The 6 best heat protection sprays for healthy and shiny hair, reviewed by our in-house beauty experts
After trying dozens of heat protectants, our experts review the best-performing buys for healthy, smooth, glossy strands
With so many advanced hot tools at our disposal today, we've arguably been able to style our hair at-home more easily than ever before. But essential to keeping your strands healthy and limiting heat-induced damage when doing so is applying some form of heat protection before you so much as look in the direction of said tools. Take the best heat protection sprays. These clever mists shield your hair from heat-induced weakness, damage and breakage, often simultaneously imparting a glossy, salon-like finish, too.
If you frequently use one of the best hair dryers, a pair of the best hair straighteners, or any hot hair tool for that matter, then heat protectant is an absolute non-negotiable within your styling routine – any hairdresser would agree. However, finding a formula that is designed with your hair type and fulfils its needs is another challenge.
Fortunately, our beauty team has done all the testing groundwork for you, refining a list of the very best formulas on the market that suit varying hair types and budgets – sharing detailed reviews of each one on the shortlist in this guide. With countless hours of spritzing and styling in our back pocket, each review is complete with our first-person images of the products for a closer look at each one before you invest.
Best heat protection spray deals
These deals were last checked on 29/06/26 and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.
The best heat protection sprays, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £27 | Temp protection: Up to 232°C | Benefits: Conditions, detangles, softens, tames frizz
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Aleesha Badkar
Jess: This dry mist instantly melts on my hair, meaning it doesn’t lose any of my freshly-washed bounce, but also includes conditioning jojoba and sunflower seed oils for extra nourishment, so your hair doesn’t feel crispy and dry either.
Better still, there’s no tell-tale “hiss” when you pass the irons over your hair, even when curling your hair with straighteners. It also smells like a soothing pillow mist and is a welcome reminder to breathe every time I spritz it. An extra bonus.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Salon-worthy scent
- Great for all hair types
Cons
- Only works on dry hair
RRP: £23.95 | Temp protection: Up to 230°C | Benefits: Conditions, smooths
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Aleesha Badkar
Jess: A brilliant product for the time-poor, I find that one spritz of ghd's Bodyguard Spray is far-reaching enough to cover one side of my hair. It’s fine, lightweight and not sticky in the slightest, so even if you do go overboard and apply too much, you'll barely notice.
The formula is also dual-action, so it doesn’t just coat the hair to shield it from the heat, it also helps to flatten the cuticles for shinier, smoother hair that’s less likely to become damaged. This is definitely a great choice for anyone with fine hair.
Pros
- Non-sticky
- Noticeably boosts shine
- Dual-action formula also helps to smooth
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as other buys
RRP: £5.99 | Temp protection: Up to 230°C | Benefits: Fights dryness, softens frizz and flyaways, boosts shine
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Aleesha Badkar
Jess: With a salon-worthy signature scent, at just under £6 for 150ml, L'Oréal's Heat Slayer Iron Spray is brilliant value for money. With daily use on mid-length hair, it should last six to eight weeks, meaning there’s no excuse for skipping heat protection.
The formula is slightly milky, with an initial stickiness that absorbs quickly. We would say just be wary of the spray function; it’s quite punchy, so I found that, unless I sprayed from a distance (and even when I did), some areas were wetter than others. Another way around this is to spray some onto your hands and then smooth through your hair.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Bottle lasts several weeks
Cons
- Has a slight sticky feel
RRP: £30 | Temp protection: Up to 232°C | Benefits: Hydrates, reduces frizz, softens, adds shine
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Aleesha Badkar
Jess: Not only does Bumble & bumble’s heat protection spray create a barrier between heat tools and your hair, it also helps to smooth, increase shine and reduce frizz – all while limiting the damage from styling tools. That's not all, it’s also formulated with UV filters to prevent hair from drying out in the sun and stop colour fading, too. So, it's no surprise that it’s the brand’s number-one bestseller.
The product itself is nice and nourishing, thanks to being oil-based – including coconut, argan and sweet almond – which helps to replenish lost moisture. Plus, its chunky bottle is set to last you for months.
Pros
- Really nourishing formula
- Built-in UV protection
Cons
- Too rich for very fine hair that gets greasy easily
RRP: £37 | Temp protection: Up to 230°C | Benefits: Smooths, softens, reduces frizz, adds shine
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Aleesha Badkar
Jess: If you want your hair to look and smell expensive, this Kérastase heat-protecting spray is for you. Designed with dry, fine to medium-thickness hair types in mind, this detangling blow-dry spray helps reduce knots and increase smoothness when styling.
