Tinted sprays, also known as, sprays that ruin the walls of my bathroom and stain anything and everything in their wake of nozzle wielding destruction. I’ve tried more than the ones I’ve included in this post, these are just the ones I managed to still hold onto with the hope that one day, maybe, I’ll suddenly master the art of ‘not making a mess of it.’
Let me set the scene. It’s 8am. I’ve got the cap off the spray, I’m aiming at my scalp, and I’m feeling cautiously optimistic. Three seconds later there’s brown spray on the mirror, the wall, my white towel, and somehow also on the ceiling. I don’t know how it got on the ceiling. I’m choosing not to investigate. This is the reality of tinted hair sprays for hair loss, and I feel like nobody is being fully honest about it. They work. They also require a certain tolerance for mild chaos.
Tinted hair sprays reduce the visible contrast between your scalp and your hair – so instead of the light bouncing off a visible scalp through thin hair, everything blends together a bit more. They’re not going to add density or create the illusion of thick hair. But for covering a visible parting or reducing the appearance of scalp show-through, they do the job. I used them a lot before I started wearing alternative hair full time, and I still keep one around for days when I want to go out with just my bio hair and need a bit of help.
The four I’ve actually tested
First one is my Batiste, which is actually my favourite of the bunch – it’s cheap and cheerful and the spray isn’t as aggressive as others pictured. Though, I recommend cleaning the little area where the spray comes out of regularly because it can cake on and dry, and then it just sprays out clumps. I like to use a cotton bud and warm water to clean the nozzle every once in a while to make sure the spray comes out at its best.
Next up is my Bumble & Bumble Brownish Powder. This one is incredibly aggressive when it sprays, I tried to get the perfect amount of pressure pushing down on the button but no matter how hard I tried this sucker was like a volcano erupting on my head of just… brown glops. Maybe I got a dud can? I have no idea, but I’ve only used it a handful of times and I’m not sure I’d want to try again. I would definitely see if you can try this out somewhere before purchasing it as it’s a lot pricier than the others in this list and I don’t think it does anything differently than the rest. This is just personal experience of course, I know a lot of people love the BB product and I’ve read rave reviews everywhere, I just couldn’t get it to work for me.
Third is Label.M Brunette Dry Shampoo, this product was one that was recommended to me at a Toni & Guy salon here in the UK when I dared to go get my hair cut at a salon and the stylist there piled this spray on my head like there was no tomorrow. Sure my scalp was covered up, but my hair was crisptastic. Using a bit of the product worked out better but it’s very similar to the Batiste and more expensive so if I had to choose I’d go with the Batiste.
Mane Hair Thickening Spray and root concealer is my second favourite of the bunch. I purchased this one at Trendco Birmingham and out of all the sprays this one survived the ‘scratch-the-itchy-scalp-dirt-nail-test.’ You know what I’m talking about, that moment when you’re thinking ‘oh, my head is itching, let me just scratch at that lil itch – oh great now my fingernails are brown.’ I mean all these sprays do that to a degree but this one seemed to do it less, it didn’t clump and I didn’t notice any trails of brown water leaking down my face when it rained too.
So all in all I like the Batiste because it’s cheap and the Mane because of its survival on my indecisive noggin.
Tips that actually help
A few things I’ve learned from years of tinted spray trial and error that nobody puts on the packaging:
Hold the can further away than you think. Most of the mess comes from holding it too close. I aim for at least 30cm now. Yes, your hand gets tired holding it at that distance. Yes, it’s still worth it.
Thin layers, not one heavy coat. One heavy coat is how you end up with clumps and that weird matt patch that looks worse than no spray at all. Light layers, let each one settle, build it up gradually.
Do it before you get dressed. I cannot stress this enough. Tinted hair spray on a white shirt is not a problem with a quick fix. Do the spray first, let it dry, then get dressed.
Clean the nozzle. Every single time. A clogged nozzle is where all the clumping drama comes from. Cotton bud, warm water, done.
Check the weather. Rain is not a tinted hair spray’s friend. If it’s going to rain, I’m either going with a different coverage option that day or accepting that my scalp is going to look like a bad self-tan situation by lunchtime.
Other options worth knowing about
Tinted hair fibres (like Toppik or Nanogen) are a different beast entirely. Where sprays coat the hair shaft to reduce contrast, fibres are tiny keratin strands that cling to existing hairs and give the appearance of more density. Fibres can look more natural in still air but are more vulnerable to wind and rain. Worth trying both and seeing which works better for your specific situation – the coverage you need and your lifestyle both factor in.
For days when I want more targeted coverage, I also use a flat eyeshadow brush to press a matte powder eyeshadow that matches my hair colour onto my parting. Lower-tech than a spray but surprisingly effective, and zero ceiling-staining incidents to report.
FAQ
Do tinted hair sprays for thinning hair actually work?
Yes, within limits. Tinted hair sprays and scalp concealers reduce the visible contrast between your hair and scalp, which makes thinning look less obvious. They don’t add density or stimulate growth, but they can make a real visible difference on the scalp. They need washing out at the end of the day and transfer onto clothing and pillowcases.
What is the best cheap tinted hair spray for hair loss?
Batiste tinted dry shampoo is a popular affordable option for covering scalp visibility with hair loss. It’s less aggressive in its spray than some pricier alternatives and does the job well. Clean the nozzle regularly with a cotton bud and warm water to prevent product caking and clumping.
How do I apply tinted hair spray without making a mess?
Hold the can at least 30cm from your head, apply in thin layers rather than one heavy coat, and put something behind you to catch any overspray before you start. Apply before you get dressed. Clean the nozzle with a cotton bud after every use to prevent clumping.
What is the difference between tinted hair spray and scalp concealer fibres?
Tinted hair spray is liquid that coats existing hairs to make them look darker and reduce visible scalp contrast. Scalp concealer fibres like Toppik or Nanogen are tiny fibres that cling to existing hairs and add the appearance of density. Fibres add more visible fullness but can look unnatural in wind or rain. Sprays are more natural-looking but don’t add volume.
Does Mane hair spray work for hair loss?
Mane Hair Thickening Spray is a well-regarded tinted spray for covering scalp visibility in hair loss. It tends to have better staying power than cheaper alternatives and is less likely to streak or run in light rain. Available from specialist hair retailers including Trendco.
More on managing thinning hair
- Androgenic Alopecia in Women: What It Is, What to Expect and What Helps
- Hair Topper vs Wig: Which One Do You Actually Need?
- The Hair Topper Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To
- Nobody Talks About What Hair Loss Does To Your Head (The Inside Part)
- What I’d Google If I Was Newly Diagnosed With Androgenic Alopecia
