Most Kenra styling products carry a number: Volume Mist 2, Perfect Medium Spray 13, Volume Spray 25, Ultra Freeze Spray 30. Those Kenra hairspray numbers are a hold scale, and once you know how it works you can pick the right can in seconds, whether you are setting a blowout, building an updo or finishing a sleek ponytail.
Below: what the numbers mean, where each Kenra product we carry sits, 13 vs 14, 25 vs 30, and working vs finishing sprays.
Key takeaways
- Kenra rates hold from 0 to 30. The higher the number, the stronger the hold: 0 is shine with no hold, 30 is an ultra-firm freeze.
- The number describes hold only. Platinum Silkening Gloss and Platinum Blow-Dry Spray carry no number: they are for shine and blow-drying, not hold.
- 13 and 14 are both medium, brushable sprays. 25 is super hold that still moves; 30 locks a shape in place.
- Build the style with flexible, brushable spray and finish with firm spray. Other brands use their own scales, so compare the maker’s words, not the digits.
What the numbers on Kenra products mean
In Kenra’s words: “we offer a hold factor scale of 0-30 on our products that vary from a no-hold weightless shine to an ultra-firm hold that freezes style in place.” The Kenra Platinum line says the same about its finishing products, on a shorter range: “Each product is assigned a hold index from 0-26. The greater the number, the greater the hold.”
Kenra’s hairspray comparison chart puts words to the numbers: 0 is no hold (shine only), 8 and 9 are flexible and light hold, 13 is medium and brushable, 18 is firm, 21 is extra firm, 25 is “super hold, volumized, flexible, touchable” and 30 is “ultra firm hold, freeze styles in place.”
Kenra numbers its mousses, crèmes and wax sticks as well as its sprays. The number measures hold only; volume, shine and humidity resistance are listed separately.
The number is hold only. The higher it is, the firmer the hold. These are the Kenra products we carry.
Source: Kenra Professional hold factor scale · Oh Baby Nails & Hair · obbnails.com
The Kenra numbers we carry
Kenra splits its styling range into Layer products, used while styling “to provide hold, change shape, or alter texture,” and Finish products, used after styling “to lock in the style and provide additional hold, control, and/or shine.”
| No. | Product | Step | What Kenra says | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Volume Mist 2 | Layer, damp hair | Low hold, flexible finish; buildable volume up to 48 hours | Lift without weight |
| 5 | Anti-Humidity Spray 5 | Finish | Low hold; 72-hour humidity and frizz protection* | Humid days |
| 5 | Curl Defining Creme 5 | Layer, damp hair | Separates curls and waves; soft, touchable finish | Diffused or air-dried curls |
| 13 | Perfect Medium Spray 13 | Finish | Medium hold without stiffness; brush-through; high shine | Everyday brushable finish |
| 14 | Platinum Working Spray 14 | Finish | Medium, flexible hold; pliable control for detailing | Shaping and texture |
| 18 | Nitro Memory Crème 18 | Layer, damp hair | Crème mousse; flexible, firm hold; 3-day style memory | Long-lasting blowouts |
| 22 | Style Control Stick 22 | Layer | Wax stick; medium to high hold; 72-hour hold* | Sleek styles, flyaways |
| 25 | Volume Spray 25 Coastal Breeze | Finish | Volume Spray 25 formula, special-edition scent; super hold up to 120 hours* | Volume that still moves |
| 30 | Ultra Freeze Spray 30 | Finish | Ultra-firm hold; dries instantly | Shapes that must not move |
| none | Platinum Blow-Dry Spray | Layer, damp hair | Cuts blow-dry time up to 50%; heat protection up to 450°F (232°C) | Blow-dry prep |
| none | Platinum Silkening Gloss | Mid-lengths, ends | Smoothing, shine-enhancing gloss | Shine on normal to thick hair |
*Kenra’s claims, measured against untreated hair.
Kenra 13 vs 14
Both are fast-drying, medium-hold, brushable aerosols, and Kenra’s directions for both say to spray “for desired styling and finishing results.” Perfect Medium Spray 13 is “medium hold without stiffness” with a high-shine finish, and Kenra lists it as safe with thermal tools up to 450°F (232°C). Platinum Working Spray 14 is “pliable control for detailing”: flexible, non-sticky, with frizz-free shine, volume and texture. Use 13 for a shiny, finished result that can still be brushed, and 14 while you are still shaping or piecing out texture.
