Texturizing products are the Swiss army knives of the hair product world. These multitaskers do everything from boosting volume and absorbing oil, to preserving a blowout and holding your style in place.A good texturizer can turn actual bedhead into model-off-duty bedhead, but not all formulas are the same. We’ve got a run-down of the five basic categories of texturizing products and the best ones for every need. Read on to decipher the options and decide which texturizer is right for you.

Salt spray has become the most popular of all texturizing products and maybe that’s because beach waves are forever having a moment. Good for any style that you want to look piece-y and mussed, salt sprays are also great for prepping fine hair for a blowout or rough-dry; they deliver structure that makes holding a style easier.Because of the salt, these formulas can be drying, so try and avoid spraying too high up. For volume at the root, use in combination with...

Dry shampoo isn't just boss for soaking up excess oil — you can also use it as a texturizer. A dry shampoo spray leaves an unmistakable grit to the finish. It’s more about matte rockstar hair than low-key beach waves.Fan out your hair by tipping your head to one side, then slowly layer the product into your roots and mid-lengths. Massage the roots for volume, but don't brush or you'll risk brushing out the texture you just created.

The most malleable of texturizing product categories is serum. Ideal for creating workable, textured styles while adding softness and body, texturizing serum provides structure while blow drying, without weighing hair down.An extremely versatile product, it adds beautiful volume to any style, including fine and curly hair, while also serving as a great shine-enhancing finishing product. A texturizing serum is also great for sculpted styles like finger-waves. 

A texturizing powder (or dust as it’s sometimes known) is packed with powerful oil-absorbing ingredients that provide your hair with some serious structure. This category of texturizing product is great for root amplification, specifically.The best way to use a texturizing powder is to sprinkle a bit at a time around your roots, massaging as you go, until you've reached your desired volume.

A texturizing spray is basically a hairspray you can play around with before it sets. It’s the perfect texturizer for making fine hair look fuller and giving you an airy, gritty texture without weighing it down.A texturizing spray is also great for reviving a blowout on the second day. Flip your hair and spray from root to tip, then finger-fluff the roots and shake your head to create movement.

When it comes to faking I-woke-up-like-this, messy-yet-still-put-together hair, nothing pulls it off better than a texturizer. Not only do texturizing products give your hair texture, but they boost volume, create definition, absorb oil, and adds grip and hold to your hair.If you’re not already using one, add a texturizer into your product line-up and you’ll be seeing good hair days for days! 

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor