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Part of my job as a beauty editor is to understand how and why different haircare and styling products should be used to support the health of all hair types and textures. Color and chemically-treated hair needs different or similar TLC than curls and coils that have never seen a hot tool, but by knowing the use of certain products, we can get more out of them. While most of us have learned the specifics around shampoos and conditioners, I would bet not as many know their way around hair refreshers. We spoke to two hair stylists and brand ambassadors to explain just why they should be added to your strands between wash days and salon visits.
Below, we’re taking a deep dive into hair refreshers of all types with the guidance of two experts, then sharing 16 of the best products that are worth snagging for the long-term health of your strands.
What are hair refreshers?
If you’ve been hesitant to incorporate hair refreshers into your hair routine without knowing their benefits, take this as your official sign to peruse the aisles of your beauty supply for the produces that will help freshen up and extend styles. Hair stylist and Redken ambassador, Sara Botsford, explains they are the unsung heroes between wash days since they’re designed to revive the hair and scalp by absorbing oil, neutralizing odor, and reviving your styles. “They can actually support scalp health, add softness, and help your style last longer, which means less over-washing and less heat styling,” begins Botsford. “Healthier hair strats with how your treat it between washes, not just on wash day.”
Celebrity hair stylist Cesar Ramirez ID’s the many forms they come in: lightweight sprays, mists, and powders all crafted to revive, restyle, and rehydrate hair between wash days. “They can help with the overall health of hair by allowing hair to be restyled and lightly cleaned to prolong styles and prevent over-shampooing which can lead to dry hair,” Ramirez says. He adds that less shampooing and less styling can support the integrity of strands.
Which ingredients should be in them?
When selecting a hair refresher to add to his professional styling lineup, Ramirez prefers products with rice starch to freshen hair by soaking up excess oil on the scalp and boost volume (without build up), vitamins to nourish the scalp and hair, and fragrance to mask odors between washes. Botsford echoes these sentiments, while highlighting the importance of using niacinamide to support scalp health, tapioca to gently absorb oil, and lightweight conditioning agents. “If it’s adding a little hydration or shine without weighing the hair down, even better,” she says.
As for the sneaky, harmful haircare ingredients to avoid in refreshers, Ramirez and Botsford discourage using any products with harsh alcohols, heavy silicones, and synthetic scents that can contribute to an irritated scalp and unhealthy strands. “If your refreshes leaves your hair feeling gritty or coats, it’s doing too much,” adds Botsford. “The goal is clean, soft, and touchable… not crunchy.”
How should they be used?
As with any daily haircare product, using them the correct way can deliver the best results. Botsford recommends thinking of hair refreshers as a form of maintenance rather than a fix-all. Begin using it on day two or three, targeting the scalp first, then working it lightly through the mid-lengths if needs. She also says it’s amazing to use pre-workout or after a long day when your strands need a quick reset. “Don’t wait until your hair is too far gone. Using a refresher earlier actually extends your style longer and keeps everything feeling fresh without needing to overload the product later,” she explains.
Ramirez sprays one of his favorite hair refreshers, Kérastase Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo ($41), at the roots of a fresh blow out to help the style last longer as it absorbs oils on the scalp. Keep scrolling to discover the other hair refreshers to give tired, limp, and frizzy tresses another life in seconds without risking your styles.
Best Hair Refreshers, Listed
Style Refreshers
Living Proof
Perfect hair Day (PhD) Style Refresh Mist
Size: 5.0-oz bottle | Formulation: Fine mist | Scented: Yes (Citrus, neroli)
Using this ultra-fine hair refreshing mist is the secret to extending the wear time of your salon-level styles while neutralizing odors, providing thermal protection, and smoothing away frizz. Designed for use on all hair types and textures, it leaves hair with a revitalized appearance and a fresh, long-lasting fragrance defined by citrus and neroli accents. I love misting this on my tight coils for juicy definition.
Customer Review: “This is such a game changing product! I wear my hair in a loose pony at night to sleep and sometimes wake up with a crease. I used to have to straighten my hair to get rid of it, but I do a couple sprays of this in my hair and brush through it and it looks freshly washed! the smell is great, very light.”
