Aside from make-up and skincare, one of my greatest passions in the beauty sphere is big hair. I’m not just talking about a little bit of volume; I’m talking about a mane so big it could be hiding secrets. I love textured, lifted, voluminous hair with height and body, but most importantly, without any crunch. My obsession with big hair isn’t surprising, considering I naturally don’t have it. I have fine hair – albeit a fair amount of it – that dries straight and lies far too close to my scalp for my liking. In a word, it’s flat with a capital F.
In the many years I’ve been writing about beauty, I’ve been on a perpetual search for hair products that can give me the voluminous mop of my dreams. This journey has led me to try products from every category, including my most favourite, and the focus of this column: texture spray. I’ve tested hundreds of iterations across a range of price points, from both low-end and high-end brands, including lines created by hair experts and own-brand pharmacy ranges. While many products have come close, only a few consistently meet all my criteria, regardless of my hair’s condition at the time. These are the ones I rely on to give me extra oomph without crunch, stickiness, or weighing down my already weighed-down hair.
Why do I love texture spray so much? Because it’s an absolute essential when it comes to injecting lift, structure and movement, while still leaving the hair looking and feeling light and touchable.
There are three texture sprays in particular that I adore. The first, and arguably my favourite, is Kevin Murphy’s Bedroom Hair (€29 from Millies.ie). Besides its aesthetically pleasing packaging and delightful scent reminiscent of Swizzels Love Hearts, this is the texture spray I reach for most often. It’s lightweight, comes in a fine mist, and adds movement and volume like nothing else.
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My only gripe is that it’s only available in a 235ml size. As someone who uses texture spray as frequently as brushing my teeth, I go through it faster than I’d like. This wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t priced at €29. Nonetheless, it’s worth every penny.
The second texture spray in my big hair arsenal is a more recent addition: Color Wow Style on Steroids (€29 from petermark.ie). It’s an impressive product that I would describe as almost magical. To use it, simply lift a section of hair, spritz this in, and the hair stays suspended in the air where you held it. Literally. The name is quite fitting – this truly is style on steroids.
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I turn to this one for nights out and special occasions when I want really massive hair – or for when my hair is a day or two away from wash day and in desperate need of a big volume boost. It offers a strong hold that can result in a somewhat hairspray-like finish. Some people love this effect, while others may not. I am, unsurprisingly, a big fan.
The third and final texture spray I recommend is from a home-grown brand. It’s also the most affordable: Après Sexe Texture Spray (€12.99 from Boots) from Andrew Fitzsimons Hair. This is an excellent all-rounder. It’s the one I reach for when I don’t have time to style my hair or think about how it will look, but I still want as much volume as possible. It delivers a very fine mist, is lightweight, leaves no residue, and gets the job done beautifully. The hold is not the longest, but at €12.99 for a 200ml tin, it would be churlish of me to complain.
This week I’m loving ... Victoria Beckham Beauty Longwear Eyeshadow Stick
Soon to make a permanent arrival on our shores, Victoria Beckham Beauty is slowly winning me over, product by product. My latest obsession is the Longwear Crease-Proof Eyeshadow Stick (€37 from victoriabeckhambeauty.com), specifically in the shade Pecan. This soft and creamy, crayon-style eyeshadow delivers an intense wash of colour and comes in slick packaging. You can apply it with your fingers for a smudged effect or use a brush for a softer blend. It’s available in 10 shades, with a mix of five matt and five shimmer options.
