More times than not, when I ask women why they chose the particular brand of hairspray they use they say, " I thought it smelled good". Surely there has to be a better, more informed way to choose one of the most important styling tools out there. And there is…It starts with understanding what hairspray really is.

When you go to the dry cleaner and you want to make sure that the pleats on your favorite Kate Spade dress are crisp, what do you ask for? Light starch right? Your hair is a very similar to fabric in that if you want it to hold a shape, you have to use starch. Yes, I said starch. Because that is exactly what hair spray is. Starch for your hair. Light hold hair spray = light starch. Firm hold hair spray = heavy starch. Are you following? If you want to ensure that your hair responds in the correct way you have to use the right tools.

Now onto different kinds of sprays. There are 2 sprays that I use when styling. One is a working spray and one is a finishing spray. The working sprays are meant to be used when you are creating your shape and have just enough hold to help you build your style but then also allow you to brush it out easily if you decide what you created looks like crap! That last part is really important because you need the freedom to try different things and know that you aren't locked into the first style you try.

Finishing sprays are just that. To be used when you are finished with your style and you love it so much you can't see straight. This will lock your style into place and make sure that it goes no where. That said, trying to comb out a finishing spray will not only hurt like heck, but it will rip the hair as well. So make sure you know that after the finishing spray there is no going back other than hitting the shower.

To sum this all up, nothing is more frustrating that trying your hardest to create a style and failing. Before you give up make sure that the hair spray you use is one that is perfectly suited for your needs.

Here are my favorites:

Vavoom Freezing Spray is my go to for finishing off my styles so they don't go anywhere.

For medium to thick hair textures I use the Aquage Finishing Spray. It is humidity resistant and adds crazy shine. But, don't be fooled by the name. This is not a "finishing spray" this is a working spray.

For fine hair the Kenra #25 is my go to working spray. It adds great thickness and still allows workability without damaging or snapping fine hair strands. — For fine hair the Kenra #25 is my go to working spray. It adds great thickness and still allows workability without damaging or snapping fine hair strands.

Just because it smells good??? Really???