What’s Your Favorite Drugstore Hairspray?

Thu, 05/14/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Hair, Just For Fun

whats-your-favorite-drugstore-hairspray

Do you remember your prom?

It was ages ago for me, but it seems like yesterday.

Reader Vivian is at that point in her life, and she’s in need of some help with her hair:

…I’ve been digging through your archives for the best drugstore hairspray that won’t make my hair like an honest-to-God bird’s nest, texture and all, but since I’m emailing you now, do you have any immediate suggestions?

Thanks so much! Your blog makes me so excited about prom!

Hi Vivian,

Ah, prom… That’s a good place to be in life. I hope you’re enjoying it. :)

Before we get into the hairspray bit, let me first just say that if you haven’t started wearing sunscreen on your neck, then you gotta start TODAY, girl. Trust me, in 10 years you’ll thank me for it.

Now, onto drugstore hairsprays!

I usually use hairsprays to set a final style, and there are two drugstore products I really like.

If I want soft, flexible hold (say, if I’ve curled my hair), I reach for L’Oreal’s Elnett Extra StrongHold UV Hair Spray ($15). It’s an aerosol spray with UV protectors, and I love fine mist. It doesn’t weigh down my hair and holds a hairstyle without flaking. Plus, it never leaves me with stiff or sticky hair.

But if the humidity’s high, or for some reason my hair needs some extra hold, I’ll grab Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray Ultra Strong ($4).

It controls the frizz, even in the rain (fab for those extra birds-nesty hair days), stays put all day long and costs less than a blended coffee.

MBB readers, let’s give young Viv a hand. What are your favorite drugstore hairsprays, and why do you love ‘em?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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So far, 45 people have commented on this post. How cool is that?

  1. 1. Cristina said, on May 14th, 2009:

    John Frida Frizz-Ease Hairspray!!! I loveeeeee that stuff.

  2. 2. Alison said, on May 14th, 2009:

    I agree with Karen, Loreal Elnett is great.

  3. 3. Vampy Varnish said, on May 14th, 2009:

    I have looked all over Hell’s creation for Elnett and cannot find it anywhere. I’ve been hearing about it for years.

    I use the Garnier Fructis you mention when it’s super windy out and I need my hair locked into place. I also really like John Frieda’s hair spray for blondes because it holds really well and doesn’t darken blonde hair like a lot of sprays can.

    Back in my prom days (I didn’t go though) I was all about the huge can of Aqua Net! And you are SO right about wearing sunscreen on the neck START NOW!

    Vampy Varnish´s last blog post..Zoya Exchange – Part II

  4. 4. Victoria R. said, on May 14th, 2009:

    I always use Aussie Mega Hairspray.

    Never sticky- never leaves my hair crispy nor leave a residue. And the smell is absolutely amazing- I ALWAYS get compliments on how good it smells whenever i wear it!

  5. 5. Denisa said, on May 14th, 2009:

    I use Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play. I find that it can give me the big birds nest effect, but also if I spray it on lightly- it gives me a nice subtle hold with lots of volume! It’s pretty good.

  6. 6. Beth said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Another vote for Elnett over here – I love the fact that it brushes out so if you ned to re-style, you can.

    Beth´s last blog post..At 27 years old, how did I get here?

  7. 7. Megan said, on May 14th, 2009:

    So every single day I use TRESemme tres spray super hold hair spray because I CANNOT stand when my hair gets in my face. It does have a stiff hold depending on how much you use, but it’s never sticky. It doesn’t flake or leave build up though. I really only use it on the very front part of my hair. I have from time to time used it on the back etc. and it can leave that stiff crispy feel. I think I generally pay about $4 for a bottle. My hair kinda has a mind of it’s own…and this is the best one I’ve found that keeps my hair the way I want it and doesn’t flake/leave build up – even when using sulfate free shampoo etc.

