15 Best Drugstore Texture Sprays for Effortlessly Stylish Hair

Written by Alvira Dsouza, Hair Expert
Updated on Jun 01, 2024
best drugstore texture sprays
best drugstore texture sprays
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Texture tease, hair please, but keep it under budget! Elevate your styling game, embrace volume, and experiment with new styles without burning a hole in your pocket with the best drugstore texture sprays. They have a transformative power about them that can take your tresses from meh to mesmerizing in a matter of seconds.

Often confused and sometimes even used interchangeably with hair sprays, texture sprays are like the offspring of the former. Based on our observation, they are better and going to keep getting bigger (in terms of usage and innovation). They are crafted to give you the hair of your dreams but without the rigidity, stiffness, and off-putting smell often associated with the use of hairspray.

Our contributor Srey Heng, Senior Hairdresser at AMR Hair & Beauty, says, “Texture sprays are useful for volumizing, adding definition, and making hair easier to style. They are very useful for fine hair but can be used with all hair types. A good textured spray will be lightweight and provide added grip for the hair to increase styling options.”

Texturizing sprays are new, innovative, and designed to transform your hair with natural-looking bounce and movement, flexible hold, and pleasant smell. They infuse instant volume into dull and lifeless hair, add a defined texture, and in some cases, also absorb the excess oil, much like a dry shampoo.

There are a lot of options available in the market but not all of them are built or priced the same. Some can really break the bank. This is why our team of experts tried and tested the best affordable texture sprays based on their ingredients, texture, finish, hold, volume, scent, ease of application, longevity, and residue (if left behind or not). With our recommendations, get ready for defined, voluminous, and fuller hair that lasts all day every day. Say yes to effortless styling and healthy hair without the hefty price tag!

What Does Texture Spray Do to the Hair?

We spend a lot of money on the maintenance and styling of our hair, a part of our body that is technically dead. But there are actual times when they begin to "look" dead. That's where texture sprays come into the picture.

Texture sprays work by changing the physical characteristics of individual hair strands to achieve the very desired textured and voluminous look. These sprays are a seamless blend of various ingredients that come together to transform your hair. Polymers are one of the key ingredients whose main function is to maintain the hold factor (1). They are responsible for coating each hair strand and separating them from each other to create gaps between them, making the hair look thicker and more voluminous. Additionally, polymers also grip the hair and prevent them from falling flat.

The presence of emollients and waxes in texture sprays helps smoothen the cuticles to add shine and reduce frizziness. Sea salt and magnesium sulfate increase the space between hair strands and add texture to the hair. On the other hand, there are ingredients in a texture spray, including rice starch, kaolin clay, and silica, which absorb excess moisture and oil, add texture, and enhance the natural volume. All these ingredients work together to get you.

15 Best Drugstore Texture Sprays

Combine a hair spray with dry shampoo, and you will get the best dry texturizing spray from Oribe. It will help you get the gorgeous and glamorous hair of a Hollywood star without burning a hole in your wallet. With this texture spray, you can expect your fine, straight, and limp hair to look bigger, better, and bolder. It is formulated with patented polymers which absorb the oil effectively, leaving you with refreshed hair. Through our trial and error, we discovered that it will take some sprays and spritzes to get the right intensity of the spray blast.

Pros
  • Lightweight formula
  • Non-sticky
  • Smells nice
  • Adds lift and voluminous texture
  • Non-sticky
  • Doesn't leave a residue
Cons
  • Stiff nozzle
  • Volume may settle down quickly for some
  • Best for Colored Hair

    Schwarzkopf Professional Got2b Beach Trippin' Texturizing Finishing Spray

    Schwarzkopf Professional Got2b Beach Trippin' Texturizing Finishing Spray
  • Experience the effect of salt air on your hair with this drugstore texture spray from Schwarzkopf Professional. There won't be any whispers of "Are you sure" because this beautifully formulated texturizing spray will add a wonderfully rough texture to your hair without making it sticky or dry. As per our expertise, the lesser you use it, the better the results will be. You can also spray it and sleep on it to wake up to a perfectly messy lived-in look.

    Sharing a pro-tip, our contributor Srey Heng, an expert hairdresser says, “To help increase the longevity of a textured hairstyle, avoid excessive touching and brushing. Using a strong hold spray will make it easier to keep a style in place longer.” 

    Pros
    • Smells great
    • Adds shine
    • Infuses volume into hair
    • Safe for color-treated hair
    • Doesn't leave residue
    Cons
    • May not work on thicker hair
    • Does not give beachy waves
  • Best for Dry Hai

    Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray

    Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray
  • A holy grail for thin and limp hair, this is a good texture spray from Moroccanoil which is an excellent addition to your hair care routine, especially for shorter hair. Spray it on and say hello to instant texturized volume, without the extra weight. Its formulation is infused with argan oil and wheat proteins to nourish, condition, and moisturize hair. It also helps with curly hair and can hold a curl considerably long. Our analysis of this product revealed that it might leave your hair slightly oily and must be used sparingly.

