Southern Living / David Hattan. Your Southern mother probably taught you to use hot rollers for volume and hairspray for hold, but how can you keep your hair healthy while heat styling?
“Just like we are seeing how important sunblock is for the skin, we’ve reached a new age of realization for our hair,” says Krista Hatcher, a master stylist, curl specialist, and Kérastase Care Coach at Style House Salon in Nashville. “If you’re on a journey to have healthy, shiny, and strong hair, heat protectant is a must-have for your beauty routine,” Hatcher says.
To help you find the right heat protectant, we tested 34 sprays and creams in our testing lab and at home over a two-week period. We evaluated the products on ease of application, absorption, efficacy, hair feel, and scent. Using Hatcher’s expert advice and our testing results, we compiled a list of the best heat protectants to keep your locks healthy and strong.
Our Top Picks Best Overall Heat Protectant: Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray at Amazon ($33) Jump to Review Best Budget Heat Protectant: Verb Glossy Shine Spray with Heat Protection at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant Cream: Shu Uemura Netsu Design Blow Dry Cream at Sephora ($46) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant for Dry Hair: Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant for Curly Hair: Mizani Heat Screen Hair Protectant Spray at Amazon ($26) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant for Coily Hair: Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème at Nordstrom ($26) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant for Fine Hair: Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist at Amazon ($24) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant for Thick Hair: CHI Total Protect at Amazon ($14) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant for Color-Treated Hair: dpHUE Color Fresh Thermal Protection Spray at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant for Shine: Oribe Balm D’Or Heat Styling Shield at Amazon ($48) Jump to Review
Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray
View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Ulta What’s Great About It Absorbs quickly and doesn’t transfer
Lightweight yet hydrating
What Could Be Better Pump can be difficult to spray during first few uses
We’re huge fans of this lightweight yet hydrating formula from Living Proof. It gave our hair a bouncy and shiny finish without a greasy appearance, and it didn’t transfer when during and after styling. The oil-free product absorbed fully in under two minutes, and it left our hair feeling stronger and firmer.
When we compared the side of our hair with heat protectant to the side without, we noticed the protected side was noticeably smoother, shinier, and silkier. This product also passed both of our efficacy tests with flying colors. When we used hot tools, we didn’t notice any burning, sizzling, hissing, or smell of heat. We sprayed a paper receipt with the product, and there were no signs of burning after a quick pass with a flat iron. In addition to heat styling protection, we also love that this spray provides UV protection.
When testing the application, we noticed the spray has nice pressure and applies directly to your targeted area. We applied the spray directly on the hair, and it didn’t leave a sticky residue. Though the overall application was easy, we noticed that the product needs to be shaken well, and the pump can be tough to spray during the first few uses. Overall, this spray is a fantastic choice for all hair types.
Hair Types: All | Key Ingredients: Plant extracts | Size: 8 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
Verb Glossy Shine Spray with Heat Protection
View On Amazon View On Target View On Ulta What’s Great About It Lightweight formula that softens hair
Doesn’t feel sticky or tacky after styling
What Could Be Better Transfers easily
Did not pass our receipt efficacy test
Best for those with thick or coarse hair
Although Verb’s Glossy Shine Spray is designed for thick to coarse hair, anyone can benefit from its lightweight formula. The spray bottle allows for even application, and the product easily distributes through the hair. We also love that our hair didn’t feel sticky or tacky after styling. Though it’s a more affordable pick, this spray created soft, smooth results similar to the high-end products on our list.
We didn’t notice any smoke, steam, or sizzling while styling with the blow dryer or hot tool, but this spray did not do as well during our receipt efficacy test. The paper was left unevenly burnt in areas where the product was applied, which left us wondering just how protected our hair was during heat styling. Still, we loved how smooth it left our hair, and we do think it’s a good option if your primary concern is styling.
Two key ingredients include peach oil and rosehip oil, which provide nourishing properties as well as a pleasant scent. This product fully absorbed within two minutes, but we noticed slight residue and product transfer on our hands during the touch test. For people with fine hair, we recommend spraying this product from mid-lengths to ends to avoid greasy roots.
Hair Types: Thick to coarse | Key Ingredients: Peach oil, rosehip oil, squalane | Size: 6.5 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 425°F
Shu Uemura Netsu Design Blow Dry Cream
View On Sephora View On Shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com What’s Great About It Very lightweight
Beeswax helps hold styling all day
What Could Be Better Creates minimal bounce and body in the hair
You’ll love this blow dry cream if you struggle with dry hair. During testing, we noticed our hair felt significantly smoother and shinier after heat styling. Plus, this cream left tangle-free strands that looked and felt healthier compared to hair that was styled without the heat protectant.
