Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best texturizing spray?
The best texturizing spray depends entirely on your hair type and the kind of look you’re after. However, those will all check a few key boxes: “A good texturing spray adds texture and grip to the hair without it being sticky. Hair should be touchable and smooth rather than crunchy,” says Nino, adding that it will also add volume without frizz. Let’s break it down by hair type:
- Fine or oily hair: Look for words like “volumizing” or “lightweight hold” as this oftentimes indicates lightweight oil-absorbing powders like silica or zeolite, which will lift roots and create volume without weighing hair down. Sprays with “flexible hold” or “touchable texture” in the description usually contain flexible polymers to hold styles without stiffness. (Try: Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray or Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray)
- Wavy or curly hair: The key is to find formulas that balance grip with hydration. Humectants like glycerin, panthenol, and aloe vera attract water to prevent frizz and create soft, defined curls. Again, look for labels like “flexible” or “touchable texture,” as these indicate lightweight polymers that’ll let you work with your hair. (Try: RŌZ Wave Texturizing Mist or Davines This is a Dry Texturizer)
- Coily or type 4 hair: Many traditional texturizing sprays are too drying due to salt- or starch-based formulas, which can leave curls feeling brittle. Instead, opt for a hydrating mist to define your curl pattern while retaining moisture. Flexible polymers found in most texturizing sprays will shape each hair strand; however, you’ll need a formula rich in ingredients like panthenol and aloe vera, alongside emollients like oils. (Try: any curl refresher spray)
What does a texturizing spray do?
A texture spray is the best way to achieve a tousled, “lived-in,” piecey look without the stiffness of hairspray or the weight of some dry shampoos, explains Lordet. It works by adding volume, grip, and movement to the hair, making it easier to style while enhancing natural texture. Depending on the formula, ingredients like polymers and powders create lift and definition—perfect for everything from soft waves to slick backs—while humectants keep your hair hydrated for a glossy, smooth finish.
Which is better, mousse or texture spray?
It depends on your hair type and the look you’re trying to achieve, says Lordet. “Both products add volume and texture, but they work differently.” Mousse is ideal if you want structured volume and hold, especially for fine and limp hair, he says. Applied to damp hair before styling, it helps create body and shape that lasts—think of the voluminous ‘90s blowout. Mousse also adds a ton of volume at the crown of the head, adds Nino. It’s also great for defining curls as mousse enhances curl patterns without weighing hair down.
Texturizing products, on the other hand, are better for dry hair when you want an “undone, airy, and tousled look,” says Lordet, adding that “it adds grip and movement without stiffness, making it great for messy buns, waves, and effortless styles.” Nino says that it’s a perfect addition to your hair after using a curling iron, as it “breaks apart curls and waves into a more natural look.”
Meet the experts
- Marcos Diaz, a hairstylist based in New York City
- Jerome Lordet, a hairstylist and owner of Jerome Lordet Salon in New York City
- Marie Nino, a hairstylist and colorist in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
And for our reviews of the best texturizing sprays, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and makeup artists with a range of experience studying and using these products. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture, experience, and formula. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
