Anyone with fine hair knows the eternal struggle against lifeless strands that seem to highlight every contour of your skull. (A problem that’s exacerbated if you also have thin hair.) So, what’s the secret to a great hairdo, then? One of them is a good texture spray. “Texturizing sprays will give you a plumped up or revamped look and [absorb the oil in your hair],” says Fabio Scalia, the owner of NYC-based Fabio Scalia Salons. “It will make the hair more voluminous as well.” From the surprising overall favorite, the Balmain Paris Texturizing Volume Spray ($60), to the best-smelling Captain Blankenship Texture Sea Salt Spray ($29) and Hailey Bieber-loved IGK Beach Club Volume Texture Spray (from $16), PureWow editors tested popular brands to cull this list of 11 best texture sprays for fine hair. May a good hair day be in your future.
The 11 Best Texture Sprays for Fine Hair, Tested and Reviewed
From Balmain to Kenra and Color Wow
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The 10 Best Texture Sprays at a Glance
Best Overall
Balmain Paris Texturizing Volume Spray
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Best Smelling
Captain Blankenship Texture Sea Salt Spray
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For Soft and Shiny Locks
WEN by Chaz Dean 613 Texturizing Treatment Spray
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The Celeb Fave
IGK Beach Club Volume Texture Spray
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Best Value
Kenra Volume Spray 25
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Meet the Experts
- Fabio Scalia is the owner of Fabio Scalia Salons in New York City, which has salons in Soho and Brooklyn Heights. Scalia has been working in the industry since he was 12 and is an expert in hair growth and trichology. He has trained at multiple academies, including Aldo Coppola, Vidal Sassoon and TONI&GUY, in addition to working in top salons from Milan to Monte Carlo.
- Chaz Dean is a celebrity hairstylist, colorist and the founder of WEN hair and body care line. Dean has over 25 years of experience, and his salon has served the likes of Ming-Na Wen, Nicole Murphy, Gilles Marini, Alyssa Milano, Gwyneth Paltrow and others. WEN is also the winner of multiple QVC Beauty Awards.
- Jennifer Korab is the owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa and Revival Barber Shop in New Jersey. Korab has extensive experience working New York Fashion Week and celebrity photo shoots.
- Michelle Cleveland is a celebrity hairstylist, extension artist and educator at the Hair Addict salon in New Jersey. Cleveland has studied and trained in advanced cuts and color in London, Miami, and New York and has multi-certifications with Vidal Sassoon, Toni & Guy and Wella.
How We Chose the Best Texture Sprays for Fine Hair
To corral this list of the best texture sprays for fine hair, PureWow editors researched the most popular brands trending across the internet, from Google Trends data to social media. We also asked hairstylists about the products they love. Then, two fine-haired editors put nearly 20 products to the test, evaluating each spray based on texture, feel, hold, scent, delivery mechanism and longevity.
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Best Overall
1. Balmain Paris Texturizing Volume Spray
What We Like
- all-day volume and texture
- not too sticky
- lovely, gentle scent
- easy to refresh
What We Don’t Like
- expensive
Balmain
PureWow’s associate SEO editor Marissa Wu wasn’t expecting a couture brand to make the best texture spray for fine hair, but after extensively testing many brands, Balmain Paris’ Texturizing Volume Spray came out on top. “The texture stayed ALL DAY without feathering out,” she notes. “The volume was long-lasting, too. There was a lightness to my hair that isn't present in the other texture sprays. It gave texture but wasn’t super grainy. Airy, almost. It reactivates really well when you zhush it. Best hold, best texture, best volume.”
The 8.8-ounce bottle features a continuous spray that delivers a cloud-like mist with the signature Balmain fragrance. The formula contains silk protein and argan oil that provide moisture and shine. It can be applied to damp or dry hair.
