I normally shy away from wave sprays. I've tried several, including Fekkai's summer spray and all were horribly sticky. This spray is FABULOUS especially when used in conjunction with the Sun Recovery spray. I finish with the Sun Mist shimmer spray. I can even blow dry my hair after applying. To have done that with other wave sprays would have spelled a sticky, knotty disaster. My hair is just too long to let it air dry, as I'd have wet marks down my back and it would take hours.
My hair is LONG...almost down to my waist and I was afraid this would turn it into a sticky mess and be returned. I can't stop touching my hair though...it is so soft and not sticky in the least!
Just like with the Recovery spray, Alterna is spot on in the spritz mechanism being a fine mist. This is to be used VERY sparingly. If you are getting sticky hair from this you are using WAY TOO MUCH. Considering how much hair I have, you'd think I'd go through the bottle in a few weeks like I do with other hair styling products, but not with this. A dab will do ya. I can't stress this enough.
My hair is wavy already, so I cannot attest to how this would do with straight hair. As it emphasizes wave, I do not think this will make straight hair wavy. It just doesn't have enough hold. So I would disagree with the statement in the product description that it gives wave to all hair types. It will emphasize you waves if your hair already has some of that wave/texture/curl.
I love the smelll...not overpowering but enough to have people say "ooooh you smell good" and PERFECT for summer. It won't compete with my fragrance for summer and in fact I think it will complement it just nicely.
Again, I encourage you to give it another go before returning it if you find it was too sticky. I probably used just a few spritzes over my entire length of hair, and I did not apply to the scalp area. I applied it started a few inches from the top of my head and downward. Just fantastic! And the fact it has UV protection is an added bonus!