The 11 Best Hairsprays of 2024 for Flexible Hold Without the Crunch

R+Co's Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hairspray gave the best hold, look, and feel

In This Article

Whether you have coarse hair or fine strands, a good hairspray is hard to find. Pick a product that’s too strong, and your beautiful hairstyle will be crunchy to the touch. On the other hand, one that’s too lightweight will leave you with lackluster curls come five o’clock.

No time to scroll? The best overall hairspray we tested was the R+Co Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hairspray which is currently 17% off at Amazon.

We know different hair types call for different products, which is why we tested a variety of hairsprays on different hair textures. From flexible sprays to strong holds and volumizing products to smoothing sprays, we tried it all.

After testing 18 hairsprays, these 11 impressed us with their hold, texture, and overall look.

For a medium to strong hold hairspray that will maintain softness and flexibility, reach for this R+Co Hairspray. One tester said this is the only hairspray that can hold her really thick hair without having to use an excessive amount of product.

This hairspray smoothed stubborn baby hairs and flyaways, held loose waves in place throughout the day and even maintained bouncy curls for over 12 hours. The even mist allows easy, buildable coverage, though be aware spraying too much can create some crunchiness.

Size: 9.5 ounces | Best For: Thick hair | Hold: Medium to strong hold

With the same lightweight effect of our R+Co pick at a fraction of the cost, this Kristin Ess hairspray smoothed, shined, and held loose hairstyles in place. The product, which doubles as a heat-protectant, left our hair soft to the touch and didn’t weigh down our hair as much as other formulations. The flexible hold offered decent lasting power (even for thick and heavy hair), keeping curls in place all day. 

Size: 6.7 ounces  | Best For: All hair types | Hold: Medium to strong hold

It’s rare to find a hairspray that suits a variety of hair textures, but the Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode does just that. The product gives a strong, flexible hold that was loved by our testers with a variety of hair textures. 

One tester with 4C hair said she recommends this product to others with type 4 hair, since the spray won’t weigh down or be too harsh on curls and coils. She used this spray to hold curls on her frontal wig and noted that the product’s fine mist ensures curly frontals and 4C hair won’t frizz. 

Size: 10 ounces  | Best For: All hair types | Hold: Strong hold

A flexible hairspray ensures the most natural-looking hold, and this Drybar hairspray is one of the best we tried in that regard. Our tester called this product the most flexible hairspray she has ever used, lengthening her style’s wear without any stiffness or greasiness. The hairspray has a light hold, making it suitable for everyday use.

This product might bother those who are sensitive to fragrances, as the hairspray is scented with jasmine, sandalwood, and Madagascar vanilla (although our tester likened it to the smell of baby powder).

Size: 7.7 ounces  | Best For: Fine to medium-thick hair | Hold: Flexible hold

This Kenra hairspray gave a light to medium hold on ponytails, curls and straightened styles. Our tester said that this product added an extra oomph to her look, leaving her fine, straight hair looking voluminous and smooth without any extra weight. This hold locks in everyday styles but might not be suitable for special events. 

This spray is a great option for those who want the flexible hold of our Drybar pick without the strong scent. We found that the fragrance of the Kenra hairspray dissipated quickly instead of lingering in the room and on hair. 

Size: 10 ounces  | Best For: Fine hair | Hold: Flexible hold

For anyone who struggles with products weighing down their hair, this Kevin Murphy product is the perfect hairspray to add texture and hold. Our testers found this product added volume and held shape with a lightweight, brushable feel. Perfect for low-maintenance wearers, this spray didn’t leave our hair begging for a wash at the end of the day.

While one of our testers loved the coconut and vanilla scent, another found it a bit overpowering; if you’re sensitive to scents, we recommend others on this list, like the Kenra Perfect Medium Hairspray 13.

Size: 8 ounces  | Best For: All hair types | Hold: Flexible hold

This Pureology hairspray is ideal for a buildable hold that adds volume without weight. While this product might not be the perfect fit for fine hair, thicker textures will love the medium hold and brushable finish this spray provides. 

