Whether you’re blow-drying, straightening or curling, applying heat to your hair is one of the fastest ways to achieve a polished finish — and also one of the quickest ways to cause damage. The solution? A quality heat protectant spray. Designed to form a protective barrier between your hair and heat tools, these clever formulas help minimise breakage, boost shine and keep hair feeling soft and healthy — no matter how often you reach for the straighteners.
From lightweight mists to nourishing creams and multitasking serums, there’s a formula for every hair type and styling routine.
We’ve rounded up the best heat protectants available in Australia right now — from cult classics to salon-approved favourites.
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The Best Heat Protectants We Tried in 2025
Bumble and Bumble Heat Shield Thermal Protection Mist
For hair that’s been through a little too much – whether it’s colour, heat, or humidity – this Bumble and Bumble hero is a reliable reset. The fine mist feels weightless but delivers heavyweight results: up to 232ËšC of protection, frizz control, and a glossy finish, all without greasiness. Thanks to the brand’s signature Honey Protective Complex, it coats strands in softness and adds that elusive salon-fresh sheen we all crave.
Its buildable formula means it works beautifully across all hair textures — from fine to thick — without ever feeling heavy. Plus, the scent is addictive in the best way: sweet, warm, and luxurious. If your flat iron or curler is a staple, this is your spray. Just remember: it’s for dry styling only, and a little goes a long way.
Best for: Styling-tool devotees and damaged hair types
Why We Love It: Buildable, lightweight mist that smooths and protects without weighing hair down
Mermade Hair Styling Primer
Part heat protectant, part styling saviour, Mermade Hair’s Blowout Styling Primer is designed to be your go-to first step in any glam routine. Infused with the brand’s antioxidant-rich MeraGuard Complex, it shields against heat, humidity, and pollution, all while smoothing frizz and detangling with ease. Argan oil, sunflower extract and tara tree nourish and hydrate, giving strands a healthy, silky finish without weighing them down.
Beyond its protective benefits, it’s the glossy, longer-lasting results that really make this one shine. Whether you’re styling loose waves or chasing the ultimate bouncy blowout, this weightless formula creates the perfect base for hold and hydration. Bonus points for the grapefruit, bergamot and jasmine scent — it’s like a hair perfume and protectant in one.
Best for: Frizz-prone hair and heat-styling regulars
Why We Love It: Speeds up blow-dry time while protecting and perfecting
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
This cult-favourite from Color Wow is less of a heat protectant and more of a glass-hair miracle. Designed to act like a waterproof coat for your strands, it transforms frizz-prone, unruly hair into a sleek, mirror-shine finish that actually lasts — even through humidity. Inspired by textile technology, the formula uses a heat-activated polymer that compresses, tightens, and seals each strand for a silky, humidity-resistant result.
Loved by celebrity hairstylists (and a regular in Chris Appleton’s kit), Dream Coat is one of the rare formulas that visibly transforms texture in a single blow-dry. The best part? It doesn’t weigh hair down, feel sticky, or leave a film.Â
Best for: Frizz-prone, fine to medium hair types
Why We Love It: Long-lasting results, humidity-proof, featherlight texture
GHD Bodyguard Heat Protectant Spray
Lightweight, non-sticky and effortlessly effective — GHD’s Bodyguard Heat Protectant Spray is the kind of staple every styling routine needs. Designed to create a seamless barrier between your strands and high temperatures (up to 230°C), it uses a dual-action formula of protective polymers and conditioning agents to not only shield but also smooth the hair. The result? A sleek, glossy finish that makes your styling efforts look professionally done.
What sets this spray apart is its texture — or lack thereof. The ultra-fine mist is ideal for those who hate that heavy or tacky feeling and want something that plays well with clean hair. It’s particularly brilliant for fine to medium strands and anyone who wants added shine without residue. Whether you’re air-drying, blow-drying or straightening, this is the spray that makes heat styling feel (and look) effortless.
Best for: All hair types — especially fine hair or those who style daily
Why We Love It: Ultra-light, non-greasy mist that smooths and protects without weighing hair down
Kérastase Genesis Defense Thermique​
There’s a reason this Kerastase favourite has become a salon staple. Formulated for those noticing excess shedding or weakened strands, this anti-breakage blow-dry fluid acts like a protective shield, hydrating and detangling while guarding against damage from heat styling. The result? A smooth, frizz-controlled finish and noticeably stronger hair over time.
