The time you spend recreating an ambitious updo off an IG tutorial is inversely proportional to the time it lasts in the wild—girl math 101. With the incoming festive season, keeping a carefully orchestrated look in check—be it loose waves, a slick bun or braids—all day while you eat, frolic, and go about town may feel impossible. Cue: hairsprays. But not the kind that leaves your tresses with the unflattering texture of stiff cardboard.
Right now, there are plenty of new launches at your disposal and, frankly, some of them sound like they’re vying for a Guiness World Record. Like Olaplex’s new 96-hour-hold spray created with its patented Bond Set technology. Some are on double duty, such as Schwarzkopf’s Taft Power spray, which is a hair-strengthening lacquer with a caffeine-boosted formula to save your locks in the face of wind, humidity, and UV rays. Those with coloured hair will love the alcohol-free BBlunt Hot Shot, which acts as a protectant to keep your bleached streaks from fading.
The right product and technique will keep even the most intricate hairstyles intact without leaving a crusty mess. “Hold the hairspray can at least 10 to 12 inches away and spray in light sweeping motions. Always let your style set for a few seconds before touching it. We don’t want to deal with a sloppy mess,” explains Farid Malik, creative director at Looks Salon, Mumbai.
Girlies with thin and fine hair should steer towards a light- to medium-hold hairspray, but take the strength up a notch if you have curly and thick tresses. Don’t skip on the aftercare, notes Malik. “Wash your hair the next day and follow up with a thick mask or a treatment to bring back its natural texture.” Those with bleached or dyed hair should check for the concentration of alcohol in the ingredients list, lest it leaves them with brittle and faded ends.
Below, our pick of maximum-hold but minimum-crunch hairsprays to see you through the upcoming festivities and beyond:
