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Part of the Egella Beauty Edit — the hair products our editors actually use.
Most sea salt sprays do one of two things wrong: they make your hair crunchy, or they barely do anything at all. We tested eight formulas across straight, wavy, and curly hair to find the ones that work without the dryness, the crunch, or the stiffness.
Quick Summary: The best sea salt spray adds texture and wave definition without drying out the hair. Modern formulas include hydrating ingredients — aloe vera, kelp, proteins — that counteract the drying effect of salt. Our top pick: Davines This Is A Sea Salt Spray — professional-grade texture, soft finish, no crunch.
| Category | Our Pick | Best For | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Best Overall | Davines Sea Salt Spray | All hair types | View → |
| 💰 Best Budget | John Paul Mitchell | Everyday use | View → |
| 🎨 Best for Color-Treated | BASED Sea Salt Spray | Dyed/bleached hair | View → |
| ✂️ Best for Short Hair | Amika Un.Done | Bixie, shaggy bob | View → |
| 📦 Best for Fine Hair | SACHAJUAN Ocean Mist | Volume + texture | View → |
Editor’s Note — Sophia Bennett: Apply to hair that’s been towel-dried to about 70% dry — damp but not dripping — and scrunch rather than smooth. Scrunch, let it air dry, and don’t touch it while it’s drying. That last part is the hardest and the most important.
How We Tested
Each sea salt spray was applied to towel-dried hair across three testers with different hair types. We assessed texture, finish quality, longevity, and performance on color-treated hair. We also tested each spray specifically with the bixie cut and shaggy bob.
The 8 Best Sea Salt Sprays
1. Davines This Is A Sea Salt Spray — Best Overall
Professional-grade texture with a finish that stays soft and touchable rather than setting hard. Conditioning agents counteract the drying effect of the salt — the most consistently impressive performer across all hair types in our testing.
Best for: All hair types, everyday texture. Hold: Light-medium, flexible.
• Soft, touchable finish — no crunch
• Works on all hair types
• Conditioning agents prevent dryness
• Professional-grade results at home
• Higher price than drugstore options
• Strong scent (pleasant but noticeable)
Davines This Is A Sea Salt Spray — the formula our hair editor returns to after testing dozens of alternatives.
View at LookFantastic →
2. SACHAJUAN Ocean Mist Volume Spray — Best for Fine Hair
The Ocean Silk Technology adds body at the root as well as texture through the mid-lengths. For fine hair that needs both lift and wave definition, this is the most effective formula on the list.
Best for: Fine hair, those wanting volume alongside texture. Hold: Light, natural.
• Adds root volume + mid-length texture
• Soft, natural finish
• Free from silicones and parabens
• Works beautifully on fine hair
• Less effective on thick or coarse hair
• Premium price
SACHAJUAN Ocean Mist — fine hair’s best friend for texture and root lift simultaneously.
View at SACHAJUAN →
3. Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk — Best for Wavy Hair
Defines rather than just adds texture. Applied to damp hair and scrunched in, it brings out the natural wave pattern without the frizz or dryness that many sea salt sprays cause on textured hair.
Best for: Wavy and naturally textured hair. Hold: Light-medium.
• Defines waves without frizz
• Budget-friendly price
• Gentle on color-treated hair
• Widely available
• Less effective on straight hair
• Lighter hold than premium formulas
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk — wavy hair texture at a fraction of premium prices.
Check Price →
4. IGK Beach Club Texture Spray — Best for Thick Hair
Specifically designed for denser hair types. The hold is stronger than other picks, meaning texture stays defined through an entire day rather than dropping by mid-afternoon.
Best for: Thick and coarse hair. Hold: Medium-strong, lasting.
• Strong enough hold for thick hair
• Volumizes at the root
• Texture lasts all day
• Pleasant, subtle scent
• Too strong for fine hair
• Can feel stiff if over-applied
IGK Beach Club — the formula thick hair actually needs, not one designed for finer types.
View at IGK →
5. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray — Best Classic
The original beach hair spray that most of the category is still trying to replicate. Reliable, consistent texture with a soft finish. Pair with a leave-in conditioner if your hair is dry or color-treated.
