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The Battle of the Hair Sprays: Sexy Hair vs Shed Hair

6th Jul 2025

    The Battle of the Hair Sprays: Sexy Hair vs Shed Hair

When it comes to achieving flawless, salon-worthy hairstyles, the right hair spray can make or break your look. Whether you're aiming for gravity-defying volume, a sleek finish, or a long-lasting hold, the styling spray you choose matters. Today, we're diving into a head-to-head comparison of two cult favorites: Sexy Hair Spray & Play Harder and Shed Hair Max Hold Spray. Which one deserves a permanent spot on your vanity? Let the battle begin.

Round 1: Brand Reputation & Background

Sexy Hair is a long-standing professional haircare brand known for its bold styling products and iconic red canisters. Their Spray & Play Harder hair spray has gained a loyal following among hairstylists and beauty enthusiasts alike. It promises firm hold, volume, and shine without weighing the hair down.

Shed Hair, on the other hand, is a rising indie brand that has been making waves in the clean beauty space. Their Max Hold Spray boasts a plant-based formula and claims to provide an ultra-strong hold while protecting hair from breakage and environmental damage.

Winner: Tie. Sexy Hair brings legacy and professional trust, while Shed Hair offers innovation and clean beauty credentials.

Round 2: Hold Power & Longevity

If you're looking for a hair spray that lasts from dawn to dusk, both contenders offer compelling results—but in different ways.

  • Sexy Hair Spray & Play Harder lives up to its name. This product provides intense, all-day hold with minimal reapplication. It locks in curls, waves, and updos even in humid conditions. However, it may feel slightly crunchy if over-applied.

  • Shed Hair Max Hold Spray delivers surprisingly strong hold for a clean formula. It uses botanical resins and bamboo extract to keep styles in place. While its hold may not be as bulletproof as Sexy Hair’s, it’s more flexible and touchable.

Winner: Sexy Hair – slightly edges out with its industrial-strength hold, ideal for long events or photo shoots.

Round 3: Ingredients & Hair Health

This is where Shed Hair shines.

  • Sexy Hair includes ingredients like alcohol denat and fragrance high on the list, which may dry out fine or color-treated hair with prolonged use.

  • Shed Hair proudly avoids harsh chemicals, sulfates, and parabens. It includes nourishing elements like aloe vera, panthenol, and keratin peptides that actually condition your hair while holding your style.

If you’re concerned about long-term hair health or have sensitive skin/scalp, Shed Hair is the better choice.

Winner: Shed Hair

Round 4: Application & Finish

Both sprays come in easy-to-use aerosol cans with fine mist nozzles. The experience, however, differs slightly:

  • Sexy Hair delivers a strong, fast-drying mist that sets immediately. It leaves a shiny finish but can feel a bit stiff to the touch.

  • Shed Hair sprays evenly and dries within 10–15 seconds. It leaves hair feeling natural and soft with a matte-to-satin finish—great for effortless, touchable styles.

Winner: Shed Hair – smoother finish with a softer, more natural feel.

Round 5: Scent & User Experience

Fragrance is subjective, but it plays a big role in choosing a daily-use product.

  • Sexy Hair has a bold, salon-style fragrance that lingers throughout the day. Some users love it; others find it overpowering.

  • Shed Hair opts for a clean, subtle scent with essential oil undertones—pleasant without being overwhelming.

Winner: Shed Hair for those who prefer a low-scent or sensitive-skin-friendly formula.

Final Verdict: Which Hair Spray Wins?

Category Winner
Brand Reputation Tie
Hold & Longevity Sexy Hair
Ingredients & Health Shed Hair
Finish & Feel Shed Hair
Scent Shed Hair

Overall Winner: Shed Hair Max Hold Spray – While Sexy Hair offers incredible hold for high-impact styles, Shed Hair delivers a more balanced experience with healthier ingredients, a better finish, and a cleaner scent.

That said, if you're prepping for a long wedding day, photo shoot, or runway event, Sexy Hair Spray & Play Harder might be your go-to. But for everyday styling that looks good and treats your hair well, Shed Hair is the winner in our book.