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14 BEST HEAT-PROTECTANT SPRAYS TO PREVENT HAIR DAMAGE, FRIZZ, AND FLYAWAYS

 

Meet the top-rated products that both our beauty editor and Amazon reviewers can’t stop using.

Heat-protection sprays are like the sunscreens of the hair care world. They create a protective barrier between your strands and the scorching temperatures of hot tools like flat irons, hair dryers, curling irons, and blow-drying brushes. But with more than 1,000 heat-protection sprays on Amazon alone, where do you even start to narrow in on the best option for you? To help, our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, chatted with some of our most trusted hairstylists. The pros share what to consider when shopping for heat-protection sprays, and share some of their no-fail picks.

Benefits of Heat-Protection Sprays

Before discussing how to shop for heat-protection sprays, we put together a quick 101.

• What are they? Heat-protection sprays also lock in moisture, which can help improve the effectiveness of your hot tools, thanks to their frizz-reducing, shine-boosting, and split end-sealing capabilities.
• Why use them? If you regularly skip using one before thermal styling, your cuticles will eventually become dry, brittle, dull, and break off. The damage is noticeably bad if you have color-treated hair, since your perfectly highlighted or dyed mane will fade quickly.
• How to use: Just like your favorite hair oil or leave-in conditioner, these heat-protection sprays are incredibly easy to use. All you have to do is spritz them through your damp or dry hair before you start heat styling.

What to Consider

TEMPERATURE

Hairstylist Jenna Spino of Maxine Salon in Chicago recommends using a heat-protection spray with maximum protection of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. She says most hot tools can heat up to that temperature, so it’s important your heat-protection spray can handle it. And lucky for you, every single heat-protection spray on this list offers maximum protection.

YOUR HAIR TEXTURE, FULLNESS, AND MOISTURE

Hair Texture and Fullness

Tylor Johnson, a hair colorist and founder of the haircare line Nous, says it's imperative to understand your hair texture and fullness. Fine, straight hair will benefit from using a super lightweight heat-protection spray, while those with thicker hair will like heavier options that are rich in hydrating ingredients. (You can learn more about caring for thin hair, wavy hair, curly hair, natural hair, and 4C hair in our other beauty guides).

Moisture

Spino notes that some heat-protection sprays, including Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist, double as styling aids, so it’s important to pick one that suits your needs. “For drier hair, look for one that is moisturizing with some anti-frizz protection to help smooth your hair. For weakened hair, look for a strengthening spray. You want to protect [your hair] from further damage but also help to repair at the same time,” she says.

Ingredients

To help strengthen your hair, look for ingredients, like keratin found in the John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray. If your strands feel dry, opt for moisturizers, such as hyaluronic acid, fruit and nut butters, like shea and mango, coconut oil, glycerin, vitamin B-5, aloe vera, and honey.

How We Chose

Whether you're using a travel-sized hair dryer or a rotating curling iron, these are the best heat-protection sprays to prevent you from frying your tresses. Some of these earned snaps from the pros, while others passed our beauty editor's vetting system, which includes researching their ingredient list, heat-protection level, and reading thousands of online reviews, to ensure their value.

BEST OVERALL

COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray

PROS

• Award-winning product
• Viral on TikTok
• Loved by celebs like J.Lo and Rihanna
• Lasts up to four shampoos

CONS

• Each section of your hair needs to be coated nicely

Our beauty editor has tried dozens of heat-protectant sprays, but her all-time favorite is from COLOW WOW, which is how we knew it was our best overall pick.

“After my first time using this spray, it was obvious why stars like Rihanna and J.Lo relied on this impressive product. Dream Coat helps us all achieve, smooth, shiny, and waterproof hair to ensure frizz and heat damage are things of the past. Whenever I use this spray, I don’t have to worry about humidity causing my hair to balloon up. And I can achieve a glass-like shine with a single product,” explains Saunders.

With over 47,000 5-star Amazon reviews (casual), it’s safe to say this cult-favorite heat-protectant spray is legit and totally worthy of your hard-earned money.

