10 Best Texturizing Sprays for Perfectly Tousled Hair
Try one of these styling sprays to bring life back to your locks.
Reviewed by Chiara ButlerBeauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst
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Texturizing sprays, volumizing sprays, dry shampoos — the haircare industry is favoring textured, lived-in hairstyles, and we're all for it. After all, "texturizing sprays add subtle volume and texture to preserve any given hairstyle," says Rogerio Cavalcante, hairstylist and founder of The Second Floor Salon in New York City. "They are lighter and don't add significant weight to your hair."
And if you could do without the greasy or crunchy residue, texturizing sprays "add some grit to hair strands, and the powder ingredients (like zeolite or modified starches) can also be oil-absorbing to revive oily hair," according to the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.
We tapped expertise from professional hairstylists, insights from our Lab scientists and product recommendations from our editors who have used them for years to curate a list of the best texturizing sprays for every hair type.
Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 Finishing Spray
Pros
- Adds volume and texture
- Helps refresh hair
- Widely loved sweet fragrance
Cons
- Scent is on the stronger side
Beloved for years by three different Good Housekeeping beauty staffers, Drybar's finishing spray is a certified classic. The multi-styling spray adds volume, texture and refreshes second-day (and beyond!) hair. GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek raves that the "lightweight" spray gives hair "some lift and texture without any residue."
She "loves" using it while styling or in the middle of the day to give hair a bit of a refresh. GH Beauty Director April Franzino and our beauty assistant also enjoys its sweet scent, though it may be on the stronger side for sensitive noses.
| Size | 4.2 oz |
| Scent | Coconut, amber, vanilla |
Pros
- Doesn't make hair stiff
- Lightly lifts and texturizes hair
Cons
- Some online reviewers report frizzy-looking hair after using
Tresemmé's multitasking texturizing spray wowed our scientists, earning it a GH Beauty Award. With just a few spritzes of this $7 mist, your strands can achieve fullness, movement, texture and hold. "It lifted and held layers in place while keeping flexibility and bounce in the hair," said former GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D.. Director Sabina Wizemann adds: "It's the rare spray that doesn't make hair stiff." However, a few online reviewers said their hair looked frizzy after use.
| Size | 8 oz |
| Scent | Clean, fresh |
Pros
- Can make hair look fuller
- Thickening spray formulas are ideal for fine or thin hair
Cons
- Some didn't see a big difference in their hair
If you have fine hair, using a thickening spray can help add some oomph to your style. "This pre-styling texture spray should be used before getting a blowout or curling hair to add volume and improve texture," says Cavalcante. He appreciates the smell and notes that "it leaves hair looking full and not stiff at all." Unfortunately, some online reviewers with different hair types shared that they didn't see a big difference in their hair after using this spray.
RELATED: How to Get Thicker Hair
| Size | 5 oz |
| Scent | Vetiver, citron |
Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray
Pros
- Weightless yet effective
- Gives volume to flat hair
Cons
- Nozzle could be improved
A common issue with straight hair is that it can fall flat throughout the day. The solution? Living Proof's texturizing spray. "I keep this spray at my desk to give my hair a quick volume boost when it falls flat," shares Franzino. "The formula is totally weightless yet adds tons of body." Good to know: Online reviewers are hoping for a bottle design improvement because the nozzle can be finicky and hard to press.
| Size | 7.5 oz |
| Scent | Light, fresh |
Fekkai Full Blown Volume Texturizer
Pros
- Gives instant volume
- Refreshes hair with a sophisticated scent
Cons
- Can be chalky or too heavy on thin hair
Fekkai's volumizing texturizer is a great pick for those with thick hair. Both Franzino and our beauty assistant (who has thick hair) noticed an instant volume boost when using it. "It smells amazing, like a sophisticated perfume, so it's great for refreshing your second (or third) day hair," says Franzino. Online reviewers with fine or thin hair noted that a little goes a long way, saying it can weigh down their strands (Franzino also thought it left a hint of chalkiness).
| Size | 5.5 oz |
| Scent | Citrus, warm woody |
Pros
- Revives natural waves
- Adds beachy texture to hair
Cons
- Might make hair crunchy
On the hunt for a texturizing spray at a budget-friendly price? This Herbal Essences texturizing spray will do the trick. "It definitely added some waves and beachy texture to my hair and helped my natural waves curl up again," says Butler. She also likes the "fresh" citrus scent. "It did make some pieces of my hair a bit crunchy in places where the hair was saturated with product, so I recommend spraying it a couple of inches away from your hair," she advises.
