Styling Your Hair Without the Crunch - Part IV: Hairspray

Hairspray is lightweight and rather useful, so fight its stigma of late when you’re stumped on what hair product to use! As long as you don’t use too much to get a crispy-fried feel, you’ll be very pleased with the results. Hairspray offers a variety of holds and is also perfect for soft-styled retro cuts, like a shaggy ‘80s ‘do or a prep-inspired look.

How to Use It

1. Don’t just hold the hair spray bottle near your hair and spray! You won’t be getting ideal results, and who wants a weird stiff patch in the center of their hair? Start off with holding the can about 8-12 inches away from your hair.

2. Use the appropriate technique for your desired style.

General Styling: When you start styling your hair, all you need to do is spray and brush your hair to get it into the desired position.

Maximum Hold: Style your hair first and then mist it completely. It’s best to move the hairspray can around swiftly as you spray to avoid hard spots. Allow your hair to dry before touching it!

Volumizing: Add height by applying hairspray to the underside of your hair and brushing it upside down. This move is best reserved for flat or very fine hair– you can get some serious volume.

What Styles Does It Suit? You’ll like hairspray if you need to “finish” a hairstyle but you don’t want that piecey, messy thing going on. While hairspray might get a bad rap, it’s even worse to be known as the “Hair Obsessed Guy” who is constantly rearranging his ‘do.

Why You’ll Love It: Hairspray is a highly varied product that can serve many hair types well. Different levels of hold, delivery methods, and protective properties give you plenty of options.

Hairspray Tips

• Be careful. Combining heat and hairspray can be a dangerous combination, so don’t spray product directly at a straightener or blow dryer. It’s highly flammable.

• Many hairspray users keep a number of sprays on hand. You may want to stock up on a few non-aerosol products if you only need slight hold.

• Consider the scent. Look for low-key hairsprays if you don’t want them to compete with your usual fragrance like aftershave or cologne.

Suggested Products

• SCHWARZKOPF OSIS FREEZE SUPER HOLD HAIRSPRAY 9.1 OZ: This styling and finishing spray is perfect for major hold.

• Paul Mitchell Fast Drying Sculpting Spray: Paul Mitchell products offer salon-quality results and are always soft to the touch. Fast drying is perfect for anyone who needs every second in the morning to get out the door on time.

• Grande Finale Ultra-Hold 9oz Aerosol Unscented: An oldie but goodie. Don’t let the somewhat stronger scent deter you– it will fade away quickly.