TESTING 1-2-3: Hair freeze sprays: Sleek or weak?

There are hair sprays on the market that advertise themselves as brushable, meaning you can spritz your ‘do and, when the mood strikes, run a brush through your hair to restyle. That seems like a contradiction to those of us with fine hair requiring sprays that would never promise a flexible or natural hold, but rather a death grip to keep our hair in place until we call it a day. We’re the contingent that occasionally seeks hairstyles that defy gravity, not to mention Chicago-style wind chill factors and Atlanta’s humidity. The word “freeze” is what we want emblazoned on our hair spray cans. But I’ve been burned plenty of times by freeze sprays that promised a firm hold but ultimately wimped out at the slightest breeze or hint of moisture in the air.

I put three freezing sprays to the test to see whether there was much difference among the mix. There was, but there were a few similarities, too. For instance, all three sprays left my hair soft, without residue when they were brushed out, and they all washed out easily.

I spritzed Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray, Freeze It Mega Freeze and Aura lavender ultra-firm freezing spray. Results follow.

Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray

$8.95 for an 8.5-ounce pump spray at salons, including those at Wal-Mart stores

First look: This comes in Paul Mitchell’s trademark white container with the slim, bold black logo. It’s billed as a firm style finishing spray.

The rundown: The label claims the spray gives your style “super-hero hold with memory” provided by styling resins that offer intense hold and memory. It also is supposed to help protect against sun damage. The spray contains extracts of algae, aloe, jojoba, henna and rosemary to enhance shine, and it also is formulated with sunscreens. Paul Mitchell products aren’t tested on animals. To use, simply spray onto finished style. It’s available in sizes ranging from 3.4 ounces to 33.8 ounces.

Upside: This has the best fragrance of the three. It’s light and brings to mind watermelon, but it pretty much disappears when it dries, so it won’t clash with your cologne. It will freeze your hair in place, but it’s not a spray that will give you helmet hair if you use it judiciously. It does give your hair some extra shine.

Downside: It’s a pump, not an aerosol, so it’s easy to spray too much in one area, resulting in a wet-looking clump. After a few uses, you’ll notice that the nozzle starts to clog, which means you’ll have to clean it often for even sprays. It’s more expensive than the other two tested. It holds pretty well, but not quite as well as Freeze It.

Bottom line: It’s good but doesn’t quite stand up to the best.

Freeze It Mega Freeze hair spray 24-hour extreme hold, by Key Brands

$4 for the 11.6-ounce bonus size available at most drugstores and mass merchandisers

First look: This one is easy to spot on the shelf since it comes in a tall, slim, brushed gold can with its name in bold, black print on the front.

The rundown: This aerosol spray boasts optical brighteners for enhanced shine. It also promises to be quick-drying, humidity- resistant while locking in style and offering UV protection. Freeze It isn’t tested on animals and is enriched with panthenol vitamin B5, according to the label. To use, hold the can 10 to 12 inches from hair and move the spray constantly. And for maximum body and volume, spray roots and blow dry.

Upside: I love this spray. When I curl my straight, fine hair, then apply Freeze It to my curls, they stay intact whether I’m in humid weather or caught in a blast of wind. And if you spray carefully, your hair will look natural, not as if you’re wearing a lacquered wig. I really like that this spray is easy to find and costs far less than the other two tested. It has a fairly subtle scent that doesn’t linger. Freeze It doesn’t flake, but nor did any of the three freeze sprays I tested. It offers a little extra shine to your hair.

Downside: This goes on the wettest of the three sprays tested. And if you linger in one place a nanosecond too long, you’ll end up with a mess. The directions instruct you to keep the spray moving, and you really should for a natural look.

Bottom line: I wouldn’t be surprised to find this winner backstage at a beauty pageant.

Aura lavender ultra-firm freezing spray

$6.49 for a 7-ounce can at most Sally Beauty Supply stores

First look: Aura is an aerosol that bills itself as an aromatherapy product and touts long-lasting hold without stickiness or flaking.

The rundown: Aura uses botanical ingredients, including rosemary, lavender and clove extracts. As with all of the sprays tested, this one also offers protection from the sun; however, sunscreens work best when they completely coat the parts that need protecting, and when you spray your hair you’re not covering each and every strand.

Upside: It offers a fairly firm hold, and the fine mist gives even coverage. Some people might like the scent.

Downside: It holds your hair in place right after you spray it on. However, within an hour, my hair started thawing out and pretty much drooped. The idea of the lavender fragrance was a draw, but the scent is nothing like lavender found on this planet; in fact, it’s not floral at all, but more like generic hair spray scent, and not very pleasant.

Bottom line: If you don’t mind your freeze thawing long before the day is over, then this one could work for you.

Got a product for a pro to test? Let us know at ajc.com/buyersedge

Each week “Testing 1-2-3” road-tests a wide range of products. It’s not scientific testing —- we use the items just as consumers do, checking to see whether they deliver as promised. The tests can help you make buying decisions.