Grace Lindsay
When it comes to achieving your healthiest hair ever, it’s not often that there’s a one-size-fits-all solution. Hair care is so incredibly personal and the products that experts recommend tend to vary based on hair texture, length, colour and lifestyle. However, there is one product that stylists are unanimous on the importance of and that’s using a heat protectant spray. Yes, if you blow-dry your hair at home or use hot tools or a hot brush for styling then using the best heat protectant spray that you can find will do wonders for preserving your hair health and preventing future damage.
We've been busy testing the best heat protectant sprays on the market, and have shared our top picks below so you can find the best one to add to your routine. Plus, I caught up with Jordanna Cobella, Colour and Trend Ambassador for Wella UK and Owner of Cobella Salons to get the lowdown on exactly why it’s so important to protect your hair when heat styling.
The best heat protectant sprays
- Best expert-approved heat protection spray: Sebastian Professional Trilliant (£29)
- Best affordable heat protection spray: L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Heat Protect Spray (£7)
- Best luxury heat protection spray: Oribe Balm d’Or Heat Styling Shield (£52)
- Best detangling heat protection spray: Amika The Wizard Detangling Primer (£23)
- Best shine-enhancing heat protection spray: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray (£27)
1. Sebastian Professional Trilliant
Cobella swears by this heat protectant spray which offers way more than just temperature protection. Formulated with rock crystal extract, the ultra-lightweight spray not only protects hair from heat styling but it offers up next-level glistening shine—a particularly good option if your hair is naturally on the dry side and tends to look dull.
Pros
- Enhances shine
- Experts swear by it
- Lightweight
Cons
- A bit more expensive
2. L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Heat Protect Spray
If you tend to use your hair straighteners to create sleek, straight hairstyles then this heat protectant spray from L'Oréal Paris is a great option. It offers heat defence for up to 230 degrees, but also claims to lock straight styles in place for up to three days thanks to the addition of a humidity protector which keeps flyaways at bay.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Protects up to 230 degrees
- Defends against humidity
Cons
- Doesn't add extra shine
3. Gisou Propolis Infused Heat Protecting Spray
If there was an award for the best-smelling heat protectant spray then Gisou would win it. Naturally rich in oils, vitamins and minerals, this product is all about maintaining healthy, shiny hair and it does so by creating a shield that protects hair from heat up to 230 degrees. Bonus points for the fact that it also contains a UV filter to prevent sun damage too. Oh, and if you have naturally fine or flat hair then this really helps to bolster volume.
Pros
- Smells incredible
- Enhances volume
- Contains a UV filter
Cons
- Not the best spray function
4. Wella Professionals EIMI Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray
Give this heat protectant spray a good shake before you use it—it has a two-phase formula that works to guard from heat damage while also nourishing hair to leave you with shinier, healthier-looking stands than before. It’s lightweight and has a fresh, subtle scent.
Pros
- Adds shine
- Protects hair health
- Soft touch finish
Cons
- Must remember to shake before using
5. Oribe Balm d’Or Heat Styling Shield
Thicker or curly hair types will get on best with this luxurious heat protectant spray from Oribe. Rich in sandalwood, cassis and marcuja oils, it smells like an expensive blow-dry in a bottle and contains heat-activated polymer technology to really restore and protect hair. Plus, you can use it after heat-styling to boost shine and tackle flyaways. It’s expensive, yes, but it’s a great all-rounder that will really up your haircare game.
Pros
- Smells incredible
- Leaves hair so shiny
- Smooths and nourishes
Cons
- It's really expensive
6. Living Proof Leave-In Conditioning Spray
One of the most hardworking heat protectant sprays on the shelves, Living Proof’s offering helps to gently detangle knotty hair, minimises breakage and protects hair from heat styling. It also has weightless all-day conditioning benefits so your hair remains silky-soft over time, and there’s added UV protection to guard your hair from the sun’s rays.
Pros
- Conditions and detangles
- Protects against heat and UV damage
- Leaves hair soft and manageable
Cons
- Need to remember to shake first
7. Hair by Sam McKnight Save the Do Heat Protection Spray
Created by hair stylist Sam McKnight, this is salon-standard answer to creating the perfect at-home blow-dry. Alongside the essential protective shield for your hair—powered by a thermal barrier of flexan and crodasone— this spray is infused with provitamin B5 and floral extracts to nourish hair and impart a head-turning shine. Plus, it smells amazing too.
