11 best texturising sprays for hair to add serious oomph
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Who doesn't love hair that has main character energy? If yours is limp, fine or drops moments after styling, you need one of the best texturising sprays for hair.
If you're anything like me, you spend what feels like a millennia styling your hair into perfect, effortless beachy waves, only for the whole look to turn limp and lifeless after stepping 10 yards out my front door. And in the summer, with the humidity? I may as well not have bothered.
Enter: my fave texturising sprays, which not only help hold the style, but give it extra oomph and extra volume that lasts from desk to drinks. Effectively, a texturising spray is somewhere in between a hair spray, a dry shampoo and a sea salt spray. As such, it performs the function of all three, so it offers up a whole lot of versatility in one bottle. Volume-boosting, thickening and beach wave-building, texture sprays are a triple threat, and work especially well if you have shorter hair. Hello, textured power bobs.
But what, specifically, does texturising sprays do? And how can we use it to make our hair look positively goddess-like, while avoiding crispy roots and sticky lengths?
Skip to: What does a texturising spray do and when should I use it? | How do texturising sprays perform on different hair types? | Any application tips for getting the most out of texturising sprays? | How does a texturising spray differ from other styling products? OR Shop the best texturising sprays
Best texturising sprays at a glance:
- Best overall: Oribe Dry Texturising Spray, £45, Cult Beauty
- Best for waves: Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray, £18.45, Sephora
- Best for dry hair: OUAI Texturising Hair Spray, £26, Cult Beauty
- Best for multi-tasking: Color Wow Style on Steroids Performance Enhancing Texture + Finishing Spray, £23.50, Amazon
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Meet the experts
- Issey Cook, Hair Stylist at Larry King
- Dom Seeley, International Creative Director at Color Wow
- Alisha Dobson, Stylist and Managing Director at Bleach London Salons
What does a texturising spray do and when should I use it?
“Texturising spray does exactly what the product describes, it gives texture,” says Dom. “You can use it on dry hair before using your heated tools to help hold a curl or wave, especially if you have fine hair that struggles to do so.”
“If you’re not heat styling and just want to take your hair from soft and flat to hair that’s full of plush volume and life, then simply spray where you want want texture and instant volume. You can spray root to tip and then scrunch it in for a beachy look, or style as desired and you’re good to go. Texture spray is also an incredible aid if your hair is soft and slips easily, so it’s great for if you want to put your hair in a ponytail, braids, plaits or updos.”
Issey adds that some texurising sprays can be used on wet hair to help prep the hair, but always read the instructions.
How do texturising sprays perform on different hair types?
Alisha explains that texturising sprays work all hair types, just with different results. “ On fine hair it adds light, airy volume that looks and feels natural,” she says. “Wavy hair adds more definition, adds a protective layer and tame flyaways. Curly and coily hair creates soft texture without weighing down curls.”
“Texturising sprays are especially good for fine or thinning hair, as they give the illusion that it’s fuller and thicker,” adds Issey. “But if you have slightly thicker hair, I would spray it between the mid lengths to ends to add texture if you don’t want to add any more volume to the roots.”
Finding the right formulation for your hair type is essentially trial and error, and most texturising sprays are pretty universal. “But curly and coily hair should probably avoid salt based sprays as this might be too drying for the natural texture,” says Alisha, “whereas they might be great for straighter or fine hair. The best texturising sprays for fine hair also contain ingredients that protect it from breakage.”
Any application tips for getting the most out of texturising sprays?
“The best way to apply is section by section, making sure your hair gets an even amount of product,” says Dan. “If you want volume, lift your hair up in sections and spray throughout from root to tip almost like in a butterfly effect, fanning the hair out and spraying it as it falls. You can flip you head upside down and really spray in the product and then flip your head back to really lock on in the volume, or if you're using heat tools, spray each section prior to heat styling and then once your look is complete give a final spritz to add more texture and fullness.”
How does a texturising spray differ from other styling products?
You may be thinking, ‘How exactly is this any different to a hair mousse or finishing spray?’ Well, there are key differences between these styling products, says Dan.
“Texture spray is different to all other products. Mousse can be sticky and make hair dry. Hairspray locks styles in place and the majority of them don’t allow you to move your hair around or rework it, whereas a texture spray allows the hair to move and rework it. You can also build and add more product, and some are multitaskers that texturise, give hold and protect from heat.”
We've picked out the very best texture sprays to turn your hairstyles from limp to full of life...
Oribe Dry Texturising Spray, £45, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: This Oribe texturising spray may be on the pricey end, but if you're looking for a stand-out product that'll last for ages, this is one to race to the checkout for. The dry spray adds mega volume and sexy texture, while patented polymers help to absorb oil at the roots without leaving the tell-tale residue of a dry shampoo. Ingredients such as kiwi and passion flower extracts act as a gentle conditioner to hair, maintaining moisture and protecting colour, while white ginger root extract keeps things soft and smooth. A powerhouse product.
