A definitive guide to using finishing spray for updos and special occasions.
The Art of the Final Touch: A Guide to Flawless Updos with Finishing Spray
The perfect updo isn’t just about the twists and pins; it’s about the final, lasting touch. The right finishing spray is the invisible hero that holds your masterpiece in place, transforming a beautiful style into a bulletproof one. Whether you’re a professional stylist or perfecting your own look for a special event, mastering the use of finishing spray is a crucial skill. This isn’t just about a quick spritz; it’s a strategic application that ensures your intricate style, from a sleek chignon to a bohemian braid, remains flawless from the first photo to the last dance. This guide will walk you through every step, from selecting the right product to advanced application techniques, to help you achieve a hold that’s strong yet flexible, and a finish that’s brilliant, not brittle.
Choosing the Right Finishing Spray: A Strategic Decision
Before you even think about styling, you need to select the right product for the job. Not all finishing sprays are created equal. They vary in hold, finish, and formulation, and choosing the wrong one can sabotage your entire look.
- Hold Strength:
- Light Hold: Ideal for styles that require movement, such as loose waves or soft, romantic updos. It provides a light veil of protection without making the hair feel stiff. A light-hold spray is great for taming flyaways around the hairline without creating a helmet-like effect.
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Medium Hold: The workhorse of finishing sprays. This is a versatile option for most updos, including braids, twists, and low buns. It offers a balance of control and flexibility, allowing the style to move naturally while staying secure. This is often the best choice for events that require a full day of wear.
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Strong Hold/Firm Hold: The go-to for intricate, structured updos, high ponytails, and styles that need to defy gravity. A strong-hold spray is your best friend for humid conditions or for clients with heavy or thick hair that tends to fall out of place. Use it sparingly and strategically to avoid a crunchy texture.
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Extra-Strong/Maximum Hold: For extreme conditions or styles that must not move an inch. Think bridal updos in hot, humid climates or styles with elaborate details. This is the ultimate insurance policy for your hairstyle, but requires careful application to avoid a stiff, unnatural look.
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Finish:
- Matte Finish: A non-shiny finish that’s excellent for modern, textured looks or when you want to emphasize the hair’s natural texture. It can also be great for a more natural, less “done” look.
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Natural/Satin Finish: The most popular choice, offering a subtle sheen that looks healthy and polished without being overly glossy. It’s a great all-purpose option for most updos.
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High-Shine/Glossy Finish: For styles where you want to emphasize smoothness and brilliance, such as a sleek chignon, a tight ponytail, or a Hollywood wave. This finish adds a touch of glamour and polish.
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Formulation:
- Aerosol Spray: The most common type. It delivers a fine, even mist that’s easy to control. It dries quickly and is excellent for building up layers of hold.
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Non-Aerosol/Pump Spray: Tends to be a wetter, more targeted spray. Use this for specific areas that need extra hold, like the hairline or a stubborn section of a braid. Be careful not to oversaturate the hair, as it can make it sticky and difficult to work with.
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Pro Tip: For many updos, a combination of sprays is ideal. Use a medium-hold spray for the overall structure, and a targeted strong-hold spray for difficult areas.
Pre-Styling Preparation: Setting the Foundation
The success of your updo and finishing spray application begins long before the final spritz.
- Start with the Right Hair: Ensure the hair is clean and dry. For most updos, hair that was washed the day before often works best, as it has some natural texture and grip. If you’re working with freshly washed hair, consider using a texturizing spray or dry shampoo at the roots to add grip and volume.
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Create a Solid Base: Use volumizing mousse or a root lift spray on damp hair before blow-drying to build a foundation. A texturizing spray throughout the mid-lengths and ends can also add grip and make the hair easier to manipulate.
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Secure Sections: As you create your updo, secure each section with a light mist of a working hairspray. This allows you to build the style section by section, ensuring each piece is held in place before you move on to the next. For example, before you twist a section of a French twist, give it a light spray and a gentle backcomb at the root.
The Application Technique: Mastering the Spritz
This is where the magic happens. A great updo can be ruined by a heavy-handed application of finishing spray. The goal is to build hold gradually and strategically.
- The Distance is Key: Hold the can about 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) away from the hair. This distance ensures the product is distributed as a fine, even mist, rather than a concentrated, wet stream. Spraying too close will result in a hard, crunchy, and often visible product buildup.
