A Quick Stylist’s Guide: Here Is How to Use Hairspray for Your Party Hairstyle

Hairspray is undoubtedly a staple product for shiny, chic and long-lasting hairstyles. Ahead, I’ve rounded up some key principles on how to use hairspray to lock your party hairstyle in place.

What Type of Hairspray to Choose?

It can be a challenge to pick a product that works, instead of creating more clutter on your dressing table. Let’s look at different types of hairsprays and see what will be the best fit for your purpose.

• Volumizing hairsprays are great for the length. Be it bouncy waves, a half-up half-down hairstyle, or a ponytail – you want to keep the natural movement of your hair. If a ‘helmet head’ look is not something you are after, look for a can that says ‘volumizing’, ‘medium hold’, or ‘flexible’. This type of product will protect your locks from humidity and preserve their shape without weighing them down. The result will be easy to brush and natural.
• Texturizing sprays often have no hold and can be mainly used to create definition and texture. This is something you’d be looking for to give your waves that beachy look or zhuzh up your pixie.
• Any hairspray that’s marked as ‘strong hold’ or ‘finishing’ is suitable for sleek updos, taming the flyaways, or as a final touch, when your hairstyle is ready.

How to Use a Hairspray for the Best Results?

The whole thing seems to be intuitive, but I can still see lots of women make basic mistakes here. Here are a few tips and tricks to remember:

1. Always spray from a distance. Keep the can at least 30 cm (12 inches) from your hair and spray in a short, precise motion.
2. When spraying your curls, work in layers and make sure the product gets onto every strand. Don’t blast it just all over the top, it won’t do much for you apart from a stiff, crusty finish.
3. If you would like to tame the baby hairs, spray a small amount of hairspray and use a small brush to smooth down the frizz. You might also just use your fingers or the back of the comb.
4. For extra volume, spray some medium hold hairspray into the root area, working row-by-row each way from the parting (please avoid the scalp). Brush it all towards the back and let your hair part naturally.

What to do if your hairspray isn’t spraying? It may happen sometimes that your hairspray isn’t working or comes out crooked. Don’t rush to throw it away! Most likely, there’s some residue inside the nozzle. Put it under hot water for a few minutes and wipe the nozzle. It should work now.

A side note worth sharing: did you know that all the hair oils and shine spray diminish the strength of a hairspray? Use those products in moderation if you want your hairstyle to last all night!