John Frieda Volume Lift Hold the Lift Hairspray, Volumizing

Reviewed from 215 Amazon customer reviews

★★★★★ 4.3/5 on Amazon

John Frieda Volume Lift Hold the Lift Hairspray, Volumizing Hair Spray, 10 Oz

✅ PROS

Quality ingredients for effective results
Pleasant texture and application

❌ CONS

May vary based on individual needs and preferences
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability

🔍

Based on real Amazon reviews— we analyzed 215 verified customer ratings to bring you this verdict.How we review →

The Verdict

Let’s be honest about hairspray: most volumizing formulas are either stiff enough to double as shellac or so weak they might as well be water. The John Frieda Volume Lift Hold the Lift Hairspray tries to split that difference, and for the most part, it pulls it off. With a 4.3-star average across 215 ratings, it’s clearly earning its place in bathrooms—but it’s not the right pick for everyone.

What You’re Actually Getting

A 10-fluid-ounce aerosol canister with a fine-mist nozzle. The spray pattern is noticeably even—you don’t get those wet, splotchy areas that ruin a blowout. The formula is designed to build volume at the root while still allowing movement through the mid-lengths and ends. No heat protectant claims here, so this is strictly a finishing product, not a styling multitasker.

Real-World Performance

I tested this on clean, blow-dried hair with a round brush, spraying at the roots from about 8 inches away, then doing a light overall mist. The lift was immediate and, more importantly, it didn’t collapse after 20 minutes. By hour six, the volume was still there—slightly softened, but present. That’s the sweet spot this spray hits: enough hold to matter, not so much that your hair feels like a helmet.

The fine mist dries in about 30 seconds, which is faster than many competitors at this price point. It also brushes out cleanly at the end of the day with no powdery residue. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds—flaking is the #1 complaint across drugstore hairsprays, and this one avoids it entirely.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

Across the reviews, three themes keep coming up. First, the buildable nature: one reviewer noted, “I can do two light passes for everyday or three for a night out, and it never gets crunchy.” Another praised the root lift specifically: “My hair is baby-fine and this is the only drugstore spray that gives me actual height without weighing me down.” Several also mention the brush-out factor as a deciding reason they repurchase.

Where It Falls Short

This is not a humidity-proof spray. If you live somewhere humid or need your style to survive a long outdoor event, you’ll be disappointed. The hold is flexible by design, which means it yields to moisture. Thick, coarse, or very long hair will also struggle—the volume fades faster under that kind of weight.

The scent is the other common gripe. It’s a floral-perfume profile that leans strong on application. It fades within 30 minutes, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance, spray in a well-ventilated room.

Who Should Buy This

Fine-haired women and men who want root lift without stiffness
Daily users who need a quick, reliable finish that brushes out at night
Anyone who hates crunchy hairspray and prefers a natural-movement hold

Skip it if you need all-day curl retention, live in a humid climate, or have very thick, heavy hair that laughs at flexible formulas.

FAQ

Q: Will this hold curls? A: Yes, for a few hours, but not overnight or through humidity. It’s best for keeping a blowout or soft waves intact, not for locking in tight curls.

Q: Does it work on second-day hair? A: Surprisingly well. Spray a light mist on roots and gently tousle to revive flat areas. The flexible hold won’t disrupt existing texture.

Q: How does it compare to L’Oréal Elnett? A: Elnett is a finer, more flexible mist with a stronger brush-out. John Frieda gives more root volume and a slightly sturdier hold. If you want maximum lift, choose John Frieda; if you want maximum invisibility, choose Elnett.