If you’re privy to ‘maintaining’ your hair, whether that be through colouring or heat styling, then you know that it can lead to serious strand damage—this is where heat protectants for your hair come in.

Of course, there’s no denying that heat styling is far from beneficial for your tresses. But one simply can’t ignore the power that a blowout or some mermaid waves can have for our self-confidence. So, since we’re not hanging up the hair straighteners any time soon, why not keep your hair health in check while doing so?

Thankfully, we can get the best of both worlds—shiny curls that haven’t been burnt to a crisp. But how do we do so? Well, getting your hands on a good quality heat protectant for your hair is a must. Sure, sifting through the endless offerings on the beauty market can feel daunting, but we’ve done the hard work for you.

To put it simply, heat protectants work to protect your hair by forming a barrier between your strands and the damaging heat of the hot tool. By spritzing on a hair protectant spray, it will slow down heat absorption and distribute the heat more evenly around your mane to stop it from burning, drying out or becoming rather dull. Not only does it  shield your hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees , using a heat protectant will also help to smooth your hair cuticle, so that your hair is left looking glossy and in optimum health. As for how much protection you can expect for your hair, a heat protectant isn’t exactly foolproof, but they’re better for your strands than using nothing at all. With most heat protectants, they will help to retain moisture and minimise the chance for water evaporation to keep your strands from succumbing to the severity of a half-an-hour-long blow-drying session.

One of the most frustrating parts of your heat protection journey will be dedication. After all, it’s pretty difficult to see whether the product is even working and it can begin to feel like a waste of money and time. 

If you’re in the market for healthier hair, then it’s time to start the hunt for the perfect protectant for you and your tresses. Essentially, you’re searching far and wide for a product that leaves your hair visibly improved, especially in conjunction with regular heat styling.

But which one is right for you? Well, most protectants should work for most hair types, but remember that you'll get a better result if you find one that suits your hair's needs perfectly. And if you want the best for your hair, it pays to do the research beforehand. If you have fine hair, then it’s best to steer clear of cream or oil formulas, as they’ll likely be too heavy and will weigh down your mane. For those with extremely dry or damaged hair—we’re looking at you, hair colour addicts—then we suggest keeping an eye out for protectants that work to help those issues specifically. And of course, our thick-haired friends should probably steer clear of the products built for fine hair, since they may have little to no effect.

Now that you have your heat protectant in your grasp, it’s time to start using it. If you’re looking to secure some extra hydration, try applying a leave-in conditioner post-shower while your hair is still damp. Then, feel free to work through a heat protectant just before you start using your hot tool of choice.

Every mane has different wants and desires, so depending on your own, you can use a heat protectant on either wet or dry hair, as long as your following the product’s recommendations. Essentially, when applying the product, you want it to reach from root to tip, that way no area of the strand is left without protection. You can either apply the product to each layer of your hair as you work through it, or all at once—the world is your oyster.

Below, find the best heat protectants for your hair that are worth investing in. Who knows, you may find your next must-have beauty product in the mix. Either way, you (and your healthy hair) can thank us later.

If you're fond of a blowout, then Oribe's Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray is good to have on hand. Not only is the product's formula incredibly lightweight, but it smooths out even the most difficult-to-wrangle manes, all while speeding up the drying time of your strands.

Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray by Oribe, $99 at Adore Beauty.

If your hair is more on the frizzy side, CAVIAR's Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter could be your new go-to. For those with thicker hair who opt for blow-drying over air drying, this hair butter is magic in a bottle, starting as a cream and transforming into an oil when in contact with hair. All you need to do is emulsify a small amount, think coin size, into your palms and run through damp hair, prior to blow-drying.

Anti-Ageing Smoothing Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter by Caviar, $40 at Sephora.

If you're on the market for a perfect all-rounder, then feast your eyes on ghd's Straight & Smooth Spray. Those with thick and coarse hair, with an unruly streak, will benefit the most from this product, with the light-weight formula leaving your hair the most smooth and sleek it has ever been. Unlike its counterparts, ghd's offering uses two-fold protection polymers and conditioning agents to prevent your cuticles from lifting. Plus, its floral and woody fragrance is enough to win anyone over.

Straight On Straight & Smooth Spray by ghd, $37 at Sephora.

For those with colour or heat damaged hair, Aveda's Damage Remedy is a leave-in treatment that claims to repair damaged hair by 26 per cent. Created with organically-derived quinoa protein, the product works to penetrate the hair and strengthen from the inside out. Damage Remedy also includes wheat protein to protect from heat styling and soy-derived oil to detangle strands and prevent breakage.

Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair by Aveda, $58 at Adore Beauty.

For our fine-haired friends, opting for a heat protectant foam, like KEVIN.MUPRHY's Heated Defense, is your best bet. The virtually weightless foam claims to offer protection of up to 230 degrees Celsius, all while moisturising, softening and smoothing the hair strand. And don't worry, using the foam won't see your hair go lifeless, in fact, the product claims to keep hair light and voluminous. Simply spray a golf-ball-sized into your hand, work between your fingers and run through damp hair from root to tip.

Heated Defense by Kevin.Murphy, $42.95 at Adore Beauty.

If sprays and mousses aren't your vibe, then VIRTUE's 6-in-1 Styler cream could be your next go-to. The lightweight cream-slash-serum works to prime the hair before styling to seal in your style and keep heat damage at bay. In addition, it claims to make hair softer and shinier than before and is perfect for any and all hair types. Just work a small amount of product into your hands, run through the strands and watch as your blow-dry or messy beach waves reach salon quality.

6-In-1 Styler by VIRTUE, $47 at Adore Beauty.

Foams, sprays and creams aren't for every hair type, so if you're looking for something a little more nourishing, Kérastase's Hair Oil is one to try. This  hair oil is light enough for fine hair yet still rich and nourishing on coarse hair. You can use this product as either a pre-shampoo treatment to nourish and cleanse, a heat protectant, or as a leave-in conditioner. Work a small amount through dry hair to add shine.

Elixir Ultime Beautifying Hair Oil by Kérastase, $65 at Adore Beauty.

For moisture-lacking strands, MOROCCONOIL's Perfect Defense is always a good idea. Thanks to its unique dry aerosol application, this Argan oil-infused essential can be used on damp hair and claims to protect against all forms of heat up to 230 degrees Celcius.

Perfect Defense by MOROCCANOIL, $73 at Sephora.

If less product is what your mane desires then, Aveda's Heath Relief Thermal Protector and Conditioning mist is the way to go. A 97 per cent naturally derived thermal dry spray, the product claims to protect hair from up to 450 degrees of heat, and can be used for restyling your tresses. Plus, the formula is infused with 25 pure flower and plant essentials, meaning that it also works to condition your hair to give your mane that post-shower feeling of freshness.

Heat Relief Thermal Protector & Conditioning Mist by Aveda, $38 at Adore Beauty.

If you have normal to oily hair, then Sacahjuan's Thermal Protection Spray could be the perfect addition to your beauty cupboard. Ideal for keeping in your desk drawer, Sachajuan's offering is great for whipping out when you're getting ready to go from the boardroom to the bar. Its lightweight formula also means that your hair isn't left feeling heavy or greasy, and the volume you've worked so hard to achieve won't be compromised.

Thermal Protection Spray by Sachajuan, $45 at Sephora.

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