    Pros
    • Creates gritty texture
    • Adds volume
    • Gives shiny hair
    • Non-sticky
    • Only need a little bit
    • Holds the lift for hours
    Cons
    • Strong smell
    • Nozzle may be tricky to handle
  • Best Salt Spray

    Sun Bum Texturizing Sea Spray

    Sun Bum Texturizing Sea Spray
  • This drugstore salt spray from Sun Bum is the next good thing after ocean water to get beachy waves and texture. It adds body to straight and flat hair, making the limp ones look alive. Infused with sea salt, sea kelp, and sunflower seed oil, it gives a volumizing texture to give you perfectly lived-in beachy waves, even without going to the beach or the ocean. Our findings show that it works best on slightly greasy hair, aka third-day hair. It will help eliminate the drying effects it may cause for certain hair types.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Smells nice
    • Non-greasy
    • Makes hair soft
    • Helps define and hold curls
    • Suits most hair types
    Cons
    • May make hair dry
  • Best for Volume

    Garnier Fructis Style Texture Tease Dry Touch Finishing Spray

    Garnier Fructis Style Texture Tease Dry Touch Finishing Spray
  • This is a good drugstore hairspray from Garnier Fructis that is often described as an Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray dupe. Now, dupe or not, it gets the job done and gives a gorgeous wind-in-my-hair kind of airy and voluminous look. Whether used for braids, buns, or the usual open hair, it works its charm by adding more body to all your hairstyles. We determined through our tests that it must be used sparingly, or else it may cause greasy hair. You may use it directly or on a round brush while blow drying for optimal results.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Non-greasy
    • Buildable hold
    • Makes hair manageable
    • Adds great texture
    • Budget-friendly
    Cons
    • Strong smell
    • May feel sticky
  • Best Overall

    Color Wow Style on Steroids Performance Enhancing Texturizing + Finishing Spray

    Color Wow Style on Steroids Performance Enhancing Texturizing + Finishing  Spray
  • Instill a new life in your thin and fine hair that has taken to lying flat (and dead!) with the best drugstore volumizing spray from Color Wow. It not only adds volume but holds it for long hours. Even though it might not be for as long as it claims, but long enough to do its intended job. And it does it all without making your hair feel sticky or crunchy. Based on our observations, you can make the most of this texture spray by using it sparingly and preferably with heat styling to make your volume-infused hair last.

    Pros
    • Pleasant smell
    • Doesn’t cause stiffness
    • Makes hair manageable
    • Adds nice texture
    • Leaves no residue
    • Provides heat protection
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • May cause dry hair for some
  • Best in Longevity

    CHI Infra Texture Dual Hair Spray

    CHI Infra Texture Dual Hair Spray
  • Serve looks all day long with the best drugstore texturizing spray from CHI at your side. It works rather quickly with its fast-drying formula and yet gives you enough time to style hair the way you want. It adds lift, texture, and movement while making the hair more manageable. It fights against moisture and humidity to reduce frizziness. After trying out this product, we discovered that using it on clean and dry hair followed by blow drying will help you achieve sensational results.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Non-sticky
    • Offers good hold
    • Works for most hair types and textures
    • Travel-friendly
    Cons
    • Some may not like the smell
  • Best for Holding Curls

    amika Un.done Volume & Matte Texture Spray

    amika Un.done Volume & Matte Texture Spray
  • The spray in cute packaging gives cute results—that's amika Un.done Volume & Matte Texture Spray, and you will love everything about it. It has a light, invisible, and dry formula that gives an effortless undone instant texture that can be described as the perfect kind of imperfect. It also infuses body and fullness to the hair and makes them look soft and bouncy. Our research indicates that it is the best texture spray to hold curls and doesn't leave any residue behind. 

    Pros
    • Nice fragrance
    • Gives nice volume
    • Has strong hold
    • Non-sticky
    • Can also hold curls
    • Doesn’t weigh down hair
    Cons
    • Nozzle is tricky to use
    • Pricey
  • Best for Frizz Control

    OGX Flexible + Beeswax Texture Hair Spray Wax

    OGX Flexible + Beeswax Texture Hair Spray Wax
  • The OGX Flexible + Beeswax Texture Hair Spray Wax is a holy grail for curly hair, all because of its incredible curl-holding capacity. It combines the goodness of hair wax with the goodness of hair spray to give your hair the texture and hold it needs all day long. You only need to use a little of this drugstore texturizing spray to see the desired results. We have found from using this product that it feels sticky in the beginning but dries down to a soft and touchable texture.