“They couldn’t have picked a better name for this product, because WOW! I am AMAZED at how well this tames the frizziness of my and my son’s hair. We live in Alabama where the humidity is through the roof at all times. I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve had to try to calm our flyaways to no avail before discovering Dreamcoat’s ColorWOW. I can wear my hair straight, wavy, or curly and it always looks great,” says a 5-star review.

Key Specs

Rating 4.3-star average from 70,700 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredients A proprietary, humidity-blocking technology

BEST FOR CURLY HAIR

COLOR WOW Dream Coat for Curly Hair

PROS

• Curls are soft and bouncy
• Also wonderful for wavy and fine hair

CONS

• Some reviewers say the twist-lock closure of the nozzle can be annoying

Thanks to its ultra-hydrating formula, Saunders says this heat-protectant spray is basically a suit of armor for textured tresses when up against hot tools. It uses three polymers to help lock in moisture and boost smoothness and shine, so you can blow dry, curl, or straighten, without any frizz.

It’s a multipurpose product that combines the styling benefits of gels, creams, and serums, without weighing down the hair and leaving it crunchy like in the early 2000s.

This heat-protectant spray is also sulfate-free, meaning it’s fantastic for wavy and curly hair. “It took me 34 years to find a product to help me embrace my natural curls and this is the product,” says a 5-star Amazon review. Another review adds, “This product helps eliminate the frizz when I spray it before diffusing my hair. Definitely recommend and smells nice, too.”

Key Specs

Rating 4.1-star average from over 12,100 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredient Polymers

BEST BUDGET

L’Oréal Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Pre-Iron Spray Leave-In

PROS

• Hair will remain sleekand shiny for up to 3 days
• Promises to work in just 8 seconds for quicker heat styling

CONS

• Some reviewers say it does such an excellent job at softening their hair that it’s harder for their hair to hold a curl

Stop breakage and dried-out stands in their tracks with L’Oréal’s thermal heat spray that takes nourishment very seriously. Spray this camelinia oil-filled option wherever you’re planning to use heat — typically from the mid-shaft to your ends — to keep hair hydrated and damage-free, even if you style your hair on the daily.

Amazon reviewers say it performs incredibly well, especially for the cheap price. One reviewer who bleached and dyed hair that was flat and dull.

“I’ve been working on repairing the damage, and I love how this stuff works. It helps with frizz. I use it after I shower once my hair is damp, and I’ve noticed an immediate difference. It smells really good, too,” says their 5-star review.

Key Specs

Rating 4.5-star average from over 11,800 reviews
Key Ingredients Camelina oil

BEST MULTIPURPOSE

It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Product Spray

PROS

• Prevents color fading and brassiness
• Made with natural extracts, like vitamin C and aloe vera

CONS

• Some reviewers aren’t keen on the spray bottle

Looking to minimize your getting ready routine? Enter the viral It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Spray that provides 10 benefits, including heat protection.

This spray also detangles, nourishes, and eliminates frizz. Plus, it helps replace lost proteins in the hair, eliminates split ends, and provides natural UV protection to ensure color-treated hair remains vibrant.

With an impressive 4.8-star average from more than 16,240 Amazon reviews, there’s no doubt this spray is impressive. To quote a 5-star review, “I’ve been using this for many, many years. I blow my hair out very often, and this protects my hair from heat damage. My hair is healthy and damage-free. It’s a must-have!”

Key Specs

Ratings 4.8-star average from over 22,100 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredient Aloe vera

GREAT AMAZON REVIEWS

CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Heat-Protectant Spray

PROS

• Helps hold hairstyle in place, similar to hairspray
• You only need a few sprays for your entire head

CONS

• Not the most pleasant-smelling

Our readers can’t get enough of CHI’s relatively affordable heat protectant spray that earned thousands of glowing reviews, as well as snaps from our beauty editor.

“CHI’s heat-protectant spray is incredible for the price. It contains several vitamins and proteins to rehydrate my strands without causing gross product buildup. I also love that 44 Iron Guard works with all hair types — my friends with straight and wavy hair love it, and I find it works well on my natural hair,” says Saunders.

