I’m a huge fan of working with your natural texture. If you have straight hair, sport it. If you have wavy hair, or curly hair, shake it out. Embrace what is uniquely yours because I promise you that there are plenty of others out there who would kill to have your hair type. The grass is always greener, ya know?

Texture is not only the type of movement we have naturally but its also inclusive of what I like to call “grit”. When you have coarser strands, you have a bit of grit already so a little product will go a long way. With finer hair, adding texture can be a bit trickier because there’s a tendency to go overboard. We use texture sprays to amplify the amount of “grit” and avoid slippery, static-y hair (which also helps with braiding, updos etc) but we want to keep the hair tangle free.

All that being said, there are a few things to consider when it comes to picking the right texture spray: your hair type, styling habits, and desired result. Some texture sprays are wet, and some are dry. If you shower every morning before work and air dry your hair, a wet spray is going to serve you better than a dry spray. I’m providing a list below of some of my personal favorites, both wet and dry, with all things considered (granted, I always lean toward low maintenance styling habits).

WET SPRAYS:

NatureLab Tokyo Volume Texture Mist
Wet. All hair types.

This might be one of my favorite products tested in the last year. It’s become a must-have for all my haircut clients. No matter their density or hair type - wavy, thick, fine, straight - I have seen the most beautiful movement peek out after applying this spray.
I always like to spray around the face, to let those natural face-framing bends come out, and at the crown for some added volume. I’ll lightly scrunch the product in with my hands as I rough dry (I do all my haircuts dry! so I rarely apply to fully damp hair) and the finished results are never crunchy or stiff.

Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray
Wet. Fine hair.

This spray is great for fine hair because although it’s a wet spray, it works great to add grit no matter if your hair is wet or dry. It really works beautifully either way, and I think it gives fine strands that naturally salty beach wave sans beach, adding some movement and appeal that’s sometimes lacking in finer hair.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion Spray
Wet. Thick hair.

The reason I like this spray for thicker strands is because it’s infused with oil. Thicker hair usually faces the frizz issue as it air dries, so if you’re going to go with a wet spray (perhaps because you have a lovely natural wave), I suggest something that will not only give you a little bit of salty grit sans beach but will also provide some moisture to your hair to help lock things in sans frizz.

DRY SPRAYS:

Amika’s Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray
Dry. All hair types.

This spray is basically my substitute for Oribe’s Dry (and super expensive) Texture Spray. The reason I like it better is because it’s lighter and airier. The Oribe spray can make your hair feel really grungy the next day, and that might look cool to some, but I touch a lot of heads and I’m sorry to say, the feeling is nasty. Amika’s Texture Spray is much lighter and it doesn’t take differently to hair types. It provides the same textured result we all love and want, no matter if our strands are fine or coarse, straight or wavy. And they make a great travel size which is always a plus for me, personally. (My hair will suffer before I ever check a bag. )

Bumble and Bumble’s Dryspun Thickening Spray
Dry. Fine hair.

This spray is both thickening, hence the name, but also texturizing. It gives a much lighter grit than other dry texture sprays do, so it doesn’t weigh the hair down, making it great for fine hair. Make sure to spray this behind your sections and at the root, not just over the surface of the hair. Again, think about your desired results when it comes to application. If you want height at the roots, that’s where you spray. If you want to thicken up your ponytail, I recommend spraying from beneath, directly into your ponytail.

MoroccanOil Dry Texture Spray
Dry. Thick hair.

Similar to the oil infused wet surf spray I recommend for thick hair, this dry spray is infused with argan oil so it doesn’t strip any of the oils or needed moisture from your hair type, but instead nourishes while still giving it a little somethin’-somethin’ to help you find your zhoosh. The finish is gritty but still soft and touchable.

Do you guys have any questions about picking out texture sprays? Is there something specific to this topic that you’d like me to address? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sure to write you back!!

xo, AR

AR Blog

How-To: Pick the Right Texture Spray