When pomade and hair gel aren’t enough, you need to bring out the big guns to get that quiff to stay put. In wind, humidity, and even light rain, you need the best hairspray for men to hold down the hairstyle you’ve worked hard to achieve.
What sets hairspray apart from various styling products is its ease of use. You don’t have to work any product into your hands; all you have to do is spray it on top of your creation and maybe brush it out for a more natural look.
Hairsprays hold styles in places, protect against the elements, and tame flyaways. Some even come with a slew of additional hair benefits like heat and UV protection, frizz control, and shine. Even if you do use products like hair clays or pastes for styling, hairsprays are a must for locking everything in place.
Keep scrolling for the 7 best hairsprays for men below.
Key TakeawaysÂ
I began this assignment by poring over hundreds of photos, scouring popular hair blogs, and examining customer reviews until I whittled it down to the 7 finalists you see on this list.
Overall, the best hairspray for men is Sebastian Professional Shaper Hairspray because it has a medium-strong hold, is lightweight and never stiff on the hair, and lasts all day long. For a time-tested cult favorite, look no further than L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold.
Why it’s great: As someone who has used this hairspray for years, I can attest to its incredible hold that feels lightweight on the hair. So much so that it has the effect of feeling like nothing is there, and yet your hairstyle stays beautifully in place all day long, pretty much defying gravity—even if your hair is thin or fine. Never stiff, it’s easy to brush through, so your hairstyle looks and feels natural.
Who is this for? This hairspray for men is ideal on short, medium, or long hair that needs control but isn’t shellacked into place. Perfect on both blow-dried and air-dried hair.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some people had an issue with the spray cap function.
Benefits: Lightweight control | Hold: Medium-strong | Hair Type: All | Size: 10.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Scented: No
Why it’s great: Once you get your hands on this hairspray for men, you won’t want to look back. Sure, it’s expensive, but just ask the professionals, and they’ll tell you that it’s worth every penny. Coming out in a light, even mist, it feels lightweight on the hair yet holds your quiff in place all day long.
It’s never sticky and easy to brush through for a more natural look. And because it’s made with high-quality ingredients, it’s not going to dry out your hair. For a nice plus, it offers UV protection, which keeps your color from fading in the sun.
Who is this for? Ideal for the guy who doesn’t mind shelling out for a top tier product.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The sprayer on this bottle can be a little finicky.
Benefits: UV protection, brushable, shine | Hold: Strong | Hair Type: All | Size: 10.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Scented: No
Why it’s great: Who doesn’t want big, sexy hair? It doesn’t take much of this hairspray to get crazy hold while also maintaining hair’s softness. This is a great choice if you heat style your hair, as it’s very workable and offers thermal heat protection. The spray comes out in a nice, even mist, and the overall effect is great shine and hold that seems to last for days.
Who is this for? Perfect for the guy who blow dries his hair into a pompadour and wants to add a hint of shine to it.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This stuff is powerful and may overwhelm those with thin hair.
Benefits: Humidity resistance, volumizing, shine, thermal heat protection | Hold: Strong | Hair Type: All | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Scented: Yes
Why it’s great: Kenra Volume Spray 25 is another great one, especially if you have thin hair, but I like the Working Spray for styling best. It creates non-sticky, pliable control to hold hair in place while giving it that natural movement for every day. It also happens to create nice volume and texture on the hair, which is great if your locks are fine. Check it out if you’re looking for a touch of frizz-free shine, with a great smell to boot.
Who is this for? This hairspray for men is for the guy who wants a light, natural hold on his easy, everyday hairstyle.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Not the best if you’re looking for a strong hold.
Benefits: Frizz Control, shine | Hold: Light | Hair Type: All | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Scent: Fragranced
Why it’s great: For a drugstore brand, this max hold hairspray has an effect that I like, a hold that stays even when humidity wants to drag it down. With instant frizz protection, hair stays sleek and smooth looking and your style stays in place, even in hot, damp weather. And it’s never crunchy, stiff, or drying—common afflictions with cheaper hairsprays. I like the fact that you can purchase a travel size, too.
Who is this for? This is for the guy who needs a budget pick to keep his hair in place while golfing in humid Florida.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This hairspray for men seems to leave build-up behind, so be sure to wash well after using.
Benefits: Frizz Control, extra hold | Hold: Strong | Hair Type: All | Size: 4.2, 14.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Scented: Yes
Why it’s great: This hairspray for men was the choice of every hairstylist at most of my photoshoots over the years. Why? The gold can is a symbol of a gold star, as it works fabulously to hold styles, control flyaways, and last all day long without fail.
