Not a hairspray person.
Just wash and wear.

I asked this very same question a while back. I did try a couple of the suggestions and was not happy with the Mink hairspray or with the Aussie (don't recall which of their hairsprays it was). I did a search and found an article that said to choose a hairspray with alcohol and not water as the first ingredient... the alcohol will dry quickly, while the water dries slowly and can weigh down your hair. Tresemme Tres Two Spray has alcohol as the first ingredient and it was highly rated.... I gave it an try and I love it! I use the #3 Firm Control (#4 is a bit too stiff IMO). It's about $3.00 a can and can be found at Walmart, Walgreens, etc. I had been using a $17. Rusk hairspray (Stay Flexible) that was discontinued... I find this works just as well and I like the price way better!

VO5 Unscented hair spray.

It's not a firm hold so it doesn't make your hair stiff. The only problem is that none of my supermarkets carry it so I have to go to CVS.

I only use product in my hair when I flat iron it or wear extensions. When I flat iron, I love Unite products. They are a bit tricky to find and not cheap, but they work very, very well. When I wear extensions (special ocassion only because they are LONG and HEAVY), I use Kenra hairspray for my roots. It has a stiff hold but brushes out very easily and cleanly. It also doesn't give you helmet head - where the hair won't move in a wind tunnel. Lol

I used the sebastion shaper but the smell was so much like bug spray I could not take it.
Currently I use Cristophe salon products and like it. I don't like it heavy either

Here is a link that might be useful: cristophe

Also VO5 Unscented but getting harder and harder to find.

I gave up hairspray decades ago.

I DO have one old can that I use to remove ink stains....

I also like TRESemme non-aerosol. (I don't like any aerosol kinds) It's relatively inexpensive.

I don't think I've used hairspray more than 5 times in my whole life. Other than what the hairstylist tries to put on! lol

In the strong winds we've been having, it's next to impossible to hold a hair style, but my favorite hair spray is called Freeze-It.

What no one uses Aquanet (talk about hair not moving! Great for teasing up your bouffant though!)? heh

Finesse is my favorite. But it holds it really still. Since I only spray my bangs into place, I want hold. Didn't help did I? I offer it as an option as the fragrance is why I buy it. I wonder if they make a less "hold" version? I didn't know they still made Mink. You can't get it here. Hope you find what you want.

White Rain extra hold unscented!
$1.00 a bottle.
I've been using it for years and years.

Just the thing I need to know, too!

I always ask my stylist to leave my hair long enough to tuck behind my ears because otherwise it's in my face. MAYBE if I used hair spray I could keep it back -- and wear it shorter.

I haven't used hair spray in decades. It used to make my hair sticky.

Rob333, I used to love AquaNet before it changed formulas. I have fine, thin hair and need all the "stiff" I can find. I either have to find some Freeze-it or Tresseme #4! I really need "heavy".

Matrix Biolage Finishing Spritz Firm Hold. Even though it is firm hold, my hair still moves and when I finger comb it, it does not feel as if there is any hairspray.

This post was edited by walnutcreek on Mon, Jan 7, 13 at 14:26

Freeze and Shine by Paul Mitchell..

Suave Extra Hold Unscented. It isn't expensive and works great on my hair. If I don't use hairspray it is in my face all day. I have a lot of hair but each hair is fine. I often can find the Suave on sale.

When I use any, I use Nexxus Finishing Mist.

"Professional" freezing. It's at Walmart, I like it best of
the ones I've tried over the years...

Whatever is on sale is what I use. I only use it on Sunday mornings or for a special occasion. Because my hair is so long, the curls fall out in about an hour if I don't use spray.

Kenra products are all good, but expensive - I have a bit of Kenra spray left, but yesterday I used Final Net, because it was extra windy.

chisue, you should try them now. It's not like it was. I remember having to use baking soda rubbed into a dab of shampoo, before really shampooing to get the residue off. It's so much better now.

I loved aquanet :)

Thanks, everyone! I'll take myself to CVS this week and pick up the VO5 unscented and one of the Christophes. Raven, which one of the three do you like? Or maybe I'll be able to tell from the cans which has the most flexible hold.

Susan... I too use Shaper, Not the plus, just regular Shaper. The plus kinda gives it a instant "seal".. with the regular you can still work with your hair. Every once in a while JCPenny styling salons have it on sale, two for the price of one. I don't know if you can order them online or not or if you have a JCPenney's with a styling salon near you. Your other option would be to make a new best friend of someone who can get them at the beauty supply for you.. LOL.... Debbie

Thanks, Debbie! Somehow I acquired a can of the Shaper Plus, but I never use it. I should toss it. One of my best friends is a hair stylist/salon owner, but she lives halfway across the country.

If I find a perfect (and perfectly inexpensive) replacement, I'll let you know.

Giovanni L.A. Hold. My hair is fine & falls easily without hair spray. The Giovanni is unscented and actually holds my hair but doesn't make it so stiff.

Hairspray pretty much sux anymore. They have changed the formulas to supposedly be safer for the environment. I just don't see how a firm hold hairspray could be bad in the environment but who knows, I sure don't! But all the ones that were good aren't any good anymore because of this reformulation....and if I understand correctly, it's only in certain states and if you go to Sally.com they will not sell the good old formulas to some certain states and of course Ohio(where I live) just happens to be one of the states that has a restriction.

The only thing that is still pretty much OK is that Professional from Walmart the freeze one that pekemom mentioned. It's the only thing I'll buy anymore. If you don't want a firm hold I would suggest as some others have the Tressemme spray.

Just checking back in to see if anyone else has a favorite to share. I have been using Salon Care from Sally's Beauty but am ready for a change.

Actually, I did find an excellent substitute for the pricey Sebastian Shaper:

Suave Professionals Touchable Finish - ultra fine mist. It says Lightweight Hold, and also "salon proven to hold as well as Sebastian." It's in a pink-topped can (aerosol), and the price is low.

Thank you - I will give that a try. Always good to have a recommendation.

My hair is not thick, very dry, and I wear it ear-length.

My only need for hairspray is to keep it from flying all over the place, but it dulled my hair.

Used to use standard hairspray, but switched to Redken Shine Flask 02 (aerosol). It gives me that light hold, and a shine - 13.50 a can, but it lasts me about 2 months.

I don't use hairspray. I wash my hair and rub a little bit of mousse through it, and that's it. As long as I have a decent hair cut, that works for me and I don't have to blow dry it or do anything else. (And I'm too lazy to color it). It's good to know which brands other people like if I ever do decide to change what I do.

I rarely use hairspray. I use Aqua Net when I curl my hair, but only if it's really windy - otherwise, I don't use anything.

no one else uses the one I like...

Rave...it is cheap...but that is not why I buy it.

My hair is getting extremely thin , mostly on top...so I have to work hard to make it look full...when I get it the best I can I have to glue it to stay there. Rave does the best job for me...I won't have another one.

patti