Texturizing Spray vs Sea Salt Spray
When it comes to enhancing your natural texture and obtaining the perfect beachy, lived-in waves, two main hair products come to mind: texturizing spray and sea salt spray. Both long-term beauty staples, these products are known for adding texture and wave, preventing your hair from looking too polished or done up.
While they seem similar, texturizing spray and sea salt spray are quite different and have different purposes. Sea salt spray creates natural, beachy waves, whereas texturizing spray focuses on volume, separation, and light hold. Depending on your hair type, one can work much better than the other.
Today, I’m sharing exactly how texturizing spray and sea salt spray compare to each other, with before and after photos shared side by side. For tips on how to use and which one will work best for your hair type and goals, keep reading.
PS: curious about wave spray? Check out my guide on how texturizing spray compares to wave spray with before and after comparison photos.
texturizing spray vs sea salt spray
what is texturizing spray?
Texturizing spray (also known as dry texturizing spray) adds grip, texture, volume, movement, and separation to the hair. Using texturizing spray will give you piece-y, tousled waves, volume at the roots, and that slightly undone, cool-girl finish. It typically contains lightweight polymers and sometimes starches or silica to create texture without making hair stiff.
Texturizing spray a styling product, not a setting product - for that, you want to use a good hairspray. Unlike with salt sprays, you want to add texturizing spray to dry hair, as it creates fullness and separation instead of enhancing your natural texture
You’ll find texturizing sprays at just about every price point; I love this one and find that it’s the best mid-range option. You get tons of volume, yet it doesn’t weigh down my fine, straight hair.
pros
Adds instant volume, even for limp or lifeless hair
Creates movement and separation
Makes clean hair easier to style
Provides a flexible, touchable hold, so you can go back and re-style if desired
Adds grip, so ideal for updos and braids
cons
Can make your hair feel dry or a little dirty if you use too much
May lead build-up over time
Not strong enough to make your style last all-day in humid climates (aka more moisture in the air)
Some formulas can tangle fine hair
texturizing spray before and after
what is sea salt spray?
Sea salt spray is a lightweight styling product designed to mimic the effect that ocean water has on your hair. We all talk about “beach waves” and that’s because the salt water/ minerals enhance your hair’s natural texture, adding bend and wave to create a slightly tousled, lived-in look.
It typically contains salt or salt-based minerals to add grit and texture, along with water and sometimes conditioning ingredients to help balance out dryness. When applied to damp hair, it helps encourage natural wave patterns as your hair air dries, making it a go-to for effortless, low-maintenance styling.
Unlike heavier styling products, sea salt spray is more about creating movement and texture instead of hold. This gives you a soft, matte finish that looks undone but intentional - true “it girl” hair.
pros
Creates that classic beachy, tousled texture
Adds natural-looking waves and definition
Enhance natural texture without heat
Helps give fine hair more body and grip
cons
Can be drying, especially if you use it regularly
May leave hair feeling rough, stiff, or gritty, especially if you use too much
Not ideal for already dry, damaged, or frizz-prone hair
Can make hair feel tangled or harder to brush
May need to follow-up with a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to restore moisture afterwards
sea salt spray before and after
what’s the difference between texturizing spray and sea salt spray?
The biggest difference between texturizing spray and sea salt spray comes down to the kind of texture they create.
Texturizing spray adds volume, lift, and separation. It’s best when used on dry hair and gives that airy, piece-y look with a bit of hold. Think of it as a sea salt or wave spray meets hairspray.
Sea salt spray focuses on enhancing natural waves and creating a slightly gritty, beachy texture. It’s usually applied to damp hair and works best as it air dries, making it ideal for those who have natural texture (wave or curl) to their hair.
If you want volume and hold, opt for texturizing spray. For looser waves that work with your natural texture, you’ll want to use sea salt spray.
how texturizing spray vs sea salt spray looks
which product is better?
Neither product is overall “better,” though there is a better option depending on personal preference and the style you want.
Sea salt spray works best if you want beachy waves and natural textures; think “your hair but better" vibes. On the other hand, texturizing spray gives you a more “red carpet ready” vibe, because you get volume and lift as well.
Choose texturizing spray for:
volume at the roots
a fuller, lifted style
light hold that will last throughout the day
a shinier finish
Choose sea salt spray if you want:
beachy, natural waves
a heatless style
a simple, damp-to-dry look
to enhance your natural texture
a relaxed, tousled look
a more matte finish
If you have fine, flat hair (like me), texturizing spray will usually give you better results. Those who have natural wave or curl can get away with using sea salt spray to enhance the natural texture already there.
texturizing spray vs sea salt spray: FAQ
can you use texturizing spray and sea salt spray together?
Yes! If you ever see a gorgeous beach wave look on the red carpet, I can almost guarantee the hair stylist used both. The best way to do this:
apply sea salt spray to damp hair to add a beachy vibe to your natural texture
finish with texturizing spray for extra volume and hold
Make sure you use less product of each, especially if you have fine hair. Too much will weigh your hair down, and can lead to a bit of a rat’s nest, rather than undone texture.
is sea salt spray bad for your hair?
Not necessarily, but you may notice drying if you use it on a daily basis. To prevent this, balance it out with hydrating products like a leave-in conditioner or hair oil. I recommend using sea salt spray 2-4x a week, and incorporating a hydrating product (like the oil) 1-2x a week, focusing on mid-lengths to ends.
can texturizing spray create waves like sea salt spray?
Not really. Texturizing spray enhances separation and volume, and you get the best results when you pair it with hot tool styling (like with a curling iron). It won’t create waves like a sea salt spray does.
which one lasts longer?
Texturizing spray usually lasts longer because it provides some hold. Conversely, sea salt spray is more lightweight and flexible. Use texturizing spray if you need your hair to last all day; stick with sea salt spray if you want to reapply and adjust later on.
which one is better for fine hair?
As someone with fine hair, I personally recommend texturizing spray. It adds volume and gives you that lived-in texture, but you don’t need to have natural wave patterns to get the best results like you do with sea salt spray.
If you’ve struggled to get a beachy look with a curling iron, you may find that adding a texturizing spray and pulling some of your curls apart afterwards is what takes you from polished to beachy - highly recommend trying it out!
tl;dr: texturizing spray vs sea salt spray
Texturizing spray and sea salt spray both give you an undone, beachy look, yet which one you choose depends on your hair type and goals.
If you have natural texture and want looser, unstructured waves, sea salt spray will work best for you.
For those who want volume and slightly more structured waves, you’ll love the results that texturizing spray gives you.
That said, you can absolutely use both: wave spray first while your hair is damp, then texturizing spray as a finishing step.