Best for: Normal and healthy hair. Hold: Light-medium, touchable.
• Proven formula, consistently reliable
• Soft, natural finish
• Works well on most hair types
• Widely available
• Can be drying on color-treated hair
• Less conditioning than newer options
Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray — the reference point every other sea salt spray is judged against.
View at LookFantastic →
6. BASED Sea Salt Spray — Best for Color-Treated Hair
Formulated with kelp extract, aloe vera, and vitamin B5 — specifically designed to avoid the dryness and color fading that traditional salt sprays cause on chemically treated hair.
Best for: Color-treated hair, dry hair. Hold: Light, very soft.
• Won’t fade color-treated hair
• Most conditioning formula on this list
• Clean: no parabens, sulfates
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Lighter texture than competitors
• Less hold for thick hair
BASED Sea Salt Spray — the first formula that doesn’t make color-treated hair feel like straw.
Check Price at BASED →
7. Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray — Best for Short Hair
Short hair needs a different approach. This formula adds texture and separation specifically suited to short lengths, with a matte finish perfect for the shaggy bob and bixie cut.
Best for: Short hair, bixie cuts, shaggy bobs. Hold: Light-medium, matte.
• Designed for short lengths
• Matte finish — no unwanted shine
• Adds separation without heaviness
• Works on damp or dry hair
• Not ideal for longer hair
• Less wave definition than other formulas
Amika Un.Done — the only formula designed for the short lengths where others fall flat.
View at Amika →
8. John Paul Mitchell Sea Spray — Best Budget
At under $15, this performs significantly above its price point. Conditioning agents prevent the worst of the drying effect, and the texture holds for 6+ hours.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, everyday use. Hold: Light-medium, natural.
• Excellent value for the price
• Reliable texture — holds 6+ hours
• Widely available
• Suitable for most hair types
• Less refined than premium options
• Less conditioning than specialist formulas
John Paul Mitchell Sea Spray — the budget formula that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Check Price →
Sea Salt Spray Comparison
| Product | Best For | Hold | Drying Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davines | Best overall | Light-medium | Minimal |
| SACHAJUAN | Fine hair / volume | Light | Low |
| Not Your Mother’s | Wavy hair | Light-medium | Low |
| IGK Beach Club | Thick hair | Medium-strong | Moderate |
| Bumble and Bumble | Classic pick | Light-medium | Moderate |
| BASED Sea Salt | Color-treated | Light | Very low |
| Amika Un.Done | Short hair | Light-medium | Low |
| John Paul Mitchell | Best budget | Light-medium | Low-moderate |
The Egella Take
🏆 Best Overall: Davines — professional results, soft finish, works on all hair types
💰 Best Budget: John Paul Mitchell — reliable texture under $15
🎨 Best for Color-Treated: BASED — conditioning first, texture second
✂️ Best for Short Hair: Amika Un.Done — designed for the lengths that matter
📦 Best for Fine Hair: SACHAJUAN — volume and texture in one step
🛒 Quick Buying Guide
Buy Davines if → you want the best overall formula that works on any hair type without crunch or dryness
Buy SACHAJUAN if → your hair is fine and needs root volume alongside texture — not just one or the other
Buy BASED if → your hair is color-treated and salt sprays have dried it out or faded your color before
Buy Amika Un.Done if → you have short hair — a bixie cut, shaggy bob, or pixie — where other sprays go heavy or flat
Buy John Paul Mitchell if → you want reliable, consistent texture without the premium price tag
Buy IGK Beach Club if → your hair is thick and texture always drops out before the end of the day
Buy Bumble and Bumble if → you want the original, proven formula your favourite editors have used for years
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use sea salt spray on wet or dry hair?
Damp hair — about 70% dry — produces the best results. Towel dry, apply, scrunch, air dry.
Can sea salt spray damage hair?
Traditional formulas can contribute to dryness. Use 2-3 times per week maximum for color-treated or very dry hair.
Does sea salt spray work on straight hair?
Yes — it adds texture and movement. For a wavier effect, apply to damp hair, braid loosely while it dries, then release and scrunch.
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Which sea salt spray is already in your bathroom? Tell us in the comments.
