The Miracle Spray That Is Giving My Flat Hair Life Again
Main Image – Courtesy of writer
You probably already know this but, as we age, our skin and hair often lose bounce. It’s sad but true. I like to substitute my beloved natural skin collagen with a healthy dose of retinol, and maybe just a touch of healthy holiday weight (read: cocktail hour) to ‘smooth’ my cheeks out.
In the hair department though, I find it a little trickier. I’ve always had thick, curly hair but reaching my forties (and using a little too much heat to style it with) has caused it to get noticeably flatter. It feels like each time a candle is added to my birthday cake, my hair’s volume rating is reduced. Cue: Feeling a bit lacklustre in the hair stakes and, while I’m at it, quite rubbish mentally, actually.
But there is one product that has massively improved not only the volume of my hair but my confidence too. And newsflash! It isn’t new. Because, amazing products don’t always have to be hot off the press, and a brand’s staple product is staple for a reason.
Here’s the spray proving to be a game-changer in the story of my ever-evolving hair type.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Controversial opinion
Whilst a hair volumizing mousse works for some, I find them incredibly frustrating. I never seem to get the amount of product right for my hair length (a jaw-length bob) and I find a mousse really uneven and unsatisfying to apply. The only way I feel I can get an even distribution of a mousse is to scrape my hair back using both hands which, to be honest, just makes my hair really greasy.
And then there’s hairsprays. In my humble opinion, there aren’t many that don’t make your hair crunchy or sticky. And if they don’t make it crunchy or sticky, the volume or hold lasts for all of five minutes. Especially if you’re a hair fiddler like me.
My hair’s BFF
Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray (£31 on Living Proof UK) is one of those products that make you pray with all your might that it won’t be discontinued. I feel like stockpiling it (you know, with all my millions) just in case.
When I blow dry my hair, I then straighten it (only from the mid-lengths to the ends) and it stays all poofy and voluminous for around 20 seconds before slowly dropping and eventually replicating a pancake. Sigh. Enter stage left my trusty spray.
I turn my head upside down, spritz it into my roots then, standing up straight again, I lift up random sections of my hair and spray from root to tip. After a bit of ‘szuzhing’ and playing around with it, already my hair is bigger and better. Zero crunch. Zero grease.
And it isn’t just the volume that’s great. It acts as a brilliant medium-hold hairspray too. After spritzing, I will sometimes put a wave in my hair. If I do this without applying the spray first, the waves drop out within the hour. If I wave my hair after spritzing, the waves stay put. (The irony of my hair being naturally curly isn’t lost on me by the way. But I don’t like my natural curls because, well, I am a nightmare.)
I can brush and run my fingers through my hair as much as I want after using this spray without reducing its effect. So, it’s not like you spray it in and your hair has to stay in the same position forever. You can play with your hair, style your hair, swish your hair as much as you damn well please and that texture and volume will remain, whatever its position.
Another bonus is that my hair doesn’t need much styling for a few days after spraying it. The effects of this spray last. Whilst I used to touch up my hair with the straighteners around once a day, I simply don’t need to every day now. Less heat = less damage.
And then there’s the smell. Disclaimer: it’s not for everyone. But I don’t mind it. There is no way to describe it, you really have to smell it to experience it, but just know that I get comments about how good my hair smells daily. Just saying.
At first spritz, the smell can be quite overbearing but trust me, the volume and texture that comes with it is well worth it.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Overall value for money
£31 is a lot to spend on a hairspray, I get it. But because it significantly improves the look of my hair and I only need to use it once before my next hair wash, I would splash out on it. I’m not using it daily and it will last me a while.
But honestly? I do wish it was a bit cheaper. There is a smaller travel-sized bottle which you can buy for £16. And a jumbo can which will set you back £37. But I wouldn’t go for that one until you know it’s the right product for you.
What other users are saying
“Have tried several products which claimed to give my fine hair volume but this seems like the only one which definitely works. The volume remained until I next washed it.” Writes Jackie on livingproof.co.uk.
“This is a great product for my fine limp hair. Gives it body without any sticky residue. My new favourite go-to hair product!” Says Ginny T on livingproof.co.uk.
The takeaway
Sometimes you come across a product that gets you through the toughest of times. Bad hair behaviour included.
What this spray doesn’t have is that dry, crunchy finish that some hairsprays leave on your hair just to tick a box. What it does have is everything you want from a volumizing product. Great texture, impressive volume, a firm, non-sticky hold and a really good smell.
Get Glowing!
