Everything You Need To Know About Flexible Hold Hairspray [The Ultimate Guide]

Flexible hold hairspray is a must-have styling product for every hair type. It gives you a soft, weightless hold that keeps your style in place without making your hair stiff or crunchy. (Bye, 80’s-style helmet hair!)

This versatile product creates a touchably soft finish, tames humidity and frizz, and adds glossy shine. If you’re looking for a hairspray that leaves your locks soft and easy to work with, read on to discover everything you need to know about hair stylists’ best-kept secret.

Hair by @s.l.trends using Flexible Hold AIIR Spray

What is Flexible Hold Hairspray?

Flexible hold hairspray is a lightweight styling spray that keeps flyaways in place, reduces frizz and gives your styles long-lasting hold and beautiful shine.

Unlike standard “strong-hold” hairsprays that freeze a style in place, flexible hold hairspray creates a soft, natural finish. It leaves your hair workable with excellent memory, making it easy to achieve the exact look you want. This weightless and flexible product allows you to brush out your hair and re-do your hairstyle without feeling “locked in” by a crunchy spray.

Flexible hold hairspray works on all hair types, making this the perfect product for anyone who wants a soft, touchable finish and light hold.

What Is The Difference Between Hairspray and Hair Spritz?

Hairspray goes by many different names: finishing spray, hair spritz, holding spray, setting spray and more. With the wide variety of products available, it can be tricky to find the best hairspray for your hair!

While both hairspray and hair spritz give your hair some hold, hairspray keeps your look in place for longer. Hair spritz is more commonly used before or during styling to create buildable volume and texture. It can even double as a heat protectant spray.

Hairspray is ideal as a finishing product to hold a style in place. While both products smooth the hair and add shine, hairspray is a better option for taming frizz and flyaways.

Flexible hold hairspray is the perfect blend of a strong finishing hairspray and a gentle hair spritz. It’s a lightweight hairspray that creates soft, flexible hold with no sticky or crunchy residue. You can use flexible hold hairspray before, during or after styling. (Try spraying it directly on your roots while styling, adding more product as needed until you achieve the hold you want.)

For buildable hairstyles such as updos and textured waves, flexible hold hairspray is your best option. Flexible hold hairspray is gentle enough that you can brush through your hair after application without “messing up” your style, and it’s strong enough to keep your finished look in place. The result is a touchably soft, natural and malleable style. 

What Is The Difference Between Flexible Hold Hairspray and Dry Texture Spray?

Both dry texture spray and hairspray help your hair hold a style for longer. The difference is that hairspray creates a softer, shinier look, while texture spray adds grit and texture for a more “unstyled” finish.

Hairspray is the best choice for smoothing flyaways and keeping styled hair in place. Flexible hold hairspray provides a light, workable hold and can be used throughout the styling process. It adds shine and subtle texture with a slight pump of volume. Dry texture spray creates more volume and messy, undone texture.

Reach for hairspray when you want to create glossy shine, fight frizz and humidity, or keep a polished style in place. If your goal is to add more movement and volume to your hair (before or after styling), dry texture spray is your best bet.

What Does Flexible Hold Hairspray Do For Your Hair?

Flexible hold hairspray gives you soft, shiny hair that stays in place for longer. It provides a weightless hold that looks polished but feels touchably soft. Flexible hold hairspray fights humidity, smooths frizz and flyaways, adds polished shine and creates a touchable finish with natural movement.

If you tend to steer clear of hairspray because you don’t want your hair to feel crispy or crunchy, flexible hold hairspray is a must-have product in your beauty arsenal! This isn’t your grandma’s heavy-duty hairspray that “locks” a style in place. Instead, flexible hold hairspray gives you a light hold that keeps your hairstyle on point but looks completely natural.

You can still brush through your hair, play with it, and change up your style after using flexible hold hairspray. Best of all, soft hold hairspray doesn’t leave any sticky or flaky residue on your hair. This versatile product can be used before styling to build workable hold, during styling for extra grip, or after styling as a finishing and shine spray.

How Do I Use a Flexible Hold Hairspray?

To use a flexible hold hairspray, simply hold the can 6-8 inches away from your head and spray all over your dry, styled hair. You can also spray the product onto your hands and work it into your hair with your fingers.

For extra volume and buildable hold, apply flexible hold hairspray directly to your roots before styling. Layer on additional product as needed until you achieve your desired hold.

Here are some of the best ways to use a flexible hold hairspray:

Finish off a sleek blowout

Keep your blowout smooth and beautiful without sacrificing volume! Simply spray flexible hold hairspray all over your hair after blow-drying to add shine and long-lasting hold. This lightweight hairspray is perfect if you don’t wash your hair every day. It leaves your hair soft and smooth and extends the life of your blowout. The day after blow-drying, simply brush through your hair and re-style as desired.

Say farewell to frizz

Tired of your perfect style becoming frizzy the moment you step out into the wind, rain or humidity? A quick all-over blast of flexible hold hairspray is your secret weapon for smoothing down flyaways and keeping your locks in place for longer. For extra-smooth styles like a sleek ponytail or ballerina bun, apply some flexible hold hairspray to a (brand-new) toothbrush and gently brush any stray hairs into place.

Create shiny, defined curls

It’s common for curls to fall flat or limp a few hours after styling. The solution? Curl your hair with a wand, clip up your curls until they’re completely cool, then take out the clips and spray your hair with flexible hold hairspray. This adds a natural, shiny finish without making curls sticky or crunchy. It also helps your curls hold their shape for longer.

If your hair is naturally curly, try this easy styling trick: Flip your damp hair upside down, apply flexible hold hairspray to your curls and scrunch them with your hands. This will give you some definition and shine without the weight of a heavy curl cream.

Build a better updo

Hair that is fine, straight or freshly-washed often wants to slide out of updos. Flexible hold hairspray adds light grip and buildable hold to give your style the shape you want. Spray it on your roots before upstyling, then layer on more flexible hold hairspray as you work. This product gives you a workable finish with excellent memory, meaning your hair stays in place without looking stiff or over-styled. Once you get your updo just right, remember to finish with an all-over blast of flexible hold hairspray to add shine and all-night hold.

Level-up your soft waves

Heavy setting sprays often leave curls crisp and stiff-- the exact opposite of the carefree beachy waves that are trending right now! The answer? Replace your “strong-hold” hairspray with a lightweight product that gives you a flexible hold.

Flexible hold hairspray creates workable texture that you can touch, brush through, and style with ease. It’s perfect for creating effortless waves because it leaves your hair soft and natural.

For easy, just-went-surfing waves, start with dry hair and apply flexible hold hairspray directly to your roots. Then create loose waves with a 1.5” curling iron, or apply the hairspray to your hands and twist small sections of hair around your fingers. Keep applying flexible hold hairspray and finger-combing through your waves until you get the perfect messy look.

Is Flexible Hold Hairspray Good For All Hair Types?

Flexible hold hairspray is wonderful for all hair types and textures! It provides weightless hold and glossy shine without making hair heavy, greasy or crunchy. Whatever your hair type, flexible hold hairspray belongs in your product stash!

Read on to discover the benefits of flexible hold hairspray for YOUR hair.

Flexible Hold Hairspray for Fine Hair

Many people with fine or thin hair avoid hairspray altogether because they don’t want to make their hair greasy or heavy. While this is understandable, hairspray is essential to keep fine hair from falling flat! The secret is to use an air-light hairspray that won’t weigh down your delicate strands.

Flexible hold hairspray gives you weightless hold with no sticky residue. It helps fine hair hold a curl or maintain volume after a blowout. Just spray it all over your dry, styled hair. You can also layer on flexible hold hairspray while you style your hair in a braid or updo-- the added volume and grip helps your hair hold the shape.

Flexible Hold Hairspray for Curly Hair

How often have you been told that hairspray is a no-no for curly hair? The truth is that hairspray actually has a TON of benefits for curls. It can tame frizz, protect your locks from humidity, add shine and help your curls hold their definition after styling.

While it may be tempting to choose an extra-strong hairspray for curly hair, this can cause breakage when you brush out your curls. Instead, look for a weightless spray with nourishing ingredients to keep the moisture in your hair. Curly tops should skip water-based hairsprays (which can leave curls sticky) and choose a spray made with denatured alcohol instead. A lightweight, flexible hold hairspray will give you the perfect level of hold while preserving your natural volume and movement.

Flexible Hold Hairspray for Frizzy Hair

It’s no fun having your sleek blowout puff up into a ball of frizz by 4 p.m. If your hair is prone to frizz, flexible hold hairspray will leave it soft and smooth. It protects your locks from humidity, tames frizz and keeps flyaways perfectly in place. Best of all, flexible hairspray creates a touchable finish that’s easy to brush out and re-style. Spray it all over your dry hair after heat styling for long-lasting shine and runway-ready smoothness.

Flexible Hold Hairspray for Dry, Damaged or Color-Treated Hair

Dry or damaged hair tends to be dull and prone to breakage, so it’s important to select a hairspray that adds back moisture and shine. Avoid sprays that contain Ethanol alcohol, which can further dry out your hair, and look for nourishing ingredients that support your hair’s natural vibrancy.

Flexible hold hairspray makes dry hair smooth, soft and shiny. It also fights flyaways and frizz-- two common concerns for damaged or over-processed hair. If you choose to blow dry your hair, use flexible hold hairspray to extend the life of your blowout. This lets you look freshly-styled for longer while exposing your hair to less heat.

How Do I Get My Hair to Hold a Curl?

The struggle is so real: You just spent an hour creating perfect bouncy curls, only to have them fall flat in minutes. Luckily, a few simple changes to your curling routine will help your hair hold a curl all day long!

• Start with second- or third-day hair. Long-lasting curls start in the shower! Freshly-washed hair tends to be too soft and slippery to hold a curl. It’s best to curl slightly dirty hair, because the natural oils from your scalp give your hair some grit and texture. If you choose to curl your hair right after washing it, skip the conditioner (or only use a tiny bit on your ends).
• Prep your hair. Before curling your hair, apply a thickening mousse that contains alcohol. This will remove some of the moisture from your hair for extra grit and hold. Fill your palm with mousse and work it through your hair from roots to ends. Then use a heat protectant spray to prevent damage to your hair.
• Create tighter curls. Curls naturally loosen up slightly over time, so curl your hair a bit more tightly than you want it to end up. This ensures that when you reach your destination, your curls will have the shape you want and not be too loose. As you wrap the hair around your curling iron or wand, create tension by gently pulling the hair away from your face.
• Clip up your curls. After creating each curl, catch it in your hand and then clip or bobby-pin the coil against your head. This allows the hair to cool in the curl shape. Wait at least 5 minutes before letting your hair out of the clips. If you have a little extra time, keep your curls clipped up for 15-20 minutes. Rushing out the door? Use the “cool shot” button on your blow dryer to set your curls quickly before you unclip them.
• Flip, tousle, shake. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Unclip your curls, flip your head over (or lean your head back) and gently shake out your hair. Use your fingers to loosen up the curls, but don’t overdo it. Leave your curls a bit more defined than you want them, and gravity will take care of the rest.
• Finish with the right hairspray. Don’t weigh down your beautiful curls with an oily hairspray! Flexible Hold AIIR Spray is the best hairspray to help hair hold a curl. It gives your hair weightless, flexible hold with lots of natural bounce and movement. You’ll also get a boost of glossy shine, smooth down flyaways and prevent frizz.

Pro Tip: Say goodbye to limp or crispy second-day curls! After curling your hair, use a flexible hold hairspray to set your style. The next day, flip your head upside down and shake out your curls while finger-combing through your hair. Spray a quick blast of flexible hold hairspray all over, and enjoy your soft, touchable loose waves!

Should I Use Hairspray Before or After Styling?

Hair by @wildrosealchemist using Flexible Hold AIIR Spray

Generally, it’s best to use hairspray after styling your hair. This gives your hair a shiny finish, tames flyaways and frizz, and keeps your style looking fresh for longer.

However, some lighter hairsprays (often called working hairsprays or flexible hold hairsprays) can also be used to add grip and volume during the styling process. These are great for styles that require buildable hold, such as updos or loose waves.

Flexible hold hairspray helps your hair “cooperate” during styling, so it’s less likely to slip out of place. But it doesn’t freeze your style—you can still brush out your hair or change your look.

To use hairspray before styling, apply flexible hold hairspray directly to your roots. Layer on additional product until you get the workable hold you need. After you’ve finished styling your hair, apply a quick all-over blast of flexible hold hairspray and you’re good to go!

Will Flexible Hold Hairspray Weigh My Hair Down?

Flexible hold hairspray won’t weigh down your hair or make it feel heavy. It’s a perfect choice for fine or thin hair because it creates a soft, weightless hold with no greasy residue. In fact, flexible hold hairspray is so lightweight that you may not feel like you’re wearing hairspray at all. And the results are touchably soft—perfect for today’s loose, laid-back hairstyles.

Will Flexible Hold Hairspray Make My Hair Hard?

Hairspray has undergone a major glow-up since its invention in the 1940s. Gone are the days of toxic-smelling sprays and stiff, shellacked hairstyles. Modern hairsprays give you the holding power you need without taking away your hair’s natural movement.

Flexible hold hairspray doesn’t make your hair feel hard or crunchy. Instead, the ultra-fine mist creates a soft and workable hold. You can even brush out and re-style your hair after applying flexible hold hairspray. Your hair will have amazing memory (meaning it will tend to stay in the style or shape you create), but it will look and feel totally natural. No one will be able to tell that you have product in your hair!

Can I Use a Flexible Hold Hairspray Every Day?

Flexible hold hairspray is gentle and safe to use on your hair every day. It gives you weightless, flexible hold with no sticky or flaky residue. This means that your hair looks freshly-styled for longer and maintains natural, flexible movement.

Avoid using a heavy hairspray and then brushing your hair aggressively! This can cause you to tear through the cuticle and damage your hair. If you need to use a stronger formula hairspray (such as for a performance), use a soft boar bristle brush to gently work from your ends up to your roots after your event.

Is Hairspray Bad For Hair?

Hairspray is not bad for hair, but it’s important to be choosy about the ingredients in your product. Nearly all hairsprays use a base of alcohol. The alcohol dries and evaporates quickly, which prevents the hairspray from soaking your hair. But hairsprays made from Ethanol alcohol can dry out your hair, causing damage and irritating the delicate skin on your scalp. This is especially concerning if your hair is already dry, color-treated or prone to breakage.

The solution? Look for an Ethanol-free formula that contains nourishing, high-quality ingredients. Flexible Hold AIIR Spray is a gentle, hair-friendly option. It contains glycerin to moisturize your hair and balance out any potential drying effects from the alcohol. Plus, it’s infused with amla fruit, algae and Japanese green tea extracts for smoothness and beautiful shine. A hairspray that doubles as a moisturizing treatment? We’re here for it.

What Is The Best Flexible Hold Hairspray?

Flexible Hold AIIR Spray is the best flexible hold hairspray. It gives you long-lasting hold without making your hair stiff, greasy or crunchy. Apply Flexible Hold AIIR Spray to dry, freshly styled hair for a weightless and flexible hold with lots of natural movement. This lightweight hairspray works on all hair types, from baby-fine to naturally curly. Rather than freezing your style in place, it leaves your hair touchably soft and easy to brush through. It also adds glossy shine, smoothes flyaways and frizz and protects your hair from humidity. It’s so lightweight that you won’t look or feel like you’re wearing hairspray at all!

Flexible Hold AIIR Spray is infused with crystals natural botanicals that nourish your hair and elevate your spirit. Glycerin moisturizes the hair, and Japanese green tea extract adds beautiful shine. Rose quartz lowers stress and brings you a sense of peace and love. Best of all, Flexible Hold AIIR Spray is vegan, ethically sourced and free of sulfates and parabens-- so you can feel good about showing your tresses some extra love. Flexible Hold AIIR Spray is the best hairspray for a healthy and beautiful mane, body, soul, and planet.