These Hairsprays for Fine Hair—Hold Curl Without the Crunch (We Have Proof) (2025)

TL;DR

The Oribe Superfine Hairspray reigned superior due to its impressive stronghold formula, volumizing effects, and touchable finish that allows you to run your fingers through your hair. Another standout is the TRESemmé TRES Two Ultra Fine Mist Aerosol Hair Spray, an affordable option with a superfine mist that provides a medium, touchable hold. It also has a deliciously juicy fragrance.

Our Top Picks

Size: 9 oz | Hold Level: Medium | Scent: Woody and Warm | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The crème de la crème of hairspray manifests in this beauty from Oribe. This is one of the products I tested, and it checked every one of my boxes. Tina Malhotra, professional hairstylist and owner of Hair by Tina M, agrees, calling it ‘the gold standard’ for fine hair textures. The lightweight formula offers medium-strong hold, effortlessly keeping my hair’s curls and waves intact for hours. Unlike many other hairsprays, I can run my fingers or comb through my hair without disrupting the shape of my waves; it never feels crunchy or stiff. The cherry on top? The ultrafine mist gives my hair some added shine and volume, never leaving behind any greasy residue.

As someone who is picky about their fragrances, I found Oribe’s signature Cote d’Azur scent (notes of amber, sandalwood, and vetiver) irresistible. It’s perfectly subtle and adds to the luxe experience. The only aspect worth some improvement is that it doesn’t tame flyaways as effectively as other picks on our list. Luckily, I found that a quick spray on my palms and press on my roots did the trick.

Size: 11 oz | Hold Level: Medium | Scent: Fruity and Floral | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative with impressive results, this drugstore hairspray rivals its high-end counterparts. For less than $10, this product kept my waves in place through a full day of work, yoga, and dinner with friends. While the hardy mist leaves a slight residue (as the spray is pretty concentrated), it didn’t affect my ability to run my fingers through my hair. We recommend starting with a light hand to ensure your hair doesn’t get sticky. But, as soon as it dried, my strands were locked into shape and left with Tresemmé’s classic scent—a fruity and floral fragrance that’s playful yet sophisticated. No wonder this is stylist Gega’s go-to. “They have a huge salon-grade product line that can fit any hair type need, and it is very affordable,” she adds.

Size: 8.2 oz | Hold Level: Flexible | Scent: Warm and Sweet | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Touchable and flexible hold hairsprays are designed to create a super-light hold that extends the life of your hairstyle without making your strands feel stiff or crunchy. This is another one I tested, and I can confirm that it does exactly that and more. Its ultrafine, lightweight texture leaves a natural-looking finish that’s never greasy. I could easily run a comb through my curls to soften them into beachy waves, even after multiple layers of application. Plus, this beauty is humidity-resistant, working wonders at keeping my frizz at bay.

The only downside for me was the warm vanilla scent, which was a bit overpowering for my personal preferences. I’m very picky about fragrances, so that might not be an issue for everyone.

Size: 5.5 oz | Scent: Citrus | Hold Level: Flexible | Cruelty-Free: No

While flyaways and frizz are very normal, we understand wanting to minimize them. Simply spray this undetectable hairspray on your hair and reap the benefits of this smoothing formula. While this isn’t the pick for you if you want to keep your updo in place as you dance the night away, it’s an excellent option for those who want a featherlight product that will mask any out-of-place hairs.

Our tester, Elena, appreciated how well it tamed her strands without creating a greasy film. The cherry on top? Tigi’s hairspray contains a deliciously juicy scent that will leave you sniffing your hair throughout the day (and don’t worry, it’s not overpowering or juvenile). Reach for this wonder for everyday use, and it will leave your hair looking sleek and shiny.

Elena, tester with type 1A hair: “What it did for my flyaways was a huge help! I have such frizzy hair and so much breakage, and this really calmed that down without looking like I had anything in my hair.”

Size: 10 oz | Scent: Fresh | Hold Level: Medium-Strong | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s nothing worse than a voluminous style falling flat. On the other hand, there’s also the fear that if you use hairspray, you’ll be left with a tacky, stiff ‘do. Fear not, as this hairspray will preserve the tightest curls or loosest waves without any stiffness.

Our tester loved the hardy spray—go in with a light hand as it’s anything but a fine mist—and how well it preserved her style throughout the day. While she noted a slight onset chemical fragrance, she adored that it gave her limp hair a voluminous oomph and shine. If you’re on the hunt for a product that will hold your hair for a special night out or simply want to take your look from morning to night, this is the one for you.

Ciara, tester with type 1C hair: “After a full day, my hair remained intact and held the original style. The hairspray held my hair longer than my usual hairspray. This product works amazingly for long-term situations.”

Size: 7 oz | Scent: Clean | Hold Level: Medium | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This hairspray strikes the perfect balance between providing hold and shape while keeping your hair flexible and full of movement. Our tester, Alice, raved about the light, nonsticky texture and its ability to add lasting volume without weighing down her strands. The fresh, clean scent was another perk, lingering just enough throughout the day without being overpowering. One of this product’s strengths is that you can layer it to achieve your preferred level of hold while adding some body and volume. The finish is a gorgeous soft matte that almost doubles as a dry shampoo (a win-win in our book). It is worth noting that the finish may be too dry-looking for some hair types, so we recommend going in with a shine-enhancing product afterward if you prefer a glossy finish.

Alice, tester with type 1B hair: “I have always used very strong hairsprays, thinking that if I wanted my hair to hold its shape, then I had to lose movement. This product showed me that I can have them both.”

Size: 8 oz | Scent: Unscented | Hold: Flexible | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Kenra’s Shaping Spray lives up to its hype, delivering a fine mist that gave our tester, Stella, some amazing staying power without including alcohol, which can dry out hair. While she found this gem akin to a medium or flexible hold product, she appreciated the additional volume it created without accentuating frizz or ever feeling crunchy (even after spraying multiple layers). She loved that it dried down quickly and was fairly buildable. Plus, an alcohol-free product is a better option for those with dry, damaged, or brittle hair types, as it’s not as harsh or drying.

Stella, tester with 1A hair type: “After using this spray, my hair looks more put together, and it gave me a bit of volume that I desperately need for my ultra-flat, thin, straight hair.”

FAQ

• How do you prevent hairspray from weighing down fine hair?

  According to Malhotra, it’s all about how you distribute the hairspray. “I like to hold the spray about 10-12 inches away from the hair, spraying the mist in short spritzes and moving the hair around at the same time. This helps to prevent oversaturation and making fine hair feel too stiff,” she adds.
  

• Can hairspray help tame frizz?

  If used properly, hairspray can certainly help tame frizz. A secret tip Malhotra learned is to spray hairspray directly onto a tissue and drag it over the hair lightly to reduce frizz and flyaways. “The tissue creates a buffer and allows the perfect amount of product to sit on the hair without weighing it down or leaving a film,” she adds.