Key ingredients like ginger root and edelweiss work in tandem to reinforce the hair fibre, restore shine, and prevent split ends — all while delivering that signature luxe Kérastase scent. Bonus: it gives instant volume, helps your style hold longer, and makes a blowout feel like less of a chore and more of a ritual. If you’re trying to grow your hair or preserve its strength, this is one to keep in rotation.
Best for: Weak, breakage-prone hair that needs protection and strength
Why We Love It: A multitasking spray that detangles, smooths and shields against heat while strengthening strands over time
Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
Olaplex’s cult status is well earned, and the No.9 Bond Protector is a prime example of why. This silicone-free serum does more than just shield hair from heat up to 232˚C — it’s packed with antioxidant-rich red algae, panthenol, and the brand’s signature bond-building technology to actively repair damage while preventing future breakage. Think of it as armour for your strands — protecting against hot tools, pollution, and UV exposure, all in a featherlight formula.
Whether your hair is fine, thick, curly, or straight, this fast-absorbing serum sinks in without stickiness or residue. It smooths frizz, boosts shine, and acts as the perfect primer pre-styling. For those who are religious about heat tools but still want soft, resilient hair with that healthy, swishy bounce — this is your new go-to.
Best for: Damaged or colour-treated hair in need of a shield
Why We Love It: Strengthens from within while offering weightless, invisible protection
Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray
Award-winning and endlessly versatile, Moroccanoil’s Protect & Prevent Spray is a dry aerosol mist that delivers maximum heat protection without weighing your hair down. Infused with nourishing argan oil, it not only defends against hot tools (up to 232˚C) but also smooths flyaways and adds a soft, glossy finish — all while wrapping strands in that warm, nutty Moroccanoil scent the brand is known for.
What sets this apart is its dual functionality: it can be used on both damp and dry hair, making it ideal for everything from fresh blowouts to next-day touch-ups.
Best for: Normal to dry hair types or anyone seeking added shine
Why We Love It: Weightless, shine-enhancing formula with that iconic Moroccanoil scent
Redken Acidic Color Gloss Heat Protection Treatment
Coloured hair needs a little extra TLC, and Redken’s Acidic Color Gloss Heat Protection Treatment delivers just that — a luxurious, salon-level glossing effect paired with thermal protection up to 230°C. The formula uses an acidic pH to rebalance and seal the hair’s cuticle, helping lock in colour while boosting shine for up to three days. Apricot oil, citric acid, and hydrogen peroxide work together to condition, brighten, and smooth strands without weighing them down.
Though it’s technically a treatment, it earns its spot as a top-tier heat protectant, especially for blondes or those who regularly lighten and style their hair. Used weekly post-shampoo and sealed in with conditioner, it leaves hair noticeably softer, sleeker, and more manageable. While the scent is a little strong and gloves are recommended, the results speak for themselves: smooth, glassy, just-left-the-salon hair from the comfort of your shower.
Best for: Colour-treated hair craving gloss and protection
Why We Love It: Salon-worthy shine meets heat defence in one ultra-sleek treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hair heat protectants really work?
When used correctly, hair heat protectants really do work.
They create a barrier between your hair and hot tools, helping to reduce moisture loss, minimise breakage, and prevent heat-induced damage. While they can’t undo existing damage, they’re essential for keeping strands healthier, smoother and shinier in the long run.
How do I choose a heat protectant?
To choose the right heat protectant, consider your hair type and styling habits. For fine hair, go for a lightweight mist that won’t weigh it down. Thicker or dry hair benefits from creams or oils with added hydration. If you colour your hair, look for UV and colour-protecting formulas. And always check the heat protection level — it should shield up to at least 230°C if you’re using hot tools.
What is the best way to use heat protectant?
The best way to use a heat protectant is to apply it to clean, damp hair before using any hot tools. Spray or distribute it evenly from mid-lengths to ends, then comb through to ensure full coverage. Let it dry down slightly before blow-drying or styling — using it on wet or unevenly coated hair can reduce its effectiveness.
