15 Best Hairsprays That Stylists and Allure Editors Adore

Why It's Worth It: While other hairsprays can be drying, Superfine Hair Spray is just the opposite, thanks to hydrating aloe leaf extract and conditioning hydrolyzed wheat protein. No wonder it gets two thumbs up from both Los Angeles-based hairstylist Florido Basallo and Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. "I use it to keep my heat-styled waves bouncy and intact without any crunchiness or stickiness and to smooth flyaways," says Calaor.

Editor Tip: This sheer formula from Oribe wins major points for versatility, as it is easily buildable.

Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein | Who It's Good For: Those with frizz-prone hair.

Why It's Worth It: There are two ways to look at Kristin Ess Ultra Fine Workable Hairspray. For those who are more savvy at styling, it serves as a flexible, work-as-you-go spray; for those who tend to be a little more lumbering and heavy-handed, it's a way to hold your look without overdoing it. Brushable and layerable, the extra-light formula is truly a boon for everyone.

Editor Tip: If you plan on heat styling your hair, this will offer heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, mango seed butter | Who It's Good For: People who need volume

Why It's Worth It: There's so much we love about the Ouai Texturizing Spray. For one, it's lightweight, yet creates mega volume and gives the illusion of fuller hair (perfect for fine-haired folks). When Allure deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel tried it, she noted how the spray "emphasized and defined [her] hair's natural wave, so it looked like [she'd] actually spent time styling it." And, if you're looking to do the bare minimum, it only takes a few mists of the spray to define your layers if you've got 'em.

Editor Tip: If you're on third or fourth-day hair, this contains volcanic minerals to absorb excess oil — like a dry shampoo and a hairspray in one.

Key Ingredients: Copolymers, volcanic minerals, fruit, and flower extracts | Who It's Good For: Those who need a post-workout spray and those looking for volume

Why It's Worth It: Originally launched in the 1950s, this L'Oréal Paris classic was only available in Europe until 2008, when it finally made its way stateside — and earned a Best of Beauty Award. (Ask any stylist and they'll tell you they used to smuggle Elnett back in their suitcase before that.) It's got that superstar-spray status for good reason: The formula delivers both long-lasting hold and a hit of shine and doesn't leave hair knotted or tangled when you brush it out.

Editor Tip: "This fine mist spray is so good for preparing the hair for heat styling, plus it's buildable and will always brush out without getting weird on you," says Basallo.

Key Ingredients: Micro-diffusion technology | Who It's Good For: People going to a special event who need to lock in their style

Why It's Worth It: While many high-hold hairsprays can leave a less-than-gleaming finish, Pureology's Style + Protect Lock It Down Hairspray is an exception — big time. It contains olive oil for moisture retention and serious shine, all the while keeping your desired style exactly how you intended.

Editor Tip: The formula gets even more awesome when you consider that it contains UVA/UVB filters to protect your color from fading in the sun.

Key Ingredients: Olive oil | Who It's Good For: Those looking for a strong hold and shine

Why It's Worth It: Los Angeles-based hairstylist Glenn Ellis says Shu Uemura's Moya Hold Finishing Hair Spray kind of acts like a setting spray but for your hair. Its micro-fine spray locks your style in place while creating a high-shine finish for a sleeker, glossier look to your updos and slicked-back styles.

Editor Tip: "This lightweight hairspray is ideal for someone that wants some slight hold that won't make their hair look like cardboard," says Ellis.

Key Ingredients: N/A | Who It's Good For: People with dull texture

Why It's Worth It: If you're looking for a maximum-strength hairspray that won't make your hair feel gross, Ellis says to spritz on the R+Co Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hairspray. "This has a stronger hold for those who want their hairstyle to last for a couple of days," he says. Ellis says this long-lasting hairspray is especially great if your hair tends to fall out of its style quickly.

Editor Tip: This is formulated with provitamin B5, which helps add "oomph" to fine hair.

Key Ingredients: Provitamin B5 | Who It's Good For: Those looking for a buildable, volume-boosting hairspray

Why It's Worth It: Living Proof's Full Dry Volume and Texturizing Spray nabbed an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2022 for its gravity-defying formula. This spray is spiked with a patented blend of oil-absorbing starches and hair-gripping hydrophobic resins to volumize hair while managing frizz and oil build-up.

Editor Tip: This hair spray acts as a heat protectant for up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit.

Key Ingredients: Minerals, starches, hydrophobic resins | Who It's Good For: Those with fine or flat hair

Why It's Worth It: A 2020 Readers' Choice Award winner, Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray has completely won over Allure deputy digital editor Kara McGrath for its ability to lock in waves and boost volume without an icky texture. "I love that this hairspray has excellent hold and you can brush through it so it's not stiff," she says.

Editor Tip: For those who really can't live without it, this comes in a travel size version.

Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed wheat protein | Who It's Good For: People who love volume

Why It's Worth It: Don't want to splurge on hairspray? Good news: you don't have to, thanks to Andrew Fitzsimon's Touch Soft Hold Hairspray. This under-$20 pick provides a lightweight, flexible hold that sets your style in place without sacrificing malleability. Manageable hair that's also affordable? Yes, please.

Editor Tip: With citrus, green floral, and creamy wood notes, this hairspray uses aurascent technology to keep your hair smelling good for longer — almost like a hair perfume.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil | Who It's Good For: Those who prefer a flexible style

Why It's Worth It: OK, so it may say "medium" in the name, but don't worry, Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium Finish delivers a softer hold than its name implies. It contains the brand's signature ingredient, argan oil, so it also delivers a gorgeous amount of shine-boosting moisture. And who doesn't want shinier hair?

Editor Tip: This dries pretty fast and doesn't leave behind a sticky residue.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil | Who It's Good For: Those looking to add shine

Why It's Worth It: Virtue's 6-in-1 Style Guard Hairspray is the Swiss army knife of beauty products because it acts as multiple hair products packed into one ultra-fine formula. This hairspray not only holds hair in place with no-budge polymers but also protects hair against frizz-inducing humidity and environmental factors like pollution and UV rays.

Editor Tip: This contains Virtue's Alpha Keratin 60ku, a proprietary protein that comes from human hair, to repair damage.

Key Ingredients: Provitamin B5, green tea leaf extract, chia seeds, polymers | Who It's Good For: Those with limited time or budget, or those who want to minimize product use

Why It's Worth It: Strong-hold formulas typically contain higher amounts of alcohol, which means they can, in theory, be more likely to flake. Not the case with Bumble and Bumble Bb. Strong Finish Firm Hold Hairspray — it delivers stay-in-place (no matter what) hold but has a dry finish that won't flake, even if you decide to brush it out.

Editor Tip: This comes out like a mist, which is perfect for targeted application (and less likely to induce headaches).

Key Ingredients: Panthenol | Who It's Good For: Those looking for a firm hold and a dry finish