Update: If you’re looking for a lower cost hairspray without water, try Tresemme Tres II Extra Firm Hold or L’Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Lock It Bold Control.
Cindy’s sassy about Sebastian…What’s up with Sebastian Shaper Hairspray? Everyone I know who uses it just freaks out about this stuff but I can’t even find it because it’s always out of stock. Is there something really better or different about this hairspray compared to other brands?
The Right Brain responds:
Actually, Cindy, there is a simple answer to your question. Many hairsprays are formulated with a chemical that is TERRIBLE for your hair style. This chemical causes your hair to droop and lose its style almost the instant it is applied. Sebastian wisely chooses to NOT use this chemical in their aerosol hairspray and that’s one of the primary reasons their product is so good.
Sebastian Shaper’s secret
The secret to Sebastian’s formula is: WATER. That’s right. simple H20. Many companies use water in their aerosol hairsprays because it’s much cheaper. But when water contacts the hair, it loosens some of the internal bonds and causes the hair to lose its style. If you can avoid water in your hairspray you’ll get a much better style. (Of course there are other ingredients in the formula that control how well the hairspray holds. You can read our series on Adorable Aerosols if you want to learn more.)
Hairsprays that are “all wet”
If you like the way Sebastian makes your hair feel, you’ll want to avoid these brands that formulate their hairsprays with water:
- Pantene Pro-V Texturize
- Suave Max Hold
- Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing
- Got 2b Styltini
- Garnier Fructis Style Volumizing Anti-Humidity
- Dove Hairspray, Extra Hold
- Rusk W8less Plus Shaping and Control
- Aussie Instant Freeze
The best two holding polymers
The other secret is to look for styling polymers that provide high humidity-resistant hold with flexibility. Many hairsprays use only one type or the other other. But the BEST hairspray used a combination. Look for these two ingredients on the label:
- VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer
- Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/ Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Water is bad for your hairstyle but if you can’t afford Sebastian shop around for other hairsprays that don’t use water. How can you tell? Turn the can over and read the ingredient list!
What’s YOUR favorite hairspray? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.