The best wave sprays you can buy for any hair type
The best wave spray overall
The Ouai Wave Spray is one of the best-selling items from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin's haircare line. The weightless spray is specially formulated to create beachy waves while enhancing texture and adding shine.
Unlike other wave sprays that feature sea salt, Ouai's wave spray uses rice protein, so it is safe to use on both color-treated and keratin-treated hair. It is also made without any parabens and sulfates and is not tested on animals.
Shoppers love how the spray gives them perfectly tousled waves and its beautiful floral smell. Not only is it an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner, but the magazine's Deputy Beauty Director also said it was the only spray that, "gave my hair a cool, messy texture that lasted all day."
The spray has over 40,000 likes on Sephora with a 3.7-star rating. One shopper wrote, "I have very thick straight hair that has just enough wave to make it impossible to let it air dry and go. I tried it with this spray and it dried beautifully with lots of volume and natural wave. I have been skeptical that a wave spray would work on my type hair but I loved this stuff. It is a bit pricey but would be great to have on hand if you are running late."
A few reviewers said the spray can make your hair crunchy if you apply too much too closely, so they recommend spraying lightly from a distance until you see how your hair dries with it.
Pros: Lightweight, gives beachy waves, texture, and volume, adds shine, can be used on color-treated and keratin-treated hair
Cons: Can leave hair crunchy if you spray too much too closely
Buy the Ojai Wave Spray at Sephora for $26The best wave spray for fine hair
If you have thin or fine hair and have issues keeping waves or adding volume, give the IGK Beach Club Texture Spray a try. The salt-free texturing spray is extremely lightweight so it won't weigh down hair.
The spray's glycerin and gluten-free hydrolyzed wheat protein formula leave you with textured waves without leaving behind any stickiness. The aerosol can delivers an even finish and can be used on both wet and dry hair.
It has a 4.4-star rating with more than 10,000 likes on Sephora. One reviewer wrote, "I have fine hair with a hint of a natural wave that I'm always trying to draw out. I've tried a multitude of sea sprays, texturizing products, dry shampoos, and mousses. So far, this is my favorite."
A few customers were put off by the high price, but you can buy a miniature size for $14 first to try it out before spending a lot on the full-size spray.
Pros: Great for volume and texture, lightweight spray, won't leave hair sticky, gives you piece-y tousled waves
Cons: Pricey but comes in a test size to try first
Buy the IGK BeachClub Texture Spray at Sephora for $29The best wave spray for thick hair
The Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray is a two-in-one hairspray that will give you tousled waves as well textured and shiny strands. It is a buildable aerosol spray so you can add as much as your hair needs, making it perfect for thick hair that tends to soak up products quickly.
The wave spray is formulated with kaempferia galanga root extract that offers natural UV protection, as well as safflower seed oil that works to soften and condition hair. It can be applied to both wet and dry hair and won't leave it grainy or sticky.
It has 4-stars on Birchbox with more than 24,000 reviews. Most shoppers can't get enough of the fresh fruity smell. One reviewer wrote, "Didn't think it would work with my thick hair but it really did! After I washed my hair, I used this after towel drying and my hair turned out great.”
The spray is much more expensive than the average wave spray but most users said it was well worth the cost.
Pros: Buildable spray, adds texture and shine, natural UV protection, softens and conditions hair
Cons: Expensive
Buy the Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray at Birchbox for $42The best wave spray for frizzy hair
The OGX Moroccan Sea Salt Spray is a weightless, texturing spray that leaves you with effortlessly mussed-up waves. The sea salt adds fullness and texture, while the Moroccan argan oil adds shine and helps fight frizz.
The company recommends spraying it on damp or dry hair and then scrunching your locks into the desired waves. You can then let it air dry or use a diffuser if you would like added volume.
It has been recommended by both Byrdie and Marie Claire magazine and has a 3.7-star rating on Amazon with almost 800 reviews.
One shopper wrote, "I love this product!! I have frizzy, curly, dry, color treated hair. I found this product effectively tames my frizz but gives me nice volume and texture. I've tried a couple of other sea salt sprays and none compare to this."
While most reviewers loved the spray’s smell, a few people found it too strong for their liking.
Pros: Affordable, fights frizz, adds fullness and texture to waves, weightless spray
Cons: Strong smell not for everyone
Buy the OGX Moroccan Sea Salt Spray on Amazon for $6.49 (originally $7.99)The best wave spray for dry/damaged hair
Ingredients in certain wave sprays can be harsh on dry/damaged hair. The Herbivore Sea Mist Beach Wave Hair Mist uses natural ingredients to give you beachy waves while moisturizing damaged locks.
The aloe water hydrates hair, while the sea salt adds texture and volume. The spray is also infused with vanilla and coconut oil to give off a delicious tropical smell. The product has a Clean at Sephora seal, which means it's made without the ingredients shoppers told Sephora they'd like to avoid.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and noncomedogenic. It is also made without any artificial ingredients, unnatural preservatives, and fillers, and is gluten, silicone, and fragrance-free. The spray has been recommended by both W magazine and TotalBeauty.
The spray has more than 10,000 likes on Sephora with a 3.8-star rating. One reviewer wrote, "This is a very light, great-smelling hair mist! It has a nice coconut scent and isn't heavy, or oily. It doesn't give you a salty-crunchy feel to your hair, it's a bit more moisturizing. If you are looking for a light, moisturizing, nice-smelling beach spray, this is it."
A few shoppers with fine hair said that the spray weighed down their roots, but when they just applied it to the ends it worked great.
Pros: Moisturizing, all-natural, clean at Sephora seal, nice smell, don’t dry out hair or leave it crunchy
Cons: Can weigh down roots if you have fine or thin hair
Buy the Herbivore Sea Salt Beach Wave Hair Mist at Sephora for $20
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