Spray: Designed to add volume, grit, and a tousled, lived-in look without stiffness. It’s perfect for enhancing beachy waves, braids, or creating effortless movement and body.

• Hairspray: Offers hold and control to help styles last longer, with formulas ranging from flexible to strong hold. It can add volume, give hair pliability, smooth flyaways, or lock styles in place, depending on the product you choose.

• Wax: Provides strong, moldable hold and definition, often with a matte or shiny finish. It’s ideal for short hair, precise styling, or creating piecey texture and separation.
  

Whether you’re creating relaxed, tousled waves, crafting a sleek, sculpted updo, or smoothing down stubborn flyaways, hairspray is your ultimate styling sidekick. It delivers the two key elements every style needs: control and hold.

In short, it lets you shape and secure your hair to do things it wouldn’t naturally do—and keeps it looking flawless.

And remember, hairspray works best as part of a holistic hair care routine. Pair it with products that support your hair and scalp, like Color Wow Money Mist for weightless hydration, or Dream Coat to banish frizz and create a silky-smooth finish before you even reach for the hairspray.