  8. 8. Michele said, on May 14th, 2009:

    I like: Thermosilk Flexible Hold, Aqua NET, Big Sexy Hair, Frizz Ease, Treesmme Extra Hold.
    and Number ONE: Air Control- great for curly hair.
    Michele

  9. 9. Solé said, on May 14th, 2009:

    The last time I used drug store hairspray was in the early 90s when I had a perm and wanted that super crunchy look. I used to use the non-aerosol purple bottle spritz from St. Ives and L’Oreal Studio Fix. I don’t think they make either one anymore. Heh, I’m old school.

    I rarely use hairspray anymore, but when I do I use Graham Webb Brit Style Energy Lock hairspray. It’s technically considered a salon brand but I have seen it at some drugstores. I love it because it holds incredibly well while still leaving your hair soft and flexible. And it doesn’t flake.

  10. 10. Holley said, on May 14th, 2009:

    ******************One that I LOVE is by got2b. It comes in a dark red can, smells great and leaves your hair touchable but still holds. Really great stuff that I’ve bought multiple times!*************************

  11. 11. Jaime said, on May 14th, 2009:

    The BEST hairspray ever is Sebastian Shaper spray. Their Zero g spray is amazing too, but the hold isn’t as strong. The Shaper spray is fabulous, because you can’t see it on the hair at all, it brushes out if you need to redo something, and it look really natural. Love love love.

    Have a fabulous prom! :)

  12. 12. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Jaime,

    Thanks for the recommendation. I love natural looking sprays so I’ll put that one on my list.

    Happy Thursday!

  13. 13. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Holley,

    I’ll give it a sniff next time I’m at the store. I’m all about stuff that smells good. :)

  14. 14. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Sole,

    GIRRRRRLLL, did you have one of those crunchy spiral perms? Those were the rage at my school in the early 90s.

  15. 15. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Michele,

    I’ll have to try Air Control! What do you think makes it exceptional for curly hair?

  16. 16. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Megan,

    How long is your hair these days? Are you still growing it out?

  17. 17. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Beth,

    Amen to that! Plus, you can re-curl pieces of hair and it doesn’t look all crunchy and gross!

  18. 18. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    HI Victoria R.,

    That’s an old school fave of mine! Aussie makes some good stuff. Have you ever used their 3-Minute Miracle?

  19. 19. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Vampy Varnish,

    I think a big ass can of Aquanet was a pre-req for every teenage girl in the late 80s/early 90s. Did you have big hair?

  20. 20. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Alison,

    Isn’t it great? I wish it smelled a little better though…

  21. 21. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Cristina,

    I haven’t tried that one. How does it smell?

  22. 22. ines said, on May 14th, 2009:

    got2b glued freeze spray. not very “natural” or touchable, but awesome hold for sweaty dance competitions – it holds its shape, regardless of what you do.

    dancers like to add about half a bottle/tube of hair gel or extension glue (i like got2b spiked up gel, once again, because of max hold and shine) to their updos, slick/braid/whatever into an immovable helmet, then liberally spray with freeze spray

    we sleep for the three days of the competition on our stomachs so we don’t have to redo the “helmet.”

    it looks supersleek and is pretty much glued to our heads.

    then i wash it out with a clarifying shampoo like herbal essences drama clean. the mintiness curbs the pain and itching caused by the countless hairpins and tons of gel and hairspray.

  23. 23. Lehea said, on May 14th, 2009:

    I to am a fan of Garnier Fructis. I use it when I curl my hair. Hasn’t failed me yet!

  24. 24. Lehea said, on May 14th, 2009:

    I too am a fan of Garnier Fructis. I use it when I curl my hair. Hasn’t failed me yet!

  25. 25. Janet said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Aussie! Good hold and smells amaaaazin’

  26. 26. Kristina said, on May 14th, 2009:

    got2b smooth operator … not too heavy and it smells great!

  27. 27. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Kristina,

    Got2B makes some good stuff. Have you ever used their shampoos and conditioners?

  28. 28. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Janet,

    Aussie’s a good one!

  29. 29. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Lehea,

    It’s the best, right? It even holds up during the rain!