R+Co
Centerpiece All-In-One Elixir Spray
Size: 5.2-oz | Formulation: Fine mist | Scented: Yes (Cardamom, pineapple, tangering, bamboo, blonde woods)
Simplifying your haircare routine shouldn’t require making a trip to the salon, and this lightweight, multi-use conditioning spray is proof. It uses shine-boosting sea buckthorn seed oil, brightening lemon peel extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and nourishing sugarcane extract to supply hair with all the best nutrients to detangle and fortify strands. It also offers UV and antioxidant protection, and can be used alone or layered with other products.
Customer Review: “I have 2b/2c hair, but sometimes I like to blow dry it straight when I’m in a hurry. When I do, it’s usually still a bit frizzy. With Centerpiece, it’s so smooth and shiny, with so much movement. Like shampoo commercial hair. I got it as a travel sized sample with an order and I am obsessed. I’m purchasing more right now.”
Bumble and Bumble
Curl Reactivator Moisturizing Hair Mist
Size: 8.5-oz | Formulation: Fine mist | Scented: Yes (Pink grapefruit, lemons, jasmine, muguet, warm woods, musk)
Made with curls and coils in mind, this Bumble and Bumble favorite is a must for adding bouncy, body, and definition to textured tresses like mine. The leave-in primer softens curls with a rich blend of oils and butters (including shea butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil) while also reducing frizz and providing light hold to your style. I’m currently obsessed with its light and clean scent: a blend of juicy pink grapefruit and citrus on a bed of glowing woods and musk.
Customer Review: “After using this product on second and third day hair multiple times, I have fallen in love. Its ability to refresh my waves and give a little more definition and volume is unmatched. The scent is fairly neutral but pleasant, and the spray-on application makes it easy to distribute throughout my hair, plus the lightweight formula prevents my hair from getting weighed down.”
Cécred
Scalp Refreshing Spray
Size: 5.7-oz | Formulation: Fine mist | Scented: Yes (pepper, vanilla, cardamom, and tonka bea)
While this one is designed to support the health of your scalp, it wouldn’t be fair not to acknowledge the show stopping benefits it can provide for your strands. Cécred’s innovative, no-rinse spray uses a revitalizing blend of honey, ceramides, peppermint oil, and more to quickly dissolve buildup and neutralize odor. Whiles its uniquely crafted with a custom targeted nozzle to break down buildup without ruining your style, its formula offers instant relief with a cooling effect.
Customer Review: “This made my scalp feel amazing! It helped me keep my styles in for about three weeks, where I usually can go one week max before my scalp screams at me. And a little goes a long way. I love the minty feeling that comes with it. And pairing it with my minty scalp serum… chef’s kiss!”
(Image credit: Courtesy of Maya)
Refreshing Dry Shampoos
Kérastase
Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo
Size: 5.3-oz bottle | Formulation: Powder | Scented: Yes (Neroli, lemon, orange)
“Spraying the Kérastase Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo at the roots on a fresh blow out helps the style to last longer as it absorbs oils on the scalp. It has vitamin E which helps moisturize and reduces breakage,” shares Ramirez. The dry shampoo also leaves the hair of all types and textures looking (and feeling) refreshed without a white cast, and lightly scents strands with a delicate neroli fragrance accented with a splash of lemon and orange.
Customer Review: “This product is a complete game-changer for anyone who wants fresh, voluminous hair without the hassle of washing it every day. I’ve tried many dry shampoos over the years, but this one stands out for so many reasons. First, it works like magic! It absorbs oil and refreshes my hair without leaving any chalky or powdery residue. The formula is lightweight and doesn’t weigh my hair down, and it also adds a boost of volume at the roots, which I love.”
Redken
Invisble Dry Shampoo
Size: 3.1-oz bottle | Formulation: Powder | Scented: None
Botsford highlights this Redken dry shampoo for it’s residue-free finish on dark hair. Formulated with vitamin E and B5, this dry shampoo features an invisible, fragrance-free formula that absorbs excess oil to refresh second-day hair. Its keeps hair to feeling and looking clean in-between washes while eliminating product residue. I usually have to give my dark hair a good shake after using dry shampoo, but that wasn’t needed with this one.
Customer Review: “I was pleasantly surprised by this product. I have dark brown hair, and this is truly invisible. This does add quite a bit of texture, but my fine hair needs it to keep it from looking limp. Does a great job extending your style if you just don’t have time to wash and dry.”
