Olaplex launched 12 years ago with what was then a niche idea: products that don’t just smooth and soften your hair on the surface, but actually repair broken bonds at a molecular level. As Amanda Baldwin, Olaplex’s CEO, tells Vogue, “We’ve been the authority on hair health through bond-building with our patented technology, repairing the hair from the inside out.”

Fast forward to today, and the brand’s shampoos, conditioners, hair oils, masks, and more are flying off the shelves—while the bond-repairing product market is absolutely booming. What better time to introduce its next big hit? Introducing: the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray is here, and Vogue readers get exclusive early access to shop it 24 hours ahead of everyone else.

A product three years in the making, Olaplex saw a major opportunity to completely modernize the hairspray category. “What’s interesting about hairspray is that it’s a category everyone knows, but a lot of people—especially younger consumers—have almost opted out of it,” Baldwin adds. “There’s still this perception that hairspray means stiff, crunchy hair, or that you’re compromising the health of your hair to get the style you want.”

Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray
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Olaplex
Shape Set Hairspray
$38 OLAPLEX

Why We Love It: Hairspray haters may just meet their match with Olaplex’s latest launch. Meet Shape Set—Olaplex’s answer to the crunchy, stiff formulas of years past. “We didn’t want to make a hairspray just for the sake of entering the category,” says Baldwin. “We wanted to create something that gives you the performance and hold you need, while still treating hair with the level of care people expect from Olaplex.” With that in mind, the formula uses encapsulated peptides to repair broken hair bonds. Meanwhile, flexible polymers and skincare-grade ingredients—like panthenol and glycerin—work together to hold styles while keeping hair hydrated and glossy.

Key Ingredients: Flex-hold polymers, panthenol, sunflower seed extract, glycerin, orange essential oil

More to Know: Free from sulfates, phthalates, phosphates, and parabens; color safe

Size: 7.5 oz, 2.4 oz

In This Story
About the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray
My Experience With the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray
How to Use the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray
Shop More of Vogue’s Favorite Olaplex

Everything You Need to Know
About the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray
Shape Set aims to be the opposite of everything hairspray skeptics hate—immovable, stiff, gritty, and crunchy. “Traditional hairspray is often like glue; it locks the hair in place, and that’s it,” explains Lavinia Popescu, Olaplex’s chief scientist and research officer. Rather than making consumers choose between hold performance and hair integrity, the brand set out to create a formula that supports hair instead of stressing it further. “Shape Set offers a strong hold while our proprietary technology works underneath to strengthen and create long-lasting results with a lightweight, non-damaging finish.” That’s thanks to the brand’s Bond Set Technology, which, as Popescu explains, is a “unique encapsulated peptide developed by Olaplex that works inside the hair to relink broken disulfide bonds.”

Another fancy phrase, Shape Preserve Complex, also in the formula, is really just a blend of flex-hold polymers and plant-based extracts. The cumulative benefits, Popescu says, include preserved styles with frizz control, plus secondary benefits like heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and UV protection. There are also replenishing active ingredients, like panthenol, that add hydration and shine. The result is a natural, healthy-hair finish with adequate hold that doesn’t sacrifice movement or a touchable feel—with the added bonus of bond building, of course.

My Experience With the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray
My mom has always been a hairspray enthusiast—it goes back to her ’80s metal years, when big hair was non-negotiable. Even though it’s remained an essential styling product for her (of course, the mega-teased hair is long behind her),I’ve often considered myself a hairspray hater. Maybe it’s because I associate it with childhood recitals, bridal parties I really don’t want to be in, and the overly stiff updos that come with both. But as my bob has grown out, I’ve reluctantly warmed up to it—because it’s essential for getting that bouncy blowout. To avoid the crunch, I usually brush my hair out once the product has had time to set.

When I tried the mini sample Olaplex kindly sent me a few weeks ago, I can confirm the brand’s claims are true. Even with my heavy-handed spraying, my hair never felt gritty, gross, or stiff. Surprisingly, I didn’t even feel the need to brush it out after spraying.

That said, I should note that while I’m overall really happy with the product, I’ve been testing it during the summer—a record-high summer in terms of heat and humidity. My high-porosity hair soaks up moisture like a sponge, which easily undoes my hard work to smooth it in the first place. I definitely think Shape Set has reduced how much my hair reacts to humidity, but it hasn’t completely prevented it (which is more of a me problem). Even so, Olaplex’s Shape Set is now my go-to hairspray and will stay that way.

How to Use the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray

Popescu recommends misting Shape Set onto hair in light layers, spritzing it as you style rather than just as a finishing spray (something I admittedly made the mistake of doing). “What’s great about Shape Set is the soft, flexible feel, so it’s easy to run a brush or your fingers through if needed, especially if you’re styling next-day hair,” she says. Just remember to give the can a good shake before using it.

One word of caution: don’t think the product’s added benefit of heat protection means it replaces a traditional heat protectant in all styling situations. “While Shape Set can stand in for a traditional heat protectant, because it’s an aerosol, it should only be sprayed onto dry hair,” she says. “Aerosols shouldn’t be applied to wet hair before heat styling.”

Shop More of Vogue’s Favorite Olaplex Products

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Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother – $32 (Amazon)

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Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil – $32 (Amazon)

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Olaplex Wash and Shine Hair Kit – $68 (Amazon)

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Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum – $30 (Nordstrom)

Save to wishlist
Olaplex No. 3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment – $34 (Amazon)

Save to wishlist
Olaplex No. 4 Fine Bond Maintenance Shampoo – $34 (Amazon)

Everything You Need to Know

How We Tested

When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to give well-rounded recommendations. First, we rely on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity hairstylists—to get professional insight on the standout products in the industry, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We combine their expertise with our editorial best practices to create the thoughtful selections you see on our site.

For hairspray, we chose the best based on these factors: ingredients, texture, hold, and the hair-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal testing of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer feedback to decide which ones we’d recommend to you.

Meet the Experts

Amanda Baldwin, CEO of OLAPLEX

Lavinia Popescu, Chief Scientist and Research Officer at OLAPLEX

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray written in a natural helpful tone

General Questions

Q What is the Olaplex Shape Set Hairspray
A Its a new flexible hairspray from Olaplex that gives you strong touchable hold without making your hair feel stiff or crunchy Its designed to keep your style in place while also repairing and protecting your hair

Q How is this different from a regular hairspray
A Most hairsprays just coat the hair to hold it The Olaplex Shape Set uses Olaplexs patented bondbuilding technology so it actually repairs broken bonds inside the hair shaft while you wear it You get hold and hair health at the same time

Q What does it smell like
A It has a fresh clean and slightly floral scent that isnt overpowering It fades quickly once it dries

Q Is it safe for colortreated hair
A Yes absolutely Its completely safe for colortreated hair and is actually great for it because it helps strengthen the hair which can prevent color from fading due to damage

Usage Application

Q How do I use it
A Shake the can well Hold it about 810 inches away from your head and mist it evenly over your finished style You can use it on dry hair to set a style or on damp hair before blowdrying to add body and hold

Q Can I use it on wet hair
A Yes It works as a great heat protectant and styling primer Spray it on damp hair before you blowdry to help speed up drying time and give your roots a lift

Q How do I get a flexible natural hold with it
A For a softer more flexible hold spray it from further away and use a light sweeping motion Dont saturate the haira light mist is all you need

Q How do I get a strong sleek hold with it