10 Affordable Drugstore Hair Sprays Celebrity Stylists Actually Use and Love
You heard it here first.
I'm not going to lie. I've spent most of my adolescent, teenage, and adult life feeling personally victimized by hair spray. (Anyone else?) After years of dancing and spraying ponytails, buns, braids, curls, and crimps into sticky, glue-like oblivion (and suffering the damage-inducing repercussions), I found hair spray to be the least appealing option on the menu where haircare is concerned.
Since becoming a beauty editor and having the opportunity to interview and even sit in the styling seat of some of the best hairstylists in the business, however, I'm a woman turned. Over the past few years, my strands have been doused with all kinds of formulas that have never come close to the Elmer's-esque aftermath of my Aqua Net nightmares of the past. Even more intriguing? So many celebrity hairstylists I've consulted use and love affordable, drugstore hair sprays, claiming they're just as effective as their pricey counterparts. Those gorgeous styles we ogle at during celeb-studded red carpets? They're often dusted, finished, and secured with drugstore staple names such as Suave, Dove, and L'Oréal.
To prove my point, I did some research. I combed through tons of red carpet breakdowns from previous award shows (my inbox is a gold mine), I referenced previous how-to stories we've written here onBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , and I even DM'd a few of my favorite hairstylists to confirm which drugstore hair sprays are good enough for the pros. Keep scrolling for the final consensus and our official rundown of the best hairstylist-approved drugstore hair sprays.
The Best Drugstore Hairsprays, Listed
- Best Strong-Hold: L'Oréal Elnette Satin Strong Hold Hairspray
- Best for Curl Hair: L'Oréal Elnett Satin Precious Oils Hairspray
- Best for Extra Shine: Control Shine Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
- Best Unscented Hairspray: Tresemme Extra Hold Unscented Hairspray
- Best Volumizing Hairspray: Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Spray Play Volumizing Hairspray
The Best Drugstore Hairsprays of 2025
Best Strong-Hold Hair Spray: L'Oréal Elnett Satin Strong Hold Hairspray
"I love L'Oréal Elnette Satin Strong Hold Hairspray," celebrity stylist Cervando Maldonado tells me. "I've used it for years on set and in the salon. It gives the best hold and shine, it doesn't get sticky, and you can still brush through the hair easily to create plenty of styles. It's easy to find at the drugstore and is such a great price."
Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos is also a fan, and he used it to perfect the ethereal hairstyle of a VMA look for Camila Cabello. The OG Strong Hold Hairspray is currently sold out, but you can try the Extra Strong Hold formula in the meantime.
Key ingredients: N/A
Scent: Unscented
Hair type: All
Pros: Works on color-treated hair, doesn't flake up
Cons: May weigh down fine hair
Best for Curly Hair: L'Oréal Elnett Satin Precious Oils Hairspray
Celebrity hairstylist Jenda Alcorn, who frequently works with Dakota and Elle Fanning, says the L'Oréal line is also a favorite for light-hold hair spray, especially when she's traveling and battling elements like the humidity. For a lighter-hold option that still delivers impeccable shine, try this precious oil infused formula from the brand.
"Because most of my travel involves red carpets, I absolutely couldn't survive without hair spray!" she tells us here. "I'm not big on a lot of product, as I prefer moveable hair, so I favor the lightweight sprays that aren't heavy. I like the light-hold options from Oribe and L'Oréal, as they're easy to layer depending on what kind of look we're creating."
Key ingredients: Argan oil
Scent: Unscented
Hair type: All but especially curly, dry, or damaged hair
Pros: Keeps hair soft and provides shine
Cons: Some say it has a noticeable scent
Best for Extra Shine: Dove Style + Care Compressed Micro Mist Extra Hold Hairspray
This hair spray promises extra control and shine, making it perfect for red carpet moments where a slick back or clean look is common. "I use this hair spray on every hairstyle I do because it gives long-lasting hold that never lets me down," shares celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend. "It stays touchable, and it doesn't flake if you brush it out." It also contains nourishing ingredients like vitamin B5 too boost moisture. Plus, it has a blended scent that features fruity, floral, and woodsy notes.
Key ingredients: Vitamin B5
Scent: Fruity, floral, woodsy
Hair type: All but especially damaged hair
Pros: Great for final touches and extra shine
Cons: Might dry out hair
Best Unscented Hair Spray: Tresemmé Tres Two Extra Firm Control Aero Unscented Hairspray
"I love the Tresemmé Tres Two Unscented Hairspray!" celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan exclaims. "It has a super-strong hold, and I can trust it to lock in my favorite looks." Marjan is also a fan of the brand's Compressed Extend Hairspray Hold Level 4 ($8), which she used to secure Amanda Brugel's waist-length ponytail at 2020's SAG Awards.
Assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert says she appreciates that this gives her hair extra hold on days when she wants a sleek finish. "I often use wax sticks to slick back my hair, but when I want something less heavy that won't cause as much buildup, having a hairspray with extra hold like this one comes in handy," she says.