Kenra 25 vs 30
Volume Spray 25, launched in 1987, is super hold that stays touchable. Kenra lists hold up to 120 hours and high-humidity resistance up to 72 hours (against untreated hair in high humidity), wind resistance up to 25 mph and a flake-free finish. Ultra Freeze Spray 30 tops the scale: an ultra-firm hold that “freezes styles in place,” with humidity resistance up to 24 hours. Choose 25 when the style should move, like a big blowout or soft waves; choose 30 for sculpted updos and sleek shapes that must not budge.
Working spray vs finishing spray
A working spray gives flexible hold while you build the style: mist a section, shape it, brush it, mist again. Kenra calls its Artformation Spray 18 a working spray “great for building styles” and says to restyle by brushing through and re-applying. A finishing spray goes on last to lock the shape and add hold, humidity resistance and shine. As Schwarzkopf Professional puts it, “The higher the hold level, the stiffer the hair becomes.”
| Working spray | Finishing spray | |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Holds sections while you style | Locks the finished style |
| Hold | Light to medium, flexible | Medium to ultra-firm |
| Brushing | Made to be brushed and re-sprayed | Firm sprays go on after brushing |
| From our shelf | Kenra 14, Kenra 13, Pravana Super Shape | Kenra 25, Kenra 30, Moroccanoil Luminous Extra Strong |
A medium, brushable spray can often do both jobs. For a full station setup, see our hair salon supply checklist.
Aerosol vs non-aerosol
Aerosols use a propellant for a fine, even mist that dries fast. Pump sprays have none and tend to go on wetter, so they can take longer to set. Kenra lists super hold up to 120 hours for both versions of Volume Spray 25, but high-humidity resistance up to 24 hours for the pump versus 72 for the aerosol.
Humidity-resistant sprays
Some products shield a style from humidity rather than hold it. Kenra Anti-Humidity Spray 5 is a low-hold finisher; amika says the shield, sprayed before heat styling, protects against frizz and humidity for 24+ hours.
Shine sprays
Shine sprays sit at zero on Kenra’s scale: gloss, no hold. Bed Head says to spray TIGI Head Rush over the dry, finished look; Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss is a serum for mid-lengths and ends. Add shine after pinning and backcombing. For oil-based shine, see Moroccanoil Treatment Original vs Light.
Other hairsprays on our shelf, in the makers’ words
Other brands do not use Kenra’s scale. Joico prints its own numbers, Schwarzkopf Professional uses plus signs, and Paul Mitchell sorts sprays into soft, flexible and firm hold. Roughly from lightest to strongest, going by each maker’s words:
| Product | How the maker describes it | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| TIGI Bed Head Head Rush | Shine spray, no hold claim | Last step, shine |
| amika the shield | Anti-humidity, heat protection up to 450°F, no hold claim | Before heat styling |
| Paul Mitchell Super Clean Hairspray | Flexible hold you can brush through | Light finish; static and flyaways |
| Pravana Super Shape Hair Spray | “Workable medium hold,” buildable | Styling mist you can layer |
| Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Freeze | US version: medium hold, strong control, brushable | Brushable finish |
| Joico Power Spray | Fast-dry finishing spray; builds from medium on the first pass to firm as you layer | Buildable finish |
| Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Harder | Firm volumizing spray; hold up to 72 hours (vs. untreated hair in high humidity) | Volume with firm hold |
| Paul Mitchell Super Clean Extra | Strong, “maximum hold,” humidity resistance | Updos and sleek styles |
| Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Extra Strong | Extra strong; brushes out easily | Special-event styles |
| Joico Hold Hero | Joico’s maximum hold; no tacky, stiff feel | Long-wear finish with shine |
Note on OSiS+ Freeze: in the US it is sold as a medium hold hairspray, and our can shows two of four plus signs, despite the name.
How to apply hairspray without stiffness or flakes
- Shake and check the nozzle. Kenra suggests wiping it every few uses; if it clogs, remove it and run the stem under hot water.
- Keep your distance. Kenra says 8–10 inches (about 20–25 cm), Moroccanoil 10 inches (25 cm), Pravana 10–12 inches (25–30 cm). Closer puts too much product in one spot.
- Keep the can moving. Use a continuous motion or short bursts, not one long blast.
- Build in light layers. For lift, spray between layers at the base, or lift sections and spray near the roots.
- Finish last. Brush while the hair has a brushable spray on it; firm and freeze sprays go on after.
Blowouts and updos
For a blowout, prep damp hair in sections with Volume Mist 2, Nitro Memory Crème 18 (about 10 times denser than typical mousse, Kenra says, so start small) or Platinum Blow-Dry Spray, then finish with 13, 14 or 25. For an updo, mist each section with a working spray before pinning, then lock it with 30, Super Clean Extra or Moroccanoil Extra Strong. For flyaways, Kenra suggests spraying your fingertips or a kabuki brush and smoothing the hair back, or use Style Control Stick 22 and a boar bristle brush.
