Hair

This Key Hair Staple Instantly Doubles Volume (and Is Impossible to Mess Up)

Kaitlyn McLintock  Thu, 12 Oct 2023  Who What Wear

We love a perfectly undone hairstyle. You know what we mean by "perfectly undone," right? It's a look that's volumized and defined yet tousled and lived-in—the kind popularized by off-duty models and the French.

As any hairstylist will tell you, nailing that look comes down to using the right products and the right technique. While the right technique might take some time and practice, the right products come easier. In this case, the right product is a texturizing spray. "A texturizing spray is exactly what it sounds like," says Jamila Powell, founder of Naturally Drenched and owner of Maggie Rose Salon. "The purpose of a texturizing spray is to add texture, volume, and support to your hair to make it easier for you to style." 

Texturizing spray can benefit every hair type and texture. "If you have thin-to-flat hair, a texturizing spray would help your hair have some extra hold when trying to style it and help the style last longer," Powell explains. "If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, a texturizing spray is a great alternative to using hair spray to seal in the style without dealing with the stiffness or crunchiness that hair spray can leave behind."  So, yeah, it's official: This stuff is the key to effortless yet elevated hair. Ahead, see the 14 best texturizing sprays to shop. Each one was handpicked by pro stylists and hair-obsessed editors. 

Powell recommends this iconic and well-loved texture spray from Oribe. It just so happens to be a beauty-editor favorite as well. "This is a tried-and-true texturizing spray," she says. "The product is perfect for giving hair some extra texture and volume and will absorb any excess oils at the root, so it’s great when your hair is in need of a refresh."  Customer review: "Tbh, I didn’t want to like it because it’s so expensive but my god….the volume and texture it adds makes it look like I just got a blowout. I’m obsessed-truly." — Sephora customer

This texture spray was developed by Kristin Ess, a pro stylist to celebs such as Emma Roberts and Lauren Conrad (among others). At only $15, it's much more affordable than other texture sprays on the market, yet it works just as well if not better. It boosts volume and definition without weighing hair down, which makes it especially good for fine hair types.  Customer review: "This gives AMAZING volume and truly plumps my hair in a non-insane way but subtle and cute. I will be purchasing this again after I run out and am so glad I came across it." —Target customer

Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Hair Care, recommends this one. "My clients love Beach Club Volumizing Texture Spray for a beachy hair look. It is definitely my favorite to use too. It’s different from most texture sprays out there because it is a salt-free formula—it uses glycerin and gluten-free wheat protein instead of salt to add waves and body to the hair without drying it out or feeling sticky. The aerosol application gives you a light, even coverage that you can build up depending on how much texture you want."  Customer review: "By far the next volume and texture spray I have used, I will buy again and again. Plus the smell is to die for." — Sephora customer

Powell also likes this texture spray. "This is a really unique texturizing spray because it contains sugarcane (which won’t make your hair sticky, I promise!)," she says. "The ingredient gives the hair the perfect 'lived-in' texture and will help give your hair extra hold and support. It also has UVA/UVB protection, which helps to keep your hair healthy from the sun." Beachgoers, take note.  Customer review: "I love this spray. I was using a beach waves spray from another brand and I will be purchasing this spray from now on. My hair feels so soft after spraying this in my hair. I use it on wet and dry hair and it works great both ways. It gives me the volume I want." — Ulta customer

If you want as much volume as you can possibly get, this is the texture spray for you. Take it from Powell, who says, "I love this product because of how lightweight and easy to use it is. For any hair that is in need of an instant lift, this product will add tons of volume and texture."  Customer review: "For someone with thin hair, this product is a miracle [...] Out of 30-40 different 'thickening' products, this is the ONLY one that works!" — Walgreens customer

This wildly popular texture spray is a best seller on Sephora's website, so you know it's good. It delivers tousled, undone texture and volume to hair, drying down to an undetectable matte finish. It's also salt-free, so it's a good option for those of us who have dry hair.  Customer review: "I have baby-fine hair that is easily weighed down by any hair product but not this one. It creates volume and texture in my hard-to-please hair." — Sephora customer

