The 13 Best Hairsprays for Fine Hair of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

R+Co BLEU Featherlight Hairspray

4.3

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This hairspray surprised us in the best way. While we weren't sure about it initially, by the end of the day, we decided it was the best hairspray we tried. Let us explain: While we loved the tall bottle, as well as the way it dispersed an even, generous mist (plus a mild scent with fresh, citrusy notes), it left behind a crunchy feeling and didn't hide my frizz or stray hairs. We noticed, however, that it really gave our hair a boost.

Then, as the day wore on, we realized that the residue had completely disappeared and our hair just felt like our hair, but with added volume and hold. There was zero crunch and zero product build-up—just completely touchable strands. By the end of the day, the waves we'd added remained smooth, intact, and fresher than they'd look without hairspray. This product did everything and more: It added volume, held style, smelled light and fresh, and kept hair feeling like we hadn’t used hairspray at all.

Price at time of publish: $56

Hold: Medium | Size: 8.3 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget

TRESemmé TRES Two Spray Extra Hold

4.2

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This budget option comes in a ridiculously large bottle, making it the best hairspray if you want to get the most out of each dollar. During testing, we loved that hair remained extremely soft and touchable throughout the entire day. Plus, when it dried down, it felt totally weightless and kept super-fine hair from looking flat. However, it didn't deliver much in terms of volume. It plumped strands up slightly, but we wouldn't turn to this one if volume was the main goal. Overall, this pick is a good one for humid days when you want touchable hair without frizz or flyaways since it really disappears into the hair. Just keep in mind that it's not the best for volumizing and it has a strong scent.

Price at time of publish: $20

Hold: Strong | Size: 14.6 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray

4.2

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We had high hopes for this one given how popular the brand's Dry Texturizing Spray is. TL;DR it delivered. The first thing that impressed us was the spray itself—out of all the hairsprays tested, Oribe's version had the finest, most mist-like texture. Because of this, it was really easy to build volume. With just a small amount of product and a little encouragement to the roots, hair was noticeably fuller and more voluminous. However, we noticed that it left behind some buildup and classic crunch, even after it dried.

Price at time of publish: $42

Hold: Strong | Size: 9 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Light Hold

Nexxus Ultra Fine Hairspray

4.2

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When hair needs just a little bit of hold, this hairspray will keep it together without weighing it down. The petite can is easy to use (despite the nozzle being harder to press than any of the other hairsprays we tested). It shoots out a defined spray, so you'll need to move fast to avoid oversaturating any one spot. When applied evenly, this hairspray is super lightweight and leaves a matte finish with some grip. It's light hold, so it's best for minimizing frizz and flyaways or maintaining waves and curls without compromising their feel.

Price at time of publish: $11

Hold: Light | Size: 5 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Medium Hold

Living Proof Control Hairspray

4.2

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This is the hairspray Goldilocks would choose—it's not too weak, not too strong, and keeps hair just right all day long. The bottle is smaller than other hairsprays, but its soft matte texture and slim size make it a joy to use. The nozzle is a little tough to press, but it sends out a large, even mist. And when sprayed directly at the roots, it gave hair a small boost of volume. It's not enough to keep an up-do intact, but it controls frizz and keeps hair looking neat for hours on end. It's also a good option when you'll be heat styling, as it protects against temperatures as high as 410 degrees Fahrenheit. It's not the softest when it dries down, but hair still remains touchable nonetheless.

Price at time of publish: $30

Hold: Strong | Size: 7.5 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: yes

Best Strong Hold

L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray

4.5

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Elnett Satin delivers major volume when applied at the roots, and it sticks around for most of the day. The amount of hold you'll get depends on the amount of product applied (and how much movement you want to retain). We found that even a few small spritzes calmed frizz and kept hair in place; with a more generous spray, this is strong enough to hold the hair in even the most extreme conditions—like dancing at a wedding—as long as you don't mind the small price of slightly crunchy hair. This hairspray also claims to be humidity-resistant as well as easy to brush out—a claim we found to be mostly true. Overall, this is the best hairspray for serious hold, as long as you don't mind compromising movement and touchability.

Price at time of publish: $24

Hold: Extra strong | Size: 11 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Flexible

R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray

4.2

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If you need something flexible, this is the hairspray to pick. It sprays strongly yet evenly, and it immediately felt like it gave hair a better hold while remaining pliant. We didn't notice any major volume change, but it did give hair more texture, which added a tiny boost. Our hair felt soft after application and we loved how it immediately tamed stray hairs and frizz. By the end of the day, our hair looked smooth and felt soft, a win-win.

Price at time of publish: $36

Hold: Medium-strong | Size: 9.5 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Shine

Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium Hold

4.2

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If you're looking for major shine, check out this option from Moroccanoil. During testing, we noticed that it kept frizz at bay, as well as any of the usual flyways. While we would rely on this hairspray for most circumstances that require style to stay intact, it’s probably not strong enough for situations where you need a more solid hold. The most notable feature is the shine that this hairspray imparts. We'd pick up this hairspray for any time we want hair to stay shiny and in place without compromising on movement.

Price at time of publish: $26

Hold: Strong | Size: 10 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Volume

Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25

4.2

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If your hair needs a big boost, this is the hairspray for you. With just a few spritzes to the roots, the formula offers a lift of airy volume. The slim bottle sprays out a fine mist that distributes evenly across an entire head of hair. It offers medium hold, which the brand claims stands up to winds of 25 miles per hour. While it never got too windy in the studio, it did stay in place throughout the day. The formula isn't the most lightweight, though. We could still feel this product on our strands even after it dried, and it clumped hair together in spots.

Price at time of publish: $31

Hold: Strong | Size: 10 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: yes

Best Texture

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Volume Texture Spray

4.2

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Sometimes, adding texture to hair is enough to add volume, hold, and a little something extra. And if that’s what your hair needs, this is the product for you. It sprays out a strong mist (so you'll need to move quickly to distribute it across hair evenly), but it coats strands evenly and gives them grip and texture.

Despite the extra texture, we found that our hair stayed soft to the touch and free of crunch. Be advised that it doesn't have a strong hold on its own—hair started slipping out of its style as the day wore on. However, it played well with other hairsprays when a bit more control is necessary, making it a great option to "dirty up" freshly washed hair for up-dos or messy styles, or coupled with stronger-hold hairsprays to finish a style.

Price at time of publish: $33

Hold: Strong | Size: 3.6 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No  | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Cruelty-Free

Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray

4.2

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While several products on this list are cruelty-free, this is one of the best. With just a spray or two, it immediately gives hair shape, hold, and a little volume boost. It almost seemed to plump up individual strands so hair looked and felt thicker. The formula is nearly undetectable on the hair, too. It left a little lightweight texture, but nothing that felt crunchy or dirty. Even the scent is mild, though if you've used other Living Proof products, you'll recognize the fragrance.

Price at time of publish: $30

Hold: Medium | Size: 7.5 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Heat Protection

IGK 1-800-Hold-Me No-Crunch Flexible Hold Hairspray

4.2

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A hairspray with heat protection can do double duty when applied before using hot tools. This one offers up protection against temperatures up to 450 degrees, making it a great multi-use product to have in your arsenal. It relies on micro-light reflectors to add shine and offers a medium-hold that keeps waves and curls intact. Keep in mind, though, that this isn't the most volumizing. It adds minimal texture and a nice grip, but it doesn't add that va-va-voom factor you might be expecting from a hairspray.

Price at time of publish: $29

Hold: Medium | Size: 5 ounces | Alcohol-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes