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I’ve written extensively over the years about my rather complex relationship with my hair, and how it’s only now that I’m in my thirties that I’ve really learned to truly embrace it in its natural form. Now, on wash day, I can say that I really love how my hair looks. When my strands are freshly-washed, conditioned and styled (and as an air-dry loyalist I say styled in the loosest sense of the word) my loose curls and waves have definition and bounce and make me wonder why I ever complain about my hair. By day two, however, it’s a different story. I usually wake up to find that some of my curls have flattened, whilst others have become frizzy, dry or lost their shape altogether. And by day three, despite my hair not really needing a wash still, I’ve usually reached the point where lathering up again is my only option unless I want to tie it all up and avoid looking at it.
That is, until I discovered curl refresh sprays. Rather than soaking my hair with water and attempting to reshape my curls and waves, or starting the entire wash day routine again, a curl spray is an easy shortcut to encourage your texture to spring back into shape. And they’ve been a genuine game-changer for me. Particularly this summer, where I’ve been juggling childcare, work and holidays and welcome a beauty shortcut wherever possible
What Is a Curl Refresh Spray?
“A curl refresh spray is designed to reinvigorate and enhance curly to wavy hair types, helping you get an extra day or so out of your styling without having to wash, condition and dry your hair from wet,” explains Issie Churcher, creative director at STIL Salon. And while curly girls will be used to having a misting bottle of water on hand to help with styling second and third day curls, using a dedicated curl refresh spray does have added benefits. “They contain ingredients that are not only helpful at wetting down the hair, but they also provide a light conditioning benefit,” says Churcher. “This can help to define and re-sculpt curls, while also adding shine and vitality back into the hair.”
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Second-day hair before using a curl refresh spray.
(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)
How to Use a Curl Refresh Spray
“For best results, start by lightly misting in sections, working down the hair from roots to the mid-length and ends,” says Curcher. She recommends avoiding the roots if you have a finer texture to prevent them from looking oily. “Depending on your curl type, a wide-tooth comb or your fingers can be useful for smoothing down the hair, or a light scrunch can be effective at allowing the product to disperse and coat the hair evenly.”
Celebrity hair stylist Sam McKnight MBE suggests twisting your hair around your fingers to really enhance the curl after using a curl refresh spray. “For tighter coils, they can be used to style your twists or braid-outs by simply misting evenly through hair and styling. Allow hair to dry before unravelling for a softer, elongated look without the frizz,” he explains. You can even add a little heat with a diffuser if you want to speed up the drying process.
After using a curl refresh spray.
(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)
The Best Curl Refresh Sprays
1. Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Curls Refresh & Revive Mist
(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)
Hair by Sam McKnight
Cool Curls Refresh & Revive Mist
Key ingredients: Beauté by Roquette®, curvelini, hydrolysed pea protein, fermented rice water
During this summer’s heatwave, my curls and waves have been dropping faster than ever before, yet this fine mist has made light work of rejuvenating my hair’s texture in mere moments. It’s perfect when you don’t want to completely re-wet your hair, as it adds just a small amount of moisture yet brings curl pattern back in just a few scrunches. I love how hydrating it feels too—my curls always feel softer and more conditioned after using this, rather than simply coated in product. My only gripe is that I don’t love the smell, but it fades quickly and is a small price to pay for how good the results are. The only thing that would get my hair looking similar is a full re-wash.
Pros
- Softens and redefines curls
- Helps tackle frizz, especially in humid weather
Cons
- Thicker sections might need a more generous mist
2. Living Proof Style Refresh Mist
(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)
Living Proof
Style Refresh Mist
Key ingredients: Style refresh complex, lipopeptides, enzymes, babassu oil
This isn’t a dedicated curl refresh spray, rather a style refresh product for all hair types. However, I have been blown away by how well it works on my textured hair which despite how it looks is actually incredibly fine. The mist on this is so pleasing—it delivers a continual spray which is similar to the misting bottles that I’m used to using with water. It means that you can really build up the moisture until your hair is quite damp and then take your time scrunching or forming curls with your fingertips. It also works really well as a base for other curl creams and oils, without adding any extra weight or texture. The finished result is hair that looks smoother, more defined and beautifully shiny.
Pros
- Amazing fine mist for easy application
- Works well with existing styling products
Cons
- Your hair does get quite wet so needs time to dry
3. JVN Air Dry Volumizing Wave Spray
(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)
JVN
Complete Air Dry Volumizing Wave Spray
Key ingredients: Chia seed and linseed extract, sugar cane extract, oat kernel extract
A great option for anyone with waves or soft curls that often find their texture falls flat after a day or two. It can be misted onto damp or dry hair to add lift and shape, without leaving hair feeling stiff or crunchy. I particularly like misting it around my roots and mid-lengths to add movement. I probably wouldn’t use it when my curls are desperately thirsty—there are richer options here for that—but if you’re trying to combat that kind of lacklustre, second-day texture, then this is a brilliant choice for some instant va-va-voom.
