We’ve all seen those photos online, you know the ones, of the model with perfectly styled hair, face and makeup and then a couple of seconds later she throws her hair forward to reveal it is now dripping wet. Not that we don’t love those images, but when you are working in a time-restricted environment as a professional hairstylist; that kind of thing isn’t practical.
We can’t take 10 minutes after every haircut to re-style our model’s hair with mists. Which is why they don’t tend to use them. However, in saying this if you want your clients to leave your salon looking like they just walked out of an editorial shoot instead of coming back from gym then a mist spray would help you achieve that result faster and more efficiently.
What is a Mist Sprays?
A Mist Sprays is basically a fine spray of liquid that has either a high water content or a high alcohol content. The liquid used in a mist can vary depending on the brand and the product use, but generally it is water or alcohol based.
Mists are often used to refresh your hair during the day or after working out, but they are also an invaluable tool for the hairdresser. Mists can be used to control unwanted frizz, add shine to dry hair, create volume and give the hair a fresh hold.
They can also be used as a temporary fix for fly-aways and humidity is notorious for causing frizz which is where mist sprays come in. Mists are so useful in a salon because you can control where they land on the client’s hair and they are a great way to refresh the hair and the scalp between cuts.
Why You Should Use a Mist Spray
Mists are a great way to add texture to naturally straight and flat hair. They can create volume in fine hair and are perfect for holding a messy texture in thicker hair. Mists are also great for refreshing the hair between cuts.
If you use a cutting technique that particularly dries out your client’s hair (e.g. razor cutting) then a quick spritz of a water-based mist in the hair can really help revive it and help create an even cut next time round. Mists are also great for setting your client’s style.
This is particularly helpful if you regularly style straight hair. If you set the hair with a light mist of a holding mist spray the hair will stay in place without being too sticky or crunchy. This can help increase the longevity of your styling and reduce the amount of re-styling you would have to do.
How to Choose a Mist Spray
The first thing to look for when choosing a mist spray is the ingredients list. If the ingredients are too complicated or you can’t pronounce them you probably don’t want to be putting them in your client’s hair. Mists that are water based should have water in the ingredients list as the first one, preferably organic spring water.
Mists that are alcohol based should have alcohol listed first, followed by water. The higher the percentage of alcohol in the mist the stronger the hold will be, but it may also feel sticky in the hair. Mists that have natural ingredients will be better for your client’s hair, but you should still be careful with how much product you use.
Mists also come in different hold strengths; low, medium, strong and extra strong. You should use a lower hold mist on fine hair and a higher hold mist on thicker hair.
3 Great Mist Sprays for Healthy Looking Hair
If you want to add shine to dry hair and give it a healthy looking finish then try using a shine mist. Mists that have ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil and vitamin E are great for protecting the hair from breakage.
They also add a healthy sheen to the hair, which is particularly helpful when working with darker hair tones. Mist sprays that are infused with natural ingredients are perfect for maintaining healthy hair because they won’t strip the hair of its oils or add any additional chemicals. For healthy looking hair try a shine mist like the Kinky-Curly Curling Custard Shine Spray.
2 Great Mist Sprays for Light Hold
If you want to add texture and volume to fine hair then a texture mist is the way to go. Texture sprays are designed to add texture to the hair without making it sticky or crunchy. Texture sprays are generally water based and use ingredients like seaweed and sea salt to lift the hair without weighing it down.
There are tons of texture sprays available in salons and online, but some of our favourites include the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, the Bumble and Bumble Voluminous Texture Spray and the Bride Hair Spray. If you want to hold your client’s hair in place without being too sticky then you should use a light hold mist.
Mists that are light hold don’t have too much alcohol in them, which means they won’t be too sticky or crunchy in the hair. Mists that have ingredients like coconut oil and jojoba oil are great for protecting the hair from breakage and adding hydration to dry hair.
Light hold sprays are the best option for fine hair because if you use a strong or extra strong mist you risk weighing down the hair and making it look limp. A light hold mist like the Bumble and Bumble Hair Spritz is perfect for fine hair.
1 Good Mist Spray for Firm Hold
If you want to give your client’s hair a firm hold without being too sticky then you should use a firm hold mist. Mists that have a high percentage of alcohol in them are ideal for a firm hold. These types of holds are commonly used by barbers and stylists. Although they are great for hair that is coarse and thick, they don’t work as well on fine hair.
Mists that have ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus and rosemary are great for boosting blood flow and helping to stimulate the scalp. They also have antiseptic properties and are great for helping to keep hair free of dandruff.
Mists that have natural ingredients are great for protecting the hair and will last longer in the hair than synthetic sprays. For a firm hold with a natural finish try the Organic Root Stimulating Hair Spray for Men.
1 Final Tip: Don’t Be Afraid to Try Different Brands
When you first start using mist sprays you may find that you need to experiment with a few different brands and products until you find the one that works best for you and your clients. Mists can vary from brand to brand so you may need to try a few different ones until you find one that you really like.
Don’t be too hasty in making a decision about a brand though, because you may find that it works really well when you first start using it, but then you get used to it and it stops working as well. Mists are an invaluable tool in a hairdresser’s arsenal and should be used liberally on both yourself and your clients.
Conclusion
Mist sprays are the best way to add moisture and shine to the hair without weighing it down or making it look greasy. The best mist sprays are infused with natural ingredients and come in a variety of interesting scents like vanilla and coconut. They can be used to refresh and cool down the hair with a spritz in the face, tame fly-aways, add volume and create texture.
They can also be used as a heat protectant and to set the hair. Mist sprays can be used on both men and women and are a great way to keep the hair healthy and hydrated. You can choose the type of mist spray that best suits your hair type and styling needs.
