Hair
Best Heat Protection Sprays

The 10 Best Heat Protection Sprays for Your Hair

By Hannah Liddle - 4 years ago | Updated 10 months ago

Young girl towel drying her hair while smiling at the camera

Blow-drying, straightening and curling your hair can leave it feeling drier than the Sahara desert, not to mention completely and utterly damaged. Oh, the things we do…

But don’t get down just yet. You can still salvage your locks and keep them protected against devilish hairdryers and harmful heat styling tools. Say hello to heat protection sprays.

What is a heat protection spray for hair?

A heat protection spray, also known as heat defence spray, is a formula that has been specially developed to protect your hair from the damage caused by styling tools such as hairdryers, curlers and straighteners.

It can come in the form of a spray, serum, cream or lotion and is applied to damp or dry hair before styling to reduce the chances of dryness and split ends. There are even formulas that you can rinse out while in the shower. Every hair type, from straight to curly and coloured, can benefit from regularly using a heat protection spray in their hair care routine.

How do heat protectants for hair work?

Think of heat protectants as a barrier between your heat styling tool and hair. They work by forming a protective layer on top of the hair shaft so that your strands are less likely to be frazzled by extreme heat. Some wrap hair with an invisible film, which is great for protection, but it can also weigh down particular hair types, such as curly.

When do I need to use heat protection on my hair?

This depends on the type of heat protection you choose to use, so remember to check out the instructions of your specific product.

Typically, heat protection formulas are used before styling your hair with hot appliances such as blow dryers, curling irons and straighteners. You can apply heat protection to damp or dry hair and comb through for an even distribution. They can be used on a daily basis (as long as you are frequently shampoo your hair), and really are a game-changing addition to any hair care routine.

Can I use heat protection on afro hair types?

Absolutely! In fact, curly and afro hair types are most likely to benefit from using heat protection formulas. This is because the tight curls make it harder for oils and moisture to travel all the way down the hair shaft, meaning locks are much more prone to damage such as dryness, split ends and breakage.

Chemically treated or relaxed hair is also much more vulnerable to experiencing damage. So, remember to use hair treatments to condition your hair and always give your hair a spritz of protection before picking up the heat tools.

Taking in a mix of brands you already know and love, as well as up-and-comers, we’ve collated ten of the very best heat protection sprays for different hair types. So, when it comes to applying the torture tools to your hair, you can turn up the heat without worrying about completely frazzling your tresses – no one wants to be that girl who tongs her hair off, after all.

ghd Bodyguard - Heat Protect Spray

£15.78 £23.95 (35% off)

There's no brand we trust more with our tresses than GHD. This heat protectant spray pairs perfectly with any one of their heat styling tools, allowing you to shield every strand from heat damage whilst leaving your hair feeling light and bouncy with with their patented formula.

R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist

£43.99 £55.50 (21% off)

This heat defence spray is incredibly conditioning, restoring and protective – a true all-rounder and one of the best options for damaged tresses. The miracle leave-in conditioner formula keeps your locks safe from heat styling while it repairs each brittle strand and boosts your hair’s overall condition.

Cantu Thermal Shield Heat Protect

£5.44 £9.00 (40% off)

Say goodbye to despairingly dragging the comb through your hair because this miraculous multitasking spray is here for you. Enriched with shea butter, it offers intense nourishment and makes brushing through those knots a breeze. As conditioning as it is protective, it’s the ultimate spray for those with dry, knotty, textured hair.

Paul Mitchell Flexible Style Hot Off The Press Thermal Protection Hairspray

£19.45 £24.85 (22% off)

100% vegan offering 100% heat protection, what more do you need? Not only will your strands be protected from heat damage, but you'll also reap the rewards of the anti-humidity and pollution protection in this innovative formula.

WE ARE PARADOXX Moisture Heat Protect Spray

£17.94 £20.00 (11% off)

WE ARE PARADOXX up the game with this 99% naturally derived heat protection spray in an eco-friendly metal bottle. In addition to protecting your hair from heat up to 205ºC, this spray speeds up the blow drying process, strengthens, softens, detangles, fights frizz and adds shine. You can thank the argan oil, provitamin B5 and apple cider vinegar in the formula for how shiny, healthy and hydrated your hair looks after using it.

Moroccanoil Prevent & Protect Spray

£23.94 £26.74 (11% off)

Another more natural option for all you clean beauty lovers out there is this colour-protecting thermal spray from Moroccanoil. Antioxidants and sunscreens keep your hair safe from free radicals and UV rays as well, while ArganID micro-encapsulated technology seals damaged cuticles to lock in colour.

Wella Professionals EIMI Thermal Image Spray

£11.29 £16.25 (31% off)

Nourish and smooth your hair, and protect it against temps as high as 220°C, with this thermal spray from the brand loved by hairdressers worldwide. You'll get a glossy shine after using this spray, even on thick, coarse hair.

Bumble and bumble Heat Shield Thermal Protection Mist

£29.50 £30.93 (5% off)

This spray fortifies your hair fibres as it protects it from heat styling, strengthening your hair's internal structure so it's less prone to breakage. Plus, Bumble and bumble's Honey Protective Complex conditions the hair and fights frizz to give your locks a healthy shine.

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer

£30.35 £31.81 (5% off)

Another favourite from this brand is the primer from their Hairdresser's Invisible Oil collection. Designed for dry, coarse and/or brittle hair, it combines six lightweight oils to soften strands, fight frizz and protect against breakage, heat styling and UV damage.

Osmo Thermal Defence

£7.23

Protect your hair without the price tag with this moisturising spray. Cruelty-free and vegan, Osmo's thermal spray shields you from heat damage and frizz.

So there you have it, the 10 heat protection sprays selected by our stellar beauty experts. There’s really no reason for your hair to go through any more suffering. Take good care of it and it’ll always look strong, healthy and radiant.

If you’re searching for more ways to replenish and protect your hair, then check out our range of hair supplements or take a look at Permanent, Semi or Temporary: What Type of Hair Dye Is Best For You?