Zara is renowned for tapping legendary artists to design its beauty products. In 2021, it joined forces with Diane Kendal to launch 130 shades of makeup – and now Zara Hair is set to explode onto the scene. Created by renowned catwalk hairstylist, Guido Palau, the ‘Everyday Basics’ collection proves that luxury formulas and purse-friendly prices can happily co-exist.
Cast your minds back to November 2023 and Zara released a tantalising taster of what was to come with its Glitter Hairspray – which Guido dubbed “makeup for your hair” – in time for party season. With the fruitful popularity of that product, Zara is now dropping a full range of haircare on 4th March. “I have known the people at Zara for over 20 years and so it felt like a very natural progression of our relationship – and Zara were very keen to get into new categories in the beauty division,” Guido says.
Zara Hair now features six styling products, including a multi-tasking Dry Texturising Spray that creates buildable volume and amplifies natural texture. The Volumising Mousse adds both volume and shine, while the Blow Dry Spray can be used before drying or straightening to protect hair from heat and create a glass-like sheen. Thirsty hair benefits from the Light Hair Balm as the finishing touch, while the Curl Activator creates defined, glossy curls and the Hair Spray locks every style into place.
The Products:
Perhaps the real draw of Zara Hair – and a core tenet of the brand's messaging – is that it is designed to bring backstage hair to the masses. “I would say 80% of the hairstyles that are seen on the runway at the moment are pretty natural or very simple, and something you could create from using these six basic products easily,” says Guido, the visionary behind the AW24 catwalk hair looks at Prada, Proenza Schouler and Khaite.
“If you wanted to do something more extreme you can just layer the products up, as each product is great to use with the other," he adds. "You can use the Volumizing Mousse, Hair Spray and the Dry Texturizing Spray all in one hairstyle so really it is up to your imagination.”
The six products have been carefully curated. “There is something to blow-dry your hair with, something to hold your hair, something to create curl and to create texture,” he adds. Fittingly, speed was a big consideration. “The Dry Texturising Spray doubles up as a great dry shampoo – it also gives your blow-dry a long-lasting effect,” Guido notes, although a favourite three-minute hack is to “use the Volumising Mousse together with the Blow Dry Spray, so one seals it and one gives you volume."
Ease of use was another. Guido says the Dry Texturising Spray was the starting point of the collection, and a must-have in his kit bag. “It is a very easy-to-use product, you cannot go too wrong,” he says. “What I have tried to do with all these products is make them very user friendly for real women and men. After years of speaking to women about their hair, I found that they want their hair products to help with styling, but they don't want to be overly styled; they don’t want them to be too perfumed, too sticky and overly firm. After blow-drying or washing their hair they want it to still feel clean and light and I have done that with these products."
Zara Hair Everyday Basics launches 4th March.
The verdict:
Deborah, GLAMOUR's European Editorial Director
Honestly, I had very low expectations of a Zara hair serum. Zara and clothes – yes. Zara and hair – not a match made in heaven.
The feel of the Zara Hair Blow Dry Spray in my hand – watery and bit sticky – didn’t assuage my fears as I combed it through my wet hair. Once I started the blow-dry I was hoping it would speed up the process – but no. Compared to my usual Moroccanoil serum, which I love, this made my hair feel a bit stiffer.
But once the blow-dry was finished I was quite pleasantly surprised. It looked smoother, sleeker, with no fly-away hair and no frizz.
But it wasn’t until I’d slept on it that this product really showed its strength. My blow-dry remained almost perfect. I got three compliments that day, asking if I’d had my hair done! I’ve used it a few times since and, now that I’m used to the texture, I can honestly say I love it. What can I say, Zara, you’re not just a great clothes horse. And I will never again judge a product by its cover.
Emily, GLAMOUR's Associate Manager, Social Media
I have been searching for a new favourite hairspray for some time now. My hair is quite long and tends to do its own thing – I often find that hairsprays either make my hair too stiff or have an unpleasant odour that gives me a headache.
In the past, I have tried various hair products and finally settled on a coconut-scented hairspray and a separate shine spray. However, the Zara Hair Hair Spray doubles as a hairspray and shine spray all in one bottle, which I’m delighted about.
Firstly, can we take a moment to appreciate this bottle? Alright, maybe I'm a little biased because orange is my favourite colour, but the shape and texture of this hairspray bottle are simply gorgeous. It has a matte finish, which is something I've never seen in a hairspray before, and a bronzy, orangey metallic lid. Just looking at it in the morning is enough to put me in a better mood for the day.
I found that the Zara Hair Hair Spray dispenses a good amount of product with each spray and it distributed evenly throughout my hair. Compared to other hairsprays I've used in the past, this one has a much nicer scent, which I really appreciate. Additionally, I was pleased with the shiny finish it gave my hair and the longevity of the product as my hair held all day.
Rating: 9/10
Mayola, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer
Typically, a new texturising spray wouldn’t immediately garner my attention – I understand it’s a holy grail to many, but, personally, I’ve struggled to find one that effectively adds volume and texture to my unruly hair. However, when Zara Hair’s new Dry Texturising Spray landed on my desk, it forced me to re-evaluate.
I sprayed it on dry hair, targeting the roots and lengths directly, then styled my hair as usual. A swift touch-up with my fingers revealed a noticeable lift and buildable grit, providing the perfect foundation for blow-drying. I found it delivered a long-lasting hold, and, most importantly, didn’t leave behind the dry, stiff texture associated with most texturising sprays. It’s definitely a product I’ll be adding to my haircare routine.
Rating: 8/10
Denise, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer
As someone who has damaged and dry hair, I was delighted when I got my hands on the newly launched Zara Hair Light Hair Balm, which also happens to be the most hydrating product from its new hair range.
I used roughly three pumps on my damp hair and massaged the formula in before applying my heat protector and oils and then blow-drying. I loved the lightweight texture and incredibly nourishing feel, as well as just how quickly it absorbed without weighing my hair down.
The result? Re-hydrated and glossy hair that definitely doesn't look like it's gone through three colour transformations in the past two years. A must for dry and damaged hair.
Rating: 8/10
Chelsea, GLAMOUR's Senior Visual Editor
Volumising hair mousse is a fundamental part of my haircare routine – I use it after every wash and I mean it when I say, I couldn't live without it.
I was super excited to try the new Zara Hair Volumising Mousse. On first impression, the packaging was interesting and unexpected from Zara, although I did find it annoying that the lid didn't properly clip onto the product.
As for the formula, it's super lightweight. Some mousses can make your hair feely tacky, but this one left my hair feeling freshly washed. My blow-dry worked out amazingly and it added so much lift to my curtain bangs.
It also stood the test of time – the volume lasted pretty much all day, but so did the gorgeous fruity smell. It's a winner for me, well done Zara.
Rating: 7/10
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
