Honorable Mentions
- Sutra Heat Guard Blowout Cream for $24: I’ve enjoyed using Sutra’s IR2 hair straightener, so I had high expectations for this cream. It’s thick and nearly fragrance-free, designed to protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit while cutting down drying time. However, my hair felt dried out after using it.
- Mane Temp Check for $26: “Smell cute, feel cuter” is the slogan for this line of hair products from celebrity stylist Jen Atkin, founder of Ouai. This pink spray brightens up any bathroom counter with its fun design and pleasant lychee/rose/vanilla scent. While it worked well on my 3a hair, it might be too drying for some.
- The Rootist BioBrew Fermented Leave-In Repair Serum for $57: Similar to the brand’s dry shampoo, this lightweight spray utilizes Rootbiotic Ferment, a unique fermented blend that aims to nourish the scalp and hair. The concept is intriguing, but I wasn’t wowed by basic benefits like frizz reduction, especially at this price for under 2 ounces.
- IGK Good Behavior Supreme Seal Smoothing Serum for $34: I really liked this pump-bottle serum for finishing touches and applying to dry ends, but getting an even application as a regular heat protectant was challenging.
- R+Co On a Cloud Bond Building Repair and Styling Oil for $38: I appreciate this oil for styling and finishing but not for heat protection. (Though it does protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.)
- Verb Hydrate Oil for $36: This serum-like product protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit but left my hair feeling a bit greasier than similar products. I’ve heard online reviews about pump malfunctions, but mine worked fine.
- Function of Beauty Smooth With It Blowout Mist for $13: This Target-exclusive spray contains argan oil and Tsubaki oil and comes out with a cream-like consistency instead of a liquid, which surprised me. My frizzy hair sometimes needs something thicker, and this definitely reduced frizz after blow-drying—my hair felt super soft.
- Remilia Rice & Shine Leave-in Conditioner for $24: This hydrating leave-in spray comes in a stylish cork-topped bottle, though I found its frizz-fighting abilities lacking.
- Jess & Lou Protect Thermal Protect Mist for $20: I appreciated this sustainably sourced spray, but it only protects up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit—too low for my tools—and didn’t do much against frizz. (Though I loved the brand’s ultra-hydrating ResQ hair mask.)
- Goddess BioTech Blowout for $40: This leave-in cream works fine on my 3a hair, but to control frizz, I had to use quite a bit—which matters since it’s $40 for 1.7 ounces.
- L’ange Glass Hair for $30: This heat-activated primer promised shine but didn’t deliver in my tests. It’s a decent heat protectant, but there are better, less expensive options.
- Marc Anthony Grow Long Anti-Frizz Shield Ultimate Blowout for $10: This anti-frizz spray is a great value but didn’t work wonders on my curls, and Function of Beauty’s Smooth With It outperformed it.
- Raw Sugar Multi Miracle Leave-in Conditioner for $10: I loved the wood accent and spray nozzle of this heat-protective conditioner, but it didn’t perform well on frizz.
- Biolage Thermal Setting Spray for $24: While I appreciate Biolage, I found that this spray left parts of my hair stiff, whether used on wet or dry hair. Some reviewers liked it for setting curls, though.
- Emi Jay Heavenly Hair Milk for $40: This lightweight product doubles as a heat protectant and detangler, working well against frizz. It once was my top pick for a pleasant scent, but now I can’t shake the comparison to Play-Doh after hearing it online.
- Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant for $15 (2 ounces): Infused with argan oil, this spray protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and can be used on both wet and dry hair. It felt like a lightweight hairspray, but I wasn’t fond of the scent or the fine, alcohol-based mist—it worried me it might dry out my hair, but fortunately, it didn’t.
- Milk_Shake Lifestyling Amazing Anti-Humidity Spray for $28 and Smoothing Cream for $24: While I love Milk_Shake, these didn’t stand out enough to make my top picks.
- Verb Frizz Defense Smoothing Spray for $22: I’d heard great things about this spray, and it indeed felt lightweight and non-drying, leaving no heavy residue. However, there are more effective options for taming frizz in type 3 and 4 curls.
- John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum for $11: The price is great for this classic product. It’s definitely thinner than it used to be, but it’s still okay, just not my top choice for frizz control.
- Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment for $44: I loved this cream’s spicy botanical scent and chic glass bottle. It offers heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, but it’s pricey compared to better options.
Others We Tried
- Hairstory Primer Smoothing and Moisturizing Protection Mist for $36: Protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and is made for use with the Hairstory New Wash Method. It reminded me of the “no ’poo” trend, and while not for everyone, I didn’t find the mist justified the price.
- IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray for $38: This aerosol felt like it dried out my hair and had an unpleasant scent like the Good Behavior 4-in-1. I preferred it less in liquid form; the aerosol was overwhelming.
- R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist for $36: This high-tech-looking aerosol protected up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and fought frizz well, but over time, I noticed sticky residue on my hands and heat tools from the polymer complex.
- Brocato Cloud 9 Miracle Repair 3-in-1 Leave-in Conditioning Spray for $30 and Brocato Cloud 9 Blowout Blow Dry Serum for $28: While these are fan favorites online and I love Beautopia’s vibrating straightener, neither made much of a dent in frizz during my tests.
- Mane Cotton Candy Dry Texture and Volume Spray for $26: Protects up to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and aims to add volume, but I didn’t see the positive effects I expected based on my experience with the brand’s Temp Check heat protectant.
- Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blowdry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme for $26: This cream protectant made.my hair feel more unmanageable and harder to style. While effective, I found myself having to use the flat iron excessively.
- Pureology Instant Levitation Mist for $34: Known for color-treated hair formulas, I hoped this would be perfect for protecting my highlights, but it left a dull residue and didn’t give much volume.
- R+Co Chainmail Thermal Protection Styling Spray for $36: I appreciated the shine it added, but the wide mist made it hard not to breathe in, and the scent was overwhelming.
- Milk_Shake Lifestyling Thermo-Protector for $26: Generally a fan of Milk_Shake, this aerosol dried my hair out and amplified my frizz after blow-drying without adding noticeable shine.
- FoxyBae Cool AF Heat Protectant + Biotin for $17: I liked the cheerful design and versatility for wet or dry hair, but it didn’t seem as effective and felt greasy when used on dry hair.
- Chi 44 Iron Guard for $19: This drugstore staple protects against heat and tames frizz, with a new Botanical Bliss scent improving on the original. However, it left a sticky residue.
- Neqi Diamond Glass Styling Spray for $12: I love Neqi’s hair perfume spray, so I expected great things from this heat protectant, but it didn’t do much for frizz.
FAQs
How Do Heat Protectants Work?
While ingredients vary, most heat protectants function similarly by using components like copolymers or silicones that coat the hair to slow heat conduction. Many also contain moisturizers to smooth the hair cuticle and reduce frizz. Since heat protectants only slow down, not completely stop, heat damage, it’s still crucial to use the lowest settings for as short a time as possible.
I wash my 3a curly hair twice a week, blow-dry it, and then use a straightening iron for touch-ups daily. I tested these heat protectants over four months in my usual routine, using them on damp hair before blow-drying or dry hair before straightening, depending on the instructions provided. If a product indicated use on both, I tried it both ways.
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