Hair spray is one of the most versatile beauty products sold today. While your grandmother’s hair spray was known for its aromatic punch and its seemingly indestructible hold, current formulations offer a bevy of hair benefits.

Hair sprays come in a variety of strengths. A light hold is ideal for keeping a straight style in place while still allowing locks to swing. A medium hold provides a bit more structure so curls stay curly or strands remain swept away from the face. And for that very special hairstyle that needs to last all day and night, look for products that provide extreme hold.

While hold is important, look for hair sprays that simultaneously nourish hair, too. Herbal formulations include essential oils and vitamins to hydrate hair shafts and strengthen cuticles. The result is fuller-looking, more lustrous hair that is soft to the touch. For those with thin hair, a volumizing hair spray works to thicken and shape limp locks.

Hair sprays can also protect hair. Because sun exposure can strip your hair of its moisture and color, look for sprays that shield your scalp and tresses from UV rays. Color-hold sprays are available to lock in color long after chemical treatments. And the heat emitted from blow dryers and irons can cause hair to appear dull and be riddled with fly-aways and split ends. Mist a thermal hair spray on damp hair to create a protective barrier before styling.