Unless you are superhuman, by now you’ve probably found a major use for dry shampoo and you’ve definitely been familiar with hairspray since the early years of dance recitals and ballet buns. But now there’s a new product getting all the buzz: texturizing sprays. If you’re looking for a piecey, defined and voluminous mane to last you a few days, you should definitely have a texturizing spray close by.
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To give you the full lowdown of the range of texturizing sprays on the market right now, we’ve tested them and spoke to specialists from five different brands known for their texturizing spray.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($44): The Original
A pioneer in this category, this product gives a fresh, voluminous style and provides hold like a hairspray but with a more defined, natural finish. It uses a combination of natural plant and flower extracts to create the epitome of what a texturizing spray should be: A spray that absorbs oil and provides hold, volume and shine.
Pro tip from James Pecis, Oribe Hair Care global brand ambassador: Hair sprays and texturizing sprays are very different. Today, hairstyles that move are more popular than the rigid styles of the past. Hence, texture products have gained popularity over strong hairsprays of the ’80s. Texture products create or enhance the texture in the hair without compromising the movement of it. Hairsprays are used to control and place hair. Each product has its own use; I use both Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray and Superfine Hair Spray every day, and sometimes even together. They are very different products and used for different things.
Within Oribe’s line, the Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, Superfine Hair Spray, and Dry Texturizing Spray are all very different products with different uses. One product can’t replace another. I would not use Dry Texturizing Spray to substitute a dry shampoo or hair spray. Dry Texturizing Spray is a styling product and adds texture, whereas Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is a classic dry shampoo and helps remove oil and product buildup.
OUAI Texturizing Spray ($26): The Perfect Blend
According to celebrity hairstylist and founder of OUAI Haircare; Jen Atkin, “This one is literally as if dry shampoo and hairspray had a baby,” and that baby can definitely replace dry shampoo and hairspray as individual products by combining them into one product. The spray is packed with volcanic minerals to absorb oils, refresh hair and leave you with a voluminous, texturized mane. An added bonus: The fragrance contains notes of Italian bergamot and touches of rose and waterlily that could double as hair perfume.
Pro tip from Jen Atkin: A lot of people don’t know this, but you can use the Texturizing Hair Spray before curling or styling dry hair for added hold and dry texture. It almost gives an airy matte finish to the hair. For an instant hair refresh perfect for limp or second day hair, I suggest flipping your head upside down and spraying directly on the roots all over then shaking up with your fingers. I also love to use it with the “butterfly” technique, where I’ll lift one side of the hair and shake it as I spray throughout. This gives instant texture and volume.
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IGK Down & Out Dirty Spray ($29): The New Kid on the Block
The launch, which gives off a gritty morning after look is the newest texturizing spray to launch. IGK created this spray as a boycott against all of the sticky, tough hairsprays of the world and as a way to provide clients with the coveted morning-after look without the walk of shame and regret.
Pro tip from Leo Izquierdo, cofounder of IGK Hair Care: Texturizing sprays are perfect for the going out look, when you want to reshape your style. It’s a quick solution to making your hair more edgy. It does everything you want from a hairspray but more. Down & Out gives the hair a lived-in look, but has ingredients to give the hair a quick clean.
Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast ($29): The High-Tech One
This one blasts volume using a patent-pending technology called ETAS (Expandable Textured Aero Spheres) that is essentially textured spheres that attach to the hair and provide airy, touchable volume. The spray is light yet can help your style last all day long.
Pro tip from Michael Shaun Corby, global creative director of Living Proof: I think in general when people use a texture spray they want to create shape and movement instead of just setting the hair. Any time I want to use my hands to make the waves and volume, I will use Dry Volume Blast. If the hair looks too “done” and needs a bit of movement, this is the perfect time to spray it. It works best when sprayed in the mid-lengths and ends and then use your hands to mix it up and define your hair’s natural movement. Also, I love using it to put a little volume on dry hair close to the scalp after a blow-dry and creating second-day hair on day one!
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Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray ($30): The Classic That Will Never Let You Down
This spray definitely sticks to its roots (pun intended) featuring the brand’s signature antioxidant-rich argan oil in a super fine mist. Perhaps the lightest spray of the bunch, Moroccanoil’s texturizing spray works great as a base to prep the hair before styling, but is strong enough to use as a light finish spray.
Pro tip from Kevin Hughes, Moroccanoil global ambassador: Texturizing sprays are used to provide texture to hair. The main difference is that it doesn’t leave the hair until you wash it out. Hairsprays break down over time because women love to run their hands through their hair. If you want extra volume at the root area without it getting hard like you would from a hairspray, then you should use Dry Texture Spray.