This product is easy to distribute thanks to the pump bottle and lightweight formula. In fact, it’s so lightweight that it hardly felt like we had any product in our hair. It quickly absorbed in about a minute and did not leave a sticky residue. One key ingredient includes beeswax, which Hatcher says creates memory and helps hold styling all day. This feature is particularly beneficial for those with frizzy hair. The long-lasting floral scent was an added bonus, and it reminded us of salon-quality products and made us feel like we had just gotten our hair professionally done.
We were seriously impressed by its effectiveness during our efficacy tests. This cream held up nicely when we styled our hair and used it on toast; we did not notice any sizzling with the flat iron, and the toast came out completely protected from heat damage. Though it does fully protect from heat damage, we wish the product did more to create body and bounce in our hair.
Hair Types: All | Key Ingredients: Beeswax | Size: 5 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector
View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Ulta What’s Great About It Serum formula deeply targets dryness
Thin consistency is easy to distribute
Does not make roots appear greasy
What Could Be Better Feels slightly sticky after application
Comes in a small size
Just like the serums in your skincare lineup, hair serums are known to target problem areas. The Olaplex N°.9 Bond Protector is meant to repair extremely dry and damaged hair. During our testing, we noticed significantly less breakage after styling than we usually do with non-protected hair. Most heat protectants will leave roots looking greasy when applied directly, but this serum added a nice shine instead.
The thin liquid consistency is easy to distribute and allows the product to absorb quickly into the hair. However, our hands and hair felt slightly sticky after the serum was applied. The tacky feeling on the hands went away after a few minutes, but it stayed in the hair until we were able to blow dry. After heat styling with a flat iron, our hair felt smooth and our dry ends felt revived.
Just like other Olaplex products, this serum has the brand’s signature scent. When tested for efficacy with heat styling and the toast test, we did not notice any signs of heat damage. This gives us peace of mind in knowing that our hair will be fully protected while styling.
Hair Types: All | Key Ingredients: Red algae extract | Size: 3 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
Mizani Heat Screen Hair Protectant Spray
View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Jcpenney.com What’s Great About It Distributes well without having to use too much product
No noticeable scent
No sticky residue or product transfer
What Could Be Better Left hair feeling oily before blow drying
Curly hair typically needs more moisture than other hair types, so a hydrating heat protectant is very important. We love the Mizani Style Shifter Society Heat Screen, which is made specifically for curly hair types 4-8 to reduce frizz, soften hair, and increase shine.
Though curly hair needs extra moisture, it can be easily weighed down by heavy products. We love that this spray is a fine mist that evenly distributes through hair without having to use too much product. On the other hand though, it didn’t absorb very quickly. Before we blow dried our hair, it felt slightly oily, but this went away after styling. Overall though, this heat protectant made our hair feel smooth and lightweight, and it passed both of our heat tests. This product also doesn’t have a noticeable scent, so you’ll love this pick if you are sensitive to strongly fragranced products.
Hair Types: Textured hair types 4-8 | Key Ingredients: Rose water | Size: 8.5 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème
View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Ulta What’s Great About It Doesn’t leave product buildup once dry
Fights dryness and frizz
What Could Be Better Didn’t leave our hair super soft or bouncy
Not as lightweight as other options
Briogeo’s Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème can be used on all hair types, but coily hair that’s dry and frizzy will get the most benefits from it. Some of the key ingredients include rosehip oil to control frizz, coconut oil to protect against breakage, and argan oil to help with dryness.
This rich cream isn't sticky and absorbs well without leaving product buildup. We didn’t notice any noticeable transfer, and at no point did we feel like we had to wipe or wash the product off our hands. During efficacy testing, we did notice slight steam coming from the flat iron, but because it passed the toast test without any burn marks, we feel confident that our hair was protected during styling.
Just note that we didn’t notice any bounce or added softness to our hair after use. Plus, since it’s a cream product, we also thought it weighed down our hair slightly more than other picks on the list.
Hair Types: All, especially dry and frizzy | Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil, argan oil, coconut oil, vitamin E | Size: 4 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta What’s Great About It Adds volume at the roots
Noticeably decreases frizz
What Could Be Better Meant to be used after hair is 75% dry
Does not create any added bounce to hair
Add definition to fine hair with Olaplex’s Volumizing Blow Dry Mist. Most people avoid applying products at the root to prevent greasy hair, but this product is specifically made with your roots in mind. Simply spray at the top and distribute the product by brushing to the ends.
When we used this product, we noticed significantly less frizz compared to the side of our hair without heat protectant. Our hair felt softer after application, but we didn’t notice any added bounce after styling. Overall, we found it to be more hydrating than sticky, and there was minimal transfer.
