How to Use Hairspray Like a Pro

With tons of different kinds of hair spray on the market, trying to figure out which one is right for the hairstyle you’re going for—not to mention how to actually use it properly—can be enough to make your head (or your hair) spin. For starters, should you opt for one that says it helps with frizzy hair? What about one that has an anti-humidity formula? And how about the finish—should it give you shiny hair or a matte look? Do you buy one that has a lightweight hold or one with an extra-strong hold? Seriously, who knew there were so many variations of hair spray in existence? Luckily, we’re here to help guide you. The next time you find yourself wondering how to use hairspray or looking for the best of the best in hair-holding products, keep these tips—about picking out and using our L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairsprays—in mind. Our iconic line of hair sprays (seriously, even royals are fans of it!) are perfect for creating the appearance of shiny, bouncy hair. Hair fit for a princess? Sign us up!

HOW TO USE HAIRSPRAY

These 10 tips will turn you into a total pro when it comes to using hairspray.

HAIR SPRAY TIP #1: KEEP YOUR DISTANCE WHEN YOU SPRITZ

Everybody seems to think that you need to spray hair spray directly on your roots in an up close and personal fashion. But, when you do that, you may not actually get the look you’re after. If you apply hair spray super-close, you risk saturating your hair and achieving an almost greasy look—not the shine you’d probably prefer. Not to mention that it will dispense too much product onto one small area, which can result in hardening—and nobody wants that. So, when spraying your strands, be sure to hold the can at least six inches away from your head (read the product’s instructions for an exact distance) for optimum hold. Try the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray.

HAIR SPRAY TIP #2: USE HAIR SPRAY TO ADD VOLUME

Big hair reigned supreme in the ‘70s and ‘80s—and hair spray was a go-to product for so many women who wanted to achieve incredible hair height. Looking to create a super-voluminous ‘do yourself? Simply spray a volume-boosting hairspray, like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Volume, in between the layers of your hair when you’re sealing in your look. Just use a comb, or your fingers, to part each layer, then add a spritz or two. Voila!

HAIR SPRAY TIP #3: LOOK FOR A BRUSHABLE HOLD FORMULA

While you want your hairspray to offer volume and hold, you probably don’t want your strands to feel all stiff and crunchy after using it, do you? Nope, we didn’t think so! To prevent this, use a hair spray that has a brushable hold, such as the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Strong Hold. With hair spray that has a brushable hold, you should still be able to run a brush or comb (very gently) through your hair to smooth things over. If you go with this formula type, you can also ignore the next tip, which only applies to hair sprays that are formulated to give an extra-strong hold.

HAIR SPRAY TIP #4: PUT YOUR BRUSH DOWN

When you try to brush through locks that have been sprayed with a strong-hold or extra strong-hold hair spray, you could potentially cause some strand wear and tear, since your style has been locked in place. If you want to be able to brush through your sprayed ‘do, opt for a flexible-hold hair spray as opposed to a strong-hold one. 

HAIR SPRAY TIP #5: BE MINDFUL OF YOUR CURLS 

If you have curly hair, it’s best to lightly spray each individual curl as opposed to spraying your whole head of ringlets. Why, you ask? Well, when you spray your entire head of curls, they may stick together and possibly lose some of their bounce. Conversely, when you go section by section, you enhance your look with tons of texture, movement, and definition. After you’ve spritzed each section with a light coating of hair spray (while holding the can six to eight inches away from your head), use your hands to scrunch each section.

HAIR SPRAY TIP #6: USE YOUR HANDS TO APPLY—YES, REALLY! 

Do flyaways drive you crazy? We feel you. The good news is that hairspray can work wonders in helping to tame them. Instead of applying hair spray directly onto your locks, try spraying a little into your hands first and then lightly patting it onto the flyaways you want to manage. This is an especially good trick to use if you’re trying to apply hair spray onto specific or small areas, such as touching up one single curl or taming your trendy bangs.

HAIR SPRAY TIP #7: CHOOSE YOUR STRENGTH WISELY

Available in about a million different variations, it can be daunting to determine which hair spray is going to actually help you achieve the look you’re aiming for. Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you’re looking for a hairspray to keep your hair straight and maintained, opt for a low-hold spray. Need a bit more hold for your half-up bun or braided crown? Medium-hold hair sprays will do the trick. Is it your big day and you’re ready to dance the night away? Be sure to choose an extra strong-hold hair spray, like the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold.  

HAIR SPRAY TIP #8: USE IT TO TAME STATIC

If you’ve ever had static in your hair during the cold winter, you know exactly what we’re referring too. When hair becomes full of static, it tends to fray in all different directions. Using a bit of hair spray, however, can help prevent static from happening in the first place. To do so, you’ll want to spray the hair spray onto your brush—not directly onto your hair—then run the hair brush through your strands lightly. The hair spray will help neutralize any future static.

HAIR SPRAY TIP #9: TO SPRAY SMALL AREAS, US A TOOTHBRUSH

When you want to use hair spray on just a small area of hair, such as the wisps around your face, consider using a toothbrush to do so. Otherwise, to get product on only the desired area, you’ll likely try to move the can closer to your head—but as we’ve established, that’s not a smart move. Instead, spritz some hairspray onto a toothbrush (not the one you actually use on your teeth, of course), then run the toothbrush lightly over the areas you want to tame down.

HAIR SPRAY TIP #10: USE HAIR SPRAY TO PREP YOUR STRANDS

Hair spray isn’t solely intended to be the finishing touch for your beauty look, it can also help prep your strands before you even begin styling. Using a lightweight hair spray to prep your hair can also help boost volume and prevent your curls from drooping before you even make it into work for the day. To try this technique, simply spray a light layer of hair spray onto dry hair, remembering to hold the can six to eight inches away and not use too heavy of a hand. Run your fingers through your hair to disperse the product evenly, then move on to using your curling iron to style as usual.

Now that you know the basics of how to use hairspray, we can fill you in on all the little hairspray tips you wouldn’t think of. Here are 6 Hairspray Hacks Every Woman Should Know.