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The Sweeping Motion: Instead of holding the can still and spraying one spot, use a continuous, sweeping motion. Move the can back and forth across the area you are targeting. This technique ensures a light, even layer of product.
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Sectional Application: Don’t try to spray the entire updo at once. Work in sections. Once a section is pinned or styled, give it a quick, light spray. This allows the product to dry and set each component of the style.
- Example: French Braid Updo. As you finish each section of the braid, spritz it lightly. Once the entire braid is complete and pinned, give the whole thing a final, light, overall spray.
- Targeted vs. Overall Spray:
- Targeted: Use a targeted spray for problem areas. For flyaways around the hairline, spray a small amount onto your fingertips or a clean makeup brush and gently smooth them down. For a stubborn pin curl that won’t stay, a small pump of non-aerosol spray directly on the section can provide the extra grip it needs.
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Overall: Once the updo is fully complete, step back and give it a final, light veil of finishing spray from a distance. This provides a protective shield for the entire style.
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The Head Tilt Technique: To get to the underside of the style, ask the client to gently tilt their head forward or to the side. This allows you to spray the back and underside of the updo without disturbing the front.
Advanced Techniques for Specific Updos
Different updos require different strategies. Here’s how to tailor your finishing spray application for popular styles.
- Sleek Chignon or Bun: The key here is a glass-like finish with zero flyaways.
- Start with a strong-hold, high-shine spray.
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As you slick the hair back, spray a fine mist on the brush you are using. This helps to catch every loose hair.
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Once the ponytail or bun base is secure, mist the entire surface with the high-shine spray.
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To get rid of stubborn baby hairs and flyaways at the hairline, spray a small amount of strong-hold spray onto a toothbrush or a small makeup brush and gently comb them into place.
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Textured Braided Updo: The goal is to hold the style while maintaining a soft, touchable texture.
- Use a medium-hold, matte or natural-finish spray.
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As you are braiding, spray each finished section before pinning it. This prevents the braid from unraveling.
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Once the updo is pinned, gently pull out small pieces of the braid to create that soft, “pancaked” effect.
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Give the entire updo a final, light mist from a distance to lock in the texture without making it stiff.
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Romantic, Loose Updo with Curls: This style is all about movement and softness.
- Use a light-hold spray with a natural finish.
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Spray each section of hair lightly before curling to add a touch of hold.
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Once the updo is pinned and styled, give it a very light, sweeping mist. The goal is to set the style, not to make the curls immobile.
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If a particular curl is a bit unruly, use a targeted, small burst of a medium-hold spray on that specific curl.
Troubleshooting Common Finishing Spray Issues
Even with the best techniques, things can go wrong. Here’s how to fix common problems.
- The Updo Feels Too Stiff or Crunchy:
- Cause: Too much product, or spraying too close.
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Fix: If the spray hasn’t fully dried, you can sometimes use your fingers to gently break up the stiffness. If it’s already set, there’s not much you can do. The best preventative measure is to use less product and spray from a greater distance next time.
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The Hair Looks Dull or Flaky:
- Cause: Product buildup, or using a low-quality spray that flakes.
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Fix: Gently brush over the flaky areas with a clean, dry toothbrush or makeup brush to dislodge the flakes. To prevent this, use a high-quality finishing spray and apply in light, even layers.
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The Hair is Still Frizzy and Full of Flyaways:
- Cause: The finishing spray isn’t strong enough, or the application was not targeted correctly.
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Fix: Use the toothbrush method with a strong-hold spray to address specific problem areas. For an overall issue, the style may need a stronger-hold spray next time.
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The Spray Leaves a Wet Mark or Droplets:
- Cause: Spraying too close or using a pump spray with a stream that’s too heavy.
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Fix: Use a blow dryer on a cool setting to dry the area without moving the hair. In the future, use the proper distance and sweeping motion.
The Power of the Conclusion: A Lasting Impression
The perfect updo is a work of art, and the finishing spray is the varnish that protects it. By strategically selecting your product, preparing the hair properly, and mastering the art of application, you can ensure your hard work lasts as long as the special occasion itself. The difference between a good updo and a great one often lies in these final, precise touches. With these techniques, your styles will not only look stunning but will also have the strength and durability to withstand a full day of celebration, leaving you confident and picture-perfect from start to finish.