The best heat protection sprays for healthy, strong hair

Get the lowdown on the best heat protection sprays that *actually* work with our tried and tested guide

collage of three of the best heat protection sprays
(Image credit: Olaplex/Hair Proud/Kerastase)

An essential part of your haircare routine rather than an optional add-on, the best heat protection sprays are the difference between healthy, glossy hair and fragile, frazzled locks dotted with split ends. 

“Heat protectors add a thin, invisible protective layer over the hair which means increased glide when using electricals, as well as adding hydration and increasing the longevity and shine in your style,” explains Zoe Irwin, Creative Director at John Frieda Salons. “I always think of using heat protectants like using a moisturizer on the skin – you wouldn’t use foundation without a moisturizer as it won’t sit on the skin as well. I would never use styling tools on the hair without protecting it first.” 

Wondering do hair dryers damage hair? Put simply, that's a yes. Heat styling hair without protection is, unfortunately, going to impact how your hair looks and feels. “The tell-tale signs of heat-damaged hair are dry, brittle texture and a lack of shine,” says Michelle Sultan, Creative Director at Imbue.” It could even get so bad that it alters your hair type. “You’ll often be able to notice the damaged parts of curly hair where the curls don’t form properly and are flat and limp,” Michelle adds. It’s not just your best hairdryer, best straighteners, hair straightening brushes, or other tools that can be a problem, but UV exposure too. Most of us wouldn’t dream of sunbathing without sunscreen (we hope) but don’t think twice about exposing our hair to the sunshine. 

If you’re not using heat protection already, we’re wondering why. Do you find them too heavy? Too greasy? Too expensive? The good news is our round-up includes products that debunk all your negative preconceptions about his important step in your routine, to help you find something to keep your hair happy and healthy. 

The best heat protection sprays as chosen by our beauty team

Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist

(Image credit: Olaplex)

1. Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist

Best heat protection spray for adding volume

Specifications

RRP: $38.70 / £28
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Damp
Protects up to : 450°F

Reasons to buy

+
Good for blow-drying
+
Boosts volume 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not great for already full hair

A fan of a bouncy blow-dry? You’ll love this. It’s the secret weapon that your at-home styling has been missing until now and works to speed up drying time, add oomph to the hair and protect from heat damage all at the same time. The usage instructions advise you to apply close to the root to take advantage of its lifting potential, which is also good if (like me) you’re guilty of being quite forceful with the straighteners on your roots and baby hairs at the front. Make sure you’re covering the lengths and ends of your hair too though, as otherwise they’ll just take the brunt of the damage. The texture is very fine, which makes sense if you want to add volume, but still felt enough to give my thick hair hold. I wouldn’t say it added a huge amount of bounce to my hair, but it certainly didn’t look flat or stuck to my head after styling. 

L’Oreal Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Iron Spray

(Image credit: L'Oreal)

2. L’Oreal Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Iron Spray

Best heat protection spray for long hair

Specifications

RRP: $10.90 / £5.99
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Both
Protects up to: 230°C

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable price
+
Good for long hair
+
Sweet scent 

Reasons to avoid

-
A little sticky

Unless you’ve been living quietly beneath a rock for the past two years, you’ll probably have heard the hype around L’Oreal’s Dream Lengths Wonder Water. If you haven’t, let me bring you up to speed. It’s essentially a super speedy treatment that adds shine and gloss to the hair in just 8 seconds. My favorite bonus side-effect is the smell, to the point that I have (to my shame) been known to sniff my own hair. 

So, as a long-time fan, I was keen to try more of the range. The first thing to say about the Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Iron Spray is that it’s brilliant value for money at just over $10 for a 150ml bottle. With daily use on mid-length hair, it should last you between 6 to 8 weeks, meaning there’s no excuse for skipping your heat protection spray. The formula itself is slightly milky, with an initially sticky texture that’s quickly absorbed into the hair. Just be wary of the spray function. It’s quite punchy, so I found that unless I sprayed from quite a distance (and even when I did) that some areas were wetter than others. Another way around this is to spray onto your hands first and then smooth through your hair. Oh, and it's got the same signature scent as the Wonder Water too. 

