18 Best Vegan Hairsprays [Cruelty Free]

Looking for that perfect vegan hairspray?

The one that holds your style without harming animals?

We gotchu Queen! 👸

In this guide, we’ll explore the top cruelty-free hairsprays and what to consider when shopping.

Let’s dive in and find the perfect product for you!

Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for a Vegan Hairspray

Before you can jump into making a purchase, there’re a few questions you need to ask before purchasing your product – namely, “is the product cruelty-free,” “will this spray be good for my hair type,” and “what am I going to use this for”?

Let’s dive a little deeper into each of these questions so they can help guide your decision.

Cruelty-Free Status

For myself and most vegans, it doesn’t matter how well a product works if it isn’t cruelty-free – if animals had to be harmed to make or test it, I’m not buying it!

For this reason, the cruelty-free status of a product is the first thing I check – this ensures that I don’t accidentally purchase a product that has been tested on animals, and makes it easier to choose from a smaller list of products, as opposed to the entire hair care aisle.

While animals don’t always die during animal testing like they do for meat, cosmetic testing creates the same – if not more – suffering: simply put, cosmetic testing is hell for animals.

Hairspray that’s tested on animals might be rubbed into the eyes and shaved skin of rabbits to see the type of irritation it causes or forced into the stomachs of mice to determine the lethal dosage of the product.

Additionally, many animals used in cosmetic testing aren’t covered under the meager animal welfare laws that have been put into place, so there’s little to no regulation over what happens to these animals in the lab. For more information on vivisection and why we should avoid products that are tested on animals, read our full guide on animal testing here.

Luckily for us and the animals, there are plenty of humane alternatives to animal testing that make vivisection obsolete. These, combined with the use of safe, natural, non-toxic ingredients mean products can still be safe for human use, and don’t require the suffering of mice, rabbits, and other animals to make their way onto shelves.

However, be aware that some companies may claim to be cruelty-free but still sell their products in countries where animal testing is required by law. Always do your research and look for certifications from reputable organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA to ensure the products you’re buying are truly cruelty-free.

Leaping Bunny is the original animal welfare organization and keeps an expansive database of products and companies that do not engage in animal testing. If you have any question in your mind as to whether or not a product you’re interested in is animal-friendly, you can run it through their list at leapingbunny.org, check it out on their app, or look for the Leaping Bunny icon on the back of the bottle.

Your Hair Type

Different hair types have different needs when it comes to hair care products. That’s why it’s important to consider your hair type when choosing a vegan hairspray. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand what type of hairspray is best for your hair.

There are six major hair types to think about when shopping for hair care products, compare the descriptions below to your hair to get a little closer to finding your perfect spray.

1. Fine & Healthy Hair

While fine, healthy hair suffers no damage, the strands themselves are thin, and can’t hold their own against more assertive products. Look for products that increase volume, and aren’t so heavy that they weigh hair down or overpower it. Look for plumping, volumizing, and moisturizing products, but avoid anything waxy.

2. Fine & Damaged Hair

Because fine hair already struggles with volume, any damage caused by heat styling or coloring can create a one-two punch that’s difficult to breathe life into. Look for volumizing hair spray to plump up fine, delicate strands, but avoid anything with alcohol in the ingredient list, as it will dry out hair and exacerbate any damage.

3. Medium & Healthy Hair

Medium hair means your strands are of average thickness, few ingredients are off the table, and you can pull off most hairstyles without issue, especially if your strands are free of any damage or dryness. This hair type just needs to focus on preserving the lovely condition it’s in, so look for sprays that advertise themselves as thickening sprays that don’t contain alcohol that can dry out otherwise healthy hair.

4. Medium & Damaged

Your hair is thick enough to hold its own but not so much that it’s impossible to handle – the only issue is dry, brittle strands caused by damage from your blow dryer, flat iron, or over processing. Like fine and damaged hair, avoid anything with alcohol, which will suck any last bit of hydration out of your strands, and choose products that will help tame frizzies.

5. Thick & Healthy

While thick strands of hair make for awesome volume, they are more prone to coarseness and frizziness than thin or medium hair. In addition to a good conditioning routine, avoid hair sprays with water as the first ingredient. If hair is healthy, you don’t have to avoid alcohol altogether – cetyl and stearyl alcohol are fatty acids, which can help coarse, frizzy hair look shinier.

6. Thick & Damaged

Thick hair can be unruly in a healthy state, but add a little damage and things can go haywire quickly. People with thick, damaged hair should reach for sprays that are hydrating, moisturizing, and formulated to fight frizz. Because layering on too many strengtheners can cause thick hair to misbehave, avoid any sprays that include keratin.

With a better handle on the type of hair, you’re working with, the last step is to think about the role your vegan hairspray is going to play and the environment you’re wearing it in.

The Function of Your Hairspray

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind the role your hairspray will play in your style – and this goes beyond simply holding hair in place. The amount of hold you need in your hairspray varies wildly between sitting behind your computer at the office to dancing the night away at a rooftop bar. Consider the elements, such as a classroom versus a windy beach, as well as how much movement you plan on doing over the course of the day (or night).

In addition to a variety of scents and formulas for certain hair types, hair sprays come in varying degrees of hold, from “soft and natural” to “helmet hair.” Depending on your needs, and how many different places you plan on wearing your hairspray, you may want to stock up on a few types, or grab a few travel sizes to keep in your purse to bring it from the office to the club.

To give you a better idea of what to look for, a soft hold hairspray is ideal for a natural, flexible look, while a medium hold hairspray offers a balance between flexibility and control. A strong hold hairspray is best for structured styles that need to stay in place all day or night.

Good for Your Hair, Good for the Animals

While it may require a little extra effort to find the perfect hairspray that is good for you and good for the animals, it is worth the effort.

By finding a brand or product that is committed to animal welfare, in addition to containing (or not containing) certain ingredients for your hair type, you can achieve the hairstyle and amount of hold that works for you and your lifestyle.

By choosing products that are cruelty-free and vegan, you’re voting with your dollars to show companies that animal testing is cruel, outdated, and unacceptable. Arm yourself with knowledge as you replace your cosmetics with animal-friendly alternatives, and take care of the animals and our earth, in addition to your great style.

So why wait? Start your cruelty-free journey today and make a difference with every purchase. And don’t forget to share this guide with your friends and family to spread the word about cruelty-free and vegan hairsprays. Together, we can make a difference for animals and our planet.