Wella EIMI Stay Firm Workable Finishing Hairspray
Avoid until Wella discloses or third-party testing confirms safety.
Wella offers no public PFAS disclosure or third-party verification for this aerosol. Hairsprays historically carry PFAS risk from water/stain repellency claims and aerosol formulations, though this product's specific ingredients are untested.
The safe swap
Bumble and bumble
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
aerosol hairspray (alcohol, resins, propellant)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Propellant inhalation (hydrocarbon or LPG)
Aerosol hairsprays release volatile propellants during and after application. Acute inhalation in poor ventilation may cause dizziness or respiratory irritation; chronic exposure risk is low for typical consumer use but cumulative in salons or frequent heavy users.
Resin particle inhalation
Acrylate or acrylic resin polymers form fine particles in aerosol clouds; long-term lung effects at consumer exposure levels are not well-studied, though occupational exposure to aerosol resins is monitored in salon settings.
Fragrance allergen exposure
Hairsprays typically contain undisclosed fragrance compounds; individuals with fragrance sensitivity may experience scalp irritation, headache, or respiratory sensitivity from inhalation or residue contact.
Eye and mucous membrane irritation
Aerosol spray contact with eyes or mouth causes acute irritation. Product labeling warns against direct facial spray; accidental exposure during application in windy conditions or in bathrooms is a known consumer hazard.
PFAS
Wella does not disclose PFAS use; industry testing has found PFAS in some aerosol hairsprays as anti-static or water-repellent additives. Third-party data for this specific product is absent; Wella's silence is the primary concern.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Wella EIMI Stay Firm is an alcohol-based aerosol hairspray containing film-forming resins (likely acrylate polymers) and a hydrocarbon or liquefied petroleum gas propellant. The alcohol carrier evaporates quickly, leaving resin particles suspended in hair; propellants and aerosol delivery carry inhalation risk if used in unventilated spaces. This is a functional category where ingredient transparency is limited by industry practice, making independent verification difficult.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wella (owned by Coty Inc.) does not publicly disclose PFAS use in hairsprays or commitment to phase-out, despite growing industry awareness. The brand has no major published safety recalls for this specific product line. Wella does not list detailed ingredient breakdowns beyond FDA cosmetic labeling standards, limiting consumer verification of chemical content beyond what aerosol hairsprays typically contain.
How it compares in its category
Standard alcohol-based aerosol hairsprays like Wella's carry similar inhalation and propellant risks as competitors (Tresemmé, TRESemmé, drugstore brands). Pump-spray and non-aerosol alternatives eliminate propellant concerns but may offer less firm hold. Brands with explicit PFAS-free claims or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified) are available in the same price range, offering more transparency.
If you buy it
Use only in well-ventilated spaces to minimize inhalation of propellant and fine resin particles; avoid spraying near face if possible. Do not use in unventilated bathrooms or cars for extended periods. Replace when propellant pressure drops noticeably. If respiratory sensitivity, allergies, or pregnancy are factors, opt for pump-spray or non-aerosol finishers pending Wella's PFAS disclosure.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Wella has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Hair Spray
Moroccanoil
Treatment Mist
argan oil, silicones, water-based spray emulsion
Fragrance allergens / undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Silicone buildup on hair over time
Moderate concern
Inhalation exposure from spray format
Limited concern
Preservative sensitivity (paraben or alt. preservative not itemized)
Limited concern
Low concern for PFAS; oil-based cosmetic spray contains no obvious fluorinated additives.
⚠Risky category by default
Bumble and bumble
Thickening Spray
spray formulation (polymers, propellant, solvents)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from solvents
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Propellant-related respiratory irritation
Limited concern
Low concern; spray styling product shows no known PFAS triggers, though chemical composition remains undisclosed.
⚠Risky category by default
Wella
EIMI Ocean Spritz
Water-based spray propellant with conditioning polymers
Inhalation of aerosolized propellant and polymers
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and contact sensitization
Limited concern
Polymer film buildup and scalp irritation with overuse
Limited concern
Lower concern for typical spray cosmetic, but Wella discloses nothing about PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
More hair spray grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.