What They Say: "Individuality, shape and finish are separated - and united - by STRUCTURE. This collection separates the style from the cut, bringing definition as you like it. Just the right amount of shine, hold and control are now at your fingertips, applied root to tip.

Structure Lock sets with touchable hold during thermal styling and delivers strong, long-lasting hold when locking in a finishing style."

What Lisa Says: My hair has grown out past shoulder length and is so much heavier than the shorter "Do's" I've been sporting the past few years. I actually found the Structure Lock spray to be just what I needed for not only a styling spray but a finishing spray as well. I sprayed this product at the root and it held the height and body of the hair extremely well with no flattening all day and into the evening. Less is more when it comes to using this as a finishing spray. It doesn't take much to hold the style and, while not "crispy" feeling, my hair did feel "coated" with residue that didn't brush out easily. A lighter spritz proved adequate for holding and while I found it didn't add any shine, it didn't take away any natural shine.

I will definitely continue using this product for the hold alone. There is no fragrance other than the average "hairspray scent" which quickly diminishes to nothingness. The only major problem I had with this bottle of spray was that the nozzle tends to clog delivering one or two long streams of spray before the it clears. I found it frustrating and a waste of product so I took one "lippie" off for that. Once clear though I was quite happy with the hold!

Retail Price: $26.00 / 6 fl oz (check Profound Beauty for a salon near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: Conditioner"Moisturizes, shapes and revitalizes curls. Contains Lemon Grass and Orange Peel Oil to add luster and sheen to hair. 100% vegan, 100% free of synthetic dyes, DEA and cruelty free."

Prep "A moisturizing, curl enhancing tonic that utilizes a cocktail of herbal extracts to restore shine andd curl pattern to dry, lackluster locks. No chemical preservatives, cruelty-free, 100% free of synthetic dyes."

Finish "A versatile organic acidifier that locks in curls and colors, enhances styling support, and shields against environmental damage. Low pH formula seals instantly, ensuring dazzling shine and manageability. Light balancing aromatherapy fragrance ripe with Japanese flower essence."

Jamie's Thoughts: I have gotten the wonderful opportunity to review some earth and animal friendly products here at Delush, for which I am so grateful. Abba is one of the brands of which I would have never otherwise been aware, let alone purchase for my own use. Without touching too heavily on personal politics, I will simply say that I very much appreciate Abba's commitment to purity - both in their approach and ingredient lists.

That being said, I wholeheartedly endorse this grouping of products for curly haired folks. These three fantastic offerings smell AMAZING - crisp, fresh, and perfectly suited for both women and men. The scent perks up your morning routine without being cloying or oppressive. The conditioner combed easily through my ratty bedhead, rinsed cleanly, and moisturized well. My hair was bouncy, shiny, and looked lovely. Potential buyers should note that this is designed as a daily conditioner - it has the ideal texture, weight, and effect for daily use. I would not recommend it for deep conditioning.

As for the prep tonic, my feelings are mixed. I initially used it only in combination with the other Abba products, and didn't think it had enough hold for my natural curls. To ensure that I wasn't blaming a fault of the hairspray on the tonic, I started using it on a solo basis and I have to admit it works better by itself. It's okay within the manufacturer-suggested lineup, but I like it better as a "refresh" spray on dry hair - something to perk up this morning's curls before a night out (or a late morning when there's no time to shower and reset my curls).

The finish spray is great. It smells fantastic (but doesn't linger or distract) and does an above average job at holding my finely textured frizzies in place. I usually use a pomade to style, so it took a week or so of continuous Abba usage before I got comfortable with my bigger, softer curls. After I gave up the heavier approach, I really learned to appreciate the lighter hold. I'm not sure it would be enough in the humid summer months, but while it's cold and dry outside, this works just fine.

Overall, I would recommend all three products - especially the conditioner.

Retail Prices: All three products are $17.00 (available online at www.pureabba.com)

Delush Ratings:
Conditioner
Prep
Finish

What They Say: "Work that body! This long-lasting aerosol hairspray offers ultimate workability that you can layer on to lock in texture, volume and lift. The water-free formula even includes UV filters to protect hair from sun damage."

Melissa Says: I haven't really been much of a "hairspray girl" for several years. Mostly, I keep it on hand for the occasional half-up style or to keep some still-growing-out hairs in place in a ponytail. For those purposes, this spray worked quite well. If spritzed lightly and not super-close to the head, it didn't make my hair crispy-feeling, added some nice shine, and held everything in its place. Still, I wanted to give this spray a chance to do some real work. Per the suggestion on the back of the bottle, I tried to also utilize this by spraying near roots and blowdrying for volume and style memory. Well, as they also say, the formula dries quickly, so you might want to work on only a section at a time, but this really did add volume when dried with a round brush near the roots. I did have to make sure to brush out any hardened bits, but they worked out easily with no dry flaking - and again the overall effect was still clean-looking with a bit of shine, only with added texture. Though you may not use this every day, this is still an effective product for its intended use.

Retail Price: $13.95 (at select salons, go here to find a location near you)

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What They Say: "The world of hair has become a dangerous place where damaging straightening irons, blow-dryers and other thermal tools have become a way of life. Fear no nore - Graham Webb's Heat Response Soft Finish Spray is a liberator in a spray bottle to help save your hair from those weapons of mass destruction. This solution not only protects 30% more from hot tools, but also gives hair electrifying shine and a soft smooth finish with long-lasting hold. Heat Response Soft Finish Spray is enriched with TRIPLE the amount of our patented Thermacore® Complex ingredient, which is found in all Graham Webb products, and turns hot tools into a beneficial conditioning treatment for hair. Here's how it works...

• Thermacore® Complex is a remarkable blend of three conditioning and moisturizing ingredients that become active with the application of heat over 98° from hot water, blow dryers and styling tools.
  
  • Panthenol - vitamin B5 derivative with tremendous moisturizing properties to help repair, thicken and strengthen damaged hair
    
  • Allantoin - Well known for its moisture content, water-binding capabilities and ability to to maintain softness
    
  • Myristyl Alcohol - Conditioning emollient derived from coconut, which served as the binding vehicle for the entire complex
  
  
• Once heated, the crystal breaks down into molecular particles small enough to penetrate the hair shaft working to repair and restore even the most damaged hair.

To Use: Shake well, distribute throughout damp hair and blow dry. If using with straightening or curling irons, most lightly on sections of dry hair immediately before wrapping or pressing.

Melissa Says: As with many Graham Webb products that I've been fortunate enough to test out, this is another that I'm going to keep in regular rotation. The formula separates into to layers when it sits, so it is important to remember to shake it well before applying.

Mostly, what I love about this product is that softens the coarse ends of my hair and adds shine overall. They describe an "electrifying shine", and while I don't know if I'd go to that extreme, I definitely saw a noticeable difference when using this before blowdrying or curling. I don't feel ANY residue or notice any added weight, so I believe this could even work well on thin or fine hair without creating a buildup that weighs it down.

I wouldn't say that this made my hair take to curl more or straighten differently, but the look does stay for hours and the result is very manageable and soft. When blowdrying, my hair stayed smooth with little to no frizz. I curl with a very large curing iron and liked the results, but I do somehow feel that if you want tighter curls the soft results just might loosen the resulting curl a bit, so that's something to keep in mind. Don't confuse this for a hairspray as you know them. This is a whole new breed of styling spray.

Retail Price: $19.95 (at salons and select distributors - go here to find a location near you or call 800.456.9322)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "You've got your look—now keep it in place through your longest day! The Pro-Vitamin formula of Classic Hairspray Ultra Firm Hold gives you all-day hold and healthy-looking shine. It's the perfect finish to your style. Available in both Scented and Unscented.
Our strongest-holding formula."

• Perfect for hard-to-hold hair or super-structured styles.


• Helps resist fly-aways while it secures your style, and helps keep it long-lasting and in control.


• Helps protect hair's health from combing and brushing damage while drying.


• Lightweight conditioners help give fabulous shine


• Available in aerosol and non-aerosol.


• Great for colour treated and permed hair.

Jen's Experience: A friend of mine from work told me about the wonder of Pantene's flexible hold hairspray, and I thought that's what I was grabbing when I picked up the maximum hold version I'm about to review. I use hairspray pretty frequently as a final touch to my hair styling routine to keep my 'do just a bit longer, especially in the humid weather. I had stopped using spray for a long time, until I realized that as a genre it had progressed since the days of Aqua Net and rooster bangs.

I find this hairspray not to be part of that new-fangled "touchable hair" variety. A little spray of this, and I'm well on my way to helmet-head. It looks kind of sticky and even feels hard. It does work, of course. Really well. And once it dries, it can be brushed out to a degree if you overdo it (and believe me, you will). I'm still going to try out my friend's recommendation, but this one I just can't recommend, unless you're working a serious retro 80s style.

Retail Price: $3.99 (drugstores)

Rating:

What They Say: "Frederic Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray uses a unique ultra-fine mist that creates natural-looking, invisible hold that dries in an instant. The precise concentrator nozzle offers buildable holding power - spray a little for fine hold, more for lasting all day humidity control. Formulated with avocado oil, panthenol and wheat protein, Sheer Hold locks in style and leaves hair soft, sexy and shiny all day. A triple color protection complex helps protect hair against UV rays, and keeps color from fading."

Jen's Experience: Ever since I added layers to my hair in March, I've been feeling the need to use a little hairspray to keep things under control, with the hope that my hair looks the same at lunch as it did when I left the house that day. After using up the remnants of all the old hairspray bottles in my house, I turned to Frederic Fekkai, hoping that he would have just what I was looking for.

I wish I had something better to tell you, but I didn't really find this to be a great product. I've used drugstore products that worked better by far. When I first started using it, it didn't make my hair hard or sticky, but it sure didn't do much to hold my style either. Towards the end of the bottle, it clearly started to have more of an effect, but it also made my hair more stiff.

Maybe you're out there thinking I should have shaken the bottle more, but believe me...I shook it very well before every use. I think it just doesn't work all that well. I'm so disappointed.

Retail Price: $22.50 (Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: "This fast-drying, maximum-hold hair spray is formulated to provide ultimate hold and styling power for all hair types."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I'm not a regular user of hair spray, but I do like to have a nice-holding one handy for those times when I'm doing a half-updo or need to get a handle on short flyaways. This bottle is REALLY tall, so if you aren't one to give yourself a helmut-head every day, it should last you a really long time. It does live up to its claim of super hold (if you're looking for flexible hold, Graham Webb try Graham Webb Brit Style Flexible Hold Hair Spray), but if you spray a little too much in one spot, it's a little painful to brush out. So hold the bottle about an arm's length away when you spray.

Retail Price: $13.00 (find a salon that sells Graham Webb HERE)

DeLush Rating: