The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Hairsprays to Lock in Your Look (We Tested Over 50) (2024)

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After 76 hours of testing, these hairsprays held up the best.

By

Emily Algar

The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Hairsprays to Lock in Your Look (We Tested Over 50) (1)

Emily Algar

Emily Algar is an Australia-based journalist and beauty expert specializing in product reviews. Her work has been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, and POPSUGAR. She's currently a beauty editor at Grazia Australia.

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and

Melanie Rud

The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Hairsprays to Lock in Your Look (We Tested Over 50) (2)

Melanie Rud

Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for Byrdie, from ingredients to acne advice.

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Updated on October 11, 2024 09:51AM

Reviewed by

Sophia Emmanuel

The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Hairsprays to Lock in Your Look (We Tested Over 50) (3)

Reviewed bySophia Emmanuel

Sophia Emmanuel is an IAT-certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist based in New York.She owns and operates the Crown Worthy beauty salon in New York City.

Trichologist

Fact checked by

Cherisse Harris

The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Hairsprays to Lock in Your Look (We Tested Over 50) (4)

Fact checked byCherisse Harris

Cherisse Harris is a fact-checker with a focus on lifestyle, beauty, and parenting.She's worked in research for nearly two decades.

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Comments

The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Hairsprays to Lock in Your Look (We Tested Over 50) (5)

Think of hairspray like the little black dress of hair care: it’s versatile, necessary, and something everyone should own. However, some traditional hairsprays include alcohol, which can be drying (not the best for hair that’s already brittle, damaged, or generally dry to begin with) or cause scalp irritation, says hairstylist and salon owner Anthony Nader.

It can admittedly be tough to find a hairspray that doesn’t contain alcohol, but we tested over 50 hairsprays for two weeks, zeroing in on dozens of alcohol-free hairsprays for 76 hours. Our testers (with various hair types and textures) tried them in our New York City lab and at home, at least three times per week on dry, styled hair. We then evaluated their insights, assessing everything from ease of application to scent to the hold—specifically how strong it was and how long it lasted. We also noted how the hair felt after using the product. The alcohol-free hairsprays below made a lasting impression (pun intended).

Our Top Picks

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What We Like

  • Spray comes out in an even, fine mist

  • Leaves hair soft and brushable

  • Tames flyaways and frizz

What to Consider

  • May leave behind some minor flakes

Size: 7 oz. | Scent: Unscented | Hold: Flexible | Cruelty-Free: No

This drugstore hairspray checks all of the boxes when it comes to things we look for in hairspray and then some—it’s honestly one of the best hairsprays we’ve ever used. No matter how we wore our hair—loose waves, pigtail braids, a high bun—it delivered the perfect amount of hold to tame flyaways and frizzies, without ever feeling stiff or crunchy. Despite the brushable texture, it still kept our style in place all day and never dried out our hair or scalp.

The bottle is also a winner, with a clog-free nozzle that delivers a perfectly even, fine mist every time. The formula didn’t necessarily impart any shine the way some other hairsprays we tested did, but it also didn’t leave any greasy residue. And while there was some flakiness, it was minimal enough that it didn’t bother us all that much.

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Anna, tester with 2b hair type

“The hold is flexible but did a great job of keeping wispy hair in place with my hair in a bun. This is maybe one of the best hairsprays I’ve used recently.”

What We Like

  • Delivers hold that lasts all day

  • Excellent at keeping curls in place

  • Non-aerosol bottle still delivers an even, fine mist

What to Consider

  • Leaves behind a residue that doesn’t dissipate until it’s washed out

Size: 6 oz. | Scent: Fruity and floral | Hold: Medium to strong | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We were wildly impressed with not only how well this formula (which has the added benefit of moisturizing glycerin and panthenol) held the shape and style of our curls, but also how long that hold lasted. It kept everything in place all day, leaving our hair looking almost exactly the way it did upon first application. (We found it to be especially good at taming the tiny baby hairs at the nape of our neck when sporting an updo, no easy feat.)

The ease of application was also noteworthy—it comes out in a fine mist that covers a large area, despite being a non-aerosol formula. The one drawback? It does leave a pretty noticeable residue that lingers until the product is washed out. It can also feel pretty stiff initially. That said, we found these to be worthwhile trade-offs given how well the hairspray worked and how long it lasted.

The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Hairsprays to Lock in Your Look (We Tested Over 50) (9)

Jessica, tester with 2c hair type

“I was impressed because typically my curls fall out by about half, especially if I curl it a few days after washing it. This hairspray did a great job keeping my curls in place in the desired shape.”

What We Like

  • Fast-drying and lightweight

  • Excellent for taming frizz

  • No residue left behind

What to Consider

  • Doesn’t live up to its claims of offering an extra-firm hold

Size: 8 oz | Scent: Unscented | Hold: Flexible | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Reach for this Kenra hairspray when you want a workable styler that delivers just a bit of hold. We liked how quickly it dried, allowing us to easily layer it throughout our styling routine. It also earned rave reviews for its featherweight texture and no visible or tactile residue or greasiness. It can initially leave hair feeling a little bit stiff, but it does brush out nicely. Our biggest gripe was that, despite the brand claiming it offers “extra-firm hold,” the hold only lasted for a few hours. We suggest saving it for situations when that’s not going to be an issue (aka on a more casual hair day) or be prepared to bring it along for touch-ups.

