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Every time you see a guy who looks impeccably put together with no hair out of place, we’re willing to bet his secret is hairspray. You probably think you know about hairspray: that it’s smelly, crunchy, and will make your hair look and feel like a helmet. Think again.
Hairspray is the most underrated hair styling product for men, according to barber Mr. Natty of Tuft NYC. “Guys don’t use it much, but it’s so important,” he says. “It can act like a styling product or a fixing product. You can put it on thinner hair and it makes it feel thicker.” But he understands why most guys get a little freaked about spray—old school sprays laid it on thick and locked hair in place a little too much. His trick is to spray it on a brush instead of directly onto hair. That way you ensure a lighter touch and a more natural finish.
With modern hairsprays though, you may not even need to do that. Top hairspray brands are coming out with lighter sprays that are flexible hold, meaning you can run your hands through your hair and not break the bonds (no more helmet head). So no matter what kind of hair you have, there is a hairspray out there for you. These are the 12 best hairsprays men have been missing out on.
This hairspray is a bit more liquid-likethan aerosol versions, which means you can use it on damp or dry hair to achieve the shape you want. Start with a little bit and you can always add more to get a more slicked-back look.
Volume sprays often don’t have as much hold as traditional hairsprays, but are ideal for fine or thinning hair. Use it on dry hair and spray at the roots before working through your hair with your hands or a brush. It will pump up limp strands without the weight of other product.
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3
Dove Men Care Control Spray
One reason some guys don’t like hairspray is that they don’t like the scent. This unscented hair spray won’t leave you smelling weird, but still gives all the hold and control of a traditional hairspray.
You can still use hairspray even if you don’t want to freeze your hair in place (in fact, you should). What this spray lacks in hold, it makes up for in volumizing ability, which makes it ideal for pumping up fine or thinning hair. A few sprays make limp hair look fuller and it even dissolves excess oil to make it look cleaner.
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For men with fine or thinning hair, adding texture can make it look fuller and thicker. Using this texture spray instead of creams or pomades will help you get height, without worrying about your hair deflating by mid-afternoon.
This flexible hold hairspray is like three different products in one. Spray it on damp hair for extra styling (like a pomade) or dry hair to keep your style in place. It also offers heat protection if you blow dry your hair, which can over-dry and frizz out hair if you’re not careful.
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The healthy oils in this spray can make dull hair look shinier and more healthy with just a little spritz. It’s also good for curly hair thanks to higher moisturizing elements than traditional hairspray. It has more of a fragrance than some others, but the flexible hold is great for keeping curls in place.
The best thing about this hairspray is that the bottle is tiny but powerful, so you don’t have to worry about keeping a big, clunky can in your bathroom (or in your gym bag). We like the #3 hold because it’s not crunchy, but will still keep any type of hair in check.
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Sleek and minimal, this hairspray packs a serious punch in a cool-looking package. It instantly pumps up hair that’s thin or lost its volume throughout the day. Use this before going out instead of adding more pomade. It helps rev up hair without weighing it down.
This non-aerosol spray gives a medium amount of hold to any type of hair, but the moisturizing ingredients are ideal for curly hair that can feel dry or crunchy with other sprays. It also instantly pumps up hair to make it look fuller, but more importantly protects it against heat and the elements to help it stay healthy long term.
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11
Verb Ghost Hair Spray
Another medium-hold, flexible spray, this ghost spray is ultra-lightweight and has hydrating ingredients that make this idea of dry hair. Use it as a finisher once you’ve added your other product and it locks in style without any crunch.
This hair spray has the least amount of hold out of everything on this list, but still helps keep the shape of your style while smoothing and conditioning dry or curly hair. It adds natural volume too, so spray it sparingly at first and then work up to your desired look.