Some things just go together: peanut butter and jelly, wine and cheese, your hair and heat-protecting spray. That last one may sound random in comparison to the others, but it's true. Whether you heat style your hair every day, every other day, once a month, or once a year, you should always be applying some sort of serum or spray that'll protect it from potential damage that styling tools [1] — many of which can reach up to 450 degrees [2] — can cause.
We're talking split ends, dryness, and breakage — the majority of which can be avoided just by spending a few extra minutes spritzing on a product that is guaranteed to keep your hair in tip top shape. It's kind of like how you wouldn't (or you at least shouldn't) leave your house without putting on sunscreen. Similarly, it's easier to get ahead of hair damage than it is to treat it after the fact [3].
In the event that you're planning on giving yourself a salon-quality blowout [4], a silk press, or a bold set of curls, do yourself a favor and start out with a heat protectant. Ahead, we've rounded up some of our favorite products that'll keep your hair safe from damage.
Best Overall Heat Protectant
Rahua Heat Protectant Shield [5] ($38)
The Rahua Heat Protectant Shield won a POPSUGAR Beauty Award [6] this year, and for good reason. It's a plant-based leave-in spray that promises to protect hair from heat styling tools up to 425 degrees, and it won't leave anything feeling sticky or crunchy. It's made with a combination of avocado, castor seed, and almond oils, which also work to prevent breakage.
Best Heat Protectant For Curly Hair
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Blow Dry Creme [7] ($11)
The SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Blow Dry Creme uses a clean and cruelty-free formula that controls frizz and protects against heat damage and breakage. It won't dry out your curls or leave them feeling crunchy, which is why it's our pick for the best heat protectant for curly hair.
Best Heat Protectant For Wavy Hair
CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray [8] ($16)
An OG favorite, the CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray strengthens the hair and protects against heat damage without leaving behind any greasy residue.
Best Heat Protectant For Straight Hair
It's a 10 Miracle Blow Dry H20 Shield [9] ($28)
Not only does the It's a 10 Miracle Blow Dry H20 Shield smell like a bouquet of flowers picked fresh from the garden, but it's also packed with sunflower seed and aloe vera extracts to protect against heat and free radical damage — all without leaving behind a greasy, tacky feeling.
Best Heat Protectant For Fine Hair
Kérastase Genesis Defense Thermique Blow Dry Primer [10] ($45)
Calm your heat-drying fears with the Kérastase Genesis Defense Thermique Blow Dry Primer. The product not only protects against heat damage, but it also prevents tangles so you don't experience breakage when styling. It's also lightweight and won't weigh you down with product, which makes it the best heat protectant spray for fine hair.
Best Heat Protectant For Thick Hair
Gisou Propolis Infused Heat Protecting Spray [11] ($41)
If you have thick hair, check out the Gisou Propolis Infused Heat Protecting Spray. Not only does it protect hair from temperatures up to 446 degrees, but it also helps to prevent sun damage with UV filters. Plus, it's made with propolis, an ingredient bees use to fortify their beehives, which helps to prevent breakage and strengthen hair.
Best Heat Protectant For Color-Treated Hair
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Leave In Conditioner Primer [12] ($34)
The Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Leave In Conditioner Primer is formulated for all hair types, but it works especially well for those with color-treated hair because it prevents color fading up to 16 washes. It's made with the brand's signature 6 oil blend, which includes almond oil, macadamia seed oil, and coconut oil, so it works as a leave-in conditioner to smooth and detangle hair, all while protecting hair from heat up to 450 degrees.
Best Heat Protectant For Frizz-Reduction
Not Your Mother's All Eyes on Me 10-In-1 Hair Perfector [13] ($7)
Who doesn't love a multitasker like the Not Your Mother's All Eyes on Me 10-In-1 Hair Perfector? It's not just a heat protectant; the spray also strengthens, detangles, controls frizz, and even helps to repair split ends.
Best Detangling Heat Protectant
Drunk Elephant Wild Marula Tangle Spray [14] ($27)
You can thank Chris McMillan (Jennifer Aniston's go-to hairstylist and the creator of "The Rachel" haircut [15], casual) for the Drunk Elephant Wild Marula Tangle Spray: he helped formulate this double whammy that not only protects your hair from heat-induced damage but also detangles and makes it 10 times more manageable.
Best Lightweight Heat Protectant
Bumble and Bumble Bb. Glow Thermal Protection Mist [16] ($17)
When you want something that packs a protective punch but manages to feel lightweight in the process, that's where the Bumble and Bumble Bb. Glow Thermal Protection Mist comes in. It doesn't come with the same hold that many heat protectants on the market bring, so hair feels touchably soft for days on end.
Best Budget-Friendly Heat Protectant
Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave In Spray [17] ($7)
With a medium hold, the Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave In Spray is a lightweight heat guard that can be used against flat irons and curling irons while helping your hair stay flexible and hold its shape. And you can't beat that price.
Best Cream Heat Protectant
Maria Nila Cream Heat Spray [18] ($30)
The Maria Nila Cream Heat Spray is creamy and lightweight, and it helps rebuild already-damaged strands while also preventing anything worse from happening in the future.
Best Heat Protectant Spray
OGX Protecting + Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray [19] ($8)
Yes, quinoa absolutely is a callout ingredient in the OGX Protecting + Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray, and yes, it absolutely will cut your blow-drying time and protect your hair from up to 450 degrees of heat.