With hot tools
Check the label before spray goes under an iron. Kenra lists 13 as safe with thermal tools up to 450°F (232°C); Paul Mitchell Neuro Protect HeatCTRL Iron Hairspray goes on dry hair before the iron. See our guide on how to use heat protectant.
Removing hairspray buildup
Hairspray washes out, but daily coats can leave hair heavy, dull or stiff. When regular shampoo is not enough, use a clarifying shampoo; see our clarifying shampoo guide. Between washes, drop to a lower number or refresh with Volume Mist 2, which Kenra says can be re-applied to dry hair.
Safety and storage
- Aerosols are flammable. Keep cans away from flames and heat, and never store them above 120°F (49°C), the limit printed on aerosol labels such as amika’s. Spray away from the eyes.
- Kenra notes that the alcohol in hairspray can irritate a sensitive scalp if overused. Keep spray on the hair; ongoing irritation is a reason to see a dermatologist.
Shop hairspray and styling products at OBB
We carry every Kenra number above and hairsprays from several professional lines:
- Kenra layering: Volume Mist 2, Curl Defining Creme 5, Nitro Memory Crème 18, Style Control Stick 22, Platinum Blow-Dry Spray, Platinum Silkening Gloss
- Kenra finishing: Anti-Humidity Spray 5, Perfect Medium Spray 13, Platinum Working Spray 14, Volume Spray 25 Coastal Breeze, Ultra Freeze Spray 30
- Paul Mitchell: Super Clean Hairspray (Flexible Hold), Super Clean Extra (Firm Hold), Neuro Protect HeatCTRL Iron Hairspray
- Joico Power Spray and Hold Hero; Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Freeze; Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Extra Strong; Pravana Super Shape; Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Harder
- Humidity and shine: amika the shield, TIGI Bed Head Head Rush
Browse everything in Styling & Heat Protection, or call or text (949) 591-5304 with your list and we will confirm stock and pricing.
FAQ
What do the numbers on Kenra hairspray mean?
They are Kenra’s hold factor, from 0 to 30. The higher the number, the firmer the hold: 0 is shine only, 13 is medium, 25 is super hold and 30 is ultra-firm. Kenra Platinum finishing products use a 0–26 range.
Is Kenra 30 stronger than 25?
Yes. Ultra Freeze Spray 30 tops Kenra’s scale and freezes a style in place. Volume Spray 25 is super hold but stays flexible and touchable.
Can a finishing spray be used as a working spray?
A medium, brushable one often can; Kenra’s directions for 13 and 14 cover styling and finishing. Keep firm and freeze sprays for the last step.
Why does a hairspray can say “50% VOC”?
VOC means volatile organic compounds. Since January 1, 2023, California has limited hair finishing sprays to 50% VOC by weight, and Kenra, for example, lists 50% VOC and 80% VOC versions of several sprays.
Sources
- Kenra Professional, The Best Hairspray For All Day Hold (0–30 hold factor scale, application tips, Volume Spray 25 history)
- Kenra Professional, Kenra Platinum (0–26 hold index)
- Kenra Professional, Volume Spray 25 (hold factor comparison chart), Volume Spray 25 Non-Aerosol, Artformation Spray 18, Finish and Layer collections
- Kenra Professional product pages: Volume Mist 2, Anti-Humidity Spray 5, Curl Defining Creme 5, Perfect Medium Spray 13, Working Spray 14, Nitro Memory Crème 18, Style Control Stick 22, Volume Spray 25 Coastal Breeze, Ultra Freeze Spray 30, Blow-Dry Spray, Silkening Gloss
- Paul Mitchell, Super Clean Hairspray, Super Clean Extra Hairspray, Neuro Protect HeatCTRL Iron Hairspray
- Joico on YouTube, Announcing Joico’s NEW Hold Hero and Joico Power Spray Product Tips
- Schwarzkopf Professional (US), OSiS Freeze
- Moroccanoil, Luminous Hairspray Extra Strong
- PRAVANA, Super Shape Hair Spray
- SexyHair, Big Spray & Play Harder and Which Hairspray Is Right For Me?
- amika, the shield anti-humidity spray
- Bed Head by TIGI, Head Rush Shine Hair Spray
- California Code of Regulations, Title 17, § 94509, via Cornell LII, Standards for Consumer Products (VOC limit for hair finishing spray)
This article is general education for licensed professionals. Always follow the instructions that come with the product you are using.