Update: If you’re looking for a lower cost hairspray without water, try Tresemme Tres II.
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 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.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I wish you would have told us products to try, instead of products to avoid. That would have been much more helpful.
I wish you would have told us products to try, instead of products to avoid. That would have been much more helpful.
Seconding bug! Two hairsprays I happen to like are on the list above, though… they’re just not the ones I would choose to give me that television-news-anchor, movement-free look.
Thanks for letting me know why I LOVE Shaper and have used it for probably 15 or 20 years! (Have to admit, I never read the ingredient list.) Occasionally I’d try something else (more convenient to find) but always came right back to Shaper. Now that we have an Ulta nearby, Shaper’s just as convenient to find as all the rest!
You’re right Bug, but this way I get to write a second post about hairspray. Stay tuned for Part 2!
Elnett does not contain water. It is a great hairspray. But it is expensive. I personally can’t get past the spell. It is too strong and perfumy for me.
I hate all hairsprays equally. They all smell horrible. They all leave the hair stiff and sticky. They’re just all rotten. I don’t know why anyone uses that crap.
Jami, even Shaper+ doesn’t leave hair stiff and sticky and the fragrance is fairly pleasant and dissipates quickly. Nice if you can wear your hair in a style that doesn’t require hairspray…I can’t.
Jami–I like Elnett–the smell is spicy, but it doesn’t leave my baby fine hair stiff or sticky at all–I comb my fingers through my hair once if I really want movement, yet it still “holds.” I use hairspray to keep my bangs from separating a showing my thinning hair, and to keep the frizz down.
I don’t like Shaper’s fragrance for some reason.De gustibus…
What about alcohol in hairspray? That can’t be good either…
I love ‘Big Sexy Hair’ in the silver can…great for frizz avoidance. It is also expensive.
Anyone have another suggestion?
I’m a big fan of Elnett, I switched from Shaper after using it for years. I think because Elnett seems to work better on my baby fine hair. Shaper was a little more helmet heady than Elnett is. I still think Shaper is a great hairspray.
Ann–I have baby fine hair, too, and I’m with you on Elnett vs Shaper–it works better on baby fine hair. Leaves it “looser” yet still holds the style.
I just read the ingredients and the Shaper does have water, although not as a first ingredient. The one that doesn’t have water is the Shaper Plus…
And both are discontinued anyway.
My mother introduced me to the Shielo Volume Hairspray a few years ago and I have never gone back to another product and or even tried a new product. I definitely found what I was looking for with the hairspray. The price is good for a premium hairspray. It is lightweight but holds very well. It doesn’t leave any residue on your hair no matter how much you use! I can spray my hair at five thirty in the morning and when I come home around four o’clock in the afternoon my hair is still held nicely in place.
I also sometimes use it when my hair is still wet to add volume and hold. It is the best hairspray I have ever used and I would recommend it to anyone!
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