Save when you shop for the best texturising sprays for hair with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
OUAI Texturising Hair Spray, £26, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Complete with the signature Ouai scent, Jen Atkin's bestselling spray adds a subtle blast of texture and is super buildable. If you suffer with thirsty tresses, this is the hydrating formula for you – enriched with OUAI's ‘Smart Technology’ (a clever blend of nourishing ingredients such as amino acids, keratin, ama oil, hibiscus and jasmine), this texturising spray leaves strands nourished and volumised at the same time. It's basically skincare for your hair.
Your hair will smell great, too, thanks to fragrances of Italian bergamot, rose, lily of the valley, waterlily, iris and white musk. Essentially an eau de parfum for your hair.
Save when you shop for the best texturising sprays for hair with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Color Wow Style on Steroids Performance Enhancing Texture + Finishing Spray, £23.50, Amazon
Why we love it: A multi-tasking spray that adds texture and gives lasting hold to hairstyles (with added heat protection). It can be used before or after heat styling and will never dull or cloud your hair colour, so you still have shiny hair that’s touchable and moveable but with incredible volume and texture. Shake well then mist onto hair, raking through with your fingers or, for serious volume, turn your head upside down and spray under your layers.
Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray, £26.98, Sephora
Why we love it: You can use this mist on dry or damp hair for perfectly tousled waves and volume. With added heat protection and hold, the formula is also oil-absorbing to help extend your style (also making it ideal if you're prone to oily roots). To use, lift your hair section by section and mist from root to tip, before tousling hair with your fingers to create the desired look. This texture and volume spray is an absolute must-have for the perfect bouncy blowout.
Save when you shop for the best texturising sprays for hair with these Sephora UK discount codes.
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Bumble & Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Hair Spray, £26.10, Boots
Why we love it: A classic for a reason, this boosts hair in more ways than one, from volume to hair thickness. Ideal for thin hair types, the translucent mist is like a mixture between a superfine hairspray and a non-chalky dry shampoo, lifting hair without any residue or stickiness. We like to keep it on our desks and mist over roots to add lift and freshness when the hair on our crown drops throughout the day.
Umberto Giannini Texture Boost Volumising Dry Texture Spray, £8.25, Look Fantastic
Why we love it: An oldie but most certainly a goodie, Umberto Giannini's dry texture spray is ideal for giving hair a bit of lift, and is buildable if you're looking to create bigger, bolder styles, such as that messy just-jumped-out-of-bed look. Spritz onto mid-lengths of dry hair in sections and work through with your hands, massaging in or scrunching up. It can be used on clean hair (and will help just-washed, slippery hair hold a style) or next-day (or the-day-after-that) hair. If you spray too much and hair feels crunchy, simply brush out.
Save when you shop for the best texturising sprays for hair with these Look Fantastic discount codes.
Larry King Hair Care Volumising Hair Mist, £35, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: This texture spray can be used on wet or dry hair – spritz onto wet hair to prep the hair or scrunch into dry hair for an effortless beachy look. It's also ideal for those who find their hair falling flat and limp as the day goes on; the root-boosting mist can be strayed directly onto roots to give the crown a pick-me-up, and the light-as-air texture means there's no greasy or sticky residue (so oily hair types needn't be afraid). The result: long-lasting body at the roots, swishiness through the lengths, and a delicate fragrance of rosemary, pine needles, lavender, jasmine and violet.
Save when you shop for the best texturising sprays for hair with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist, £27, Liberty London
Why we love it: A firm favourite in the beauty industry, this Sam McKnight mist creates the most amazing voluminous texture with a matte-sheen finish. Suitable for all hair types from straight to curly, Sam describes the product as ‘the trick to rock n’ roll, sexy hair that looks like you haven't even tried’. Like all of her products, this spray smells incredible, too.
Save when you shop for the best texturising sprays for hair with these Liberty London discount codes.
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Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray, £18.45, Sephora
Why we love it: If you're obsessed with the unique Moroccanoil scent, you'll be spritzing this incredible-smelling texture spray all day at your desk. Completely non-sticky, it offers the most amazing, long-lasting 'zhuzh' particularly to fine or limp hair. It gives hair medium hold too, so if your hair is thick or heavy, you may wish to follow with an additional mist of hairspray.
Davines Dry Texturiser Spray, £26.25, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: This texturising spray is quite powerful and will give lifeless and flat hair a powerful movement boost. If you're looking for piecey, defined texture and movement that will last all night – but crucially, won't end up crunchy and brittle – this is the formula for you. If you have particularly fine hair, follow with hairspray to help it hold.
Save when you shop for the best texturising sprays for hair with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Charles Worthington Thicker & Fuller Texture Spray,
£7.99£5.99, AmazonWhy we love it: Big volume, little price. This budget buy is excellent for turning limp, lifeless hair into the best hair of your life, with a hold that stays. The super-dry spray promises to deliver twice the body, adding a super-charged boost of fullness to bouncy blowouts. Be careful not to over-spray to avoid any sticky residue.
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