Pros
- Preps hair pre-styling
- Adds bounce and volume
- Leaves hair shiny
Cons
- No UV protection
8. Amika The Wizard Detangling Primer
This is my personal heat protectant spray of choice, because my hair is the texture that is always knotty and tangled. A generous spritz of this post-shower, however, and any brush or comb simply glides through my strands. It’s conditioning and hydrating, protects hair up to 230 degrees, but my personal favourite thing about this product is that it actually cuts down on blow-dry time. Perfect if you’re always in a rush. Oh, and it can be used on all hair types including colour-treated, Brazilian-treated and keratin-treated hair.
Pros
- Great for all hair types
- Makes hair easier to brush out
- Conditioning
Cons
- No UV protection
9. GHD Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray
With an iconic offering of heat tools, it’s no surprise that GHD’s heat protectant sprays is one of the best that you can find. It has a really nice mist mechanism that evenly distributes the product all over your hair, and it’s packed with polymers and conditioning agents to help you get that professional-looking finish at home. It’s particularly great for thin or fine hair too, as the product itself is totally invisible on the hair—there’s no feeling of stickiness or coating.
Pros
- Really lightweight
- Nice fine mist
- No residue left on the hair
Cons
- Thicker hair might want a more moisturising formula
10. Bumble and Bumble Heat Shield Thermal Protection Mist
If you want a heat protectant spray that will leave your hair practically glowing then this is it. Using a honey protective complex, Bumble and Bumble’s Heat Shield protects hair from thermal damage while fortifying the hair fibres to strengthen and defend from breakage. You use this on dry hair so it’s best for using with heat styling tools (like tongs or straighteners) or for styling on second day hair. Trust me, hair looks thick, glossy and so healthy after using it.
Pros
- Adds shine and glow
- Great for dry hair
- Smells great
Cons
- For use on dried hair
11. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
This spray is so popular, and for good reason. Not only does it come with built-in heat protection, but it also works to enhance shine and protect against humidity by repelling moisture. It is heat activated, so simply spray on damp hair before combing through and blow-drying for the best results.
Pros
- Adds shine that lasts
- Protects against heat and humidity
- Repels moisture
Cons
- Doesn't work with other styling products on wet hair
How We Chose the Best Heat Protectant Sprays
Between myself and the widerBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK team, we've tested countless heat protectant sprays between us. From more affordable formulations to salon-standard brands, we tested a range of heat protectant sprays at different price points and for different hair types, rating them on how well they protected our hair by evaluating how conditioned, smooth and healthy our hair felt after heat styling.
What Do Heat Protectant Sprays Do?
Cobella equates not using heat protectant on your hair to skipping your daily application of SPF on your skin. “The best heat protectant sprays create a barrier on your hair shaft, reducing heat damage from styling tools by preventing excessive moisture loss and structural changes in the hair proteins,” Cobella explains. “Using one can drastically reduce the temperature and the damage that the surface of your hair is exposed to, hence increasing chances of healthier hair.”
How to Use a Heat Protectant Spray
Basically, whenever your hair is going to be exposed to heat, you should be using a heat protectant spray. “To apply heat protector, your hair can be towel-dried or damp, but not soaking wet as this will dilute the product too much,” explains Cobella. “Plus, water conducts heat so try to thoroughly towel dry your hair before applying any heat protectant products.” Be generous with the application too—if you have particularly thick hair then you might want to section it off and spray the heat protectant through in layers to ensure you’re coating all of your strands.
What to Look For in a Heat Protectant Spray
There are so many heat protectant products on the market, but Cobella personally recommends looking for formulas that are free from parabens, sulphates and alcohol which can be drying. Alongside heat protectant sprays, which “guard against damage caused by styling tools like blow dryers and straighteners” there are also UV protection sprays which can shield hair from ultraviolet rays from the sun. “These can prevent colour fading, dryness and brittleness, and it’s possible to find some products that do both.” Cobella explains. “However, it is a different technology so you should specially look for UV protection on the label for this, not just heat protection.”
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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