Hair Proud All Inclusive 5-in-1 Protection Milk

(Image credit: Hair Proud)

3. Hair Proud All Inclusive 5-in-1 Protection Milk

Best budget heat protection spray

Specifications

RRP: $8.95 / £8.95
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Damp
Protects up to: 230°C

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable price
+
Nourishes dry hair 

Reasons to avoid

-
Might be too sticky for some

Full disclosure: I straighten my hair a lot. Not just at home, but even on the go with my best cordless straighteners too. I’m also guilty of over-complicating my hair care routine so always love any product that promises to streamline the process. This treatment spray promises to hydrate, detangle, smooth, add shine and protect against heat in just a few spritzes, which just about makes the rest of my best hair styling products redundant. It can only be used on damp hair, which is a bit annoying as I do like to heat style between washes. It’s because of the consistency of the spray, which is quite thick and milky – so too heavy for even thick hair like mine when it’s dry. On damp hair, though, it’s brilliant, and I could really feel those hydrating and nourishing elements as I brushed it through my hair. After blow-drying and straightening, my hair was impressively soft. The scent is sweet, feminine, and stuck around long after I finished styling, which always earns extra brownie points in my book. 

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat Protecting Spray

(Image credit: John Frieda)

4. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat Protecting Spray

Best heat protection spray for frizzy hair

Specifications

RRP: $8.39 / £7
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Damp
Protects up to: Not specified

Reasons to buy

+
Kept frizz at bay
+
Hydrating
+
Good for dry hair 

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't use on dry hair

Frizz is my number one nemesis when it comes to taking care of my hair. In fact, it’s the reason I’m so committed to my heat tools, as I wouldn’t mind my natural curls so much if they weren’t constantly coated in a halo of fluff. 

John Frieda is the first name in frizz. And, as part of the same range as the iconic Frizz-Ease serum, this heat protection spray gave me high hopes for a fuzz-free finish. Frizzy hair forms when thirsty hair reaches out into the atmosphere in search of water, so it makes sense that the more moisture it has, the less it needs to look elsewhere. It’s true that the more I straighten my hair, and the more dehydrated it becomes, the harder I find myself fighting to ward off the frizz. Lucky for me this spray is packed with humectants, which draw in and seal that much-needed hydration. I found that a little went a long way (making the bottle a total bargain) and my hair definitely looked and felt smoother after use without compromising on volume and movement. I just wish I could use it on dry hair too, but it’s far too sticky (I tried). 

Kérastase Nutrive Lotion Thermique Sublimatrice Blow-Dry Mist

(Image credit: Kérastase)

5. Kérastase Nutrive Lotion Thermique Sublimatrice Blow-Dry Mist

Best for smoothing hair

Specifications

RRP: $45 / £33.50
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Damp
Protects up to: 230°C

Reasons to buy

+
Nice and lightweight
+
Smells gorgeous 

Reasons to avoid

-
Too light for thick hair

If you want your hair to look (and smell) expensive then this is the heat protectant spray for you. It’s first and foremost a detangling blow-dry spray, designed for fine to medium hair experiencing dryness to help reduce knots and increase smoothness when styling. It’s packed with the kind of ingredients you’d expect to see in a skincare serum – like lipids and vitamins, as well as special types of polymers to condition and smooth your hair. We found that after using this, our hair was much easier to tame when blow-drying, and didn’t put up a fight in the form of frizz and kinks. The spray itself is fine and far-reaching, which means a little goes quite a long way. It’s described by the brand as milky in texture, but we’d say it’s more akin to water (or skimmed milk at a push) which allows it to nourish hair without adding extra weight. Use alongside one of the best treatments for damaged hair to revitalize strands in need of nourishment. 

Hair by Sam McKnight Save The Do Heat Protection Style Starter

(Image credit: Sam McKnight)

6. Hair by Sam McKnight Save The Do Heat Protection Style Starter

Best heat protection spray for flat hair

Specifications

RRP: $34 / £26
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Damp
Protects up to: Not specified

Reasons to buy

+
Multi-tasking
+
Helps keep styles in place for longer

Reasons to avoid

-
Can only be used on damp hair

This isn’t a problem I have personally experienced, but I know that those with finer hair can find that applying a cocktail of serums and sprays leaves their hair flat and lifeless. If that sounds like you, this does-it-all spray might just be the perfect solution. Not only will it protect your hair from heat damage (stopping it from becoming dull and dehydrated) but it’ll also increase softness and help your styles to stay put for longer with no need to reach for the best hair thickening products

On the first spritz, this clear spray feels very wet, which is probably part of the reason why it’s recommended for damp hair only. It is watery in texture but with a bit of stickiness to it, which is what’s going to grip onto any bouncy curls or waves you add when heat styling. I normally find that my hair struggles to keep a wave on wash day, but this definitely helped hold them for longer. The brand’s signature scent is a welcome parting touch, with a grown-up blend of frankincense, juniper wood, and water lily that lingers until your next shampoo. Gorgeous. 

Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer

(Image credit: Bumble & Bumble)

7. Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer

Best heat protection spray for preventing color fade

Specifications

RRP: $27 / £27
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Both
Protects up to: 232°C

Reasons to buy

+
Extra UV protection
+
Really nourishing
+
Perfect for summer

Reasons to avoid

-
May be too oily for fine hair

In my opinion, Bumble & Bumble’s heat protection spray is the definition of an over-achiever. Not content with creating a barrier between heat tools and your hair, it also helps to reduce frizz, smooth hair, and increase shine. All while reducing damage from hair straighteners. If that wasn’t enough, it’s also formulated with UV filters to stop hair from drying out in the sun and prevents color fading too. No wonder it’s the brand’s number-one bestseller. 

When I first got my mitts on this a few years ago, the first thing that impressed me was the size of a bottle. Premium brands can garner an unfair reputation for small sizes, but this chunky bottle will genuinely last you for months on end. The product itself is oil-based (coconut, argan, grape seed, macadamia, sweet almond, and safflower if you’re interested) which helps to replenish any moisture lost through styling or sun exposure. My thick and almost perpetually thirsty hair absolutely laps it up, but if your hair is finer, you may want to just stick to applying to the mid-lengths and ends. A must-try, especially if you regularly use hair tools, as even the best hair dryers and best curling irons can wreak havoc on your hair.

Aveda Heat Relief Thermal Protector & Conditioning Mist

(Image credit: Aveda)

8. Aveda Heat Relief Thermal Protector & Conditioning Mist

Best heat protection spray for all air types

Specifications

RRP: $35 / £26
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Dry
Protects up to: 232°C

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Conditioning 
+
Lovely scent 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not for damp hair

One of my main gripes about heat protection is that it can weigh my hair down and make it feel greasy. And, as my hair is naturally thick and curly, I don’t want to have to go through the rigmarole of washing it, drying it with the best hair dryer for curly hair, and styling it with the best hair straighteners for thick hair any more than I have to. Enter this little green bottle of goodness. The texture is a dry mist that seems to instantly melt away into nothingness on my hair, so it doesn’t lose any of that just-washed bounce or freshness. That being said there are still conditioning elements within the formula, with jojoba and sunflower seed oils for extra nourishment, so hair doesn’t feel crispy and dry either. Better still, there’s no tell-tale “hiss” when you pass the irons over the top of it - even when you're curling your hair with straighteners.

If you’re anything like me then getting ready in the morning involves throwing 80% of your wardrobe on the floor and straightening your hair against the clock, so the addition of Aveda’s Shampure Aroma is a welcome one. It essentially smells like a soothing pillow spray and comes as a welcome reminder to breathe every time I spritz it. An extra bonus. 

GHD Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray

(Image credit: GHD)

9. GHD Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray

Best heat protection spray for in-between washes

Specifications

RRP: $25 / £19
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Dry
Protects up to: Not specified

Reasons to buy

+
Non-sticky
+
Generous spray
+
Leaves hair shiny

Reasons to avoid

-
Bottle doesn't last very long

When it comes to heat styling, GHD is probably the brand I trust the most. I’ve been loyal to their tools since the early 00s, so they have my faith when it comes to styling products too. GHD’s heat protect has had a few different identities over the years, but their latest version, the Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray, might be their best yet. 

A brilliant product for the time-poor, I find that one spritz is far-reaching enough to cover one side of my hair, so I only really need about 9 sprays to work through three layers. It’s fine, lightweight, and not even a little bit sticky, so even if you do go overboard and apply too much, you barely notice. The formula is duo-action, so it doesn’t just coat the hair to shield it from the heat, but it also helps to flatten the cuticles for shinier, smoother hair that’s less likely to become damaged. GHD doesn’t specify the temperature this protects to, the fact that their straighteners are set to 185°C makes me think the number here is similar. A great choice for anyone with fine hair. If you're planning on investing in a pair of the best GHD straighteners, we highly recommend also throwing in a bottle of this nifty spray too.

