Using hot tools to style your hair can cause damage from excessive heat. Split ends, brittle strands, and breakage are common issues for frequent styleers. The solution? Equipping hair with heat protection before exposing it to scorching temperatures.
Heat protectant sprays act as the first line of defense against damage by coating strands and blocking direct high heat contact. Today’s advanced formulas also multitask by smoothing, adding shine, and even repairing existing damage with nourishing ingredients.
With so many options on the market, we researched the 15 best heat protectant sprays available in 2023 for every budget and hair type. Discover which provide the highest heat protection and extra perks tailored to your styling needs. Read on for reviews of our top contenders!
Now let’s get into the details on each exceptional formula…
The CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray is a clear, lightweight spray that helps protect hair from heat damage up to 450°F. It leaves no flaky residue behind.
The CHI 44 Iron Guard stands out for its exceptional heat protection. It utilizes innovative CHI Infrared technology to help prevent hair damage and breakage. We found it was incredibly effective at shielding hair, even at very high temperatures. It’s also easy to apply and doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind. For maximum heat defense, the CHI 44 Iron Guard is one of the best options on the market.
L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Sleek It Iron Straight Heat Spray offers 450°F heat protection while helping to smooth and tame hair. It contains an anti-frizz system and UV filters to help defend against styling damage.
L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Sleek It Heat Spray is one of the best heat protectants you can buy in the drugstore. We were very impressed with how well it shielded hair from heat damage, even when using extremely hot styling tools. It also made hair very sleek, straight, and frizz-free – living up to its name. For the affordable price, exceptional 450° heat protection, and frizz control, it’s hard to beat this spray.
The Mielle Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray is an intense heat protectant designed for all hair types. It contains antioxidant-rich mongongo oil to help defend hair from damage caused by hot styling tools.
Mielle’s Mongongo Oil Heat Protectant stands out for its ability to deeply condition and nourish hair while protecting it from heat. The mongongo oil is packed with vitamins and antioxidants to help repair damage. We found this spray did an exceptional job guarding hair against heat without leaving residue. It also enhanced shine and elasticity. For lightweight protection plus nourishment, it’s a great pick.
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray is an all-in-one formula that smooths, strengthens, and protects hair from heat styling. It contains amino acid-rich spirulina protein to help repair damage.
IGK’s Good Behavior Spray stands out for its innovative use of spirulina protein to nourish hair. We found the lightweight formula offered great high-heat protection while smoothing strands and controlling frizz impressively well. It’s very effective at strengthening and repairing existing damage over time too. For multipurpose protection and repair in a vegan formula, it’s a top contender.
Hair Food’s Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant Spray Blend is a nourishing, damage-blocking formula free of parabens and dyes. It harnesses the natural benefits of coconut and argan oil to protect hair.
Hair Food’s heat protectant stands out for containing two powerhouse ingredients: argan oil and coconut oil. These oils pack vitamins and fatty acids to deeply nourish hair and enhance shine. We found this formula provided excellent high heat protection while making hair incredibly smooth and manageable. It’s very effective at repairing existing damage as well. As an affordable, nourishing heat shield, it’s a wonderful option.
L’ANGE Hair Rival Heat Shield Hair Spray is a powerful thermal protectant that helps block heat damage from styling tools up to 450°F. It contains antioxidants, keratin, and vitamins for nourishment.
We found L’ANGE Hair’s Rival Heat Shield Hair Spray lived up to its name at protecting strands exceptionally well. Its special complex, including keratin proteins and antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E really reinforce the hair fiber against heat damage and breakage. It also made hair incredibly smooth and frizz-free. For top-notch protection plus nourishment and frizz control, it’s one of the best options available.
Eva NYC’s Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer helps prep and protect hair before heat styling. It offers 400°F protection while multitasking as a nourishing leave-in treatment.
We like that Eva NYC’s Mane Magic Primer combines heat protection with conditioning benefits like smoothing cuticles and reducing breakage. While it doesn’t offer quite as high level heat protection as some others, the 400°F defense is still ample for most styling needs. We noticed hair air dried very smooth and frizz-free after applying this spray. The nourishing vitamins and oils further help strengthen strands over time. For an affordable, vegan-friendly option, it’s a great choice.
Paul Mitchell’s popular Hot Off the Press Thermal Protection Hairspray preps and sets hair for heat styling while helping prevent damage from hot tools. It offers flexible hold.
Paul Mitchell’s thermal spray is a longtime best-seller in salons, and for good reason – it really works! We found it offered excellent protection when blow drying or using hot styling tools. Hair came out very smooth, sleek, and frizz free. An added perk is the flexible hold, allowing you to adjust the finish from light shine to stronger hold. For proven results from a salon-favorite brand, it’s a wonderful choice.
Arvazallia Heat Protectant Spray helps shield hair from damage caused by blow drying, curling irons, flat irons and other heat tools. It contains smoothing argan oil and restorative nutrients.
Arvazallia’s Heat Protectant Spray is a top professional-grade option that offers 450° heat protection – one of the highest levels available. We found it protected exceptionally well against burning and breakage, even with very high heat tools. Hair came out noticeably smoother, softer and more manageable. Over time, the formula with nourishing argan oil also helps restore existing damage. For salon-quality high heat protection plus a nourishing leave-in treatment, it’s a great choice.
KENRA Thermal Styling Spray 19 is a heat-activated spray that protects hair from hot tool damage up to 428°F. It provides firm yet flexible hold and lasting frizz control.
Kenra’s Thermal Styling Spray 19 stands out with its heat-activated technology to take hold of hair as you apply heat, giving strong yet flexible control of styles. We found it really helped smooth and tame hair impressively well while guarding against heat damage too. Hair came out noticeably shinier as well. This easy spray simplifies the styling process. For frizz-free styles with lasting hold and shine, it’s an excellent choice.
