When to Apply Hairspray: The Best Time Before or After Styling Your Hair

Choosing the right time to apply hairspray can make all the difference in achieving the perfect hairstyle. Hairspray is an essential tool for setting and holding your hair in place, but when should you apply it?

Hairspray is typically applied after styling your hair. This helps to set your hairstyle in place and provides hold throughout the day. Let's explore the benefits of using hairspray post-styling and address some common questions around its application.

Guide to Using Hairspray Effectively

1. Style Your Hair: Use your styling tools like a curling iron or straightener to create your desired look.

2. Hold the Hairspray at a Distance: Spray from about 10-12 inches away to evenly distribute the product without making your hair stiff.

3. Focus on Areas That Need Extra Hold: If certain sections need more support, you can give them a little extra spray.

4. Light Misting During Styling: Some people prefer to apply a light mist of hairspray during the styling process for added texture or hold. However, the final application should always be after styling is complete.

Why Apply Hairspray After Styling?

Keeping Hair in Place: Applying hairspray after styling helps to keep your hair in place. This ensures that your look stays consistent throughout the day, even if you touch or move your hair.

Adjustments and Touch-ups: If you need to make any adjustments or add a touch of texture, you can do so before finalizing with hairspray. This gives you the flexibility to perfect your hairstyle without compromising the hold.

Preventing Damage: Using too much hairspray at the wrong time can damage your hair or irritate your skin. It's always better to use less and apply after styling, rather than using an excessive amount before styling.

Common Concerns and Misconceptions

1. Do I need to apply hairspray before or after styling? - As usual, using too much hairspray will hurt your hair or skin. Therefore, I always recommend applying less hairspray and using it after styling is complete.

2. Will using hairspray before styling affect the hold? - If you use hairspray before styling, it might create an initial hold, but the final product might not last as long as it would if applied after styling. This is especially true if you are not styling your hair for multiple days.

3. Are there other products that work better than hairspray? - Hairspray works best as a sealer. A light coat or many light coats will not alter the hairstyle. A heavy coat will make it look wet, brittle, and dry. Gels, waxes, and mousses are better alternatives for specific styling needs.

Product Application Order for Optimal Results

The order of hair products can significantly impact your hairstyle. Here is a recommended sequence for achieving the best results:

Leave-in Conditioner: This helps to hydrate and detangle your hair. Mousse: Use this to create volume, texture, and hold. Clay or Gel: These provide stronger hold and shape. Hairspray: This seals the style and adds final hold.

If you use clay, be mindful not to use too much of the other products, as they can mix with the clay and negate its effect.

Techniques for Using Hairspray Effectively

Drying with a Cold Hair Dryer: Drying the hairspray with a cold and gentle hair dryer will make it dry almost immediately. This technique is particularly useful for styles like a mohawk, where you need quick and effective hold.

Exclusively Hair Spray: You can create some hairstyles exclusively with hairspray, such as a mohawk. This is the only style/technique that can be achieved by saturating the hair with hairspray alone.

Conclusion

When it comes to using hairspray, the golden rule is to apply it after styling. This practice ensures that your hairstyle is properly set and holds up well throughout the day. By understanding the best practices and tips provided, you can achieve the perfect look with minimal product usage.