Let's be real—hair products can be confusing. You see "sea salt spray" and "setting spray" on the shelf, they both look like spray bottles, and you're supposed to know which one does what? We got you. Think of it this way: sea salt spray builds the vibe, setting spray locks it in. One creates the look, the other keeps it from falling apart before you even leave the house.
Okay, Real Talk: These Two Sprays Are NOT the Same Thing
If you’ve been using them interchangeably, we need to talk.
Think of it this way:
- Sea Salt Spray is your pre-game. It creates the foundation — texture, volume, grip.
- Setting Spray is your post-game. It locks everything in place so your hard work doesn’t collapse by lunch.
Using a setting spray to create beachy texture is like using a fork to eat soup. Technically possible? Maybe. Optimal? Absolutely not.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s dive into Gatsby’s lineup because they’ve got options for literally every hair vibe.
What Sea Salt Spray Actually Does
Sea salt spray is basically summer in a bottle. It mimics what ocean water does to your hair—adds grip, creates texture, and gives you that "I woke up like this" messy look (even if you spent 20 minutes on it). It's especially great for fine or thin hair because it adds instant volume without weighing strands down, creating the illusion of thicker, fuller hair. The finish is matte, not shiny, so it looks natural and lived-in.
GATSBY Sea Salt Spray Collection
GATSBY's Sea Salt Series is all about that "just got out of the sea" vibe—volume, a little messiness, and zero stiffness.
Volume Mat: Want that voluminous beach hair with serious lift? This one's for you. It's a mist-type spray designed to boost bangs and top volume, and it's perfect for fixing bed hair in the morning. Same matte finish, same ocean breeze scent. Spray 10-12 pushes, then use your fingers to lift roots for extra oomph.
Anti-Gravity Mat: For those who want a natural quiff with strong hold, this aerosol spray delivers. It uses seaweed-derived anti-humidity powder (calcium alginate) to keep your style intact even when the weather decides to act up. It gives hair strands movement in every direction without stiffness. Shake 4-5 times, spray 15-25cm from hair, then style with your hands.
What Setting Spray Actually Does
Setting spray is your style's bodyguard. It forms a protective layer over your finished look, repels moisture, and keeps everything exactly where you put it. The trade-off? Your hair might feel slightly stiffer, and you can't really restyle it throughout the day—that's kind of the point. Think of it as the final boss of your hair routine.
GATSBY Set & Keep Spray Collection
GATSBY's Set & Keep line is designed for one job: making sure your style survives the day, the weather, and your own hands touching it every five minutes.
SUPER HARD is your everyday reliable ride-or-die. It delivers super hold with quick styling that genuinely lasts all day, finished with a natural shine that never looks overdone. It's best for normal to thick hair that needs trustworthy, all-day hold, and it absolutely nails classic side parts, slick backs, and structured quiffs.
EXTREME HOLD is for when you need to go bigger and bolder. This one brings extreme setting power to solid, structured styles with a natural shine to glossy finish. It's made for thick, stubborn hair that laughs at regular products, and it's perfect for dramatic pompadours, hard side parts, and formal updos that need to hold their shape.
ULTRA HARD is the one you call when your hair has a history of giving up. It's sweat and water resistant, quick-drying, and packs ultra-strong hold with a non-sticky natural shine. It's ideal for humid climates, gym-goers, and anyone whose hair taps out by noon, and it handles extreme quiffs, long-lasting structured styles, and those "I have a wedding at 3pm and a club at 9pm" marathon days without breaking a sweat.
SOLID MATTE is the move if shine just isn't your thing. It offers strong hold with a solid matte finish — zero grease, zero glow, just clean texture. It's great for oily hair types, anyone who hates shiny products, and lovers of modern textured styles, and it works wonders for matte textured quiffs, French crops, and modern messy-but-structured looks.
ULTIMATE SHINE is for when you want all eyes on you. It delivers maximum hold with a luminous, glossy finish that screams polished and put-together. It suits all hair types wanting a healthy-looking, radiant finish, and it's the go-to for sleek backs, glossy side parts, and that full "red carpet ready" polished look.
Which Hairstyles Are They For?
So you've got your Gatsby sprays picked out — but how do you actually know which one to reach for when you're staring down your reflection at 7am with no idea what your hair is doing today? The answer comes down to what you're trying to achieve. Are you building a look from scratch, or protecting a look you've already created? Are you going for soft and effortless, or sharp and locked-in? Let's break down exactly what each spray is built for, so you never second-guess your styling shelf again.
Sea Salt Spray is your go-to when the vibe is relaxed, textured, and a little undone — in the best way.
• It's perfect for messy, textured styles and beach looks that feel breezy rather than polished.
• It shines with volume-focused styles like quiffs and lifted bangs, giving hair that natural lift without stiffness.
• It's an absolute lifesaver for fine or thin hair that needs a volume boost, and it's the secret weapon behind that coveted "effortless" second-day hair situation everyone's always chasing
Setting Spray, on the other hand, is all about commitment. It works best for any style that needs to stay put all day — no touch-ups, no panic mirrors in the bathroom.
• It's the ideal finisher for hairstyles you've already created with wax, clay, or pomade, sealing in the shape you've worked hard to build.
• It's a must-have for high-humidity environments where frizz is a constant threat, and it's made for events that go long — think parties, weddings, marathon work shifts, or literally any day where your hair needs to survive from morning coffee to last call.
The takeaway? Sea salt spray builds the vibe. Setting spray protects it. One is your creative tool, the other is your safety net. Together, they're an unstoppable duo.
Hair Type Breakdown
Not all hair is created equal — and that's exactly why your styling products shouldn't be one-size-fits-all either. Whether your hair is fine as a whisper, thick as a rope, or somewhere in between, the spray you reach for makes a real difference.
The good news? There's a Gatsby product for basically every hair type out there — you just need to know how to use it.Here's your no-nonsense guide to matching your strands with the right spray.
How to Use Them Together (The Ultimate Routine)
Here's the move: Sea salt spray first, setting spray last.
1. Start with damp hair (about 60% dry works best)
2. Apply GATSBY Sea Salt Spray to build volume and texture
3. Style with your fingers or a blow dryer to shape the look
4. Once you're happy with the style, finish with GATSBY Set & Keep Spray to lock it all in
5. That's how you get the best of both worlds: a style that looks effortlessly cool AND actually stays that way.
That's how you get the best of both worlds: a style that looks effortlessly cool AND actually stays that way.