L’ange Glass Hair Thermal Blowout Primer preps strands for heat styling while smoothing, protecting, and boosting shine. This spray creates a lightweight barrier against damage.
We like that L’ange Glass Hair Thermal Primer combines impressive 450° heat protection with smoothing and shine-enhancing benefits. Its special LumiShine Complex helps prevent frizz and block humidity too, so styles stay polished longer. We found this spray added exceptional smoothness, movement and luminosity to hair blowouts and curls while helping minimize damage from hot tools. For extra conditioning and smoothing in a quality heat shield, it’s a wonderful choice.
IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Hair Prep Spray combines several vital styling steps into one lightweight formula. It preps, detangles, smooths, and offers heat protection.
We love how IGK’s Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray solves multiple styling needs in one easy step. This formula made detangling wet hair a breeze before blow drying and heat styling. It offered ample heat protection too. Hair dried quicker and much smoother than without product. We also noticed less breakage when combing afterward. For hassle-free prep and protection in a lightweight formula, it’s an excellent choice.
Keranique Lift & Repair Thickening Spray adds instant body and heat protection for fine, limp hair. It harnesses micro-lift polymers to plump strands along with nourishing keratin.
Those struggling with flat, hard-to-style fine hair will appreciate Keranique’s volumizing benefits. This spray adds impressive body and texture thanks to micro-lift polymers that attach to hair to plump up strands. The heat protection guards fragile fine hair while the keratin fortifies against damage. For instant body plus long-term strengthening, it’s an excellent choice if needing a lift.
REDKEN Pillow Proof Thermal Spray 22 High Hold offers thermal protection while it sets styles in place with a strong yet brushable hold. This finishing spray also smooths and controls frizz.
Redken’s Pillow Proof Thermal Spray 22 stands out by combining impressive 450°F heat protection with texture and hold for easier styling and lasting results. The finish isn’t crunchy, yet resists humidity well. We found this spray allowed us to use the highest heat settings with no damage, while providing an enviable smooth, shiny finish. For lasting styles plus ample heat defense even with hot tools, it’s an excellent choice.
TYMO Heat Protectant Spray helps safeguard hair from damage caused by hot styling tools. This lightweight formula also hydrates, smooths, and speeds up drying time.
We like that TYMO’s affordable Heat Protectant Spray multitasks as a conditioning leave-in treatment while providing ample 450° heat protection. We found strands bounced back smoother and more hydrated after heat styling. Air drying time decreased as well. This formula helped hair better withstand daily styling while minimizing frizz and dryness. For lightweight yet effective thermal defense plus lasting hydration, it’s a wonderful budget-friendly option.
Product | Key Features |
---|---|
CHI 44 Iron Guard | Up to 450°F protection, leaves hair silky |
L’Oréal Paris Sleek It | 450°F protection, controls frizz |
Mielle Mongongo Oil | Nourishes hair, all hair types |
IGK Good Behavior | Vegan, strengthens hair |
Hair Food Coconut Oil | 450°F protection, paraben free |
L’ANGE Hair Rival | 450°F protection, controls frizz |
Eva NYC Mane Magic | 400°F protection, vegan |
Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press | All hair types, flexible hold |
Arvazallia Heat Protectant | 450°F protection, repairs hair |
Kenra Thermal Spray 19 | 428°F protection, adds shine |
L’ange Glass Hair Primer | 450°F protection, vegan |
IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 | Vegan, heat protection |
Keranique Lift & Repair | Heat protection, volumizes |
Redken Thermal Spray 22 | 450°F protection, strong hold |
TYMO Heat Protectant | 450°F protection, budget-friendly |
When selecting a heat protectant spray, opt for one that clearly states the maximum temperature level it defends up to – preferably at least 350°F, if not more. Formulas that only claim “heat protection” may not adequately guard hair against very hot tools.
Seeking out nourishing ingredients like keratin proteins, antioxidants, natural oils and ceramides can also help condition strands while reinforcing them against damage. These nourish hair from within for healthier styling.
Lastly, consider your hair type and styling needs. Those with very curly or coarse hair prone to frizz may want added humidity resistance too. For extra volume and grip, fine, flat hair can benefit from texturizing sprays.
Heat protectant formulas create a protective barrier around the hair that blocks heat penetration and helps evenly distribute it down the shaft. This prevents the extremely hot air from directly contacting and damaging delicate strands.
Always prep hair with thermal protection spray before using any hot tools like blow dryers, flat and curling irons. Apply it towel-dried hair for the highest level of protection before exposing hair to heat.
Yes, heat protectant sprays are designed for daily use to shield hair from hot tool damage. However, be mindful not to overload hair with too much product over time. Clarify occasionally remove buildup.
Fine hair benefits from lightweight, volumizing thermal sprays like Kenra Platinum Blow Dry Spray or Oribe Swept Up Volumizing Blowout Spray. These offer protection while adding texture and grip for easier styling.
To avoid flattening fine or thin hair, look for weightless or lightweight thermal sprays like Verb Ghost Oil Heat Protection Spray, IGK Good Behavior Prep Spray or Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. These nurture strands without added burden.
Using hot tools like blow dryers, flat irons and curling wands make styling hair quicker and easier but can seriously damage vulnerable strands if not careful. Applying a quality heat protectant spray first provides an indispensable safeguard against burns, breakage, and other thermal harm.
The top heat defense sprays like CHI and Kenra contain proven technologies to effectively shield hair even against extreme temperatures above 400°F. Many also multitask by smoothing, volumizing and conditioning hair for easier, healthier styling. With so many protective benefits from these top-performing thermal sprays, there’s no reason to risk styling hair without one!
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