After spritzing, we found our hair to be much easier to blow dry and didn’t develop frizz and kinks. The spray itself is fine and far-reaching, which means a little goes quite a long way. The brand describes it as having a milky texture, but we’d say more like that of water (or skimmed milk at a push), which nourishes hair without adding extra weight.
Pros
- Lightweight consistency
- Doesn't weigh down strands
- Salon-like scent
Cons
- Not the best choice for very thick hair
RRP: £28 | Temp protection: Up to 230°C | Benefits: Detangles, minimises flyaways, reduces split ends and breakage
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Aleesha Badkar
Jess: Although this comes out like a spray, I find the texture of Sol de Janeiro’s Milky Leave-In Conditioner is closer to a lightweight serum; this will appeal to those whose damaged and frazzled are in a near-constant need for some TLC (like mine).
It leaves my hair super soft after styling, as well as helping to limit frizz through the day – even on some very rainy days. Though the main goal here is to defend your hair from heat, I liked that this was more than just a heat protectant spray – there’s no reason you couldn’t use it to tame and smooth hair before air-styling, too.
Pros
- Nourishing formula
- Doesn't require heat to activate the benefits
- Sweet scent
Cons
- May be too rich for very fine strands
🚨 Also consider
While these were our experts' top six picks based on their thorough testing, the team as a whole has tested dozens of heat protection sprays over the years – and thought these were also worth a mention...
- Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray: Forming an invisible protective veil over strands, the moisture-repelling and non-greasy spray is activated by heat, resisting the effects of steam, sleeping and even several shampoos. The downside is that it only protects up to 190ºC, which won't be enough for those who like to straighten or curl their hair at temperatures that are any higher.
- JVN Complete Conditioning Mist: A nourishing mist that comes in the most gorgeous chic bottle, this spray is packed with hair-loving ingredients like Hemisqualane and hyaluronic acid that condition and smooth hair as well as easing tangles in the hair to prevent too much pulling when combing or brushing. Our only drawback is that with all this moisture and nourishment comes a slight heaviness to the product that can weigh it down and make it look slightly greasy - especially if your hair is on the finer side.
- Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Iron Smoother Heat Protection and Frizz Control Hair Spray: Arriving in a notably-sized 250ml bottle, this heat protectant works great at smoothing strands for a sleek, frizz-free finish. It also boasts a gorgeous salon-worthy scent that lingers in your strands throughout the day, which is an added bonus. However, we did find that it left a slight greasy residue when spritzed onto dry strands, which meant it didn’t quite make the cut for this guide.
- Revlon UniqOne Coconut Hair Treatment: We have to give credit where credit’s due, this Revlon spray not only does a stellar job at protecting your strands from heated styling, but also helps to effortlessly detangle strands, control frizz and boost softness and shine - amongst many other benefits. However, it missed out on a place in this guide due to its thick and creamy formula that's dispersed using a heavy mist, which can be fairly messy and leaves dry hair looking greasy.
How we tested the best heat protection sprays
The heat protection sprays we tested for this guide
So that each heat protection spray was tested thoroughly, we used them on either wet hair, dry hair or both (depending on the user instructions). To keep testing fair, we used the same shampoo, conditioner and hair styling products alongside each heat protection spray tested, in order to avoid other products from impacting the final results.
And of course, after spritzing each heat protectant spray onto our strands, we also then used the same hair dryer and straighteners to style our hair. Throughout the review process, we took all of the below factors into account.
- Weight of the formula: Was it was a light mist or heavy spray? Did it cover hair easily or collect in one area? Did it sit nicely on hair or make it feel heavy or greasy?
- How it felt: Was it unnoticeable and comfortable to wear? Or did it make hair feel sticky?
- How well it absorbed: How well did the hair dry after using? It's important not to use heated tools on wet hair, so hair has to dry well after using a spray.
- Results: Was hair dry or nourished after use? Did it look shiny and healthy? Did it feel light and swishy?
- Scent: Was there a nice fragrance that added to the overall experience – or any unusual aromas?
- Price: Did the user experience and results warrant the price, making for good value for money overall?
How to choose a heat protection spray
If you're still wondering how to choose the best heat protection spray for you and your hair type, here we've listed some helpful factors that will help you make your decision.
- Your hair type: This will dictate the heat protection formula that’s best for you. For example, if your hair is very fine, you’ll probably prefer a product like the best shampoos for fine hair that is lightweight, whilst those with thick and dry hair will opt for an oil-based formula. Either way, “Everyone should use heat protection regardless of their hair type or curl pattern,” says hairdresser Michelle Sultan, Creative Director at Imbue .
- Level of protection: With the majority of hair straighteners exceeding temperatures of 200°C, you'll need a spray that protects against this level of heat. If, however you’re someone who opts for a lower heat setting on your hair dryer and tools, you can get away with a lower level of protection.
- Scent: This can be a divisive one as people either they can’t get enough, or they find them headache-inducing. If you’re sensitive to scent, you might find it better to shop in-store so that you can give products a sniff first before making a purchase.
- Damp or dry hair use: Some heat protection sprays can be used on both damp and dry hair, while others are formulated solely for use on damp hair. It's wise to select the product based on the state your hair is normally in when you use heat on it.
- Price: Whatever beauty product we're testing, this is always an important factor. In this scenario, if your hair is damaged or brittle, you may want to invest a little more in your heat protectant choice.
- Other benefits: Many heat protection sprays go way beyond just protecting your strands. “They are also packed with ingredients to nourish the hair,” says Sultan. They can help to reduce and prevent frizz or add volume, for example.
Your FAQS about best heat protection sprays, answered
What do heat protectants do?
Heat damage shows up in several ways, including increased breakage, brittleness, dryness and split ends, hairdresser Michelle Sultan, experienced hairstylist and Creative Director at Imbue, tells us. "The tell-tale signs of heat-damaged hair are dry, brittle texture and a lack of shine," she explains. "For those with curly locks, heat can also alter your natural curl pattern. 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."
To prevent this while styling your hair, hairdressers like Zoë Irwin, Creative Director at John Frieda Salons, recommend investing in a heat protectant spray. "Heat protectors add a thin, invisible protective layer over the hair which means increased glide when using electricals, as well as adding hydration and [improved] longevity and shine," she says.
Do heat protectants really work?
Yes, the best heat protectants prevent your hair from becoming damaged while heat styling. “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,” confirms Tyler Moore, Expert Stylist at Live True London.
“When you heat style your hair, you break down the bonds within it, temporarily altering its shape," he continues. "It can cause the moisture in your hair to rapidly evaporate, especially when blow-drying, which can lead to excessive dryness and frizzy hair. Everyone who uses heat styling [tools] needs to use a heat protectant if they want to limit hair damage."
Is it better to use heat protectant on wet or dry hair?
It's no more beneficial to use heat protection that has to be applied to wet or dry hair. It comes down to how and when you style. If you only use heat on your hair when drying it post-wash, choose one designed to be applied to damp hair. If you heat style every morning, you’ll need one that's designed to be spritzed onto dry hair, too. “If I’m going in with the hair straighteners again, I’ll apply another layer of heat protectant," Sultan says.
It's important to note that some heat protection sprays on the market can be used on both damp or dry hair, while others one or the other – if you're not sure, check the packaging for the directions of use before buying.
Spritz the product through your strands before applying any heat. "I always think of using heat protectants like using moisturiser on the skin – you wouldn’t use foundation without it, as it wouldn’t sit on the skin as well," Irwin says. "I would never use styling tools on hair without protecting it first."
It’s not only tools like the best hair dryers or hair straightening brushes that pose a problem – UV from the sun has an impact, too.
How do you know the temperature level your heat protection spray offers?
This is a good question; if you are styling at 200ºC, it's no use applying a heat protection spray that only shields up to 185ºC. Usually, the level of protection is specified somewhere on the packaging and, if not, on the brand or retailer's product description pages. Very rarely, this is difficult to confirm online – in that case, your best bet is reaching out to the brand directly if it's not possible to pinpoint the information on on an authorised website.
Our expert panel
Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor with more than 10 years of experience in the industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and was formerly deputy fashion & beauty editor at Future plc. With thick, curly and very frizz-phone hair, she was the main tester for this guide.
Aleesha is Beauty eComm Editor at woman&home, where she shares her expertise in everything from the best beauty techniques and hair tools to the latest product launches. She contributed her testing insights to this guide, with hair is also naturally curly and frizz-prone.
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editor. With a decade of experience in the industry – and with hair as one of her specialisms – she's tested a lot of hair tools and products on her curly hair during her career, sharing some of her insights for this tried-and-tested guide.
Michelle Sultan is the Creative Director for curly haircare brand Imbue. An experienced hairdresser, her celebrity clients include Alison Hammond and Vick Hope. She is also the Artistic Director at South London salon Hype Coiffure and an ambassador for BaByliss.
Zoë Irwin is an experienced hairdresser and colourist who is the Creative Director for the John Frieda Salon in Mayfair, London. Here, she stresses the importance of clients using heat protection both at home and when styling in the salon.
Tyler Moore is an experienced hair stylist working for Live True's salons in London, who has contributed his expertise to this guide to the best straighteners for thick hair.