Five of the best heat-protectant sprays to add to your haircare routine
Shield your locks with a simple spritz
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
Just like SPF is a year-round necessity in your skincare routine, heat protection should be a non-negotiable when using hot tools to style your hair. Adding a good heat-protectant to your haircare routine, whether straightening, curling or blow-drying, will minimise the side effects of any sizzling heat on your locks while sealing in moisture for a smooth and shiny finish.
Heat damage occurs when high temperatures break down your hair’s keratin protein strands and strip away its natural oils, leaving it weak, brittle and dry with split ends. Renowned celebrity hairstylist and scalp expert Gustav Fouche explains, “Heat can have a significant impact on the hair’s hydrogen bonds. These bonds are incredibly fragile and can be broken very easily, but they’re also important for helping the hair retain its flexibility and movement. Repeated heat exposure without adequate protection can leave the hair feeling stiffer and more brittle, which can ultimately contribute to split ends, breakage and hair appearing thinner over time.”
Incorporating a heat-protectant spray aims to counteract these effects, shielding the hair cuticles while retaining your hair’s natural moisture, hydration and radiance. Fouche adds: “Heat protection should be used every single time you’re thinking about picking up a heated styling tool. That includes blow-drying wet hair, using straighteners or curling tongs, or even quickly running an iron over a fringe that’s become a little crinkled.”
Look for sprays that will protect hair from high temperatures (many provide heat defence up to 230°C) while offering nourishing formulas to deeply soothe and smooth locks for a healthy, glossy glow. Fouche recommends looking for formulas that do “more than simply provide a barrier against heat. Ideally, you want something that also helps tackle the wider effects of styling, such as breakage, frizz, colour fade and loss of shine.” Need some inspiration? We’ve spotlighted our top five heat-protectant hair sprays below.
GF Fabulosity Hottie heat protector
New from Gustav Fouche’s GF Fabulosity range, the Hottie heat protector is an all-in-one styling spray that protects hair from heat damage while improving its condition and appearance, leaving your locks luscious, shiny and silky smooth. Designed for blow-dries, straighteners and curling tongs, and suitable for all hair types, it protects up to 230°C while providing pollution defence, frizz reduction, shine enhancement, colour protection and reduced breakage. That’s one ‘hottie’ hair solution for sure.
Oribe Gold Lust dry heat protection spray
Luxury haircare brand Oribe is known for standout products that use high-quality ingredients and powerful formulas to provide salon-worthy results. This heat protection spray is a case in point, designed to shield hair from high-temperature styling tools (up to 232°C) and leave it strong, healthy and shiny. A mix of botanical-based polymer (to shield) and plant-based collagen, caffeine, biotin and niacinamide (to nourish), plus coconut water and marine algae (to hydrate), it’s a multi-tasking essential for your bathroom cupboard.
Ghd Bodyguard heat protect spray
I’m sure we don’t need to introduce you to Ghd, the award-winning haircare brand that’s been around for over 25 years (you’ve probably owned a set of its straighteners or curling tongs at some point in your life). An expert in styling tools, Ghd has ventured into hair products too, and this heat protect spray is an absolute must-have. A non-sticky, lightweight formula that’s enriched with protection polymers to shield every strand, simply spritz on pre-styling and ensure your mane is nourished and left damage-free. Standing for ‘good hair day’, we’re certainly sold.
Aveda Heat Relief thermal protector & conditioning mist
Crafted from 97 per cent naturally derived ingredients, there’s not a bad bone in Aveda’s Heat Relief mist, and it’s suitable for all hair types. An all-in-one protector, conditioner and detangler (it really does do it all), the lightweight leave-in spray is best used prior to styling and will leave locks soft and shiny with a beautiful floral scent.
Moroccanoil Perfect Defence
Like all Moroccanoil’s haircare products, Perfect Defence uses argan oil as its key ingredient. Combined with other antioxidants and enriching vitamins, the weightless spray is designed to deeply condition and hydrate your locks as well as protect them from styling damage. It will shield from heat up to 230°C and can be used on damp or dry hair. A hero product that has stood the test of time since its launch nearly a decade ago.
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