THE BEST HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAYS TO SAVE YOUR STRANDS
When you want to elevate your ‘do, curlers, straighteners and driers are probably the things you turn to. But sadly, it is these hot tools that cause the most damage to your hair. From singeing strands to dulling colour and even exposing those unsightly split ends, heat is the number one enemy to damaged-looking lengths. But if you want to create show stopping finishes, without compromising your locks’ health, you’ll need a lesson on the best heat protectant sprays available to spritz.
But how do they work? How much heat protectant should you use? And when do you actually need to you use them? Well, here at Cult Beauty we’re about to discover what the best heat protectant sprays, mists and more are and how they help your hair.
In This Article:
- What Are Heat Protectants
- How Do Heat Protectant Sprays Work
- How To Protect Hair From Heat Damage
- How To Protect Hair From Heat Damage According To Your Hair Type
- The Best Heat Protectant Spray FAQs
WHAT ARE HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAYS
Working like a coat of armer, the best heat protectant sprays essentially offer a layer of shielding against heat damage. Although each heat protectant spray works differently, they are all formulated to coat each individual strand in clever blends that lock in moisture and more importantly, seal the hair cuticle, preventing you from causing any unwanted damage when you style. While they don’t reverse damage, the best heat protectant sprays reduce the risk of further breakage, keeping your locks happy, healthy and hydrated.
HOW DO HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAYS WORK
Powered by silicones and polymers, the best heat protectant sprays coat your tresses in a thin, heat-defence film that minimises direct contact between the heat you’re using and your hairs’ fibres. This protective layer slows down the transfer of the heat from your wand/straightener/ blow dryer to your hair's inner cortex — giving you more time before your locks are damaged. What’s more, most of the best heat protectant sprays are also infused with moisture-boosting blends of conditioning agents, oils, or humectants to lock in hydration, smooth your cuticles and reduce any unwanted flyaways.
HOW TO PROTECT HAIR FROM HEAT DAMAGE
The way you protect your lengths with the best heat protectant sprays will differ for each hair type and texture. For example, if you love a big, bouncy blow dry, then you’ll need a heat protectant that is specifically formulated to be used on wet locks. Or, if you’re more of a hot tool treasurer, then a formula you can use on dry hair is the one for you.
How to use heat protectant on wet hair:
Once your hair is washed and towel dried, begin spritzing your favourite heat protectant in sections from root to tip. Use a comb as you spritz to evenly distribute the heat protection spray and to avoid product buildup throughout your lengths. Once applied, you’ve got the green light to style as normal.
How to use heat protection on dry hair:
For dry hair, concentrate your favourite heat protectant on your mid-lengths and ends as this is where most damage tends to occur. If you’re using a spray, keep the nozzle a few inches away from your mane and distribute evenly. If the formula is an oil, apply it to your hands then use your fingers to distribute throughout. Next, go in with your hot tool and style as normal.
HOW TO PROTECT HAIR FROM HEAT DAMAGE ACCORDING TO YOUR HAIR TYPE
Fine Hair
As fine hair usually lacks volume and bounce, when choosing the best heat protection spray look for formulas that are ultra-fine, non-greasy and moisturising but not overly hydrating. This is because you don’t want a solution that will weigh strands down.
10
£23.95
Specifically formulated for fine and thin strands, ghd’s Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray for Fine, Thin Hair is crafted with clever protective polymers that shield against heat of up to 230°C. Weightless and non-greasy, this invisible solution not only protects your mane, but is also enriched with bond building technology to make strands stronger and more resilient over time too.
26
£32.00
Crafted for the most delicate hair type, Davines MELU Thermal Hair Shield is infused with rosemary and lentil extracts rich in serine and glutamic acid — amino acids abundant in keratin — to nourish and repair fragile locks. Conditioning and working to smooth flyways quickly, this saviour ensures your locks are protected and stay oh-so shiny instantly and over time.
Medium Hair
Medium hair types usually loose volume and bounce as they day goes on and require a dose of flyaway control. When choosing a heat protectant spray, look for formulas that are lightweight, offer a hit of hydration and can be either creams, serums or sprays.
38
£42.00
Crafted from a bio-restorative complex — made of plant-based collagen, caffeine, biotin and niacinamide, Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray nourishes, soothes and smooths for a silky-soft sign off. But that’s not all, with the addition of coconut water, marine algae extract and a botanical based polymer, this multi-tasker tames flyaways, hydrates your mane and protects it from heat all in one spritz.
26
£28.00
Prep, style and protect your lengths with Hair by Sam McKnight’s Save The Do Heat Protection Spray. From keeping curls from falling to ensuring sleek and straight styles don’t go wavy, this strand-saviour is powered by flexan and crodasone to save and shield hair from damage. With a conditioning dose of provitamin B5, boosted by hibiscus and fire tulip extracts, this heat protectant spray also floods hair with nourishment as well as the brand’s iconic signature scent. Hair perfume and heat protection all in one? Yes, please!
Thick/ Textured Hair
When you have thick and textured hair, a heat protectant spray you should be looking for a blend with a a high heat protection (as often this hair type needs higher heat to achieve the desired look), moisturising and conditioning ingredients (think butters and oils) and humidity control.
367
£26.00
Offering strands a high-shine finish, OUAI’s Hair Oil not only enhances protection from UV damage and heat but from pollution too. Enriched with African galanga to help boost hair health and a blend of ama oil and Asian borage oils, this must-have smooths, shields and can be used on damp and wet hair. P.S for an added bonus you can also apply this as an overnight mask if your locks need some extra TLC.
83
£32.00
Keep your locks looking shiny and smooth for up to four washes with Color Wow’s Extra Strength Dream Coat Ultra Moisturizing Anti Frizz Treatment. Ideal for thick, dry, damaged and porous hair, this heat-activated enhancer is powered by innovative water-proofing technology. Forming an invisible cloak over your locks, this cutting-edge formula shields against humidity, moisture and flyaways for a long-lasting, mirror shine finish that lasts day after day after day.
THE BEST HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAY FAQs
Do heat protectant sprays really work?
Yes, as described above, some of the best heat protection sprays work as they physically create a barrier along your hair shaft preventing heat damage from getting into your hair cuticle.
How do I choose a heat protectant?
The best way to choose a heat protectant is to decide when you want to use it and then determine your hair type. If you have fine hair and love a blow-out, then the best heat protectant spray for you would be a lightweight mist. If you prefer using hair straighteners and your locks loose bounce, then you may have a medium hair type and would need a heat protection cream or serum to use on dry hair as you style. These will also add grip to your locks and help maintain volume if you lose it throughout the day. If, however, you have thick and textured hair, and love a curling wand, then a hair oil to restore moisture will be your style-saving BFF.
Should heat protection spray be applied to wet or dry hair?
Whether a heat protectant is used on wet or dry strands depends on your styling needs. If you’re styling the moment you step out of the shower, then a spray or mist can be used on wet hair. If, however, you’re styling on dry hair, then a cream, oil or serum would suit you better.
And there you have it –a total run through of the best heat protectant sprays you can rely on to keep your strands soft, smooth and shielded... whatever you get up to.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