Keep in mind that Olapex recommends blow drying your hair 75% of the way before using this product. Because of that, and since it’s designed for the roots only, you may want to invest in another heat protectant for the rest of your hair. But on the plus side, this product did pass both of our efficacy tests.
Hair Types: All | Key Ingredients: Jackfruit polysaccharides, bamboo extract lipopeptides, pea peptides | Size: 5 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
CHI Total Protect
View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Chi.com What’s Great About It Left thick hair feeling very soft and not weighed down
UV absorbers protect hair from sun damage
What Could Be Better Transfers easily
We love the CHI Total Protect Defense Lotion because it didn’t leave our thick hair feeling greasy, dry, or weighed down. Key ingredients include silk to lock in moisture and create shine, vitamin E to prevent color fading, and UV absorbers to protect against the sun. Plus, it passed both of our efficacy tests, so we feel confident that it protects against high temperatures.
The product comes out of the pump nicely and can be easily distributed with your hands. Cream products are known to linger, and we definitely felt like we needed to wipe our hands off after applying. It did, however, dry nicely once it was in our hair and left little to no residue.
Leave-in conditioners can make hair feel heavy, but our thick hair felt soft and light after use. The end results felt similar to how your hair feels after leaving the salon. Overall, this product stood out as something we could use every day; nothing dramatic, but it provides consistent results.
Hair Types: All | Key Ingredients: Silk, vitamin E | Size: 6 ounces | Heat Protection: Not listed
dpHUE Color Fresh Thermal Protection Spray
View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Dphue.com What’s Great About It Dries almost immediately
No visible film or residue left behind
What Could Be Better No noticeable benefits beyond heat protection
Heat styling can cause color to fade quickly and lead to breakage, which is why it’s good to invest in a solid heat protectant for color-treated hair. We were impressed by the dpHUE Color Fresh Thermal Protection Spray’s lightweight formula and easy application. The bottle is comfortable to hold and sprays evenly, and the product is easily distributed through hair.
It has one of the quickest dry-times on our list, as it is absorbed almost immediately. There is no film or residue left behind, and there is no product transfer. We saw zero signs of heat damage during both of our efficacy tests, which means your hair will be fully protected. However, there aren’t any noticeable benefits beyond heat protection, as both the treated and untreated sides of our hair looked the same.
Hair Types: All | Key Ingredients: UV absorber, velvet feel emollient | Size: 5 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
Oribe Balm D’Or Heat Styling Shield
View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Dermstore What’s Great About It Makes hair look significantly healthier
No film or residue left behind
What Could Be Better Hair looked somewhat greasy after application
Expensive
The Oribe Balm d’Or Heat Styling Shield is one of the best products for making hair look shiny and healthy. We noticed a significant difference in the areas where the product was applied, with the treated areas looking much healthier than the untreated areas. This pick also passed the toast test with flying colors, only burning in areas where no product was applied. Similarly, we noticed very little steam while styling with hot tools, and no sizzling or hissing.
The product feels silky smooth, almost like body lotion, so it’s unsurprising that it spreads easily through damp hair. It took about two minutes to fully absorb, but there was no noticeable film or residue left behind. There was some product transfer, but not more than you’d expect from a cream product. We loved the hydrating, lightweight formula and how it left our hair feeling soft, bouncy, and healthy. Although we noticed more shine in our hair, we did find that our hair looked slightly greasy after application, so keep that in mind if you have fine or oily hair.
Hair Types: All | Key Ingredients: Cassis oil, sandalwood oil, tannic acid, lemon peel extract | Size: 3.4 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
Kérastase Résistance Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primer
View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Kerastase-usa.com What’s Great About It Product absorbs almost immediately
Reduces frizz even before using hot tools
Did not cause heaviness or greasiness
What Could Be Better Difficult to get an even application
If you’re struggling with damaged hair, we recommend using this Kérastase product before using heat on your hair. We loved that it absorbs almost immediately into the hair, and it made our hair feel softer, more moisturized, and less frizzy even before we used hot tools. The product has a lightweight feel that leaves minimal tackiness on the hands; we noticed that it felt a little sticky as it absorbed, but it also left our hair feeling hydrated. It didn’t leave any residue, but we recommend sectioning off your hair to ensure an even application.
Though it’s common for hair to smell burnt while heat styling, we felt this product protected us from that. We noticed a huge difference in the side of our hair that was treated with the product; the right side was smooth, had minimal frizz, and felt soft to the touch, even with damaged ends. This product passed our heat styling test as well as the toaster test, so it can be trusted to fully protect your hair. We also love this pick because it did not cause heaviness or greasiness.