Fast Facts
- Size: 8.8oz
- Scent: signature Balmain fragrance
- Cruelty-free: N/A
- Ingredients: silk protein, argan oil
- Hold: strong
Best Smelling
2. Captain Blankenship Texture Sea Salt Spray
What We Like
- fresh rose scent
- suitable for all hair types, color-treated hair and dry scalp
What We Don’t Like
- no continuous spray
Captain Blankenship
“This holds so well,” Wu says. “The only downside is that there isn’t a continuous spray. Otherwise, the volume is amazing and doesn’t leave my hair piece-y looking, even after a windy, rainy and humid day. The texture is very light, which I appreciate because I don’t like it when the product feels too sticky or gritty. Also, it smells like pure roses.”
The four-ounce bottle is packed with aloe, seaweed extract, sea salt and rose essential oils that give the hair body and volume without weighing it down or drying it out. It can be used on all hair types, including color-treated hair and on dry scalps.
Fast Facts
- Size: 4oz
- Scent: rose
- Cruelty-free: N/A
- Ingredients: aloe, seaweed extract, sea salt, rose geranium and palmarosa essential oils
- Hold: medium to strong
For Soft and Shiny Locks
3. WEN by Chaz Dean 613 Texturizing Treatment Spray
What We Like
- keeps hair soft and silky
- conditions strands
- solid volume
- can be reactivated with a little moisture
What We Don’t Like
- no continuous spray
WEN by Chaz Dean
PureWow senior editor Dana Dickey says this texture spray had the most “natural” feeling of all the brands she tested. “It’s applied on wet hair, so it seems to really bond with your hair as it dries, leaving it feeling silky and looking shiny but somehow adding volume.” The silky feeling is produced by a powerhouse cohort of rosemary oil, green tea extract, bamboo water, amino acids and peptides.
“It didn’t hold curls like a hairspray or more ‘rigid’ volumizers, but it kept a bend so my hair didn’t fall flat or look thin while wearing it,” Dickey shares. “Interestingly, after I took a hot yoga class with my hair in little buns, I took down my hair and my curls were bouncy again—so this product can be reactivated with a little moisture if needed.”
Fast Facts
- Size: 8oz
- Scent: gentle botanics
- Cruelty-free: N/A
- Ingredients: lemon peel, rosemary oil, green tea extract, bamboo water, amino acids, peptides
- Hold: light
The Celeb Fave
4. IGK Beach Club Volume Texture Spray
What We Like
- not crunchy
- buildable texture
- can work on all hair types and textures
What We Don’t Like
- scent is a bit overpowering
IGK
The IGK Beach Club Volume Spray is a known favorite of Hailey Bieber, so of course we put it to the test. “I’d say the texture is gentle but strong—not overpoweringly sticky, but not so light it's a short-lived flash,” Wu says. She noted that some volume was lost throughout the day, but the texture was consistent and held her hair in place. “My only caveat is the scent, which felt a little overpowering and saccharine.”
The formula contains glycerin and sunflower seed extract to help seal in moisture and add texture. It’s also free of salt, which is often a drying component in texture sprays. It is available in 1.7- or 5- ounce bottles, with a buildable texture and no-crunch finish.
Fast Facts
- Size: 1.7 or 5oz
- Scent: candy
- Cruelty-free: yes
- Ingredients: glycerin, sunflower seed extract
- Hold: strong
Best Value
What We Like
- continuous spray
- firm hold
- instant volume boost
- flake-free
- works on all hair types
What We Don’t Like
- texture feathers out over the course of the day
Kenra
Any beauty enthusiast knows that products can often be expensive—which is why we’ll always sing the praises of one that has good value for the dollar. The Kenra Volume Spray 25 wins the title here, clocking in at just $22 for a whopping 10-ounce can.
“This is the first texture/hair spray I ever bought, and I was impressed with its ability to make even my non-blow-dried hair look like it had body,” Wu says. “It’s a pretty crunchy formula, so if you’re looking for something extreme that will feather out over time, this is definitely your pick. I like that it gave my otherwise slippery hair enough tack for a claw clip to actually sit in it.”