Key ingredients: N/A
Scent: Unscented
Hair type: All
Pros: Long-lasting and protects against humidity
Cons: Scent may be too strong for some
Best Volumizing Hair Spray: Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Spray Play Volumizing Hairspray
Some hair sprays will give you long-lasting results but might flatten it in the process. This pick from Sexy Hair ensures you'll get volume all day—no flakiness required. It also has a subtle tropical smell that's light and not overwhelming.
Celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko has used this spray on big names like Lily Aldridge for the Oscars in 2023. She used a combination of hair spray and styling tools (T3's Convertible Collection) to keep the look fresh and in place.
Key ingredients: N/A
Scent: Light and tropical
Hair type: Fine, medium, and coarse hair types
Pros: Long-lasting, volumizing
Cons: Can dry out hair
Best for Thick Hair: Nexxus Comb Thru Volume Finishing Mist
To lock in Zazie Beetz's eye-catching Oscars style, celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway relied on this dependable drugstore formula from Nexxus. It's perfect for those who have fine hair that tends to get weighed down easily. With this lightweight formula, you can achieve the look you want without compromising the feel of your hair. Talbert is a fan of using this hair spray or the Nexxus Refresh Volume Dry Shampoo on days when she needs a quick mid-day touchup.
Key ingredients: N/A
Scent: Powdery
Hair type: Fine hair
Pros: Won't weigh down fine hair
Cons: Smell may be too strong for some
Best Anti-Humidity Hair Spray: OGX Smoothing + Shea Sleek Humidity Blocking Hairspray
If you're envious of Natasha Lyonne's bold hair look here, you can easily re-create the magic for quite the steal. Celebrity hairstylist Jillian Halouska spritzed this luxe drugstore hair spray for top-notch body and hold. And although this is on the pricer side of drugstore buys, it's well worth the investment considering it contains smoothing ingredients such as shea butter and marula oil.
Key ingredients: Shea butter and marula oil
Scent: Clean and fresh
Hair type: All
Pros: Keeps hair soft and provides a strong hold
Cons: May need to reapply throughout the day
Best Quick-Drying Hair Spray: Sebastian Shaper Zero Gravity Hairspray
No one wants to deal with hair spray that leaves a wet, sticky finish. Luckily, this one from Sebastian Professional dries super fast, making it a great choice for on-the-go styling. "This is my favorite," says celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Yepez. "You can tame your flyaways, get a snatched pony, and get your bombshell waves to hold! This is an amazing hair spray that really allows you to lock in your style and brush it out with ease. There's no white residue, and your hair is still soft with zero stiffness."
Key ingredients: N/A
Scent: Unscented
Hair type: All
Pros: Doesn't stiffen hair
Cons: May flatten fine hair
Best Scented Hair Spray: Dove Style + Care Compressed Micro Mist Flexible Hold Hairspray
Celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez—who regularly works with Shakira, Becky G, Maye Musk, Dascha Polanco, and Anika Noni Rose—touts this affordable drugstore hair spray as one of the best for keeping styles glued in place. "This is my fave drugstore hair spray," Alvarez says. "It is a great working spray that protects against humidity and has really buildable hold. It brushes out easily, and it never leaves your hair with a stiff, crunchy feeling."
Talbert is also a fan of this hairspray noting that it has a bright and fresh scent similar to other Dove products she loves. "I have frizz-prone 3B/3C curly hair, and I love the way this protects my hair against humidity," she says. "It's perfect for those rainy days when your strands needs something extra to stay looking fresh."
Key ingredients: Coconut oil
Scent: Floral and citrus
Hair type: All
Pros: Has a fresh scent, smoothes out hair
Cons: The nozzle is delicate
Best Budget Hair Spray: Suave Professionals Flexible Control Hairspray
Granted, all of the options on this list are considered affordable drugstore buys, but this one from Suave really takes the cake. It's less than 5$ and is clear proof that good products don't always have a high price tag. Celebrity hairstylist Jared "JStayReady" Henderson previously used Suave's Firm Control Finishing Hair Spray on stars like Normani at the VMAs. However, it's since been discontinued, so we think the brands Flexible Hold is a stellar alternative.
Key ingredients: N/A
Scent: N/A
Hair type: All
Pros: Budget-friendly
Cons: Has a strong scent
FAQ
What should I look for in a hair spray?
There are few things worth considering before investing in a new hairspray. For starters, hairsprays are available at a variety of price points, and the most expensive one isn't always the one that will match your needs best. Alternatively, consider things like lasting power, hold type, and your hair type.
If you need a product that will last a whole day, a hairspray with a strong hold is your best bet. If you're worried about buildup, try something more lightweight that may require touchups throughout the day. Some products may also be suited for different hair textures as well, so do ample research to ensure it's right for you.
How long does hairspray stay in your hair?
Hairspray can last anywhere from a few hours to a whole day depending on the formula. Before buying a hairspray, take a look at the label since some brands will display how long their products will last on the bottle. That said, it's also important to keep in mind that over-applying hairspray can result in scalp buildup and general hair damage, so rather than putting on as much as possible, look for long-lasting sprays with a strong hold.
What does hairspray do to your hair?
Hairspray essentially creates a thin coating over the hair that holds it in place and keeps it free of frizz and flyaways, creating a sleek finish. Some formulas are lightweight and others have a stronger hold—it all depends on preference and the desired outcome.
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This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing for over five years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor.
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