11 best heat protectant sprays to keep hair strong and healthy

The Davines melu hair shield is my pick for the best hair protectant and it also came highly recommended by Anita Rice, co-founder of Buller & Rice, who described it as “an excellent lightweight heat protector”. She explained: “This is an amazing lightweight spray designed to be sprayed on towel dried hair, and is an excellent addition to any hair care routine as it has no hold or tacky product feel. You can easily layer with your regular hair products as it simply adds protection”.

In my own testing, I found this mist very easy to incorporate into my haircare routine; just a few spritzes is all you need on towel-dried hair. It protects against heat styling up to 230C, and contains rosemary extract that is responsible for the smooth, shiny finish it delivers with each use. I noticed considerably less static after blow drying and, despite applying it very liberally, it has lasted for ages, containing the second largest amount of formula of the products in this review.

Philipp Haug, co-founder of Haug London Haus and lead stylist for the BAFTA TV awards, tells me that the Schwarzkopf osis super shield is “designed purely for protection”. He adds that it’s “really lightweight, and doesn't affect the texture of the hair”, which means you can “make it nice and smooth but also get a really nice bounce into it”.

As a more traditional dry spray, rather than a liquid (almost like hair spray), it’s both suitable and very convenient for use on damp or dry hair. As Haug says, it’s very lightweight and won’t change the natural texture of your hair. I found it never left my hair feeling weighed down or sticky, and it reduces frizz, too. You can’t go wrong with this product. Costing £16 for 300ml, it’s also the best value for money and the largest product I tried.

K18’s new heat-protector has “quickly become a favourite” for Hadley Yates, a hair stylist and extensions specialist. It “works at the cortex of the hair and protects up to really high heats (232C), so I know that hair is truly shielded”, while it “also works as a detangler and leave-in conditioner that overtime also increases hair health”, Yates says.

Similarly, Tom Smith, founder of Aevum Salon describes it as a “nourishing and detangling heat protector” that can be used on damp or dry hair before direct (irons/tongs) or indirect (hair dryers) heat use. He recommends either using it liberally on damp hair or lightly on dry hair for layered protection. Smith explains: “The clever resilicore technology protects from heat not just on the surface, but deep into the cortex to provide next-generation protection. It’s ideal for all hair types but particularly those that would benefit from nourishment, repair and smoothing”.

Indeed, K18 has mastered the art of styling products that improve the condition of every strand simultaneously, so I’m not surprised two separate experts recommended it. This product has been in my routine for months, so it’s great to know the experts love it, too. I have fine, naturally straight hair, so I found five to six pumps is enough to coat my tresses adequately. When used on wet hair, it also helps detangle knots, with a creamy texture that provides a lightweight layer of protection without the need to reapply in between.

Tom Smith, founder of Aevum Salon, tells me this is an “extremely light and user-friendly heat protector that leaves no weight on the hair, but offers style memory and really meaningful heat protection”. Smith prefers protectants you can use a lot of, warning that a couple of drops of a heat-protecting oil aren't going to offer meaningful protection, while liberal use would cause greasiness. “Generous sprays of very lightweight sprays like icon welder mean really good levels of protection can be achieved,” he advises, adding that while it can be used on damp or dry hair the product “should be allowed to evaporate by gently brushing it into dry hair before direct heat is applied”.

I really enjoyed the refreshing, floral, fruity scent of this formula, but also how it helped tousled waves and curls stay in place for longer than usual on my naturally straight, very fine hair, thanks to adding medium hold. That said, it is suitable for all hair types, and the extra bit of hold it delivers makes it worth the splurge. In terms of heat protection, it’s dual-purpose, shielding hair from heat and UV damage.

If your hair is anything like mine, and curls and bouncy blow-dries fall flat within minutes, this is the product that will fix all your problems.

“I love this product, as it’s such a versatile all-rounder that provides heat-activated volume, shape, and flexible hold while protecting hair from heat damage during styling”, Yates tells me. “It’s heat-activated and creates memory in the hair, so you get a beautifully soft texture to the hair, with no crunch, that creates long-lasting shape and volume.” In fact, according to Silver Mestre, stylist at Hereshesons Fitzrovia, it “acts as a holding spray that helps lock in any blow-dry or curl”.