Pros
- Adds noticeable volume and bounce
- Smells amazing
Cons
- Better for soft curls and waves than tight coils
4. Only Curls Curl Refresh Spray
Only Curls
Curl Refresh Spray
Key ingredients: Avocado oil, quinoa protein, pro-vitamin B5, rice water
If your curls tend to get a bit dry and dehydrated then this moisturising spray is brilliant as it’s packed with avocado oil, quinoa protein, provitamin B5 and rice water to inject some much needed hydration back into hair to reactive curls. I also find that it really helps to smooth the frizz that inevitably appears overnight, whilst leaving curls soft rather than crispy. For me, the biggest benefit is definition: it doesn’t completely recreate wash-day curls, but it makes the difference between hair I’m tempted to tie up and hair I’m happy to wear loose.
Pros
- Excellent for reviving curl definition
- Leaves curls soft and bouncy
Cons
- Hair can feel a bit heavy if you apply too much
5. Cantu Shea Butter Comeback Curl Next Day Revitalizer
Cantu
Shea Butter for Natural Hair Comeback Curl Next Day Curl Revitalizer
Key ingredients: Glycerin, castor oil, shea butter
If your curls tend to feel dry as well as misshapen between washes, this is the one I’d pick. Cantu’s formula is centred around glycerin and shea butter, so it has a noticeably more moisturising feel than some of the lightweight sprays on the list. If you have thick hair or curls and coils that can become fluffy or flatter when you sleep, then this restores definition and shape while injecting hydration. If you have fine hair then you’ll need to be a bit more careful with the amount you mist on, but for coily or very thirsty strands this delivers all of the extra moisture needed to bring that texture back to life.
Pros
- Adds deep moisture to dry curls
- Reshapes and defines
Cons
- Might be too heavy for fine hair
6. Kérastase Curl Manifesto Refresh Absolu Spray
Kérastase
Curl Manifesto Refresh Absolu Spray
Key ingredients: Manuka honey, ceramides
An undeniably luxurious option in this lineup of curl refresh sprays, this lightweight mist is infused with nourishing ceramides and shine-boosting manuka honey to hydrate and smooth strands so that curls look beautifully defined. Just spray it through hair in the morning and reshape with fingers for bouncy texture that glistens with hydration. Plus, as long as reviving your natural curl pattern, your hair will feel so soft and smooth—almost like you’ve just visited the salon for a professional treatment. If you want a spray that adds shape but also cares for your hair, then it makes for a great investment.
Pros
- Feels like a treatment as well as a curl refresher
- Adds so much shine
7. Garnier Method for Curls Shape Refresh Spray
Garnier
Method for Curls Shape Refresh Spray
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, shea fatty acids
This is a really good reminder that you don’t need to spend a fortune to revive second-day curls. The formula is packed with glycerin and hyaluronic acid to give hair a welcome hit of hydration when it’s starting to feel dry. Simply spray it over second-day curls and scrunch to help bring back some of their shape and bounce in minutes. Plus, it can also be used on wet hair on wash day for extra definition, which makes it a useful styling multitasker.
Pros
- Use on wet or dry hair
- Under £10
Cons
- Can feel a little sticky if you spray too much
8. Gisou Honey Milk Active Repair Leave-In Conditioner
(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)
Gisou
Honey Milk Leave in Conditioner
Key ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, milk protein, ceramides
Technically, this is a leave-in conditioner rather than a dedicated curl refresh spray, but I wanted to include it because it works particularly well when my second- or third-day hair needs more than just definition. The fine mist makes it easy to distribute through my curls, whilst the formula combines honey, milk protein and ceramides to leave my hair feeling softer and more conditioned. I notice the biggest difference on my drier ends, which can become particularly fluffy between washes. Rather than giving me an immediate, heavily-styled curl, it makes my hair feel healthier and easier to reshape. I also love the signature Gisou honey scent, which makes refreshing my hair feel a little more luxurious.
Pros
- Leaves hair so soft and smooth
- Excellent for dry and dehydrated curls
Cons
- Avoid spraying too close to roots as its a rich formula
9. Innersense I Create Waves
Innersense
I Create Waves
Key ingredients: Pink Himalayan salt, lavender, angelica
The texture of my hair is quite unruly so, unless I spend time twisting my curls into place, often I’m left with more of a loose wavy look. This is perfect for anyone with a similarly loose curl pattern who wants to enhance their natural waves rather than really separate every piece of hair. I tend to scrunch it through my lengths quite generously and then let it dry naturally, and the result is more undone and beachy than the defined, moisturised finish I get from some of the curl-specific sprays. It gives my hair movement without making it feel coated, although I wouldn’t pick it when my curls are especially dry and in need of hydration.
Pros
- Calming scent
- Adds texture and a beachy look
Cons
- Not a very hydrating option
How We Tested
I put a variety of curl refresh sprays through their paces, testing them on my hair on days two and three to see how they performed in terms of revitalising texture, reducing frizz and adding definition. As someone who isn’t a huge fan of feeling product in my hair, I also considered their texture and whether they felt lightweight and non-sticky. Plus, I tried to include a range of price points here too.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