Fast Facts
- Size: 10 ounces
- Scent: light
- Cruelty-free: yes
- Ingredients: wheat protein
- Hold: strong
Longest-Lasting
6. Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray
What We Like
- great volume and hold longevity
- continuous spray
- gentle scent
- texture isn’t overly sticky or crunchy
- easy to refresh
What We Don’t Like
- not great for thick hair
Moroccanoil
If Kenra delivers mega-hold crunch, Moroccanoil sits in the middle somewhere. “It has just the right amount of texture that stuck with me the whole day, from morning coffee to nighttime gallery hopping. By 10 p.m., my hair still had decent volume and if I flipped it upside down, it was nicely tousled again.” Standout ingredients include argan oil and wheat protein to give the hair elasticity, moisture and smoothness. Zeolite provides odor absorption and texture.
Fast Facts
- Size: 5.4oz
- Scent: light, fresh
- Cruelty-free: N/A
- Ingredients: argan oil, wheat protein, zeolite
- Hold: medium-strong
The Everyday Texture Spray
7. Color Wow Style on Steroids
What We Like
- long-lasting
- great for everyday use
- keeps shine
- not gritty
- no styling needed
What We Don’t Like
- aerosol may be a bit aggressive
ColorWow
“This is a nice everyday volumizer that basically made me feel like I had twice as much hair without making it dull or gritty—and it kept my shine,” Dickey reports. “The spray actually made my hair feel better, so long as I followed the instructions and applied it with my hair upside down to both the roots and the mid-layers for more lift.” This is also a favorite product of Cleveland’s, who notes, “It’s insane for giving ridiculous texture to otherwise fine and soft hair.”
Dickey reported that, with an under and top layer application, she got a week’s worth of hold without weighing down her hair. The formula has a light citrus scent that dissipates quickly, with glycerin to add moisture, hybrid polymers for volume and style memory and zeolite for texture and grit.
Fast Facts
- Size: 7oz
- Scent: light citrus
- Cruelty-free: N/A
- Ingredients: hybrid polymers, glycerin, zeolite
- Hold: strong
The Barely-There Boost
What We Like
- makes hair glossy and shiny
- not gritty
- still has beachy texture without salt
What We Don’t Like
- no continuous spray
- heaviest formula
Ouai
While the Ouai Wave Spray doesn’t have as strong or as prominent a texture as some of the other sprays on this list, it does give unparalleled (and somewhat unbelievable) shine. “As opposed to being gritty in texture, this one was rather tacky,” Wu says. “It also feels the heaviest of all the sprays I tested and gives the hair a very slick appearance. This is the softest my hair has ever been with a texture spray.”
The ingredients include rice protein instead of sea salt, which make it suitable for color- and keratin- treated hair. The scent is a delicate floral potpourri including bergamot, lemon, rose, violet and jasmine notes.
Fast Facts
- Size: 4.9oz
- Scent: North Bondi (light floral)
- Cruelty-free: yes
- Ingredients: rice protein
- Hold: light
The Eco Pick
9. R+Co Bleu Lifestyler Volume & Texture Spray
What We Like
- made from sustainable materials
- resets well
- pleasing scent
What We Don’t Like
- pricey
R+Co Bleu
“This texture spray had just the right amount of stick,” Wu says. “It was enough to feel like there was texture but not so much it was like brushing your fingers over a half-eaten lollipop. The volume lasted the whole day and ‘resets’ well when you tousle the hair.” The scent is pleasing, but she notes that the spray can be intense and recommends using it in a room with good ventilation.
This spray is part of R+Co’s eco line, Bleu. The formula contains vegetable keratin to boost hair strength, the proprietary BLEU molecule complex for shine and vitamins B and E, which protect against free radicals while softening hair. The packaging consists of a recyclable,100 percent aluminum can and PCR plastic cap.
Fast Facts
- Size: 8.3oz
- Scent: light
- Cruelty-free: yes
- Ingredients: vegetable keratin, vitamins B and E, BLEU molecule complex
- Hold: strong
Editor’s Pick
10. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
What We Like
- lightweight formula
- continuous, misty cloud delivery
- pleasing scent
- also doubles as dry shampoo
What We Don’t Like
- pricey
Oribe
“I’m obsessed with the Oribe spray,” raves PureWow commerce editor Olivia Dubyak. “It’s lightweight and gives my roots so much volume while helping my fine hair keep a curl throughout the day.” This is also one of Scalia’s top picks.