  30. 30. alli said, on May 14th, 2009:

    herbal essences “set me up” extra hold hairspray is what i’ve been using lately. works well and doesn’t make my hair crunchy!

  31. 31. Vampy Varnish said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Oh yes I had BIG hair! I got a perm when I was 16 then did the huge sprayed bangs. I wanted the “rocker chick” look and sadly, I pulled it off LOL!

    Vampy Varnish´s last blog post..Zoya Exchange – Part II

  32. 32. Alison said, on May 14th, 2009:

    I agree the smell of elnett isn’t great. Tigi bed head make a god smelling one I think. Most of their products smell like candy!

  33. 33. Megan said, on May 14th, 2009:

    It’s definitely getting longer. It’s past my shoulders – the length truly depends on the day though…some days if I shower at night and go to bed with it wet, it’s really curly and it’s short and just past my shoulders, others I shower in the morning and comb it out and it dries a little straighter and it’s a few inches past my shoulders. I don’t really ever straighten it though. Seriously my hair looks a mess when I try to straighten it. Even my stylist has straightened it before and agrees that it only looks good for about 15 minutes…

  34. 34. penelope said, on May 14th, 2009:

    i love the aussie one…it smells so good

  35. 35. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Megan,

    Dang, it’s getting LONG! I still remember when it was Betty Boop style.

    I have a friend who has hair just like yours that won’t straighten at all. It stays straight for about 10 minutes, tops, and then magically it transforms back to curly right before your very eyes. It’s fascinating!

  36. 36. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Alison,

    Oh yah, I agree. Sometimes I like to sniff those at the beauty store just because they smell so yummy!

  37. 37. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Vampy Varnish,

    I can totally see you with big hair like the cool chicks in the Bon Jovi videos. Did you wear off torn, off-the-shoulder t-shirts? I wanted one but my parents were NOT having that.

  38. 38. Karen said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Hi Alli,

    That line is really good! They have a gel that’s fab for wavy hair.

  39. 39. Solé said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Ha ha yes Karen, I confess – I was rocking that crunchy spiral perm all through middle school and part of high school! In 7th and 8th grade, the bangs were a separate unit, like a layered sprayed out puff sitting over my face. Oh yeah, and those half-ponytails directly on top of the head with hair spouting out like a fountain? All part of my junior high hair repertoire. Seriously, what the heck were we thinking back then?

  40. 40. Daya said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Does anyone remember LA Looks?? I LOVED their hairspray in jr. high. However, I tend to use my mom’s favorite now..VaVoom Freezing Spray.

  41. 41. Vivian said, on May 14th, 2009:

    Awww! I was NOT expecting a whole post dedicated to this! I think I’ll go with the Garnier or the Aussie, but thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone–that was really sweet.

  42. 42. Elle said, on May 15th, 2009:

    My fave would be Tresemme’s Freeze and Control ultra hold. I use it every time I style my hair. Even though, it says it’s an ultra hold, it doesn’t make your hair all plastic and hard throughout the day.

    In the past, I used hairsprays in which they gave me plastic and hard hair. But, this brand did the trick for me and it smelled good too. It was only around $5 at Walgreen. I mean, if you don’t want to spend a lot on a can of hairspray and it’s only used occasionally on special events you can always start with an inexpensive bottle.

  43. 43. Melissa Street said, on May 15th, 2009:

    I am going to regret saying writing this I am sure, but my favorite is still good, old Agua Net (except I feel a tinge of guilt every time I use it because of the carbon foot print and all). I guess I am still stuck in the 80’s!

    Melissa Street´s last blog post..Mineral Maven!

  44. 44. Katie said, on May 17th, 2009:

    John Frieda Sheer Blonde Spray is awesome. It’s not too “wet” and it’s great to blow dry with…

  45. 45. Michele said, on June 19th, 2009:

    i am stayin’ with air contol. It doesn’t make my hair sticky,
    and it is still manageable!
    michele

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