    Pros
    • Nice fragrance
    • Lightweight
    • Flexible hold
    • Tames frizz
    • Makes hair manageable
    • Budget-friendly
    Cons
    • May make hair greasy/waxy
    • Can lead to buildup
  • Best in Humid Weather

    Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray

    Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray
  • Make your hair look and feel great with the best volumizing texture spray from Living Proof. It is a multi-tasker formulated with microporous minerals, enzymatically modified starch, and hydrophobic resins, which come together to absorb excess oil from your hair and scalp, infuse a lived-in texture, and give long-lasting volume even in humid weather. Our investigation demonstrated that it refreshes hair and has a buildable volume so that you can go as big, bold, and bouncy as you desire.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Holds up for the whole day
    • Non-sticky texture
    • Non-greasy
    • Vegan
    • Safe for hair colors
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Some may not like the smell
  • Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray

    Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray
  • Escape from the clutches of gels and mousse with the best drugstore dry texturizing spray from Kristin Ess. It is an all-rounder texture spray that not only adds texture to the hair but also volume, body, and definition. It offers a light hold that surprisingly lasts long enough. Its cruelty-free formula must be used on dry hair. Based on our firsthand experience, it gives the best results when used on clean hair and the effects can be seen even on the second day.

    Pros
    • Very lightweight
    • Doesn’t make hair crunchy or sticky
    • Brushable hold
    • Little goes a long way
    • Adds body and shine
    • Color and keratin treatment safe
    Cons
    • Some may find smell overbearing
  • Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Texturising Sea Spray

    Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Texturising Sea Spray
  • Take the helping hand from the Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Texturising Sea Spray to tame your wild they-will-go-anywhere-and-everywhere hair, thanks to the natural awapuhi extract. It is the key ingredient that makes hair soft and manageable. Formulated with sea salt and keratin, it adds healthy-looking gorgeous beachy waves. After putting it to the test, we found that it is the best drugstore sea salt spray, also providing humidity resistance.

    Pros
    • Smells great
    • Lightweight spray
    • Doesn’t weigh down hair
    • Easy-to-operate spray bottle
    • Doesn’t leave any residue
    • Color safe
    Cons
    • May not work for straight hair
  • NAVY Pebble Beach Dry Texture Spray

    NAVY Pebble Beach Dry Texture Spray
  • The NAVY Pebble Beach Dry Texture Spray is a revolutionary product worth all the hype around it. Take your thin and fine hair to thick and voluminous hair with a beautiful natural-looking fullness, body, and movement. Formulated with glycerin, sunflower seed oil, and VP/VA copolymer, this drugstore texture spray creates the perfect tousled style that lasts all day. Through our practical knowledge, we recognized that the formula of this texture spray also offers UV protection and hair breakage control.

    Pros
    • No stickiness
    • Lightweight texture
    • Little goes a long way
    • Adds thickness
    • Cruelty-free
    • Cruelty-free Value for money
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Strong scent
  • R+Co Trophy Shine + Texture Spray

    R+Co Trophy Shine + Texture Spray
  • This non toxic texture spray from R+Co is a breath of fresh hair (oops, air!) for baby fine and thin hair. Charlotte Palermino, the founder of Dieux Skin, calls these "toddler hair" because they are very fine, limp, easily tangled, and breakable (2). And only a handful of helpful products like this texture spray can change things for them from limp to lovely. Formulated with key ingredients like fuller's earth, sea kelp, and sweet almond, it adds a subtle texture and has a flexible hold.  

    Pros
    • Adds shine
    • Doesn’t weigh hair down
    • Suitable for bleached hair
    • Controls frizz
    • Makes hair manageable
    Cons
    • Strong smell
    • Nozzle gets clogged/stops working with gradual use
  • KMS HAIRPLAY Playable Texture

     KMS HAIRPLAY Playable Texture
  • Trust the best texture spray ever from KMS to give you the hair of your dreams that you can also play with. Formulated with re-bonding polymers, grapeseed oil, and peppermint, this texture spray adds a great body and definition to your hair that can be reworked or restyled throughout the day. It adds a good amount of texture to fine hair and holds them in place. When we trialed this product, we came to know that using a lot of this spray may cause you to appear to have dirty hair.

    Pros
    • Very light
    • Easy to comb through
    • Provides light to medium hold
    • Keeps hair soft
    • Provides heat protection
    • UV protection
    Cons
    • Pricey

    How to Choose the Best Drugstore Texture Spray

    The best drugstore texture sprays are game changers for a hair routine. They have an incredibly transformative power that can make your flat and limp hair full of life, movement, and body. Their application might be a little bit challenging and may require some time and practice. But, this doesn't have to be the case when it comes to buying a drugstore texture spray. Apart from our top picks, here are some points you must consider before your final purchase:

    Hair Type

    Consider your hair type and choose a texture spray accordingly, depending on whether your hair is dry, normal, oily, thin, thick, or fine. Curly and coily hair requires a stronger hold, so you must also consider your hair’s natural texture as you get set to purchase hair texture sprays.

