Let’s face it – most of us all apply some sort of heat to our hair on a regular basis. Whether it’s blow drying, flat ironing, or curling it, heat styling is a part of our everyday lives. But for a lot of us, the damage that heat does to our hair is put on the back burner.
If this sounds like you, it’s really time that you look into getting a heat protectant for your hair. Heat protectant is essential for everyone’s hair care routine no matter how much heat they are using. What a heat protectant does is it creates a barrier between your hair and the thermal styling tool. So the heat burns off the heat protectant instead of damaging the hair. Along with that, heat protectants have lots of other benefits such as eliminating frizz and smoothing the hair for a sleek finished look.
You may be asking yourself – what heat protectant should I buy? Since having a heat protectant is so important, we’ve rounded up the best hair heat protectants that you can get right now. Our favorite is Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express Primer Spray! But if you want something that is a little bit more budget-friendly, go for the Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer.
Now, let’s dive into our favorite hair heat protectants!
Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protectant Spray
Our Favorite
This is a lightweight spray that protects your hair from heat, reduces blow-dry time and helps prevent breakage.
We all know that Redken is one of the top hair care brands out there. When you buy from a professional brand like Redken, you know that what you’re getting is high-quality and actually works. The Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protectant Spray!
The Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protectant Spray protects the hair from up to 450 degrees of heat. But one of the unique things about this spray is that it actually cuts your blow drying time in half. Along with that, it provides heat protection from other tools as well. So if you were to blow dry your hair and then afterward flat iron it, you’d only need to spray this product once beforehand for your hair to be protected! Users are a huge fan of the fragrance of this product. It also helps to eliminate frizz in the hair.
Unfortunately, Redken can be a little bit on the pricier side. However, we think their products are definitely worth the price! Also, Redken is not cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Protects the hair from up to 450 degrees of heat
- Only need to spray once
- Cuts blow drying time in half
- Great smell
- Eliminates frizz
Cons:
- Not budget-friendly
- Not cruelty-free
Where to buy it: Ulta
Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer
Budget Pick
This hair primer is infused with argan oil and sunflower seed oil to give your hair its daily dose of vitamins and nutrients.
When it comes to hair care, Eva NYC is a great brand because it’s sort of a hybrid between drugstore and high end. So you’re getting great quality products for a lesser price. Their Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer is an excellent heat protectant.
The Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer protects the hair against thermal styling. But it isn’t just a heat protectant. It has tons of other amazing benefits. For example, this product is great is detangling the hair, preventing frizz, adding shine, and strengthening the hair. In addition, this cuts blow drying time in half. This product is formulated with argan oil which is great for nourishing the hair. It is safe for color-treated hair and it is made without sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan.
However, if you have curly or textured hair, this product may not be for you. It tends to weigh curly hair down and make it feel heavy.
Pros:
- Protects from thermal styling
- Cuts blow drying time in half
- Adds shine
- Reduces frizz
- Detangles hair
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not suited for curly hair
Where to buy it: Ulta
Kenra Professional Thermal Styling Spray 19
This non-sticking thermal protecting spray prevents hair damage by permitting a clean release from styling tools.
When looking at professional products, there are tons of different brands to choose from. Kenra Professional is a solid and reliable professional brand that many hair stylists and clients love! Their Thermal Styling Spray is a must for anyone who is regularly putting heat on their hair.
The Kenra Professional Thermal Styling Spray is designed to hold hair styles while protecting the hair from heat damage. It adds a layer of shine to the hair that isn’t sticky or wet. It doesn’t weight down the hair at all. When styling with this product, your look will last all day long. It is suited for all hair types and curl patterns. The scent of this product is very pleasant, but not overpowering. Also, Kenra Professional is completely cruelty-free!
One of the main downfalls of this product is the packaging. For a lot of people, the spray bottle can get clogged and stop working on them. Also, Kenra’s products don’t fit into everyone’s budgets.
Pros:
- Protects from heat damage
- Adds shine to the hair
- Holds hair styles all day long
- Suitable for all hair types
- Pleasant scent
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Poor packaging
- Not budget-friendly for everyone
Where to buy it: Amazon
Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist
This lightweight spray protects dry hair from heat styling with curling, straightening and styling irons.
