If there's one mistake hairstylists don't want you to make, it's using a hot tool without a heat protectant. While you might occasionally be able to get away with blow-drying sans protectant, you'll regret it in the long run, no matter what your hair type is. As someone who used to heat style religiously, I speak from experience. Once I found the right heat protectant spray for my dry, thick, curly hair, it changed the game for me. My hair became stronger, less brittle, and easier to manage. Although I don't heat style as much as I used to, a heat protectant is still the one thing I never use my flat iron without. Whether your hair is curly, straight, fine, wavy, or thick, the best heat protectant for your hair is out there. Keep scrolling for stylist recommendations and a few of our favorites.
What is a heat protectant and why do you need one?
Heat protectants protect your hair from damage caused by hot tools like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. They can act as a barrier between your strands and heat by sealing in moisture. Most are also designed to prevent hair breakage and smooth out frizz or flyaways. Although you don't have to use a heat protectant that comes in a spray form, those are often great at covering larger amounts of hair.
Picking the right heat protectant for you depends on your hair type. If you have straight and fine hair, you'll want to select one that's hydrating but light so it doesn't leave hair limp. Someone with extremely fine hair might even want a volumizing heat protectant to add body. Curly and coily hair types will want to go for a heat protectant that's extra hydrating since textured hair can be drier. Dry hair and hot tools don't mix, so look for a heat protectant with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and Abyssinian oil.
Celebrity hairstylist Derek Williams also says there are a few things you should avoid when shopping for heat protectant spray. "When it comes to shopping for heat protectants, make sure to avoid those that have silicone or alcohol as the primary ingredients," he says. "Alcohol is used to get hair to dry quicker, but it can dry your hair out. Silicone is used to coat the hair to give it a silky finish, but over time, it can actually dry hair out and cause breakage."
Keep scrolling for the heat protectant stylists recommend and our picks for each hair type.
Best Overall: Oribe Balm d'Or Heat Styling Shield
This balm from Oribe is light enough to work on fine hair but still hydrating enough for thicker strands. It has heat-activated polymer technology, sandalwood, and maracuja oil to protect and nourish fragile and damaged hair. It's also a favorite of celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis.
"This one is my favorite for thicker hair," Ellis says. "The balm coats the hair and helps reduce frizz while adding moisture back into the hair. It's also jammed packed full of ingredients that are great for the hair and nourishing to it."
Best Drugstore Option: Aussie Total Miracle Heat Protecting Spray
If you're on a budget or just in a pinch and need something from the drugstore, try Aussie's Total Miracle Spray. It's infused with apricot and macadamia oil for extra moisture and heat protection for all hair types.
Best for Curly Hair
Julien Farel, owner and creative director of the Julien Farel Restore Salon and Spa at NYC’s Regency Hotel calls this organic heat protectant "one of the best on the market." Mielle Organics products are designed for those with curly hair, but it's a great option for all hair types as Farel says it doesn't contain solvent alcohols which can dry out the hair.
Pattern's heat-protectant spray is designed with both curly and coily hair types in mind. The texture is really lightweight, so it won't weigh hair down, but it also adds softness and extra moisture with Abyssinica seed, sunflower, and jojoba oil.
This protein-rich mist protects curls against environmental stress and damaging heat waves with abyssinian oil and a vegan thermal shield that mimics the amino acid composition of keratin in the hair.
Best for Coily Hair
"This one is great for textured hair. It adds hold to the hair for any of the styles. It also isn't super heavy, so it doesn't feel crunchy or leave the hair heavy." —Ellis
Although designed for all curl types, Ouidad's Climate Control Heat Spray is particularly great for tighter coils because it's packed with hydrating ingredients and sericin, a protein derived from silk that seals the hair cuticle and keeps out frizz. Grapeseed, sweet almond, macadamia nut, argan, and coconut oil improve softness and prime coils for hot tool use.
Another great budget option for tighter curl types is Cantu's Shea Butter Heat Protectant Spray. Pure shea butter in the formula replaces vital moisture, strengthens hair, and adds shine.
Best for Wavy Hair
Living Proof offers one of the best heat-protectant sprays for thick wavy hair types since it detangles, reduces breakage, and adds slip with plant extracts like amino acid-rich beetroot.
If your hair is wavy and dry, Ceremonia's heat-protectant spray is enriched with blue agave to help hair attract and retain water for a smoother style. Avocado oil also helps reduce breakage.
"This product is super lightweight and can be sprayed all over damp hair. Being lightweight, this product is ideal for fine to medium hair, as well as hair that has been color-treated. Not only does it offer heat protection, but it has a light hold, which is awesome if you plan on using a hot tool after you dry your hair. It will give your hair a little memory and helps seal your hair's cuticle as you style." — Williams
Best for Straight Hair
If your hair is straight and thick, Ouai's leave-in conditioner might be the one for you. It detangles, smoothes out frizz, and is a top pick for stylists.
"[I love] the Leave In Conditioner from Ouai. It's great sprayed on the mid-lengths and ends of freshly washed hair and then brushed through. This product is ideal for coarse to medium hair. It's a great detangler and nourishes and protects hair from heat styling. The Leave In Conditioner spray from Ouai also has a concentrated formula, so it only requires a couple of sprays and will last for a long time." — Williams
For straight hair damaged from heat or color, Bumble and bumble offers this breakage-protecting heat protectant. It helps repair damaged strands with a conditioning complex that smooths frizz and improves hair elasticity over time.
"This one is one of my go-to's for thinner hair types. Not only does it add volume and thicken the hair, but it is a great heat protectant that doesn't weigh the hair down." — Ellis
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