    Texture

    Select a good texture spray based on the hair texture you want to achieve. Voluminous, wavy, curly, tousled, bedhead but make it sexy—choose a spray that caters to your goals.

    Ingredients

    Check the label for ingredients such as salt, minerals, polymers, and polyquaternium-4. These are the key ingredients in the formulation of a texture spray. You may also look for additional ingredients that are good for the hair, such as argan oil, aloe vera, hydrolyzed proteins, glycerin, and natural oils among others. Choose something with amino acids for their hairstyling and hair-strengthening properties. You may want to opt for a salt-free formula if you have colored hair and a formula enriched with volcanic minerals for oily hair.

    Hold Level

    Different texture sprays have different levels of hold, i.e., the degree to which the spray can hold your hair in place and for how long. Whether you want a light, medium, or strong hold, choose accordingly. Short and medium hair lengths can manage with moderate hold, but you must look for something stronger for thick and long hair. 

    Finish

    Determine what kind of finish you like. Drugstore texture sprays with a soft matte finish offer a non-shiny look perfect for messy, tousled, beachy, or lived-in styles. There are also texture sprays that add a subtle sheen and shine to hair. 

    Additional Features

    You must look for some additional features of drugstore texture spray like its packaging, fragrance, ease of use, flexibility, humidity resistance, color protection, brushability, heat protection, ease of washing off, longevity, and portability among others.

    Customer Reviews

    Do your research and read customer reviews and feedback to gain comprehensive and valuable insights into the effectiveness and performance of the drugstore texture sprays you wish to purchase.

    How Do You Apply Texturizing Spray?

    The application of texturizing spray is mostly simple but it may require some time, patience, and practice to get it right, particularly for beginners. Go through the following tips for making this application the smoothest ever:

    • Start with clean hair. You can use the texture spray on both dry and damp hair. Some hair sprays also work great on day 2 or 3 of unwashed hair, depending on their formulation. But the basics ask to start with clean hair.
    • Give the drugstore hair spray a good shake.
    • Section your hair. Spray evenly at your roots to get an instant lift and your strands to get the desired texture. 
    • You must hold the spray bottle twelve to fifteen inches away from your hair. It is done to avoid excessive buildup.
    • You can take your hair upside down to scrunch and tousle while the spray settles.  
    • Let your hair air dry for a more natural-looking lived-in textured look. Or you may use heat styling to get the desired look, either blow dry to add extra volume and bounce, or use a curling iron to define your curls/waves.
    • Repeat the process only if needed. Otherwise, use the texturizing spray sparingly.

    And that's it. You're done! Enjoy your tousled tresses!

    Conclusion

    Taking your hair from dull and lifeless to glam and full of life has never been easier or more accessible, thanks to the best drugstore texture sprays. These sprays have added a new dimension to the realm of hairstyling. They are your ticket to effortlessly stylish and textured hair that doesn't break the bank. From beach waves to a bouncy mane, all full of texture, you can achieve enviable hair looks with our handpicked recommendations of the top-rated drugstore texturizing sprays. So, get ready to elevate your hair routine to new heights and turn heads wherever you go. It will only take a few spritzes! 

    Contributor: Srey Heng, Senior Hairdresser at AMR Hair & Beauty

    FAQ's

    Do you use texture spray on wet or dry hair?
    Texture spray can be used on both dry and wet hair, depending on its formula.
    Is texture spray the same as dry shampoo?
    No, texture spray is not the same as dry shampoo. Dry shampoo can be powder or aerosol-based and is used to extend the days between hair washes by refreshing the scalp and absorbing the excess oil and sweat. Texture sprays, on the other hand, can be used for all hair types to enhance the hair’s natural shape by adding texture, volume, and movement.
    Does texture spray damage hair?
    Texture spray typically does not damage hair. However, you must be vigilant about the ingredients used in a particular spray before using it. Ingredients like salt, denatured alcohol, and other texturizing/drying ingredients can do damage to hair. Overuse of these sprays may lead to build-up causing scalp and hair damage.
    Can we use texture spray on straight hair?
    Yes, you can use texture spray on straight hair. People with straight hair are more prone to get flatter and limp hair which can be infused with volume and bounce with the help of a good texturizing spray.
    Does texture spray help with greasy hair?
    Yes, a dry texture spray can help you with greasy hair with its dry shampoo-like qualities.

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    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Alvira Dsouza
    Hair Expert

    With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More