Whether you’re addicted to bouncy blow dries or you can’t leave the house without straighteners, if you’re someone who uses heat on their hair, you need to use heat protector. I know it’s not exactly the most exciting of beauty buys, but trust me, a great heat protectant spray has the ability to take your hair to new heights (and I’m not just talking about volume).
Why do I need to use a heat protectant spray?
Why are heat protectant sprays so important? Let’s go back to basics for a minute. Hair styling tools are damaging – there’s no sugar-coating it, it’s just fact. While the optimum temperature for using most heated tools is around 180ºC, your hair’s natural keratin can start to become damaged under temperatures of 160ºC.
Over time, this can lead to frizz, dryness and split ends. But there’s an easy fix (along with of course, trying to minimise heat usage as a whole). You guessed it – make sure you spritz a heat protectant spray every time you style your hair and you’re sorted. You wouldn’t lie out in the sun without SPF, so why style your hair without protecting it first?
What are the benefits of using heat protection spray on my hair?
The good news is, heat protectant sprays have come a long way over the last few years, meaning they now offer a whole host of hair benefits. From adding mega shine to prolonging your blow dry, a great heat protectant spray is worth its weight in gold – and will make all the difference to your hair styling game.
How do heat protectant sprays work?
Heat protectant sprays create an invisible shield between your hair and the heat styling tool, reducing the amount of damage caused. Plus, they can help condition dry ends, smooth frizz, lock in colour and boost shine.
How do I apply heat protectant spray?
Heat protectant sprays can be used on wet or dry hair – the important thing is that you apply it before you use your heat styler. Whether that’s pre-blow dry when you’re straight out of the shower, or post-air drying when you’re reaching for the straighteners. That said, it’s a good idea to spritz some on before each separate tool you use for added protection.
The best heat protectant sprays for hair to try now
For a heat protectant spray to truly impress, you want more than standard heat defence. These clever formulas have been created to go above and beyond, boosting shine, locking in colour protection and prolonging your style for days on end. Get ready for salon-worthy locks in the comfort of your own home…
1. Bodyguard Heat Protectant Spray, £18.95
When it comes to heat styling, ghd is the pro – so it makes sense that its heat protectant spray is one to trust, too. Designed by ghd stylists and engineering heat experts, it uses protecting polymers and conditioning agents to coat every single strand in protection, without weighing down your hair. Plus, the clever formula prevents cuticles from lifting, so it smooths the hair surface and fights frizz, too. Expect high-shine, salon-worthy sleekness with every use.
2. Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, Color Wow, £27
This is one of my all-time favourite hair products. It acts like a mini keratin treatment for your hair, protecting against humidity and transforming your hair so that it remains smooth, ultra-shiny and frizz-free for up to three washes. The clever mist is actually activated by heat and works to repel water from penetrating the porous hair shaft. The result? A glass-hair finish that’s protected and perfected. It’s seriously impressive.
3. Moringa Shine & Protection Hair Mist, £12
It might be an unexpected choice, but I’m telling you, this is really brilliant. Made with vegan silk protein, it helps to repair the hair from the inside out. Plus, thanks to its unbelievable scent, it doubles as a hair perfume, instantly refreshing tired tresses on the go. Hair is left feeling soft, smooth and healthy-looking. Win, win.
4. Thermal Shield Heat Protectant, £7.99
Formulated with pure shea butter, this expert heat protectant is a must-have for those with thick, coily or curly hair types. It protects your hair from temperatures up to a whopping 220ºC and replaces vital moisture lost in heat styling, revealing stronger, healthier hair in just a few uses. The shea butter is brilliant for smoothing frizz and adding killer shine. Plus, you can use it once you’ve finished styling your hair as a leave-in conditioner or shine-booster. Brilliant.
5. All-Style Blow Dry, Bumble and Bumble, £27
This clever heat protectant cream not only prevents hair from becoming damaged when using heat styling tools, it shields it from the sun, too. It helps to fight frizz and prolong the life of your blow dry for healthy-looking shine and swoosh. Dimethicone safeguards your strands from heat-induced damage, while salicylate helps to protect your locks from sun exposure. A must-have for holiday hair.
6. Catwalk Haute Iron Spray, £15.95
This miracle multi-tasker not only shields hair from heat damage (thanks to its protective conditioning agents) but it prevents moisture loss and boosts shine like no other. It also works to detangle your hair, while panthenol boosts hair’s volume for a fuller look and feel. There’s no wonder it’s a must-have in all hairdresser’s kits at fashion week.