# Hairspray that's not sticky

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/hairspray/not-sticky/
Category: Beauty > Hairspray. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 165 counted first-hand reports from Ulta and Sephora shopper reviews, May 2016 to Sep 2026.

**Question:** Which hairspray isn't sticky?

**Short answer:** Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray has the best record for not leaving hair sticky or crunchy: 22 of 27 reviewers said it holds without the stiffness. Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray follows at 20 of 28 and Pureology Lock It Down Hairspray at 12 of 18. At the other end, Drybar Triple Sec Texturizing Spray has the weakest record here, at 9 of 29.

**What stands out:** The two lowest-ranked sprays are a thickening spray and a texturizing spray, not classic hairsprays, and stickiness is their main complaint: 40% of Bumble and bumble Thickening Spray reviews and 70% of Drybar Triple Sec Texturizing Spray reviews.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Not sticky | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray | 22 of 27 | 81% | yes |
| 2 | Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray | 20 of 28 | 71% | yes |
| 3 | Pureology Lock It Down Hairspray | 12 of 18 | 67% | yes |
| 4 | Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25 | 14 of 22 | 64% | yes |
| 5 | Bumble and bumble Thickening Spray | 16 of 27 | 59% | no |
| 6 | Drybar Triple Sec Texturizing Spray | 9 of 29 | 31% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray

76% say it isn't sticky, 38% praise the hold and 14% say it brushes out. Stickiness still comes up, with 24% of reviews saying it feels sticky or crunchy. Counted reviews are all from Ulta.

- Praised for: Strong hold (38%), Nice scent (14%), Brushes out (14%)
- Reports counted: 29

### 2. Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray

57% praise the hold and 21% like the scent, but 29% say it feels sticky or crunchy and 7% mention a clogging nozzle. The word sticky appears in about 1 in 13 of its reviews, for praise and complaint alike.

- Praised for: Strong hold (57%), Nice scent (21%), Good value (7%)
- Complaints: Strong scent (7%), Nozzle clogs (7%)
- Reports counted: 28

### 3. Pureology Lock It Down Hairspray

Hold is the draw, praised by 53%. But 37% say it feels sticky or crunchy and 16% call it too expensive. Counted reviews are all from Ulta.

- Praised for: Strong hold (53%), Nice scent (32%), Good value (16%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (16%), Strong scent (11%)
- Reports counted: 19

### 4. Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25

A split verdict: 40% praise the hold and 12% say it holds in humidity, but 36% say it feels sticky or crunchy and 20% say the hold gave out.

- Praised for: Strong hold (40%), Holds in humidity (12%), Brushes out (8%)
- Complaints: Weak hold (20%), Strong scent (12%)
- Reports counted: 25

### 5. Bumble and bumble Thickening Spray

Stickiness is the main complaint, in 40% of its reviews. 23% like the scent, and 17% praise the hold. Counted reviews are all from Sephora.

- Praised for: Nice scent (23%), Strong hold (17%), Good value (7%)
- Complaints: Strong scent (13%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 6. Drybar Triple Sec Texturizing Spray

Weakest record here, at 31%. 70% say it feels sticky or crunchy, and 30% like the scent. It is a texturizing finishing spray rather than a hold spray. Counted reviews are all from Sephora.

- Praised for: Nice scent (30%), Strong hold (7%)
- Complaints: Strong scent (20%), Too expensive (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

## Questions

**Which hairspray doesn't feel sticky or crunchy?**

In these reviews, Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray comes first at 22 of 27, followed by Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray at 20 of 28 and Pureology Lock It Down Hairspray at 12 of 18.

**Does Drybar Triple Sec Texturizing Spray leave hair sticky?**

Often, by these reviews: 20 of 29 reviewers who brought up stickiness said it left their hair sticky, crunchy or stiff. That is the weakest record here, at 31%.

**How common are sticky complaints with hairspray?**

It comes up a lot. The word sticky appears in about 1 in 9 reviews of Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray, about 1 in 13 reviews of Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray and about 1 in 12 reviews of Drybar Triple Sec Texturizing Spray, and it can be praise or complaint. We count what each reviewer said happened to their hair.

**Which not-sticky hairspray is sold on Amazon?**

The best pick sold on Amazon is Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray, at 22 of 27. Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray, Pureology Lock It Down Hairspray and Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25 are also sold there through the brand.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/