While you can use it on damp or dry hair, I find it is most effective on dry locks. The nozzle distributes a wide mist, so you only need two to three pumps to completely coat each strand. It leaves behind a sticky finish, but it’s worth it for the payoff of extra hold for days when I need my hair to look its best.

“My number one heat protector has to be Kerastase ciment thermique”, says Silver Mestre, stylist at Hereshesons Fitzrovia. “It’s one of my favourite products that I use on everyone. Not only does it protect against heat, but it’s also amazing at keeping hair smooth, shiny and frizz-free. It also has the most amazing scent”, Mestre tells me.

Unlike typical heat protectant sprays, this is a milky cream that you apply through your strands with your hands – I typically use a 10p size. It has a gorgeous scent of grapefruit and is more similar to a leave-in mask, but is activated by heat. Basically, when applied correctly, it provides a protective coat to combat brittleness, split ends and dullness, while adding a silky soft final result for dry hair.

“All Sam McKnight formulas are good, and this is a firm favourite for my clients in the salon”, Zoe Irwin, creative director, John Frieda salon, tells me. She says her clients find it easy to use, adding that it’s “good for voluminous blow-dries and undone beach waves”.

During my tests, I found it quick, convenient and easy to apply. It also smells like a fine fragrance thanks to the brand’s signature scent of frankincense, juniper wood and water lily. It’s designed for damp hair and, alongside providing heat protection of up to 230C, it also provides a light hold. So, if you’re keen to avoid using multiple products to get a heated hairstyle that lasts, this is a luxurious option that works well. I also love that it doesn’t leave behind any texture or coating on my hair once dry, too.

Dale Herne, stylist at Hershesons Fitzrovia, recommends the salon’s own heat protector: “The way I like to use it is to work it through damp hair and then rough-dry the hair”, he tells me. It helps to “smooth frizz and boost shine” and you can also use it to finish the hair and create definition and texture.

Having tested the cream myself, I think it’s a great all-rounder, even if you don’t use heated tools regularly. Not only does it provide heat protection, it does a good job at taming flyaways around my crown, adds a natural-looking shine to up-dos, and can be used as a conditioning hair mask, too. I tested the smaller 30ml pot, which costs £14, but it’s also available in a 50ml or 200ml size. As little as a 5p size piece can go a long way to give my bleached, highlighted hair some much-needed TLC.

This is an impressive multi-tasker, according to Zoë Irwin, creative director at John Frieda. The product has a light consistency, is a brilliant blow-dry aid, helps smooth hair and even protects colour. “I hold up sections of hair and spray 12cm away from the hair,” Irwin says. “I also spray my fingers and glide through sensitive areas such as lighted hairlines and fluffy top crown sections. I also spray my hairbrush and run through mids and ends.”

I have to agree with Zoë, this is one of those products that does lots of things well. It’s a wet spray that gets to work instantly to condition, detangle and control frizz. After a month of bi-weekly use, I noticed fewer flyaways and a shinier finish, despite using my heated tools on their highest setting. It’s not greasy, heavy or tacky in finish, but it does distribute a lot of liquid in one spritz, so I would recommend using it on wet instead of dry hair if you have fine, straight strands like me, and only spraying at a distance.

“As a celebrity session stylist, the ghd rehab damaged hair repairer is a total game-changer for my clients”, says Patrick Wilson, celebrity hairstylist and session artist. Wilson relies on its “heat-activated power to repair and protect, leaving hair dramatically softer, healthier, and incredibly shiny”.

If, like me, you’ve spent years bleaching your hair, you’ll know that more often than not, you have to give up on having silky soft strands, without a lot of regular hair masks. This is a great addition to my hair styling routine and couldn’t be simpler to use. It works by smoothing the hair cuticle for softer hair and a subtle shine. I love that the very fine mist doesn’t leave large droplets on my hair, nor does it feel tacky afterwards.