Living Proof
Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo
Size: 5.5-oz bottle | Formulation: Powder | Scented: Yes (Fresh citrus)
When I wear my hair in sleek styles, I like to ensure the straight strands will last for days after my salon visit without experiencing pesky product build-up, oiliness, or odor. Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo cleans hair by absorbing oil, sweet, and odor while delivering a fresh, time-release fragrance. Not only does it leave hair looking and smelling fresh, but it also leaves behind light texture and body (which I love for my silk presses).
Customer Review: “This is such a fantastic product for those in-between wash days! It really does what it promises, especially after a good workout. The Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo keeps your hair looking and feeling fresh. Plus, it adds some lovely body and texture, and the best part is that it’s great for all hair types, including my wavy locks!”
Redken
Deep Clean Dry Shampoo
Size: 3.2-oz bottle | Formulation: Powder | Scented: None
Another one of Botsford’s favorites, the Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo, is her top recommendation for blondes. The dry shampoo uses a talc-free, silicone-free and sulfate-free formula to deliver maximum oil absorption between wash days. Its enhanced with rice and tapioca starch to remove greasiness, and offers a cooling sensation for what the brand calls, “a deep clean feel” for day 3-4 hair.
Customer Review: “Redken’s Deep Clean Dry Shampoo is great when I am on the run. Now I can finally do a quick dry shampoo and have beautiful results that last throughout the day. Thank you, Redken, for making my life easier than ever!”
Post-Style Refreshers
Chris McMillan
The Glassy Smooth Hair Oil
Size: 2.7-oz bottle | Formulation: Oil mist | Scented: Yes (baie rose, vanilla orchid, orange blossom, jasmine, santal, tonka bean)
I swear by this Chris McMillan hair-oil mist to restore shine an softness to my strands while protecting it from high temperatures up to 450°F. Its powered by the brand’s proprietary blend of active ingredients for intense nourishment, while moringa and what oil increase strength and shine for a reflective, glassy finish. Your hair will be left soft, shiny, and softly fragranced with notes of bergamot and pink peppercorn enhanced with santal and tonka bean.
Customer Review: “I have tried many different oils and this has completely changed my hair game. I love the light vanilla fragrance and the oil absorbs into the hair so quickly without leaving your hair sticky or heavy. I love using this on my kids curls because it brings so much shine and their curls look bouncy.”
Dyson
Chitosan Multi-Use Styling Spray
Size: 5.6-oz bottle | Formulation: Fine mist | Scented: Yes (bergamot, basil, tangerine)
After you’ve styled your hair to perfection, finish it off with Dyson’s ultra-fine, multitasking finishing spray. Formulated to hold new styles or revived second-day hair with a mix of bamboo extract, amino acids, and oyster mushroom-derived chitosan, this spray offers buildable hold while shielding tressed from humidity. The hair will be lightly scented with soft florals and delicate green notes in Dyson’s signature fragrance.
Customer Review: “I love using Dyson multi styler for my natural curls, holding a blowout, or even restyling my hair. It helps reduce some of the frizz when I have my curls, helps hold my hair without the crunch when I style it, and even works to dampen my hair before using the Air Wrap. My hair feels silky and smooth afterwards.”
Redken
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Hair Bandage Balm
Size: 2.5-oz jar | Formulation: Lightweight balm | Scented: Yes (Citrus, neroli, orange blossom, jasmine, water lily, violet, raspberry, sugared amber)
Ramirez shares that he has been refreshing his ends with Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate Bandage Balm. It strengthens and repairs damaged, dry ends with a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula suitable for all hair types and textures. It uses a mixture of 8% bonding care complex, citric acid, and madecathenol to repair split ends. It’s also worth noting that its suitable for chemically-processed and color-treated hair.
Customer Review: “Love this product! I have fine, heat and color-damaged hair and this has been awesome for it. It’s easy to apply and a little bit goes a long way! I love that I don’t have to rinse it out. It’s a quick, simple step that I’ve added to my hair care routine every other wash.”
Olaplex
No. 6 Bond Smoother
Size: 3.3-oz bottle | Formulation: Cream | Scented: Yes (Lemon, grapefruit, lily-of-the-valley)
Olaplex’s hydrating anti-frizz styling cream delivers smoother, softer blow-dried styles and defined airdried styles while defending strands from frizz, humidity, and heat up to 450°F. Designed for all hair types, it restores and refreshes hair with patented technology that repairs broken broken bonds for stronger hair. Its scent, a refreshing blend of lemon, grapefruit, and soft florals, lingers on strands long after initial application.
