For the love of hairspray! Whether you’re aiming to set your perfect curls on wash day or finish an elegant updo, these are my absolute favorite hairsprays for successful curly hair styling. They deliver the hold and flexibility you need while maintaining your healthy hair goals.
Why Use a Hairspray?
You don’t have to compromise on styling to keep your curls healthy and happy. Hairsprays give you more control over your styling by adding an extra layer of hold to help your curls last for days and protect against the weather.
For curls, flexible hold is what you need to avoid stiffness. Hairsprays can be used as an all-over curl setting spray, a finishing spray, or for finessing just a few curl details.
Won’t Hairspray Dry Out My Hair?
Rest assured that these hairsprays will not damage or dry out your curls. I’ve used them regularly for years as part of my healthy hair styling routine, and the key is their ingredients and how they are applied. As part of a curly hair routine, using hairspray as a finishing layer over a base product, like a gel or mousse, provides additional styling benefits without the risk of dryness or damage.
Aerosol vs. Non-Aerosol Hairspray
When you’re staring down the hairspray aisle, you’ll notice two main types of packaging: the tall, pressurized aerosol can and the small, pump-action non-aerosol bottle (often called a spritz). They look different, and more importantly, they deliver the product in completely different ways, which matters a great deal to your curls. Feel free to look beyond the curly hair section to find more options of hairspray for curly hair, too!
The Aerosol Advantage (The Fine Mist)
Aerosol hairsprays use a propellant to release an ultra-fine, widespread cloud of mist. This is fantastic for a soft, all-over application. Because the mist is so light, it’s less likely to disturb the styling you just created. Aerosols generally offer a more flexible, brushable hold and are ideal for finishing a style, adding root volume, or providing a light layer of defense against humidity. Think of this as your perfect final veil of protection.
The Non-Aerosol Advantage (The Targeted Spritz)
Non-aerosol formulas come in a pump bottle that delivers a targeted jet or a heavier, more concentrated stream of product. This is your go-to for precision hold. Non-aerosols are best for spot-treating a specific stringy curl, locking down persistent flyaways, or setting the entire style on wash day when you need high definition. The formula is often heavier, leading to a much firmer, structured hold. Even if you need your curls to look and feel soft, you can always scrunch out the crunch once your curls are fully dry.
Which Type of Hairspray is Right for Your Curls?
For most curly styling, where you need to set and reinforce the curl clumps you already created, the non-aerosol spritz—what I often call a “wet spray”—is your winner. Because it delivers a liquid stream, it provides just enough moisture to coat your curls, protect them before drying, and even help bring slightly separated clumps back together.
However, if you’re looking for a flexible, weightless hold after your hair is dry, or if you’re trying to set an intricate style like an updo, go for the aerosol. I call this a “dry spray” because its fine mist creates a protective seal without making your hair look sticky or disrupting its texture.
Favorite Hairsprays for Curly Hair
I Create Finish Innersense Hairspray
This non-aerosol hairspray has been my go-to for years to set my curls on wash day. After I have applied my gel, I spray it throughout my hair before diffusing. Yes, on wet hair! It adds an extra layer of hold for weather protection and prevents frizz from forming during the diffusing time.
Ideal for all hair types and textures
A workable hairspray for hold and shine. Achieve flexible hold with this versatile finishing hairspray. Formulated with Certified Organic honey for touchable hold and rooibos tea for antioxidant care. Aloe and rice proteins nourish and strengthen strands. – Innersense Organic Beauty
Read my full product review here too!
Styling Benefits:
- Fights Frizz: Creates a powerful barrier to prevent frizz, even during humidity, rainy days, and while diffusing.
- Strong Hold: Provides all-day, lasting hold that keeps your curls defined for multiple days between washes.
- Enhances Shine: Boosts the natural shine of your hair, leaving your curls looking healthy and vibrant.
- Zero Stickiness: Delivers a firm set that easily softens up, resulting in a touchable, flexible finish.
DevaCurl Flexible Hold Hairspray
I love the even coverage of this aerosol spray. It gives a flexible and lightweight hold with frizz and weather protection but without the crunch of strong hold sprays. I’ve used it on wet and dry hair with beautiful results. Do use it in a ventilated area to help clear any overspray.
The fragrance is “a crisp, uplifting Bright Breeze juicy scent that starts with notes of pomegranate, raspberry and salty melon, followed by waterlily and gardenia & finishes with sandalwood, cotton candy and musk.” – DevaCurl
Styling Benefits
- Flexible, Touch-Proof Hold: Delivers a lightweight set for natural bounce and movement.
- A Clean, Flake-Free Finish: Guarantees zero flaking, stiffness, or unwanted crunchiness.
- Tames Frizz & Flyaways: Invisible, lightweight spray for taming flyaways and setting textured updos.
- Weather Protection: Creates a barrier to prevent frizz, during humidity, rainy days, and while diffusing.
- Enhances Shine: Boosts the natural shine of your hair, leaving your curls looking healthy and vibrant.
Jessicurl Aquavescent Hairspray
This is another great non-aerosol hairspray, perfect for locking in your curls on wash day. It features a unique spray trigger for an even mist, and you can choose from two appealing fragrances—or an unscented version if you prefer. My favorite Jessicurl scent is the Citrus Lavender.
Use Aquavescent Hair Spray on damp, styled hair or on dry curls for a stronger hold. Jessicurl products are always sulfate free, silicone free, gluten free, cruelty free, and vegan. – Jessicurl
Styling Benefits:
- Alcohol-free: Formulated without drying alcohols, ensuring your curls stay healthy.
- Fights Frizz: Creates a powerful barrier to prevent frizz, even during humidity, rainy days, and while diffusing.
- Strong Hold: Provides all-day, lasting hold that keeps your curls defined for multiple days between washes.
- Weather Protection: Creates a barrier to prevent frizz, during humidity, rainy days, and while diffusing.
- Enhances Shine: Boosts the natural shine of your hair, leaving your curls looking healthy and vibrant.
The Finishing Spray
Kenra Volume Spray 25
(Walmart, Target, or Ulta) My favorite finishing hairspray to use on dry hair. It offers a truly workable hold and is completely free of the sticky, high-gloss residue often associated with traditional sprays. When setting an updo or any structured style, it provides an invisible, natural-looking finish that holds your hair firmly but softly.
Super hold, volumized, flexible, and touchable. It leaves hair looking natural and shiny while imparting the strength and volume necessary to make any style last all day. – Kenra Professional
Styling Benefits:
- Customizable Hold: Offers a workable, soft hold perfect for daily styling and easily brushed through.
- Targeted Application: The fine mist allows for easy, all-over application directly onto the hair or can be sprayed onto fingertips for precise, detail work (like taming baby hairs).
- Invisible Finish: Provides a natural-looking finish with zero stickiness or helmet-head stiffness.
- No Buildup Worries: The formula washes out effortlessly, preventing product buildup on your strands.
Find more of my favorite hair products on my Amazon Storefront, or on the LTK app too!
Recommended posts:
Curls for Days: What’s Your Secret? (Here’s Mine!)
How to Prevent Frizz While Diffusing
Leave a Reply