If there’s one mistake hairstylists don’t want you to make, it’s using a hot tool without a heat protectant. You might be able to get away with blow drying sans a protectant occasionally, but let’s just say you’ll regret it in the long run, no matter your hair type. As someone who used to heat style religiously, I can speak from experience. Once I found the right heat protectant spray for my dry, thick, curly hair, though, it changed the game for me. My hair became a lot stronger, less brittle, and easier to manage. Although I don’t heat style as much as I used to, a heat protectant is still the one thing I never use my flat iron without. Whether your hair is curly, straight, fine, wavy, or thick, the best heat protectant for your hair is out there. Keep scrolling for stylist recommendations along with a few of our own favorites.
Heat protectants protect your hair from damage caused by hot tools like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. They can act as a barrier between your strands and heat by sealing in moisture. Most are also designed to prevent hair breakage and smooth out frizz or flyaways. Although you don’t necessarily have to use a spray form of one, those are often great for covering larger amounts of hair.
Picking the right heat protectant for you depends on your hair type. If you have straight, fine hair, you’ll want to select one that’s light but hydrating and won’t leave it limp. Some with extremely fine strands might even want to select a volumizing heat protectant to add body to the hair. Curly and coily hair types will want to go for a heat protectant that’s extra hydrating since textured hair types are drier in nature. Dry hair and hot tools already don’t mix, so key moisturizing ingredients to look for include shea butter, jojoba oil, and abyssinian oil.
Celebrity hairstylist Derek Williams also says there are a few things you should avoid when shopping for the best heat protectant spray. “When it comes to shopping for heat protectants, make sure to avoid those that have silicone or alcohol as the primary ingredients.” he says. “Alcohol is used to get hair to dry quicker, but it can dry your hair out. Silicone is used to coat the hair to give it a silky finish, but over time, it can actually dry hair out and cause breakage.” Keep scrolling for the best stylist-recommended heat protectants and picks for each hair type.
This balm from Oribe is light enough to work for finer hair types, but still hydrating enough to work just as well for thicker strands. It has heat-activated polymer technology, sandalwood, and maracuja oil to also protect and nourish fragile, damaged hair. It’s also a favorite of celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis. “This one is my favorite for thicker hair. The balm coats the hair and helps reduce frizz as well as adding moisture back into the hair. It’s also jammed packed full of ingredients that are great for the hair and nourishing to it.” —Ellis
If you’re on a budget or just in a pinch and need something from the drugstore, try Aussie’s Total Miracle Spray. It’s infused with apricot and macadamia oil that provide extra moisture and heat protection for all hair types.
DevaCurl’s Mist of Wonders if a favorite of mine because it’s truly an all-in-one product. I even use it on days I don’t heat style for extra moisture and frizz prevention, but it does also provide thermal stress protection, strengthens, and reduces strand breakage. It’s great for anyone like me who has dry, coarse, thick curls.
Pattern’s heat protectant spray is designed with both curly and coily hair types in mind. The texture is really lightweight so it won’t weigh the hair down, but it also adds softness and extra moisture with abyssinica seed, sunflower, and jojoba oil.
This protein-rich mist protects curls against environmental stress and damaging heat waves with abyssinian oil and a vegan thermal shield that mimics the amino acid composition of keratin in the hair.
“This one is great for textured hair. It adds hold to the hair for any of the styles. It also isn’t super heavy, so it doesn’t feel crunchy or leave the hair heavy.” —Ellis
Ouidad’s Climate Control Heat Spray is designed for all curl types, but it’s particularly great for tighter coils because it’s packed with so many hydrating ingredients and sericin, a protein derived from silk which seals the hair cuticle and keeps out frizz. Grapeseed, sweet almond, macadamia nut, argan, and coconut oil improve softness and prime coils for any hot tool use to follow.
Another great budget option for tighter curl types is Cantu’s Shea Butter Heat Protectant Spray. Pure shea butter in the formula replaces vital moisture, strengthens hair, and adds shine.
Living Proof offers one of the best heat protectant sprays for thicker, wavy hair types since it detangles, reduces breakage, and adds slip with plant extracts like amino acid-rich beet root.
If your hair is wavy and dry, Ceremonia’s heat protectant spray is enriched with blue agave which helps your hair attract and retain water for a smoother style. Avocado oil in the formula also helps reduce breakage.
“[One of my favorite heat protectant sprays is the] Save the Do Blow Dry Style Starter from Hair by Sam McKnight. This product is super lightweight and can be sprayed all over on damp hair. Being lightweight, this product is ideal for fine to medium hair, as well as hair that has been color-treated. Not only does it offer heat protection, but it has a light hold, which is awesome if you plan on using a hot tool after you dry your hair. It will give your hair a little memory and helps seal your hair’s cuticle as you style.” —Williams
If your straight hair is thicker, Ouai’s leave-in conditioner might be the one for you. It detangles with ease, smoothes out frizz, and is a top pick for stylists. “[I love] the Leave In Conditioner from Ouai. It’s great sprayed on the mid lengths and ends of freshly washed hair, and then brushed through. This product is ideal for course to medium hair. It’s a great detangler and nourishes and protects hair from heat styling. The Leave In Conditioner spray from Ouai also has a concentrated formula, so it only requires a couple of sprays and will last for a long time.” —Williams
For straight hair that has been damaged by heat or color, Bumble and bumble offers this breakage-protecting heat protectant spray. It helps repair damaged strands with a conditioning complex that improves hair elasticity over time and smooths frizz.
“This one is one of my go to’s for thinner hair types. Not only does it add volume and thickens the hair, but it is a great heat protectant that doesn’t weigh the hair down.” —Ellis
