Some people are simply blessed with naturally lustrous hair. Unfortunately, we cannot sympathise. Our hair looks great when we leave the salon, but we need all the help we can get to maintain that shiny look at home. Fortunately, there is a solution that does not necessitate spending all of our money on blowouts: shine sprays. They’re a simple fix to maintain in rotation in your styling regimen to keep your hair looking fresh and radiant. “Shine sprays make your hair look healthier because of the reflection of light,” says Raven Hurtado, a hairdresser at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “They also make hair colour look more vibrant.”
The challenge is to pick the perfect shine spray for your hair, as not many heads can tolerate the same compositions. To assist you, we spent four weeks testing 12 shine sprays on diverse hair types and textures, rating their performance, finish, simplicity of use, and longevity of usage. Continue reading to discover which formulas created the smooth, dreamy strands of our dreams.
Why We Love It: “This is my number one favorite—it’s a game changer,” says hairstylist Brandi Voorhies. Extra Mist-ical contains mullein flower extract, which absorbs UV light, protecting your hair from harm, and turns it into full-spectrum light, resulting in hair that actually sparkles. Our tester Mariza recommends it as an excellent touch-up product for when you’re rushing out the door and need a refresh. “It goes on nice and light, and doesn’t get too greasy or too heavy,” declares Voorhees. “It’s the perfect finishing spray for most styles to add some shine and brightness.” Hurtado notes that this spray also protects against heat. “Because of this, you can use it before blow-drying or apply it on dry hair for an extra glossy finish,” she tells me. This composition is lightweight and suitable for a variety of textures.
Who It’s For: Featherlight and suitable for all textures, our tester praises that this spray is simple to use and restores hair to life. If you use hair oil and it makes your hair feel heavy, this is a great alternative.
Worth Noting: For those who are sensitive to scent, bear in mind that this product is intensely fragranced, akin to the delicious gourmet aroma of vanilla cake that many people enjoy and seek for in scented hair perfumes.
Mariza, tester: “A few sprays of this lotion made my hair feel and look so much better! This gave my hair more life and shine, which is just what I needed with my dry, thick hair.”
Why We Love It: With just one spritz, this rice water and yuzu peel-infused spray refreshes and shapes curls while adding shine and moisture. Our tester Kelsey liked how the spray container dispersed the right amount of product—not too much or too little. It did not leave her roots feeling oily or greasy, but it did give her curls a beautiful, natural shine on the lengths and ends. It also kept her hair moisturised and smooth throughout the day and into the next day.
Who It’s For: Anyone looking for a lightweight shine enhancer that also functions as a hair scent will enjoy this shine spray. It’s also reasonably priced, so you get your money’s worth, and it produces incredible results. It’s also ideal for those looking for extra nourishing advantages for their hair, as the major ingredient in this spray is rice water, which is well-known for its hair health benefits.
Worth noting: If you’re looking for premium packaging that doubles as vanity decor, this isn’t it. However, it works so well that we’re ready to give it a pass.
Kelsey, tester: “This product was very lightweight and added a subtle shine to my hair without weighing it down or making it oily.” It has a wonderful fresh perfume that isn’t overbearing, but I can smell it all day, which is a great bonus.”
Why We Love It: This hybrid spray, which is part hairspray, texturizing spray, and finishing gloss, provides hold and shine without weighing down hair. While it took our tester, Rebecca, a few tries to discover the ideal spray distance and ratio for application, she is pleased with the sparkling, texturizing effects she observed. It works on both wet and dry hair. Our tester discovered that drying and shaping her damp hair improved the hold of her curls. She saw gorgeous, piecey waves on dry hair that required no additional style.
Who It’s For: This spray is ideal for those who desire terrific texture, sparkle, and a fresh, beachy aroma. Our tester enjoyed how it made her hair feel healthy while also providing a fair amount of glossy sheen.
Worth noting: Rebecca discovered that there was a learning curve during application: spraying too close to your hair instead of the required distance will result in a greasy, crunchy look.
Rebecca, tester: “The shine spray worked well overall on my hair, and I observed that it also functioned as a hair spray for me. It also performed better than my regular texture spray because it did not weigh down my hair.
Why We Love It: This hybrid spray is both hairspray and part finishing gloss, and it provides a medium hold without leaving a crunchy finish. Our tester Carrie liked how the spray had a good hold but didn’t feel stiff, and she said the pleasant, fresh perfume was the best-smelling hairspray she’d ever used. The key ingredient is argan oil, which contains important fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients. She also tested it on her children during dancing competitions, and the spray provided a long-lasting hold regardless of the hairstyle she made.
Who It’s For: Anyone looking for an excellent hairspray with a nice, flexible hold that adds lustre and movement to their hair should choose this option.
Worth noting: Because it is a hairspray, Carrie recommends looking for a another choice if you only want shine and not hold.
Carrie, tester: “I can’t imagine buying another hairspray now that I’ve tried this one. “This is the greatest hairspray I’ve ever used.
