Styling your hair with hot tools can help you get those fantastic curls or salon-straight hair. However, with regular exposure to high heat, you might damage the strands leaving you with plenty of split ends and frizz. The best way to avoid this is by using the best heat protectant for your strands to save them from overexposure to high temperatures.
A Review of the Best Heat Protectants
Heat damage caused by constant exposure to high temperatures while styling your hair can cause frizz and split ends. Fortunately, reducing the impact of heat exposure is possible if you choose the right heat protector. If you need help with finding the right products, you might want to start with these.
Evo Icon Welder Heat Protection Spray
200ml
We are kicking off our list with an amazing heat protection spray. Evo Icon Welder Heat Protection Spray is a must-apply before picking up a hair tool.
This lightweight spray forms a protective barrier around the hair cuticle to shield it from high temperatures and minimises frizz. It leaves hair shiny, soft and healthy.
It’s the ultimate hair protectant, shielding hair not only from thermal styling tool heat, but also from UV and UVB. Understanding the impact that harsh Australian sun can have on hair, Evo Icon Welder works to protect that hair from UV and sun exposure.
Beyond heat protection, it’s ideal for styling too. It can hold styles in and won’t leave your hair feeling tacky or stiff.
Overall, there is a lot to love about the Evo Icon products. They are Australian-made, sulfate and paraben free and vegan.
Pureology Colour Fanatic Leave-in Conditioner Hair Treatment
200ml
Pureology has produced a great heat protectant that can provide you with several benefits. For starters, it helps detangle your mane so you won’t have to struggle with getting knots when you blow-dry. Another advantage of using this leave-in conditioner is that it keeps frizz at bay. This is important if you want to achieve smooth looking hairstyle. It can give protection against heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are fond of styling your tresses with a variety of styling tools, it would be a good idea to add Pureology to your arsenal.
What else is there to like about this item? Well, it is made from pure vegan ingredients meaning that there are no harsh chemicals present here. Don’t worry about using it on your colour-treated mane since this will still serve you by keeping heat damage at bay. You can spray it on damp hair or apply when you have airdried your mane. Either way, it will serve as effective protection against high temperatures.
Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray
Moroccanoil has so many great products to their name, and the Protect and Prevent Spray is of course one of them.
This is multi-purpose spray designed for those with coloured or damaged hair. While it can be used for any hair type, the formula is blended with Heliogenol to prevent residual oxidation & stripping of hair colour pigments.
As the name alludes, it won’t just protect your hair from hot tool damage, but also prevents damage from external stressors. Containing a blend of antioxidants, the spray works to neutralise free radicals generated by UV and pollution.
Hair is protectant from thermal damage thanks to a special formulation with Varisoft to shield hair against breakage & frizz and ArganID technology that infuses argan oil into hair’s cortex to seal and repair hair.
Overall, this is great heat protectant spray for when using hot tools, but also for when you want to minimise frizz, detangle hair and enhance shine. Plus, it has the signature Moroccanoil scent that we know and love.
ghd Bodyguard, Heat Protect Spray
The quality of this Heat Protect Spray lives up to the ghd gold standard and is a best seller for good reason.
Containing the renowned ghd Heat Protection System, protection polymers and conditioning agents work in tandem to help protect hair from heat whilst improving the condition of the hair cuticle after heat styling, resulting in a smoother and sleeker hair surface.
Love a discount? Grab a ghd coupon code to save on your next haircare haul.
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Heat Protection Spray
Anyone who has weak or damaged hair should try and minimise how often they are using hot tools. I realise that is not always a possibility, so when you do, the Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Heat Protection Spray should be your first step.
This is a lightweight, vitamin-enriched hair protectant that repairs and prevents heat and styling damage up to 450°F (230C). It works to condition the hair and creates a protective barrier around hair strands to prevent breakage, splitting and frizz for hair that is soft, manageable and style-ready.
Seal the hair surface all while providing protection from heat damage up to 450°F*.
I find this is a really great product for anyone who has fine or thin hair as it allows you to protect it, while not weighing it down like you often find with some styling products.