Ouai Heat Protection Spray

(Image credit: Ouai)

10. Ouai Heat Protection Spray

Best heat protection spray for fine hair

Specifications

RRP: $28 / £26
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Both
Protects up to: 232°C

Reasons to buy

+
Can be used wet or dry
+
Gentle mist
+
Fancy fragrance 

Reasons to avoid

-
Can build up

I don’t know if it’s because it comes in a simple silver can with a straight-talking name, but there’s something that feels quite no-frills and functional about Ouai’s Heat Protection Spray. To some, that might sound negative, but at a time when beauty feels very complex and every product seems to boast a list of seemingly never-ending benefits, there is definitely something refreshing in a more back-to-basics approach.

What doesn’t feel basic is the formula. The spray nozzle means it comes out like hairspray, gently misting your hair with a shower of tiny shielding particles. It can be used on wet or dry hair, and although the brand recommends you comb it through for even application, I didn’t feel I needed to. I’m not sure if it was a placebo effect, but I definitely felt this made my hair shinier than the others I’ve tried, which is certainly part of the appeal. My only gripe would be that it can get a little bit crunchy if you apply too much. It is up there with some of the pricer products on this list, but as the spray is so fine one can lasts for ages. The perfect prep product for the best hair dryers for fine hair

Redken Thermal Spray Iron Shape Heat Protection Spray

(Image credit: Redken)

11. Redken Thermal Spray Iron Shape Heat Protection Spray

Best heat protection spray for damaged hair

Specifications

RRP: $19 / £23.60
Can it be applied to wet or dry hair?: Both
Protects up to: 230°C

Reasons to buy

+
Helps with hold
+
Nice nourishing texture
+
Conditioning

Reasons to avoid

-
Might be too heavy for some

The Redken Iron Shape Thermal Holding Spray and I nearly fell at the first hurdle, as it took a good couple of minutes of shaking and spritzing to finally persuade any of the formula up the spout and out of the nozzle. So, if the same happens to you keep persevering. I can only imagine our rocky start is down to the consistency of the formula, as the texture is not dissimilar to a milky serum. It’s heavier than I expected, so while I could spray with abundance on wet hair, I had to spray it onto my hands first when it was dry to avoid ending up saturating small sections. 

The updated formula smells like a salon, and you can tell it’s a professional product as it is designed with styling in mind as opposed to just protection. It adds light yet flexible hold to the hair to keep your style in place for longer. I did find that my hair held better when using it, which meant I ultimately used less heat in general (and could even have a go at creating on-trend heatless curls with it on a sunny holiday) as I didn’t have to keep going over it in-between washes. Win-win. 

Sol de Janeiro Milky Leave-in Conditioner

(Image credit: Sol de Janerio)

12. Sol de Janeiro Milky Leave-in Conditioner

Best heat protection spray for dry hair

Specifications

RRP: $28 / £28
Can it be applied to damp or dry hair?: Damp
Protects up to: 232°C

Reasons to buy

+
Intense fragrance
+
Very nourishing
+
Doesn't need to be used with heat

Reasons to avoid

-
Too heavy if your hair is fine

Is it just me or is clean hair always better on holiday? I think it’s the combination of the satisfaction of washing away a day’s worth of sand and salt along with the deliciously sweet scents of summer hair products that makes hair feel extra swishable. So, it won’t surprise you that what I loved most about Sol de Janeiro’s Milky Leave-In Conditioner was that it made my hair feel (and smell) like I’d just wandered out for dinner on a gorgeous far-flung island. Potentially OTT? Maybe. But you can’t help how scents and products make you feel. 

The aroma is the same as the brand’s cult Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, with notes of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla in the mix. And, similarly to the body cream, the leave-in conditioner also puts the focus on hydration. Although it comes out like a spray, the texture is a lightweight serum, which will appeal to those (like me) whose frazzled ends are in near-constant need of TLC. Not only did it leave my hair super soft post-styling, but it also helped to keep frizz at bay – even on some very rainy days. Although the aim here is heat defense, I liked that this was more than just a heat protectant spray, and there’s no reason why you couldn’t use it to tame and smooth hair before air-styling too.

Imbue Curl Defending Heat Protection Mist

(Image credit: Imbue)

13. Imbue Curl Defending Heat Protection Mist

Best heat protection spray for curly hair

Specifications

RRP: $9.99 / £7.99
Can you apply it to damp or dry hair?: Both
Protects up to: 220°C

Reasons to buy

+
Conditions curls 
+
Defends from UV too
+
Made without silicones to weigh down

Reasons to avoid

-
Spray is quite wet for dry hair

Curly hair needs protecting too you know. Not everyone who’s lucky enough to be sporting kinks and coils can wash and go, so if you do tend to use a diffuser on your curls, or want to straighten and wave without the risk of disrupting your natural curl pattern, this is worth a try. I’m not big on leaving ingredients out (unless they’re dangerous) but Imbue makes a point on their packaging and website that this is of being alcohol and silicone free, the first of which can dehydrate hair, and the second which can weigh hair down, which makes sense for curly hair which tends to be naturally dry. 