Our tester was able to restyle her hair throughout the day with this product, refreshing her curls with ease thanks to the hairspray’s hold. This hairspray’s memory for shape meant a curling iron touch-up wasn’t necessary — gentle fluffing of her hair did the trick and maintained her look throughout the day. The next day, she found the leftover product added hold to new curls.

Size: 10.5 ounces  | Best For: Thicker hair textures | Hold: Strong hold

This Alterna hairspray, which doubles as a heat protectant, proved to be a versatile pick. Our 3C and 2A testers both loved this product for its flexibl -

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e hold, with our curly-haired tester calling this one of the best sprays she has tried. She praised the product for its brushability, hold, and overall clean feeling.

Plus, who doesn’t want one less spray in their product lineup? One of our testers used this spray before straightening and found it shielded her hair as well as a typical heat protectant.

Size: 7.4 ounces  | Best For: All hair textures | Hold: Flexible hold

With an extremely flexible and lightweight hold, this Color Wow hairspray is perfect for those who want the most natural-feeling results. Our testers loved the shine of the spray, noting their hair never felt greasy. With a flexible hold, it won’t offer an extremely long-lasting shape, but it did lengthen the longevity of our testers’ styles. 

Made without hairspray’s typical darkening or yellowing ingredients, this product won’t risk color. Plus, UV protection means extra security that your strands will maintain their desired color. 

Size: 10 ounces | Best For: Color-treated hair, not suited for Type 4 hair | Hold: Flexible hold

If you’ve all but given up on finding the perfect hairspray for fine hair, this Oribe hairspray should be in your lineup. One tester said she had refused to use hairspray, as it left her fine strands too sticky — until she tried this Oribe pick. Another tester called this product a "godsend” for anyone with thin hair.

Whereas thin and fine hair tends to turn greasy, sticky, or weighed down by hairspray, the lightweight formula of this product leaves hair looking and feeling natural. While the product claims to be a light hold hairspray, one of our testers found her style stayed mostly intact all day thanks to this product. 

Size: 9 ounces  | Best For: All hair textures | Hold: Light hold

Fighting frizz is made easy with the Redken Spray Smooth, which our testers found to be ultra-smoothing, leaving hair shiny and flyaway-free. This product is made for damp hair, so be sure to apply before blow drying for the best results. While this product will not provide a strong hold, if your priority is smoothing your strands, Redken Spray Smooth offers a beautiful finish. Plus, it doubles as a heat protectant!

Size: 7.5 ounces  | Best For: All hair types | Hold: None (for smoothing only)

When choosing the right hairspray, it all comes down to your own hair texture. Celebrity hairstylist Tom Smith stresses the importance of finding a product that works for your hair, as different hair types and textures will respond differently to each hairspray.

While some products might offer a strong hold on thicker hair, they will weigh down thinner textures or leave a greasy look. Other flexible sprays that thrive on fine hair won’t provide the necessary lasting power for thicker textures. 

“Poor hairsprays can leave the hair sticky, or allow product to bead up on the surface of the hair and look greasy when brushed out,” Smith explains. The best products leave hair feeling soft without sacrificing hold.

Smith says the best hairsprays distinguish themselves on brushability: “The best hairsprays should be able to be brushed out gently and easily, leaving behind no visible residue. Reasonably good hairsprays should hold the hair in place for a long time but may not leave the hair easy to manage once brushed out.”

We tried 18 different hairsprays to identify which products offered the best look, hold, and feel in our PEOPLE Tested lab and at home. In the lab, testers applied the hairspray to extensions of different hair types and rated the product’s hold. Lab testers also attempted to style and slick back their hair with the products. In our real-world testing, a group of testers used the hairsprays regularly over two weeks to test the formulas’ performance over time. 

Our group of testers included individuals with straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair. Testers evaluated the products on a scale of 1 to 5 based on three important qualities:  

Frequently Asked Questions

Genevieve Cepeda is a staff shopping writer at PEOPLE, with experience in all things beauty and style. As someone with a lot of straight, heavy hair that stubbornly refuses to hold a curl, Cepeda knows the importance of a good hairspray. For this article, Cepeda analyzed testing insights and consulted hair and health experts to recommend products that will actually work for your hair type and budget.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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