RELATED: The Best Shampoos at Walmart
| Size | 5.7 oz |
| Scent | Citrus, orange blossom |
Pros
- Adds some grit to hair
- Promotes beachy waves
Cons
- Can leave hair feeling dry
Sea salt sprays are "a type of texturizing or volumizing spray," explains Butler. "A sea salt spray uses salt to add a little bit of grit to hair. Once it's applied and the water dries, a tiny bit of salt residue is left on the hair." In Franzino's words, it's the "closest thing you get to waves from a swim in the ocean." She likes to spray it onto damp hair, then scrunch before air drying. "It brings out hair's texture and leaves strands smelling amazing," she adds, also noting that it can make hair feel a bit dry.
| Size | 4.2 oz |
| Scent | Lavender |
R+Co Trophy Shine + Texture Spray
Pros
- Adds shine to hair
- Can be used on styled or unstyled hair
Cons
- Might leave hair feeling sticky
Many texturizing sprays give hair a matte finish. However, this R+Co does the opposite, instead leaving a shiny coat on strands while still maintaining a lived-in look. Bonus: "This product can also be used on un-styled wavy hair to give some definition," says Cavalcante, so you can feel free to use it on either air-dried or styled hair. Online reviewers loved the hold, shine and texture it gave, but some shared it left their hair feeling a bit sticky.
| Size | 6 oz |
| Scent | Bergamot, wild fig, cyclamen, lotus flower, cedarwood, tonka bean |
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Pros
- Helps absorb oil on the hair and scalp
- Long-lasting bottle
Cons
- Pricey
A cult classic, Oribe's texturizing spray is a go-to for both consumers and stylists alike. Although pricey, Cavalcante says "it is worth the money for such a big bottle. As a hairstylist, I need something that will last." He also shares that he loves the scent. Thanks to crystalline zeolites (they absorb oil), this product can treat greasy or oily scalp and hair as well.
| Size | 8.5 oz |
| Scent | Bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, sandalwood |
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray
Pros
- Doesn't leave residue on hair
- Makes hair look fuller instantly
Cons
- Pricey
Franzino, who has naturally wavy hair, is a fan of this Bumble and Bumble texturizer. "This spray makes hair instantly look fuller and gives soft texture without any crunchy, sticky or heavy residue," she says. Expect a light hold with this product, which can also help extend your hairstyle. It is on the pricier side for a smaller bottle, though.
RELATED: The Best Products for Wavy Hair
| Size | 3.6 oz |
| Scent | Lemon, bergamot, crisp apple, water lily, cedarwood, white musk |
How we choose the best texturizing sprays
Over the years, our scientists have regularly tested a range of styling products, from hairsprays to anti-frizz products. That also includes evaluating — both personally and through GH Beauty Award submissions — a fair share of hair texture sprays. To help round out our picks, we also tapped Rogerio Cavalcante, a hairstylist and founder of The Second Floor Salon in New York City, who also provided their expert insight on choosing the right texturizing spray for each hair type and texture.
What to look for when shopping for texturizing sprays
Between texturizing sprays, texturizing mousses, volumizing sprays and more, it can be overwhelming to determine which one really suits your needs. Here are some shortcuts to keep in mind:
✔️ Formula type: There are actually two types of texturizing sprays. The first is a "pre-styling spray that you apply to wet hair and the other is finishing spray that you apply after styling," says Cavalcante. Choose based on your personal preference.
✔️ Ingredients: If you're zhuzh-ing up second-day hair and want to absorb oil, consider a texturizing spray with oil-absorbing powders like zeolite, recommends Butler. While you're at it, Cavalcante also advises looking for products with beneficial ingredients for your hair like proteins and vitamins.
What is the difference between texturizing spray and volumizing spray?
Texturizing sprays are designed to add subtle volume and light hold to the hair. They "offer more hold than a volumizing spray," says Cavalcante. Volumizing spray focuses instead on adding volume, he adds, noting that it is good for people with fine or ultra-fine hair. "If you want to add lift to just washed hair, consider a volumizing mousse or spray," says Butler. Cavalcante's pro tip: "When using volumizing spray, apply it to the roots and use a hairdryer to lift hair upward to maximize the effect."
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn works closely with the GH Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of hair products. She wrote this guide, using her experience with texturizing sprays and texturizing mousses on her wavy, often air-dried, hair as a jumping-off point.
Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products for the GH Beauty Lab. Catharine teamed with Chiara to cull our best texturizing spray picks. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims. She earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Columbia University.
Catharine (she/her) is the former beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
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