Hair Types: All | Key Ingredients: Pro-Keratine Complex, ceramides, resurrection plant sap | Size: 5.1 ounces | Heat Protection: Up to 450°F
Of all the heat protectant sprays we tested, we think Living Proof’s Restore Perfecting Spray is the best option for most people. Its lightweight and hydrating formula left our hair feeling bouncy and shiny, and it passed both of our efficacy tests to ensure full heat protection while styling.
We evaluated all products based on ease of application, absorption, efficacy, hair feel, and scent. We tested products in both our testing lab and over a two-week period at home to get a variety of insights.
During lab testing, we started with clean, dry hair with no product. We made our hair damp with a spray bottle or left dry depending on the product’s intended use. We only applied the product to the right side of the hair, and individuals with thick/coarse textures used more product as needed.
We allowed the heat protectant to absorb into the hair on the right side for a few minutes and took note of how the product settled into the hair. We used the provided hair dryer, diffuser, and/or round brushes and fully dried our entire head. We ran our fingers through our hair before and after drying to see how our hair felt and to see if the product would transfer. We compared the heat protectant side to the side without heat protectant throughout the drying and styling process.
To further test efficacy, we applied the heat protectants on either a paper receipt or a piece of toast. For creams/oils/serums, we took a piece of bread and spread a layer of the product across one side. We placed the bread in the toaster along with one slice without product and compared how the two came out. For sprays, we took a piece of receipt paper and applied the product. We used the provided flat iron, swiftly ran it down the length of the paper, and made note of whether the receipt began to smoke or turn brown.
In the real world, we tested the heat protectants with hot tools at least two times a week for two weeks. Individuals with Type 3 or Type 4 hair had the option to use their heat protectant and flat iron once a week. We used the same application methodology as the lab tests and recorded our insights at the end of the two-week testing period.
Hair Type Hatcher recommends heat protectant sprays for fine hair and creams for medium to coarse hair. Selecting the right product for your hair type will ensure you’re protecting your hair without weighing it down. “I’ve had guests that have come in using a well-known heat protector that just wasn’t quite right for their hair type,” Hatcher says. Most of the products on our list are designed for all hair types, but contain ingredients for specialized purposes, like frizz or damage.
Key Ingredients When it comes to ingredients, Hatcher says to keep your long-term hair goals in mind. For long and strong hair, she recommends amino acids like taurine and creatine. For gray hair that feels dry and coarse, look for marula oil or argan oil (which can be found in the Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème). If you need styling to hold all day, use a heat protection with beeswax for memory, like the Shu Uemura Netsu Design Blow Dry Cream.
Application Method Common application types include spray, cream, oil, and mousse. Most products are compatible with all hair types, but there are a few tricks to enhance your styling game. “A spray is a quick way to apply [heat protectant] before detangling the hair,” Hatcher says. “If you have a lot of hair, or need a lot of product, a cream is the way to go.” For curly hair, Hatcher loves mousse because it can be scrunched in and leaves a weightless finish. She recommends oil products for day two hair to add shine and leave hair looking healthy and fresh.
Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray: This spray doubles as a leave-in conditioner. It absorbed quickly, and we noticed the side with the product appeared smoother and shinier. However, this product did not pass our hot tool efficacy test, as we noticed some steam when we styled with our flatiron at 450°.
Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Spray: Application was a breeze with the spray nozzle, plus we didn’t notice any product transfer during or after blow drying. However, this product did not pass the receipt efficacy test. The paper turned dark after a quick pass with the flat iron, giving it almost a burnt look.
Is heat protectant spray or cream better? Both heat protectant spray and cream are great options. “I tend to lean towards a spray for fine hair and a cream for medium to coarse hair,” Hatcher says. “Either way, I advise putting [heat protectant] in wet hair, blow drying, then heat styling.”
Is heat protectant spray worth buying? Hatcher says anyone who blow-dries or heat styles their hair will benefit from heat protectant spray. “Aside from a good shampoo and conditioner, thermal protections are at the top of the list for keeping healthy hair,” she explains. If you want to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and strong, heat protectant sprays are worth buying.
Should you use heat protectant spray every day? “If heat is involved, heat protectant should be involved, too!” Hatcher says. “Many people make the mistake of touching their hair up on day two, three, and four without reapplying heat protection. Once a normal heat protection is heated up initially [on day one], it loses its heat protecting power,” she explains. “So always make sure to reapply.”
Addie Morton is a contributing writer for Southern Living who specializes in beauty, home, and lifestyle content. To compile this list, we tested 34 heat protectants in our testing lab and at home over a two-week period. We evaluated them on ease of application, absorption, efficacy, hair feel, and scent. Morton spent several hours sifting through the results of our testing and researching products that made the cut. She also spoke with Krista Hatcher, a master stylist, curl specialist, and Kérastase Care Coach at Style House Salon in Nashville, for expert advice.
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