Styling
Style your hair in the way that works best for you using optional products for texture, volume, hold and definition.
This step is completely optional. Use any styling products you enjoy, in any order that works for your hair and preferred style.
Step 9 is optional. Styling products do not replace the protective and conditioning steps that come before them. Choose only the products that help you achieve your preferred finish, and apply them in the order that works best for your hair.
There’s no single “correct” way to approach this step. You might use no styling product at all, just one, several layered together, or different products on different wash days — all of these are reasonable ways to use Step 9.
What Step 9 Is For
Styling products are about how your finished hair looks and feels, not about hair health. They can help with texture, root lift, overall volume, body, definition, hold, shape, separation, and finishing or refreshing a style between washes.
- Texture and grip for a more lived-in finish
- Root lift and overall volume or body
- Definition, shape and separation
- Hold that lasts through the day
- Finishing touches and second-day refreshing
Step 8 already handles leave-in conditioning and heat protection. Step 9 is simply the finishing layer on top — entirely about achieving the look you want, using whatever products (if any) help you get there.
“Styling products shape how your hair looks — not how healthy it is underneath.”
Recommended Styling Products
Six optional styling products spanning dry texture sprays, volume sprays, a plumping mousse and a strong-hold shaping balm. None of these are required — pick only what suits your hair and the finish you want.
TRESemmé Dry Texture Finishing Spray
A dry finishing spray designed to add texture and light grip to hair that’s already styled, helping create a more undone, lived-in finish without adding noticeable weight.
- Lightweight, non-greasy finish
- Adds grip for updos and braids
- Affordable, easy-to-find formula
- Best used on dry, finished hair rather than as a base
- Not designed to add heavy volume on its own
- Can build up if used too often between washes
Who Should Buy It: Anyone wanting an easy, affordable way to add texture and grip to an already-finished style.
Living Proof Dry Volume & Texture Spray
A lightweight dry spray formulated to lift roots and add texture throughout the hair, designed to boost volume and body without leaving a stiff or sticky feel.
- Adds volume without weighing hair down
- Non-sticky, touchable finish
- Works well on second-day or refreshed hair
- Premium price point
- Volume boost may be subtle on very thick hair
- Best applied to dry rather than damp hair
Who Should Buy It: Anyone wanting airy volume and texture without a heavy styling feel.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
A well-known salon-brand dry texturizing spray designed to add grip, lift and a fuller-looking finish to hair that’s already dry and styled.
- Well-regarded texture and lift
- Pleasant, salon-quality finish
- Versatile for updos, braids and loose styles
- Higher price point than drugstore texture sprays
- Fragrance may be strong for some users
- Best on dry hair rather than as a styling base
Who Should Buy It: Anyone willing to invest in a premium texturizing spray for a fuller, more textured finish.
K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
A volumizing spray positioned as part treatment, part styling product, designed to add lightweight lift while incorporating K18’s reparative technology.
- Lightweight volumizing feel
- Treatment-focused formula
- Can be layered with other styling products
- Premium price point
- Volume benefit is subtle rather than dramatic
- Best paired with other products for stronger hold
Who Should Buy It: Anyone wanting a lightweight volumizing spray with a more treatment-oriented formula.
TRESemmé Amplified Volume Plumping Mousse
A plumping mousse designed to be applied to damp hair before blow-drying, helping build body and fullness from the roots through the lengths.
- Builds noticeable body and fullness
- Affordable, easy-to-find formula
- Works well underneath a blowout
- Can feel stiff if too much is applied
- Best applied to damp hair rather than dry
- Not designed as a finishing product
Who Should Buy It: Anyone wanting extra body and hold starting from the blow-dry stage.
R+Co Grasp Intense Hold Shaping Balm
A strong-hold shaping balm designed to define, separate and mold hair into place, typically worked through small sections for texture and structure.
- Strong, longer-lasting hold
- Good for definition and separation
- A small amount goes a long way
- Can feel heavy if overused
- Not intended for all-over use on fine hair
- Premium, salon-brand price point
Who Should Buy It: Anyone wanting strong hold, shape and separation, particularly for shorter or textured styles.
Which Styling Product Is Right for You?
A side-by-side look at format, styling goal, and how strong each product’s volume, texture and hold levels tend to be.
| Product | Format | Main Styling Goal | Volume Level | Texture Level | Hold Level | Best Application Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRESemmé Dry Texture Finishing Spray | Spray | Texture & grip | Low | High | Low–Medium | Dry, finished hair |
| Living Proof Dry Volume & Texture Spray | Spray | Volume & texture | Medium–High | Medium | Low | Dry hair |
| Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray | Spray | Premium texture & lift | Medium | High | Low–Medium | Dry, finished hair |
| K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray | Spray | Lightweight volume | Medium | Low–Medium | Low | Damp or dry hair |
| TRESemmé Amplified Volume Plumping Mousse | Mousse | Pre-blow-dry fullness | High | Low | Medium | Damp hair, before blow-drying |
| R+Co Grasp Intense Hold Shaping Balm | Balm | Shape, separation & hold | Low | Low | High | Dry, finished hair |
Choosing Between Texture, Volume, Mousse and Balm
Dry texture and premium texturizing sprays are best for adding grip and a lived-in finish to hair that’s already dry and styled. Volume sprays focus on lift and body with a lighter, airier feel, while a plumping mousse is typically applied before blow-drying to build fullness from the roots.