“I like its aerosol power and its ability to deliver great results without trying to move the hair too much,” he shares. “It has misty thin clouds that I can spray from far away, and it provides amazing volume and texture to the hair. And the smell is also great.”
Fast Facts
- Size: 2.2 or 8.5oz
- Scent: light
- Cruelty-free: N/A
- Ingredients: watermelon, lychee, edelweiss flower
- Hold: light-medium
Mega-Hold
What We Like
- plumps the hair
- great longevity
- hairspray vibe
What We Don’t Like
- smell can be overpowering
äz
“This spray definitely added ‘teeth’ to my hair shaft, so it had a hairspray vibe to it,” Dickey says. “Though it was a little sticky, it seemed to plump up every hair strand and bring out the natural bend in my hair, even before I used a hot iron.” Ingredients like aloe, chamomile, lemongrass and wild geranium serve to strengthen, repair and moisturize the hair. Dickey got four days’ worth of hold, noting that even on day four, her hair seemed to retain its volume. Her only complaint was that she found the scent a little overpowering, recommending that someone apply it only in a well-ventilated room.
Fast Facts
- Size: 6.9oz
- Scent: strong, spicy
- Cruelty-free: N/A
- Ingredients: aloe, chamomile, lemongrass, wild geranium, witch hazel extract
- Hold: strong
What to Consider When Choosing a Texture Spray for Fine Hair
When choosing the best texture spray for fine hair, there are a few factors to consider, namely ingredients, hair type and scalp, all of which can affect how your hair responds to the product.
- Ingredients: Texture sprays are inherently drying, so try to choose ones that also pack in moisture and strengthen your strands. Stylists say this can be in the form of ingredients such as rosemary oil, amino acids, glycerin, argan oil, wheat protein, and even things like marshmallow extract and horsetail, according to Dean.
- Hair type: Pick the spray that’s made for your hair type. For example, Scalia explains that Oribe makes two renditions of its texture spray: one for thick hair and a more general formula for all hair types. Unless your hair is very oily, you’ll want to stick with the regular texture spray.
- Scalp: “Texturizing spray is ideal for fine hair because it is a lighter version of dry shampoo, whereas dry shampoo can be a little bit dehydrating and aggressive for fine hair,” Scalia says. “If your hair is naturally very oily, then you would need a dry shampoo because the goal is to absorb oil. But if your goal is to revamp your style, then use a texturizing spray.”
- Aerosol: Scalia also advises that those with fine hair will want a powerful aerosol that delivers a molecule that isn’t too weighty. “If the spray is too thick, then it will weigh the hair down. Texturizing sprays remove the cationic charges of the hair and promote a spongy, voluminous textured look,” he says.
Does Texture Spray Work on Fine Hair?
Texture spray can do a lot for limp strands—you just need to apply it correctly. “If you want to create lift and create volume, aim toward the roots to create volume and movement, then manipulate with your fingers. If you want to create movement and separation on the ends, then use it from farther away and focus on the ends,” Scalia explains. You can use it to refresh your look, especially if your hair’s been matted down by a hat, helmet or other accessory. “Texturizing sprays will give you a little bit of a plumped up or revamped look and dry the oil out."
What’s the Difference Between Texture Spray and Mousse?
“Texture sprays are a liquid that sprays in your hair, and they're designed to give it grit and texture,” Dean explains. “A mousse plumps up your hair and creates volume and body. Texture spray is for support.”
As for the difference between a texture spray and hairspray, Korab notes that while the former gives a volume boost by pushing the hair from the scalp, the latter is simply a tool to preserve the style. Cleveland also shares that texture sprays are designed to be sprayed on the hair shaft, whereas many other volumizing products are designed to be applied at the roots. Bottom line: You’ll get the best results by following the instructions on the label.
