Editor’s tip: Zeolite’s porous properties help create separation between each individual strand, giving it a lived-in, tousled appearance.
Key ingredient: zeolite | Who it’s good for: all hair types looking for more texture, volume, and definition | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Frizz: R+Co Halfpipe Dry Wax Finishing Spray
Why we love it: The R+Co Halfpipe Dry Wax Finishing Spray reimagines traditional solid wax in a lightweight, ultra-fine mist. Designed to fight humidity while adding texture and hold, this lightweight mist gives you the definition of a wax without weight or stiffness. Let’s take a look at what’s inside: Bayberry fruit wax for touchable texture and lift, while tamarind extract keeps hair hydrated and frizz-free—even throughout winter static and humid, Miami-in-the-summer level conditions. Oregano oil brings a dose of antioxidants, ginger root extract helps strengthen strands and prevent breakage, and goji berry extract keeps your scalp balanced and oil production in check.
Editor’s tip: This product’s styling polymers create a thin, invisible umbrella that helps lock your style and prevent moisture absorption from the air.
Key ingredient: bayberry fruit wax, tamarind extract, oregano oil, ginger root extract | Who it’s good for: all hair types looking for more texture, volume, and humidity-resistant hold | Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What does finishing spray do for hair?
As the final step in your styling routine, a finishing spray can help extend the life of your updo or blowout—all while adding shine, texture, volume, or all of the above. “It’s meant to be that final touch, giving your hair a lightweight, flexible hold that still feels soft and touchable—so you can run your fingers through it without stiffness,” says Ellsworth. Plus, she says, finishing sprays work for all hair types, from fine to thick, curly hair.
What is the difference between finishing spray and texture spray?
Finishing spray and texture spray may seem similar, but they serve distinct purposes in styling. “Texture spray is all about volume and grip, giving hair a tousled, effortless look by enhancing its natural movement. Finishing spray, on the other hand, has a lighter hold than traditional hairspray, usually adds a bit of shine, keeps hair soft and bouncy, and helps to control frizz,” says Cody Renegar, a hairstylist in L.A. There are many types of finishing sprays, each designed to achieve a different look. “Finishing sprays come in varying hold strengths and finishes, depending on what you need,” he says.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