A shaping balm is best reserved for definition, separation and stronger hold, and is usually used sparingly rather than throughout all of the hair. You can mix and match — or use just one — based on your hair type and the finish you’re after.
How to Layer Styling Products
Styling order depends on the products you choose and the finish you’re going for. Always check the specific instructions on your chosen product’s packaging first.
Start With Wet-Hair Products, If Using Any
Apply a mousse or volumizing spray to damp hair first, if the products you’ve chosen are designed for this stage.
Blow-Dry Or Style As Usual
Continue with your regular blow-drying, air-drying or heat styling routine, following Step 8’s leave-in and heat protection first.
Add Texture Or Volume Spray To Finished, Dry Hair
Dry texture and volumizing sprays are typically applied once your hair is fully dry and already styled.
Use A Shaping Balm Sparingly
Work a small amount through the ends or specific sections for definition, separation or flyaways.
Refresh As Needed
A light layer of dry texture spray can help refresh your style on second or third-day hair between washes.
You do not need to use every styling product together. Start with one product and add more only when your style needs it.
Watch Abbey Yung Explain Styling
Abbey introduces Step 9 of her method and separately walks through her general process for styling with an air-styling tool.
Hair-Type & Styling-Goal Guidance
Every hair type and styling goal is different — think of these as starting points to experiment from rather than strict rules.
Fine Hair
Lighter sprays and a small amount of mousse tend to work well; heavier balms can weigh fine hair down quickly.
Thick Hair
Richer textures and stronger-hold products, including a shaping balm, may hold up better through thick or dense hair.
Curly Or Wavy Hair
Consider using dry texture spray sparingly so it doesn’t disrupt your natural curl or wave pattern.
Short Hair
A small amount of shaping balm can help with definition and separation in shorter cuts.
Long Hair
Volume spray or mousse applied near the roots can help balance out the weight of longer lengths.
Flat Or Low-Volume Hair
Root-focused volume sprays or a plumping mousse applied before blow-drying may help add lift.
Hair Needing Strong Hold
A shaping balm used sparingly on key sections can provide more structured, longer-lasting hold.
Hair Needing Only Light Texture
A light dry texture spray on dry, finished hair may be all you need for subtle grip and movement.
Common Styling Mistakes
Styling products tend to work best in small amounts, applied thoughtfully rather than layered on all at once.
Using Too Much Product
A little goes a long way with most styling products — start small and add more only if you need it.
Applying Dry Texture Spray Too Close To The Roots
Spraying too close to the scalp can leave hair feeling gritty; aim from mid-lengths outward for a more natural finish.
Layering Several Strong-Hold Products At Once
Combining multiple heavy-hold products can leave hair feeling stiff, crunchy or difficult to restyle.
Skipping Heat Protection Before Heat Styling
Styling products in Step 9 don’t replace a heat protectant — that step from Step 8 still matters if you’re using hot tools.
Applying Balm Too Heavily
A shaping balm is typically used in small amounts on specific sections rather than throughout all of the hair.
Treating Styling Products As Repair Treatments
Styling products shape your finished look; they aren’t a substitute for the conditioning and repair steps earlier in the method.
Using A Wet-Hair Product On Fully Dry Hair Unless Instructed
Some products are designed specifically for damp hair — check the label before applying them to dry hair.
Using Dry Texture Spray Before Hair Is Fully Dry
Dry texture sprays are generally designed for finished, fully dry hair rather than damp or towel-dried hair.
Where Styling Fits In The Abbey Yung Method
Step 9 focuses on styling after the protective and conditioning steps have been applied. It is followed by Step 10, which covers style sealers and finishing products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Step 9 required?▾
Do I need styling products for healthy hair?▾
Can I use more than one styling product?▾
Should mousse go on wet or dry hair?▾
When should I use dry texture spray?▾
Can texture spray damage hair?▾
What is the difference between texture spray and volume spray?▾
Can I use styling balm on fine hair?▾
Do I still need heat protectant before styling?▾
What order should styling products go in?▾
Is Step 9 Right For You?
Step 9 is the most flexible step in the Abbey Yung Method — it’s based entirely on your personal preference, hair type and the look you’re going for, rather than being tied to hair health.
Some people skip styling products entirely, while others enjoy layering a few together to fine-tune texture, volume, hold and definition.
However you approach it, the products in this step are meant to help you achieve your preferred finish, not to replace the protective and conditioning steps you’ve already completed earlier in the method.
Independent educational resource. Hair Growth Hub is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Abbey Yung or any product brand mentioned on this page. Content is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always patch-test new products and consult a dermatologist or trichologist for persistent scalp or hair concerns. Questions about this page? Contact us at hello@hairgrowthhub.fi.
Continue to Step 10
Use the styling products that suit your hair and preferred finish, or skip this optional step entirely. Continue to Step 10 to learn how style sealers and finishing products fit into the routine.