Customer Review: “Olaplex 6 is one of those products that not only lives up to the hype—it goes beyond it. I started using it based on a recommendation, and honestly, after the very first use, I understood the obsession. It’s a leave-in styling treatment that repairs, smooths, hydrates, and controls frizz for up to 72 hours. Yes, 72 hours!”
Refreshing Hair Perfumes
Moroccanoil
Brumes Du Maroc Hair and Body Fragrance Mist
Size: 3.4-oz bottle | Formulation: Fine liquid spray | Scented: Yes (Magnolia, amber, woods)
This lightweight, refreshing mist by Moroccanoil uses an ultra-fine formula to nourish and hydrate you tresses with antioxidant-rich argan oil and Vitamin E as well as UV absorber technology to protect hair. It feature’s the brand’s signature scent: a Mediterranean inspired blend of spicy amber and sweet florals that, when applied, won’t disrupt hairstyles.
Customer Review: “The Moroccanoil Hair and Body Fragrance Mist is such a gorgeous way to elevate your day. The signature scent is soft, clean, and effortlessly elegant, never heavy, never overpowering. It gives that fresh from the spa feeling with just a few spritzes. I love that it’s gentle enough for both hair and skin, adding a subtle shine and a whisper of fragrance that lasts. It’s the perfect finishing touch when you want to feel polished and pampered.”
Kérastase
Gloss Absolu Le Parfum Hair Perfume
Size: 1.0-oz bottle | Formulation: Fine liquid spray | Scented: Yes (Bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, vanilla, sandalwood)
Ramirez loves Kérastase’s Gloss Absolu Le Parfum for its bright and long-lasting fragrance. “It has citrus and lemon notes with touches of florals like jasmine and rose which leave hair with a long lasting scent and irresistibly softness,” Ramirez says. Designed for on-the-go use, its idea for refreshing your hair in seconds while delivering a healthy shine. Its romantic scent is a blend of iris, jasmine, and rose entwined with citrus and woods.
Customer Review: “I’ve been using the Kérastase Gloss Absolu mist as a finishing step, and it gives my hair a really nice, healthy shine without feeling greasy. It’s super lightweight, so it doesn’t weigh my hair down at all. My hair looks smoother, less frizzy, and the scent matters. Perfect for a quick refresh anytime.”
Pureology
Love Luster Hydrating Hair Perfume
Size: 1.7-oz bottle | Formulation: Fine liquid spray | Scented: Vanilla, peony, bergamot, amber
Hair perfumes can do more than just fragrance and fresh-up tresses. This one, by Pureology, keeps hair hydrated and fresh all day with an alcohol-free formula. The softness and shine you get from this one are delivered by a lightweight moisture complex for softness and shine, while its elegant fragrance boasts and irresistible blend of sweet vanilla, fresh peony, and mouthwatering bergamot.
Customer Review: “Exquisite hair perfume featuring notes of vanilla and peonies. Apply a small amount to your hair, and a delightful fragrance—along with nourishing care—is guaranteed. After application, hair is soft, shiny, and has a wonderful fragrance throughout the day.”
Crown Affair
The Signature Scent Hair Fragrance
Size: 3.4-oz bottle | Formulation: Fine liquid spray | Scented: Yes (Yuzu, ergamot, fresh water lotus, green tea, cedarwood, amber, sandalwood)
Crown Affair’s award-winning hair perfume offers an uplifting, elegant fusion of sparkling bergamot brightened with a heart of fresh water lotus and green tea. The blend is warmed with warm woods set alight with amber. This one’s shine-boosting formula is lightweight, gentle, and non-drying—perfect for daily use when you need to refresh your strands.
Customer Review: “I really enjoy using this on my hair over the past few weeks. This has a very fresh and clean scent that isn’t too overpowering. Whenever I end up not washing my hair and just want to feel refreshed this has been my go-to. Usually one spritz is all I need. It doesn’t make my hair feel greasy or weighed down. The bottle feels nice and weighted, nice packaging.”
How I Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To decide which hair refreshers will do the best job of elevating your haircare and styling routines, I relied on my firsthand knowledge of the products gained through testing as well as selections and tips/tricks from hair stylists. I also considered several factors, including texture, ingredients, speed of absorption, and ease of use. We’re aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of preferences, so I made sure to list out all the helpful details to help simplify the shopping process. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list and are included beneath my top picks.
Why Trust Who What Wear?
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we’d truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
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