9 unexpected ways to use hairspray
Just because you keep a can of hairspray on your dresser, in your car and on your desk doesn’t mean you’re a stiff. You just realise that hairspray is a multi-tasking marvel that’s seriously underrated.
Not only does it serve as a fabulous finisher for many a hairstyle, but did you know it’s also a must-have when you have rampant toddlers, are attempting hair extensions, or want your make-up to go the distance?
No, I bet you didn’t. So you’d do well to read on and discover exactly how much you can get out of your hairspray. Starting with these uses….
RELATED: 5 mistakes to avoid when styling an updo
RELATED: 10 unusual ways to use paw paw ointment
#1 Flyaway tamer
Forget e-mc2. The only equation you need to remember is that a tissue + hairspray = zero flyaways. Yep. If you’re rocking a sleek ponytail or poker straight locks, keep flyaways at bay by spritzing a tissue with some hairspray and wiping it over the crown of your head.
#2 To achieve boho waves
Does your hair struggle to hold a wave? Never fear, a little bit of hairspray can help. Simply fashion your hair into braids before bedtime, spray them all over with hairspray, and go to sleep. We recommend a hairspray with a lightweight feel like Pureology Soft Finish Hairspray, which brushes out easily and will ensure your locks don’t feel ‘crispy’ when you undo your braids in the morning and reveal completely boho-style waves.
# 3 To remove ‘wall art’
You know those times when you discover your toddler has found his or her artistic flair and the proof is all over your white walls? Yes, well there’s no need to fret (or call your house painter in a panic). A little bit of hairspray and some elbow grease will get rid of any trace of biro or texta in a second.
#4 Stop your stockings from sticking
You know those moments when you feel your new dress clinging to your stockings? It’s not exactly the best look ever. Save yourself the embarrassment by spritzing hairspray over your pins. The spray will act as a barrier for your clothes, ensuring they don’t cling to your legs. Hint: hairspray also helps to limit laddering, so ensure you spritz any small tears as soon as you spot them.
#5 To create a beehive bun
Even those with super long hair struggle to mimic a voluminous bun because of irritating shorter hairs that stick out, creating more of a punk-style than a chic up-do. To ensure you get it right, fix your hair into a ponytail at the crown of your head with double elastics to ensure it doesn’t move. Next, twist your hair around the elastics, as many times as possible, tucking the ends back into the elastic to finish (you can also use bobby pins for extra hold). Using your fingers, gently loosen the bun a little to make it look bigger, and then make sure to spray every angle of the bun with a super strong hold hairspray (like JUSTICE Professional Firm Hold Hairspray), tucking in and patting down any shorter ends as you go.
#6 To battle slippery surfaces
Bought new shoes but not convinced that they won’t see you tumble over on a slippery dance floor in front of that guy? Applying hairspray to the bottom of new shoes, or those without much grip will help to ensure that your dress doesn’t end up over your head after a daring dance move!
#7 To make a base for your hair extensions
When you’re applying clip-in hair extensions to your head you need a strong base to hold the clips in place. When you have sectioned your hair and are ready to apply the extensions, backcomb your real hair base and spritz it with hairspray so that the clips have something to ‘grab’ onto. This base will ensure your extensions don’t slip out through the night.
#8 To get really smooth hair, shielded from humidity
When you’ve gone to the trouble of straightening your locks to make them super sleek, the last thing you want is the heat or the rain to undo all of your good work! Ensure your strands are shielded from the elements by spritzing some humidity-resistant hairspray (we like Aveda Air Control Hair Spray) onto your brush and brushing through as you straighten.
#9 Get the curls you want to stay
If you have trouble ensuring that your cute, flicky curls stay in place, hairspray can help. For Kardashian-style flicks, simply curl your hair with a tong so that it’s very curly. Next, spritz some hairspray over your entire head and shake your head up and down and round and round for a minute, allowing some of the curl to ‘drop’. After around 20 minutes, your hair should have fallen a bit more and flirty flicks should be left. Flip your head upside down and spritz the curls from underneath to ensure they don’t drop out further and become limp.
Why do you love hairspray? What do you use it for?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
137 Member Comments
So many uses! The stocking one is especially great to know ! No static haha
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Some great hints, thanks
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I haven't use hairspray in a while, but some of these tips make me want to go buy a can.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
To battle slippery surfaces? Never heard of that!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Tip no. 3 good to know but otherwise no use for it
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Interesting...
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I've usually got two cans of hairspray on the go: one with strong hold for updos & one with light hold for when I wear a plait.
You can also use hairspray to remove gum from clothing or hair.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Good tips here and I think I may try the plaits tonight
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
No: 3 is a new one. Wonderful information. It will stop spiders and insects in there track.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I hadn’t used my hairspray for so long that when I went to use it on my daughters space buns the nozzle was clogged up. I did try the tissue trick but it didn’t work so well.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Wonderful tips on the use of hairspray. I generally use hairspray to tackle flyaways and to help certain hairstyles stay put.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
i do the hairspray on the stocking or tights, works a treat, but ill need to try the avenda humity resitant hair spray- hair and humity dont mix for me
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'd never heard the one about using it on your shoes for extra grip. Or for removing biro from walls. Thanks, BH! :D
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I don't even remember when it was last time I used hair spray , probably years ago.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I used to do ballroom dancing and we always used it on the soles of our shoes for extra grip.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ooh, some good non-hair uses in here, definitely filing those somewhere in the memory banks. Who knew about the ‘wall art’ solution?
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I also use it to help hold my curls as I find the curls drop to much without hair spray to finish.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I do love my hairspray
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Totally going to use the tissue trick.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I don’t use hair spray although I do have a few cans from visitors and goody bags. I will try the tissue for flyaways one
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Well gee number #3 would have been handy to know a few years ago!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I knew #1, 5 & 9, but didn't know about the other uses.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I think I'll braid my hair tonight and do the hairspray thing. Fingers crossed!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I love multitasking hair sprays.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have to start using hairspray more often. I have the cans sitting there but I just forget to use them.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0