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Hairspray: Tips & Tricks for Proper Use

hairspray-bottle-for-versatile-hair-styling

It’s fair to say that hairspray is a common sight in bathrooms cabinets across the world. Since the late 1940s, men and women alike have used this useful styling spray to keep their hairstyles in place. Still, it’s worth wondering after all these years: Am I using hairspray correctly? Many people are unsure how to get the perfect hold, how far to spray from their hair, and which type of spray is best for them. We’ll provide a few helpful tips to get your hair looking great!

Hairspray uses and benefits

Brunette woman using hairspray

Hair spray can do miracles if you keep the right distance

Using hairspray has been arguably the most popular way to style hair for decades now. This hairstyling product can be used to keep hair in place, guarantee an all-day hold, as well as to create volume and even keep flyaways at bay. Hairspray can be bought in numerous strengths and varieties, but is formulated to be flexible, which means that your hair has a light hold but without feeling or looking like it’s as solid as a rock! It can also be used on either dry or wet hair, but each way will create a distinctive finish.

Using hairspray: Get familiar with the different types

Purple-haired woman using hairspray

There's a hairspray to suit every person and every look!

Just like mousse, gel, or wax, hair styling spray comes in many forms and types, depending on what you’re trying to do with your hairstyle.

To make sure you know how to use hairspray the right way for your hair needs, we’ll take a quick look at some of the most popular options available for purchase:

  • Regular – Need something to hold your hair in place and tame flyaways? Regular will be perfect.
  • Finishing – This is a very strong hairspray. Like the name suggests, this will be the last thing you spray on your hair after using any other hair styling products or tools. Finishing spray will give a tough hold and a nice shine.
  • Texture – To give your hair more volume and texture without so much weight, texture spray is the way to go. It’s a little comparable to dry shampoo, but won’t soak up your hair’s natural oils or leave any residue.
  • Thermal – For anyone using tools that use heat like blow dryers, straighteners, or curling irons, it’s important to shield your hair by adding a protective layer. Thermal spray can be used before hair styling tools to help add more moisture to your hair.
  • Freeze – This is definitely known in the industry as the strongest of the hair styling sprays, as it will essentially look like your hair is frozen solid. Your hair will barely move with freeze spray.
  • Volumizing – Using this hairspray is all about making your hair look full, lush, and thick. This type of spray is also applied to the roots, which means the hair should stand up and appear to have more volume.
  • Shaping – This is often used during the styling process but is never the final spray. Hair can still be freely brushed or combed after spraying, as this is one of the lightest options to shape your hairstyle.

How to use hairspray the right way

Hair stylist spraying hairspray on a girl's hair

Follow this tips and you can't go wrong!

To ensure you spray hair correctly, read the following tips before the styling process.

  • Hold the spray nozzle at least 30cm (12 inches) away from your hair when spraying, and always spray in a continuous motion.
  • Make sure the spray nozzle is not gummed up, as you’ll want a fine mist rather than it to come out in spurts.
  • To achieve more hair volume, one of the best hairspray tips is to hold your head upside down and shake your hair while spraying. You can also lift segments of your hair and spray underneath.
  • For those with a sensitive or itchy scalp, be careful using hairspray as you should only apply to the hair, as the alcohol in the product can dry the scalp and cause irritation.
  • To tame unruly strands, it’s okay to spray the product into your hands and smooth your hair down.
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