Drybar has been becoming more and more popular lately. Their hair care products work for so many people, so it’s not hard to see why they are so raved about. One of their bestsellers is the Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist!
The Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist protects the hair from up to 450 degrees of heat. It is a lightweight spray that doesn’t weigh down the hair at all. It is formulated with Marula Oil which helps to add shine to the hair and eliminate frizz. It also is formulated with different UV Protectors which help to prevent dryness in the hair and the fading of hair color. It is great for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Also, Drybar is cruelty-free!
A lot of reviewers mention that the fragrance of this product is too overpowering. So if you are sensitive to different scents, this product may mess with you. Also, Drybar’s products can get a little bit pricey.
Pros:
- Protects the hair from up to 450 degrees of heat
- Lightweight
- Adds shine to the hair
- Eliminates frizz
- Prevents dryness in the hair
- Prevents fading of hair color
- Great for all hair types
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Overpowering scent
- Not budget-friendly
Where to buy it: Ulta
L’ange Rival Heat Shield
This heat protectant has a lightweight formula with keratin that helps fortify your hair with nourishing oils, antioxidants, and botanicals
L’ange is a great hair care brand because it is something that both hair stylists and everday people can get behind. Their products are easy to use and they actually work. Although it is a rather new brand, they really do deserve all the hype they have been receiving. Their Rival Heat Shield is one of the hottest sellers right now when it comes to hair heat protectants!
The L’ange Rival Heat Shield is a heat protectant that nourishes and protects the hair. The formula is very lightweight, so it won’t weigh down your hair at all. It makes the hair feel smoother and it adds a layer of shine. It also makes the hair more manageable and less tangled. This product is suited for all hair types no matter what curl pattern you have or if your hair is color-treated. Also, L’ange is cruelty-free.
The price of this product falls more in the mid-range. But it still could be out of a lot of people’s budget. Also, if you spray too much of this on the hair, it tends to leave behind a tough residue.
Pros:
- Nourishes the hair and protects it from heat
- Lightweight
- Makes the hair feel smoother
- Adds shine
- Makes the hair more manageable
- Suited for all hair types
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Out of some people’s budget
- Can leave a residue on the hair if you use too much
Where to buy it: L’ange
Chi Total Protect
This is a lightweight lotion that shields and moistens your hair.
Chi has been around for years and there is a reason why people keep using their products. They have been shown to actually work for people and show real, visible results. Their Total Protect spray is a classic heat protectant that is suited for just about anyone!
The Chi Total Protect heat protectant spray doesn’t only protect the hair from heat, but it also helps to strengthen the hair! The formula has silk molecules in it which help to go inside the hair strand and build strength and resilience in the hair. In addition, this formula makes the hair look and feel better moisturized and smoother. It suitable for all hair types including curly and color-treated hair. Also, Chi is generally a more affordable option for a lot of people
For a lot of people, the scent of this product is not very pleasant and very overpowering. If you are sensitive to fragrance, I would not recommend this product. Also, unfortunately, Chi is not 100% cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Protects and strengthens the hair
- Makes the hair look and feel smoother
- Builds strength and resilience in the hair
- Suitable for all hair types
- Affordable
Cons:
- Heavily fragranced
- Not cruelty-free
Where to buy it: Ulta
Final Thoughts
There you have it – our favorite hair heat protectants. These 6 hair heat protectants not only protect the hair from heat damage, but they also have a bunch of other amazing benefits. Our favorite is Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protectant Spray. But if you’re looking for something a little bit more affordable, try out Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer. Regardless, you can’t really go wrong with any of the products on our list!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to apply a heat protectant to your hair?
The best way to apply a heat protectant to your hair is to apply it in sections. By doing this, you are making sure that all of your hair gets coated instead of only the top layer. Also, try to only apply what you need to. You don’t need to go overboard. Just apply enough so that all of your hair gets coated.
Can you apply a heat protectant to both wet and dry hair?
Depending on what product you are using, you can apply it to both wet and dry hair. Some products are meant to be used only on wet or only on dry hair. Others can be used on both. Check your specific heat protectant to gain more clarification on this.
What are the benefits of using a hair heat protectant?
There are tons of other amazing benefits of using a hair heat protectant. For example, lots of these products make your look and feel much smoother. They eliminate frizz and add shine to the hair. Also, they make the hair less tangled and much more manageable!