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Stella, tester with 1a hair type

“After using this spray, my hair looks more put together and it gave me a bit of volume that I desperately need for my ultra-flat, thin, straight hair.”

What We Like

  • Tropical scent that smells nice without being overpowering

  • Feels almost like a refreshing dry shampoo

  • Nozzle delivers even mist and never clogs

What to Consider

  • Not great for taming smaller flyaways

Size: 9 oz. | Scent: Tropical | Hold: Medium| Cruelty-Free: No

This winner struck the perfect balance, delivering a medium-level hold that we found ideal for styles that don’t necessarily need to be totally frozen in place. We especially liked the texture and feel; it was nearly powder-like, so much so that we likened it to dry shampoo. It never once looked or felt wet—or sticky.

The tropical scent was a bonus, pleasant but not overly cloying (and it does dissipate quickly if fragrance isn’t your thing). The spritz also came out of the bottle evenly without creating a massive product cloud. It does bear mentioning that this one won’t last all day, particularly if you’re trying to tamp down frizzies or errant hairs along your hairline.

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Sara, tester with 2a hair type

“I typically use very strong, alcohol-based hairspray. This product surpassed my previous experiences. It creates less of a cloud when I spray it, the smell is less overwhelming, and the hold is still sufficient.”

What We Like

  • Washes out easily, despite the strong hold

  • Plant-based formula

  • Lightweight texture

What to Consider

  • Tends to leave behind a residue

Size: 8 oz. | Scent: Herbal | Hold: Strong | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This is the ‘spray to reach for if you want to keep your style in place from morning ‘til night. We were impressed with how well this plant-based formula worked (it delivers a level of hold that’s equivalent to aerosol-based formulas without feeling as drying or damaging). It also dried extremely quickly and had a featherweight texture that didn’t weigh down strands.

However, it’s best to use it for looks that you want to set in place and then not touch or play with. We found that the hairspray did leave a bit of residue if we brushed our hair or tried to manipulate our style during the day. Still, both the product and residue did wash out cleanly, so if you’re planning on shampooing after use, this shouldn’t be an issue.

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Reese, tester with 1b hair type

“I felt good using a plant-based hair spray because it felt so similar to traditional hairsprays and had a great hold without all of the chemicals.”

What to Look For When Buying an Alcohol-Free Hairspray

  • Moisturizing Ingredients: If you’re reading this article, chances are you have a drier hair texture and want a hairspray that not only holds your style but adds a moisture boost, too. Opting for one that’s alcohol-free is a good place to start but it’s also worth checking the ingredient label for moisturizing ingredients such as Moroccan or coconut oil, suggests celebrity hairstylist Alexander Armand. A couple of others to look out for: panthenol, a vitamin B derivative, and plant-based oils.
  • Hold: This is probably the most important factor you’re considering when choosing a hairspray. Look for lighter-hold formulas if you’re sporting more flexible, brushable styles (think a bouncy blowout) and strong-hold options to keep hair in place all day if you’re wearing an updo.

FAQ

  • Is alcohol bad for your hair in hairspray?

    Alcohol can be bad for your hair when included in hairspray due to its drying nature. If you have dry, brittle, colored, or treated hair, avoiding alcohol in hairspray is wise. But check the ingredient label for other potentially damaging ingredients, too, such as sulfates, parabens, and formaldehyde, notes celebrity hairstylist Emilio Uribe—particularly if hairspray is a part of your daily routine. “Prolonged use or excessive application of a hairspray containing these types of harsh ingredients may result in dryness, rigidity, and potential harm to your hair shaft structure,” he points out.

  • How does alcohol-free hairspray keep hair in place without alcohol?

    Alcohol is typically used in hairsprays due to its fast-drying nature. It doesn’t necessarily contribute to the hold factor; that’s the responsibility of polymers in the formula that create a film on your hair as it dries, helping to hold it in place.

  • What is the healthiest hairspray to use?

    The healthiest hairsprays are those that do not contain drying ingredients such as alcohol. Hairsprays with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients can help boost the health and appearance of your hair.

Why Trust Byrdie

Alcohol-free hairspray is a tough category to crack, so you can rest assured Emily Algar scoured the market and compiled the best of the best. Byrdie writer Melanie Rud also contributed to this article. A freelance writer and beauty editor, she’s well-versed in all things haircare-related. (And always reaches for alcohol-free hairspray to take care of her own fine and dry strands.)

Additional guidance was provided by award-winning hairstylist and salon owner Anthony Nader, a balayage expert who knows a thing or two about treating dry and damaged hair. Celebrity hairstylist Emilio Uribe also lent his expertise to this story, as did celebrity hairstylist Alexander Armand, founder of Flourish, a line of hair and beard oils.

Edited byAlly Hirschlag

The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Hairsprays to Lock in Your Look (We Tested Over 50) (2024)
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