John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray
This drug-store favourite is an affordable and effective hair protectant and styling spray. While it’s labelled a Flat Iron Spray, it can be used when styling with any high-heat tool. Likened to an at-home Keratin treatment, it locks in sleek, glossy texture for 3 days or until your next shampoo.
Taking a two-pronged approach, the spray fights frizz while protecting hair from heat. A proprietary blend of polymers with keratin protein wraps each strand, sealing in straight styles without weighing the hair down.
This is suited to most hair types and safe for colour-treated and chemically-treated hair.
Cantu Shea Butter Thermal Shield Heat Protectant
Cantu shea butter thermal shield heat is another product that you should take the time to try out as it is designed for those with textured hair. Styling your wavy hair using curling rods or wands is all well and good, but being exposed to heat can damage it at some point. You can prevent heat damage from happening by applying this protectant by Cantu on your hair. What you’ll love about this item is that it contains shea butter which is commonly known for delivering plenty of moisture not just to your skin, but to your hair as well.
Cantu’s heat protecting spray can withstand heat up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit so you don’t have to worry about exposing your hair to such temperatures. The shea butter is the one that keeps your hair soft and smooth regardless of your hair type and style. Be proud of your natural curls and waves by using Cantu thermal shield heat protectant.
How Does It Work?
High-grade heat protectants contain specific ingredients such as humectants which are known to fight off frizz and split ends, amino acids that deliver nutrients needed to strengthen hair, and plant extracts, and natural oils that are known to seal the cuticle of your hair to reduce breakage. When applied to your hair, they will create this protective barrier that will reduce the damage to your mane significantly especially when you will be using styling tools on them. They need to be applied prior to using any heat-generating equipment.
There are certain hairstyles that will require the use of a protectant such as straightening your mane, aiming for that slick back style, and even beachy waves too just to name a few. Any time that you use a styling tool you should apply a heat protector first to minimize any damages that may be caused by high temperatures.
How to Choose a Heat Protectant for Hair
If you want to protect your hair from heat damage, you should definitely look for a heat protectant product to include in your list of hair products to get. However, there are dozens of heat protectants available in the market that it can be tough to find the right one for you. The best way to narrow down your options is by considering the following factors:
Offers Maximum Protection from Heat.
Since you are looking for a heat protector, you should choose one that will be able to offer you the highest level of protection against heat. One particular ingredient that should be listed is silicone since it plays a part in coating your mane with a protective covering that will lessen the possible damage. If you are going for a heat protectant spray, you should check if there are dimethicone and Cyclomethicone. This two keep your mane feel smooth and soft.
Fights Frizz.
It is also a good idea to look for heat protectant sprays that come with ingredients that can tame or keep frizz at bay. This is essential when you are going to use a hair straightening tool since the hot plates may cause your hair to become burned. Applying a protectant against heat can help keep frizz at bay.
Moisturising Properties.
Your hair will need moisture if you will be constantly exposing it to high temperatures. With enough moisture, you will be able to correct any damage to your mane. Like it was mentioned before, there are products to protect hair that also come with moisturizing properties which you should look for. Ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, or glycerin will help lock in the moisture thus minimizing the effects of styling tools on your mane.
Check for Keratin.
Since our hair is made of a protein called keratin, it is only right that you look for protectants that contain this ingredient. One reason why you should look for a product that has this feature is that it will help strengthen your mane by locking in the moisture.
Price.
If you want to buy something to protect your hair against heat, then do not forget to consider the price of the products. The expensive ones don’t automatically mean that they will be effective. This is why you need to compare features and prices before making any purchases. There are those that are priced cheaply but can give good protection from intense heat.
Wrap Up
Exposing your hair without proper protection is inviting problems in the long run. Whatever your hair type, it’s crucial to a protectant before picking up a styling tool. If I had to pick a favourite, I would opt for Evo Icon Welder Heat Protection Spray.
It’s perfect for hot tools, sun exposure, hair styling and comes at a very affordable price.
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