One spray lets out a lot of product –  which is great if your hair is thick like mine but I imagine less ideal if it’s fine. For that reason, I’d say don’t spritz directly onto the hair when it’s dry (smooth with your fingers), and comb through when it’s damp with a wide-tooth comb. It smells delicious (kind of like a kid's shampoo from the 90s) and has just enough stickiness to help encourage and hold your curls into spirals as an added extra. Team with a set of the best straighteners for curly hair and your tresses will thank you.

How we tested the best heat protection sprays 

best heat protection sprays lined up for testing

(Image credit: Jess Beech)

For each heat protectant spray, we tested them on either wet hair, dry hair, or both, depending on what the instructions advised. To keep things fair (and to stop any other products from swaying the results) we used the same shampoo, conditioner, and other hair styling products with all the different heat protection sprays we trialed. And of course, there’s no point using a product designed to ward off damage unless you’re using heat on your hair, so we followed each one with the same hairdryer and straighteners too. 

We assessed how well each heat protectant product defended our hair against heat damage but also how they felt on our hair; how they smelled and if they added any additional benefits. Finally, we kept each product's price point in mind throughout and whether or not we felt they were genuinely worth spending your money on.

How to choose a heat protection spray  

Not sure how to choose a heat protection spray? These are the factors to make your decision based on:

  • Your hair type will dictate the type of hair protection that’s best for you. For example, if your hair is very fine, you’ll want something lightweight, whereas thick, dry hair will lap up anything oil-based. “Everyone should use heat protection regardless of their hair type or curl pattern,” says Sultan. 
  • The level of protection it offers. Most hair straighteners reach temperatures of around 220°C, so you want a heat protectant spray that either matches or goes above and beyond this. If you’re always good at turning the heat settings down on your hair dryer and tools you then can get away with less protection. 
  • The scent. People tend to go one of two ways with scented hair products – either they can’t get enough, or they find them headache-inducing. If you’re sensitive to scent, try and shop in-store to give products a sniff first. 
  • Whether it can be used on damp or dry hair. Some heat protection sprays can be used on damp and dry hair, and some just on damp. Select based on the state your hair is normally in when you use heat on it. 
  • Price is always a factor with any beauty buy. If your hair is damaged or brittle, you may want to invest more.
  • Any other benefits. Many of the heat protection sprays on the market go way beyond just protecting your strands. “They are also packed with ingredients to nourish the hair,” says Sultan. They could tackle frizz, or add volume too. 

Do heat protectants really work?

Heat protectants really do work, and put a blockade between the heat of your tools and your hair. “Heat protectant is important because it creates a barrier between your hair and the heat tool, as well as providing moisture and nourishment to prevent dry hair,” says Tyler Moore, Expert Stylist at Live True. “When you heat style your hair, you break down the bonds within it, temporarily altering its shape. It can rapidly evaporate the moisture in your hair (especially when blow-drying) which can lead to excessive dryness and frizzy hair. Everyone who uses heat styling needs to use a heat protectant if they want to limit hair damage.” If you’re still cynical about whether it works or not, skip heat protection for a week and see how your hair looks and feels. The likelihood is that it will feel drier and split ends will have started to show without proper protection. 

Is it better to use heat protectant on wet or dry hair?

There’s no real benefit to using heat protectants on wet hair over dry hair or vice versa. It really just depends on how you style your hair, and how the product you’ve chosen can be used. For example, if you only use heat on your hair to blow-dry after washing, then it makes sense to use a heat protectant on damp hair. On the other hand, if you touch up your locks between shampoos by running the straighteners over them or adding a few day-three waves with a tong, then you’ll want to apply your heat protection to dry hair. “If I’m going in with the hair straighteners again I’ll apply another layer of heat protectant,” advises Sultan. Some heat protection sprays can be used on damp or dry hair, and some just on damp. If you’re unsure about yours, double-check the instructions label. 

Jess Beech

Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor, with more than eight years experience in the publishing industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and is a former Deputy Fashion & Beauty Editor at Future PLC. A beauty obsessive, Jess has tried everything from cryotherapy to chemical peels (minus the Samantha in Sex and The City-worthy redness) and interviewed experts including Jo Malone and Trinny Woodall.