This thermal-treatment spray will definitely keep your hair protected against every straightening and curling session. Spritz it from root to tip for significantly stronger strands that defy heat damage.

Key Specs

Rating 4.4-star average from 51,400 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredients Vitamins and proteins

BEST FOR COLOR-TREATED HAIR

Moroccanoil Perfect Defense

PROS

• Award winner
• Rehydrates hair

CONS

• Too lightweight for thick hair

Give your luscious locks the treatment they deserve with Moroccanoil’s heat-styling protectant spray. Not only does the soft-hold spray leave a glossy finish, but it also helps protect against color fade. After all, we know how pricey those highlight touch-ups can be!

So, how does it work? Well, the nourishing heat-protectant spray is infused with argan oil, which contains antioxidant-rich vitamin E. Argan oil also helps tame flyaways and has a very enticing warm, nutty aroma. There’s also panthenol, more commonly called vitamin B-5, to leave your strands shiny and well-hydrated.

One Amazon reviewer says it’s totally worth incorporating into your daily. “Smells like heaven. It has restored and protected the color of my hair and the condition as well. Totally worth it,” says their 5-star review.

Key Specs

Rating 4.6-star average from almost 2,700 Sephora reviews
Key Ingredients Argan oil and panthenol

BEST FOR FLAT IRON USE

John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray

PROS

• Results last up to three days
• Excellent for thick and coarse hair types

CONS

• You need between 7-15 sprays per use

John Frieda’s heat-protectant spray is specifically designed for flat iron lovers who hate damaging their hair. This keratin-infused formula guarantees that natural waves and curls will remain pin-straight after heat application for up to 3 days or at least until your next shampoo.

Online reviewers vouch for this heat-protectant spray and agree it genuinely helps seal in long-lasting sleek hair. “I am so pleased with the results of this product. I have very curly, frizzy, color-treated hair and use a flat iron daily to straighten [it]. This product keeps it straight, and my hair also has body and shine. It does last three days, too,” says one 5-star review.

Key Specs

Rating 4.4-star average from over 7,450 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredient Keratin

BEST FOR SMOOTH STRANDS

ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray

PROS

• Prevents hair cuticles from lifting
• Non-greasy formula controls frizz

CONS

• Relatively small size for the price

For salon-like strands, this pre-style spray from ghd puts up a breakage barrier to beat all heat damage. Infused with the line’s signature Heat Protection System, it should be applied from root to tip before the blow-dry and is the perfect layering product for every single style.

Several online reviewers say their fine hair loves this weightless heat-protectant spray because their hair is less damaged since using it. “Unlike other heat protectants I’ve used that result in greasy hair the next day, this one seems to extend [the] time between washing,” says one 5-star review.

Key Specs

Rating 4.4-star average from over 3,610 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredient Hydrolyzed wheat protein pg

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT MIST

Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist

PROS

• Sulfate-, SLS-, and SLES-free
• Adds beautiful shine

CONS

• Not hydrating enough for thick or dry hair

This lightweight mist is a favorite of Johnson’s because it provides heat protection of up to 45o degrees Fahrenheit. It also helps control frizz and add shine, so it’s well worth the price for all of the beneficial hair goodness it provides. Just spray on wet hair before heat-styling, and you’re good to go!

Sephora reviewers with fine and thin hair are especially keen on this heat protectant spray because the lightweight formula is residue-free and adds some much-needed shine. “A lot of heat-protectants can weigh my hair down, this one doesn’t do that. I style my bangs on a daily basis and this product is great for that,” says one reviewer with fine hair.

Key Specs

Rating 4.3-star average from over 300 Sephora reviews
Key Ingredients Marula oil, fine tulip extract, rice protein

BEST SPLURGE

Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Protectant

PROS

• Provides a high-shine finish and hydration
• Vegan formula is loved by experts and reviewers

CONS

• Pricey

Pick up this pro favorite for salon-styled locks after each and every use. The argan oil-infused spray speeds up blow-drying while fortifying, brightening, and softening even the most unruly manes.

