I have spent far too much money on luxury hair sprays that promise a root lift but only deliver a sticky mess. When I saw this L3 Level 3 Styling Powder popping up all over my feed for under 15 dollars, I was skeptical. It looks like a spice shaker for your scalp, and the idea of dumping white powder on my dark roots seemed like a recipe for looking like I had a massive dandruff problem. But after my latest flat-hair-day meltdown, I decided it was time to see if this barber-shop secret actually lived up to the hype.
Shake It To Make It
The packaging is incredibly simple, bordering on industrial. It is a plastic bottle with a sifter top, but do not let the basic look fool you. The texture of the powder itself is so strange in the best way possible. It feels almost like dry water—it is incredibly light, but as soon as you rub it between your fingers, it turns into this grippy, matte substance that vanishes instantly. I was worried it would smell like cheap hairspray, but it actually has a very clean, professional barber-shop scent that is not overwhelming at all. The L3 Level 3 Styling Powder goes on white, but within three seconds of ruffling it into my roots, it was completely invisible.
The Windy Morning Coffee Run
I decided to put this to the test on a day when I knew I would be running errands in the wind. Usually, my fine hair goes limp the second a breeze hits it. I sprinkled a tiny bit directly onto my roots and used my fingertips to massage it in, focusing on the crown. Wait, where did this volume come from? It was like my hair suddenly had a skeleton. Here is how it actually performed during the day:
- The Grip: It provides a medium hold that is not crunchy. I could still run my fingers through my hair, but the style actually stayed in place.
- The Finish: It is truly matte. There is zero shine, which is perfect for that messy, effortless look that usually takes me twenty minutes and a curling iron to achieve.
- The Longevity: Even after six hours and a very humid walk to the coffee shop, my hair still had lift. I just had to give it a quick "scrunch" with my hands to reactivate the volume.
- The Residue: Unlike dry shampoo, this did not leave my hair feeling chalky or heavy by the end of the day.
The Final Verdict
Is it a miracle? Maybe not, but for $14.99, it feels like a total steal. The L3 Level 3 Styling Powder is perfect for anyone who struggles with fine or thin hair that refuses to hold a shape. It gives you that second-day hair texture without the actual grease of second-day hair. My only real gripe is the bottle design; if you toss this in a gym bag, be careful when you open it because the powder likes to settle in the cap and can make a little bit of a mess. Aside from that, it has officially replaced my heavy-duty hairsprays for daily use.
Who Should Buy This:
- People with fine, straight, or thinning hair who need an immediate lift.
- Anyone who hates the "crunchy" feeling of traditional hair gels or sprays.
- Guys (or girls!) looking for a matte, messy texture that looks natural.
Who Should Skip This:
- People with very thick or coarse hair; you might find the hold isn't strong enough for your weight.
- Anyone looking for a sleek, high-shine finish.
- Those who prefer unscented products, as this does have a distinct cologne-like fragrance.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Lauren