My curls only appeared great on wash day, until I found these 9 refreshing sprays.

      I have written extensively about my intricate relationship with my hair and how, only now in my thirties, I have learned to fully embrace it in its natural state. Now, on wash day, I can confidently say I love how my hair appears. When my strands are freshly cleaned, conditioned, and styled (and, as an air-dry devotee, I use the term styled loosely), my loose curls and waves possess definition and bounce, making me question why I ever complained about my hair. However, by day two, the situation changes. I typically wake up to find that some curls have flattened while others are frizzy, dry, or completely lost their shape. By day three, even though my hair doesn't actually need washing yet, I often find lathering up again is my only viable choice unless I want to tie it all up and avoid looking at it.

      That is, until I stumbled upon curl refresh sprays. Instead of soaking my hair with water and trying to reshape my curls and waves, or restarting the entire wash day process, a curl spray offers a simple shortcut to help your texture bounce back. They have genuinely transformed my hair care routine, especially this summer, as I balance childcare, work, and holidays, and appreciate a beauty shortcut whenever I can.

      What is a Curl Refresh Spray?

      “A curl refresh spray is meant to rejuvenate and enhance curly to wavy hair types, allowing you to extend your style for an extra day or so without needing to wash, condition, and dry your hair from scratch,” says Issie Churcher, creative director at STIL Salon. While curly-haired individuals are accustomed to having a misting bottle of water handy for second and third day curls, a dedicated curl refresh spray provides additional advantages. “They contain ingredients that not only help rehydrate the hair but also offer a light conditioning effect,” Churcher explains. “This can assist in defining and reshaping curls while adding shine and vitality back into the hair.”

      How to Use a Curl Refresh Spray

      “For optimal results, start by lightly misting in sections, applying from the roots down to the mid-lengths and ends,” recommends Churcher. She advises against applying it directly to the roots for those with finer textures to avoid an oily appearance. “Depending on your curl type, a wide-tooth comb or your fingers may help smooth down the hair, or a gentle scrunch can effectively distribute the product evenly.” Celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight MBE suggests twisting your hair around your fingers after using a curl refresh spray to enhance the curl. “For tighter coils, you can use them to style your twists or braid-outs by misting evenly through the hair and then styling. Allow your hair to dry before unravelling for a softer, elongated look without frizz,” he explains. If you want to expedite the drying process, you can also apply a little heat with a diffuser.

      The Best Curl Refresh Sprays

      1. Best Overall: Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Curls Refresh & Revive Mist (£29)

      2. Best Curl Refresh Spray for Fine Hair: Living Proof Style Refresh Mist (£27)

      3. Best Volumizing Curl Refresh Spray: JVN Air Dry Volumizing Wave Spray (£26)

      4. Best Refresh Spray for Tight Curls: Cantu Shea Butter Comeback Curl Next Day Revitalizer (£8)

      5. Best Hydrating Curl Refresh Spray: Only Curls Curl Refresh Spray (£18)

      1. Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Curls Refresh & Revive Mist

      This fine mist effortlessly rejuvenates my curls during this summer’s heatwave when they drop faster than usual. It’s ideal for when you don't want to completely re-wet your hair, as it adds just a touch of moisture while restoring curl patterns with a few scrunches. My only complaint is the scent, which isn’t my favorite, but it dissipates quickly, making it a minor issue given the excellent results it provides.

      Pros: Softens and redefines curls, combats frizz, especially in humid conditions.

      Cons: Thicker sections may require a more generous mist.

      2. Living Proof Style Refresh Mist

      This isn’t exclusively a curl refresh spray, but rather a style refresh product suited for all hair types. It works remarkably well on my fine-textured hair. The mist delivers a continuous spray similar to traditional misting bottles, allowing you to build moisture until your hair is damp enough for scrunching or curling with your fingertips. It pairs beautifully with other styling products without adding extra weight, resulting in smoother, more defined, shiny hair.

      Pros: Excellent fine mist for easy application.

      Cons: Your hair can get quite wet, so it takes time to dry.

      3. JVN Air Dry Volumizing Wave Spray

      Perfect for anyone with soft curls or waves that tend to fall flat after a day or two. It can be sprayed on damp or dry hair to create lift and shape without