The price may be a bit steep, but trust us — it’s well worth the investment! Johnson swears by it and calls it his absolute favorite heat-protectant spray because it’s compatible with all hair textures.

“It is lightweight and buildable for both fine textures as well as curly, coarse textures. It speeds up your dry time while also keeping the body in your hair but also leaving it extremely smooth,” he says.

Key Specs

Rating 4.5-star average from more than 1,400 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredients UV-absorbing molecules, rosehip oil, Oribe signature complex

BEST-SMELLING

Aveda Heat Relief Thermal Protector and Conditioning Mist

PROS

• Made with 97% naturally derived ingredients
• Instantly conditions hair

CONS

• Some reviewers say it runs out fast

All of these heat-protectant sprays smell good, but this one is next-level delicious. Hydrating and able to protect your hair from up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, this top-rated mist from Aveda keeps your strands shiny, smooth, and breakage-free, thanks to its jojoba and sunflower seed oil blend. Its organic lavender, orange, petitgrain, and ylang-ylang scent also allows it to double as a calming aromatherapy moment for your mind.

With an incredible blend of ingredients, Aveda’s heat-protectant spray will ensure your hair is always healthy whenever you use it. “This product has not only protected the integrity of my curl pattern but has improved the health of my hair. This has been the only leave-in/heat-protection that I have ever bought more than once, and I will definitely keep purchasing [it],” says one 5-star review.

Key Specs

Rating 4.6-star average from over 280 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredient Argan oil

BEST FOR NATURAL HAIR

Mizani Heat Screen Spray

PROS

• Curl-defining
• Non-sticky feel

CONS

• Reviewers with straight hair find it too moisturizing

Whether you want your coils to pop or plan to silk press your strands this winter, a heat-protection spray is necessary when thermal styling natural hair. Mizani’s lightweight spray uses frizz-fighting rose water extract to help protect your textured hair against hot tools that reach up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Not only does this heat-protectant spray soften your tresses and increase shine, but it smells like an epic combination of citrus, florals, and musk. Plus, given thin formulation, you can freely spritz on your hair whenever you like without worrying about it weighing down your curls and coils.

“It gave my natural curls a soft bounce and sort of gloss to them, also a big plus was that it was not frizzy at all,” says one reviewer. They add it helps define their curls whenever they use it with heat or if they chose to switch it up and air dry.

Key Specs

Rating 4.5-star average from over 400 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredient Rosewater extract

BEST FOR FLEXIBLE HOLD

Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press Thermal Protection Spray

PROS

• Humidity-resistant
• Anti-frizz

CONS

• Some reviewers say it has a slight chemical smell

You can safely crank up the temperature with Paul Mitchell’s heat-protectant spray. This one works best on dry hair before heat-styling with a curling iron or straightener. It provides flexible hold to both protect and keep your style intact.

Several Amazon reviewers agree this is a great heat-protectant spray for styling hair. One reviewer notes you can expect soft hair that holds its style, including bouncy curls and tight ringlets in place. To quote a 5-star Amazon review, “Perfect for heat-styling fine hair. Great hold but flexible!”

We’re also impressed this fast-drying heat protectant spray is formulated with wheat proteins to restore weak hair and rice hull extra to form an invisible barrier between your hot tools and strands.

Key Specs

Rating 4.6-star average from over 5,800 Amazon reviews
Key Ingredient Rice hull extract

BEST FOR UV PROTECTION

Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray

PROS

• Good for damage and dryness
• Increases shine

CONS

• Some reviewers with fine hair say it leaves behind residue

You can protect hair from heat damage — and here’s the Proof. Give strands a spritz of this lightweight spray for a heat-styling shield packed with patented Healthy Hair Molecules that provide protection of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, they shield perfectly against UV rays and humidity.

One Sephora reviewer with blue hair calls this heat-protectant spray pure magic because it conditions, reduces breakage, and smoothes flyaways. “From the moment I sprayed my hair, I felt an immediate change in the texture and the softness of my hair. I could even comb through with I fine tooth comb without breakage. I will never use anything else for my hair,” says their 5-star review.