Adam Federico is a hairstylist and the director of content at R+Co. He calls this lightly tinted teasing and texturizing duo one of his go-to products. "For me, a texturizing spray has to be dry and soft to the touch—no crunchiness. I want the hair to feel like hair (with the added benefits of the products)," he says.  The best part is that it's lightly tinted so as not to leave gray or white-looking residue behind. Thanks to resins and a polymer complex, it creates an invisible web-like effect between hair fibers for intense texture and volume.  Customer review: "This texture spray is absolutely amazing. It gives life back into my hair. Volume and great texture. My hair feels so much fuller after use. And the smell is gorgeous and smoky, which I love. Ready to order my second bottle. BUY IT. You won't regret it. LOVE!!" — Nordstrom customer

Frederico's other texturizing spray recommendation is from R+Co's "couture collection." He says both of his product picks will build body and definition while styling. "I love that I can mist into literally any hair type, and they build a kind of second-day grit, plus add memory." To us, what really sets this one apart is that it can be used on clean and oily hair. If you use it on the latter, it promises to "revive" your style without adding stiffness or residue. It even boosts shine and reduces breakage. Customer review: "I have fine hair and this product gives great volume and freshens up my hairstyle at the end of the day for evening. The smell is great. A little pricy but worth it!" — Amazon customer

This iconic texture spray gives fine hair much-needed volume, as well as definition and hold. It's especially good at creating effortless-looking beach waves. You know, the kind that makes you look like you're fresh from vacation?  Customer review: "Does a great job at providing texture and hold to my waves which typically drop out! Will continue to buy this one for sure!" — Sephora customer

This texture spray is one of my favorites. It lifts flat hair, provides effortless-looking texture, and even delivers heat resistance. Plus, thanks to a blend of micro-porous minerals and starches, it lightly absorbs oil, while hydrophobic resins resist humidity.  Customer review: "My favorite volume and texture spray! My favorite way to apply this is to spray it at a distance close to my roots and some on the midsection, then put my hair in a bun and not take it out until right before I go somewhere. I get so much volume and body in my hair." — Sephora customer

Fine-haired folks, listen up. If you want the most lightweight, airy texture possible, this is the product for you. It promises to deliver hold and grit to the hair without weighing it down in the slightest.  Customer review: "My hair is really fine and thin, and most styling products just weigh my hair down... but not this. This spray is incredible-- just a few blasts to the roots and I've got workable, reliable volume." — Sephora customer

This tongue-in-cheek texture spray is a particular favorite of Who What Wear's beauty director, Erin Jahns. It promises an instant full-bodied and tousled look without adding any unnecessary weight to the hair. As someone who has fine hair, she recommends it for extra lift and hold.  Customer review: "I love this lightweight hair texturizing spray. I have super fine, aging hair and it definitely helps to give it a bit of substance and helps to hold the style longer. It can be easily restyled throughout the day." — Davines customer

This texture spray is pretty much famous for the sky-high volume it imparts. Simply shake the canister and spray it four to six inches away from dry hair for texture, hold, and, yes, volume. (You can also spray it onto your hair while hanging your head upside-down for extra fullness).  . Customer review: "My FAVORITE Drybar product [...] I have very fine, thin hair and this GIVES me volume and texture. I love the smell, I’ve bought it handfuls of times and it’s a go-to for my hair. Highly recommend!" — Sephora customer

This texturizing spray is special because it offers heat protection and moisture for thirsty, color-treated strands. It also works on all hair types and textures, including straight, wavy, curly, and coily and fine, medium, and thick hair. Customer review: "Absolute fav ever!!! I have very fine hair that can’t hold a curl. After using this product it gives me curls that last all day. This product doesn’t leave my hair feeling gritty or weigh it down." — Sephora customer