Locks in curls, updos, and sleek styles with salon-level shine—best for medium to thick hair and humid conditions.
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Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray is worth it if you want a very firm finishing spray that locks in curls, updos, or slick styles and adds obvious shine. It suits medium to thick hair best, plus anyone dealing with humidity who cares more about hold than touchable softness. Compared with cheaper options like TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray and L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong, it gives a more polished salon finish, but it can also feel stiffer if you overapply.
Overview
Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray is a finishing hairspray designed for maximum hold with a glossy finish. The promise is simple: keep your style in place without making it look dull or dusty. This is best used as the last step after curling, smoothing, teasing, or pinning, especially when you want a style to stay put for hours.
Key Specs
| Product type | Finishing hairspray |
|---|---|
| Size reviewed | 8.5 oz aerosol can |
| Hold level | Very strong to maximum hold |
| Finish | Noticeable shine |
| Best for | Set curls, updos, sleek ponytails, polished styles |
| Spray style | Aerosol mist |
| Scent | Classic salon hairspray fragrance |
| Hair types | Best on normal, thick, coarse, or hard-to-hold hair |
Who It’s For
This spray makes the most sense for people who want structure, not softness. If your curls drop fast, your ponytail frizzes at the crown, or your formal style needs to last through heat and humidity, this is the kind of spray that earns its keep. It is especially useful on medium to thick hair, coarse textures, and styles that need a smooth shell on the surface. If you like airy movement, touch your hair often, or have very fine strands that get weighed down easily, it may feel too firm.
Performance & Feel
The first thing to know is that this is not a barely-there, flexible mist. It has real grip. From about 10 to 12 inches away, it sprays fairly evenly and dries down with a glossy, finished look. If you spray too close, though, it can land a little wet and create stiff spots, so distance matters more with this formula than with softer brushable sprays.
Hold is the main reason to buy it, and in that area it performs well. A light all-over pass is enough to keep loose curls from falling apart too quickly. Two light layers give a stronger set for brushed-out waves, half-up styles, and teased roots. For sleek ponytails and buns, it smooths the outer layer nicely and helps keep flyaways from popping back up an hour later. On humid days, it does a better job than many lighter sprays at preserving shape around the hairline and crown, where frizz usually shows first.
The shine is noticeable. On healthy hair, color-treated hair, or darker shades, that can look polished and salon-finished. On roots that already lean oily, it can tip into looking a bit too glossy, especially if you are heavy-handed. I would not call the finish natural. It is intentional and slightly lacquered, which some people love and others do not.
The trade-off is flexibility. Once layered, this spray does feel firm. Hair is not cement-hard, but it is definitely less touchable than with L’Oréal Elnett or other softer hold sprays. Fine hair can clump if you overdo it, and volume at the ends can collapse if you use too much in one area. It also has a noticeable scent right away. The fragrance does fade, but if you are very scent-sensitive, test before committing.
My best tip is to treat this as a true finishing spray rather than something to keep reapplying all day. Style first, then use one light pass over the whole look and a targeted spritz only where you need extra insurance. For flyaways, spray a little onto a clean toothbrush or edge brush and smooth just the top layer instead of coating your whole head. Used that way, it looks neater and feels far less crunchy.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Strong hold that keeps curls, updos, and sleek styles in place for hours.
- Pro: Adds visible shine, which helps finished styles look polished rather than dry.
- Pro: Works well in humidity compared with many softer, more flexible sprays.
- Pro: You do not need much product if you spray from the right distance.
- Con: Can feel stiff or crunchy if layered too heavily.
- Con: The scent is noticeable at first and may not suit fragrance-sensitive users.
- Con: Not the best choice for very fine hair or anyone who wants a brushable, natural finish.
How It Compares
| Product | Key Difference | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray | Maximum-hold finishing spray with noticeable shine and a firmer set than most brushable sprays. | View on Amazon |
| L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray | Lighter, more brushable hold that keeps more movement and gives less gloss. | View on Amazon |
| Kenra Volume Spray 25 | Strong hold with a drier feel and less obvious shine, often preferred for lift and volume. | View on Amazon |
| TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray | Heavier-feeling formula that controls shape well but feels less refined through the hair. | View on Amazon |
💡 Editor’s Final Thoughts
Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray is a solid buy if your priority is strong hold with visible shine. It is especially good for event hair, humid weather, polished curls, and sleek styles that need to stay neat. If you want softness, movement, or easy brush-out, a lighter spray will be a better fit. For firm hold done cleanly, this one still delivers.
See also
If you are deciding between a firm finishing spray and a smoother anti-frizz option, start with our Kérastase Discipline Fluidissime anti-frizz spray review and Kristin Ess weightless shine working serum review.
- Shark FlexStyle review for faster at-home styling
- Conair double ceramic curling iron review for long-lasting curls
- Pattern Beauty styling cream review for soft curl definition
Frequently Asked Questions ▾
Is Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray good for fine hair?
It can work on fine hair, but only with a very light hand. One quick mist from a proper distance is usually enough. If you layer it, fine strands can stick together or lose movement, so it is not my first pick for soft, airy volume.
Does Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray make hair crunchy?
It can if you overapply it. A single light pass gives hold without making the whole style feel hard, but several layers will create a firmer, crunchier finish. This is best used sparingly and only at the end of styling.
How well does it hold curls in humidity?
Very well for a traditional finishing spray. It helps curls keep their shape longer than many flexible sprays, especially around the crown and front pieces where humidity tends to cause frizz first. It will not make hair weatherproof, but it does buy you time and better shape retention.
Can you brush it out easily?
It brushes out better than some old-school freeze sprays, but not as easily as a softer formula like Elnett. If you use a light amount, it comes out with some brushing. If you layer it heavily, expect more resistance and a slightly coated feel until you wash.
Is it better than L’Oréal Elnett or TRESemmé Extra Hold?
It depends on what you want. Paul Mitchell gives a shinier, firmer, more salon-finished result than either one. Elnett is better if you want movement and easy brush-out, while TRESemmé can be fine for basic hold but does not feel as refined through the hair.
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