It’s preferred because it gives a clean, soft finish to the hair once you brush it through. Since the ’60s, it’s garnered awards and a cult-like following that make it a great everyday pick you can rely on.
Who is this for? A great pick for the guy who wants something that is time-tested, reliable, and easy to brush out at night.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Even though this variation is unscented, it still curiously contains parfum in the ingredients list.
Benefits: Humidity-resistant | Hold: Strong | Hair Type: All | Size: 4oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Scent: Fragranced
Why it’s great: Ideal for those sticky summer months, this finishing spray helps dry damaged hair by creating a humidity-resistant barrier. It’s going to eliminate that frizz on the hair, even if it’s fine, without weighing it down. You’ll probably get a good 24 hours out of this hold, which is definitely strong but doesn’t make the hair feel crunchy. Overall, this hairspray formen has a lightweight feel and a light, clean smell.
Who is this for? This is for the guy who lives in a hot, humid climate and wants his hairspray to tamp down on frizz.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: As with other drugstore varieties, some customers had difficulty rinsing and brushing out this one, so be sure to double cleanse with your shampoo.
Benefits: Frizz Control, shine, humidity-resistance, volumizes | Hold: Strong | Hair Type: All | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Scented: No
Buying Considerations for The Best Hairsprays For Men
Hold
When it comes to hold, the best hairspray for men should fit our preference. Sure, an extra strong hold sounds great, especially if you’re battling weather conditions or need your hair to stay put all day long, but not if you want your hair to have natural movement. Medium holds are a nice middle ground that will give you adequate hold with the ability to brush it out to give your hair a soft, natural finish that still feels secure.
Scent
It might not matter much when it comes to performance, but scent can be an issue for a lot of guys, especially because the best hairsprays are usually marketed towards women. I tried to select unscented varieties when crafting this list to avoid this issue. However, some hairsprays contain a light scent, and that is okay as long as it’s the kind of scent you can deal with.
Humidity ResistanceÂ
One of the handiest features of hairspray is its ability to block out humidity and tamp down on frizz. If you don’t have frizzy hair, that’s fine, but it’s nice to know that even in the hottest, stickiest environments, hairspray with humidity resistance will lock in your strand’s natural hydration while pushing environmental moisture out.
How We Chose
Lots of hairsprays claim to keep hairstyles in place for hours without turning hair crunchy or stiff, but oftentimes, these claims aren’t supported by fact. So, wherever possible, I chose hairsprays from reputable brands that have effective, well known ingredients.
I also sifted through hundreds of customer reviews, landing on my top 7 by choosing hairsprays that people rate highly and would likely buy again. Some of the ones I chose have been go-to’s for customers for years.
Company reputation: Is a company delivering the same quality consistently, or are they switching up their formula and exhibiting poor customer service? How a brand treats its people is of the utmost importance when I’m making my selection.
Customer reviews: Do people feel like a hairspray works without weighing down their hair and making it stiff? I always thoroughly read every customer review before recommending a hairspray to you.
Price: Is the hairspray priced appropriately according to its size and the benefits offered? I am careful to include the best of the best according to a variety of acceptable price ranges.
Why Trust Us?
Rachel Cascella is passionate and informed when it comes to hair care. She spent 16 years as a model in the fashion industry working with top hairstylists and has written about the best products and techniques in the hair industry for almost a decade.
Combining a love of research with a genuine interest in the latest and greatest hair products, she uses both of these traits to give you informed articles like the best water-based pomades and the best leave-in conditioners for optimal hair health.
When selecting the best hairsprays for men, Rachel thoroughly tests each product, considers various hair types, and evaluates factors such as hold, finish, and scent. Her meticulous approach guarantees that the products recommended are of the highest quality and suitable for diverse needs. Trust Rachel’s insights to guide you to the best grooming choices.
Final VerdictÂ
The best hairspray for men should never feel crunchy, be easy to brush, and should always hold hair in place. My top pick is Sebastian Professional Shaper Hairspray because it provides amazing hold, lightweight control, and brushes out easily for a natural look.
FAQ
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The best hairspray for men is good at holding hairstyles in place all day, but when left on the hair for too long, it can have a drying effect.
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When used too frequently, not washed out properly, and applied via formulas containing excessive alcohols, hairspray can damage the hair. However, the ones on this list are known for being gentler on the hair.
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It’s okay to use hairspray everyday so long as you’re making sure it wash it out after each use.
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