With the vast array of hair styling tools at our disposal, heat protectant – in the form of heat protection sprays and heat defence balms – has never been more vital.
Keratin, which is a type of protective protein found in our hair, skin and nails, can easily become damaged at just 160°C. Yet for heated hair styles to hold, straighteners, wands, crimpers and more need to sit around the 185°C mark.
This damage is exacerbated when heat is applied to older hair; those found at the mid-to-end of our hair. These hairs tend to be weaker and needs to be looked after – that’s where heat protectant comes in.
FURTHER READING: Best leave-in conditioner: Our fave hair treatments that are part-conditioner, part-mask
As its name suggests, heat protectant creates a protective barrier around the hair shaft to protect it from being exposed to high heat levels. This includes heat and UV rays from the sun. It keeps hair smooth with the help of added ingredients such as silicones, proteins and polymers.
According to the experts at Hairstory, ingredients such as PVP/DMAPA acrylates copolymer, quaternium-70, and hydrolyzed wheat protein have been founded to “form a thin film on the hair’s surface, providing a thermal protectant that helps to slow down heat conduction and distribute the heat more evenly.”
This means the hair is subjected to heat more gradually, rather than suddenly, and this lessens the shock which results in less hair damage.
A spokesperson for Dyson told mamabella that heat defence is the equivalent of turning down the heat on the device, without sacrificing the styling ability and hold.
Silicones, in particular, are commonly used to help in transferring heat slowly when coating hair fibres. They also act as a seal on the hair cuticle to reduce moisture loss caused by heat styling tools.
–Heat defence can be used on dry or damp hair and the key is to remember to read the instructions of the product you buy. Also when choosing the right heated styling tool we opt for ceramic instead of metal as ceramic is a lot more smooth on the hair and doesn’t damage the hair as much as metal does.
mamabella tip: Heat defence holds up to four hours. If you want to restyle later in the day, or you’re out in the sun for hours then make sure you re-apply.
FURTHER READING: This hair porosity test will reveal if you have high, medium or low porosity hair
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Best shampoo | Best conditioner | Best curly hair products | Best hair dryer | Best hair dye | Best hair removal cream | Best hair mask | Best products for curly hair | Best products for straight hair | Best purple shampoo | Best hairbrush| Best dry shampoo | Best straighteners | Best hair dryer | Best cordless straightener | Best hair waver | Best leave-in conditioner | Best clarifying shampoo
Why we love it: The gold label for all hair, GHD kickstarted its cult with hair straighteners and has since spun out to various stylers and hair care products. This is the brand’s much-loved Bodyguard Heat Protection Spray that is so lightweight it doesn’t leave the hair feeling heavy. According to GHD, this spray uses a two-fold action of protecting polymers and conditioning agents. This heat protection helps stop cuticles lifting and improves how smooth your hair feels. This can be used if you’re styling your hair straight, curls or waves and is suitable for use on both damp, or dry hair.
Spritz six to eight sprays from your roots to tips and then comb through so that it’s evenly distributed and then style away!
Buy now from Cult Beauty
£3 | Buy now from Boots
Why we love it: VO5 has created a new range of heat protection products designed to give hair a healthy shine. This serum offers protection against temperatures up to 230°C, which makes it perfect for blow drying your hair and then using heated styling tools. Because it’s a serum it protects from frizz and leaves hair feeling and looking smooth.
The VO5 Frizz-Free Heat Protection Hair Serum can be used on damp or dry hair. Simply rub a few drops between palms and apply to mid-length and ends before using heated styling tools. Like the Olaplex oil (see below), this heat protectant can also be used once hair is styled to define any curls and tame frizz.
Buy now from Boots
£39 | Buy now from Hairstory
Why we love it: If you’ve read our Hairstory New Wash review, you’ll know that a) we’re big fans of the brand and b) it does things a little differently. Its New Wash shampoo cleanses the hair and removes impurities without harsh chemicals or the use of SLS. This means it doesn’t foam at all, but it leaves the hair feeling light and clean. Its Dressed Up hair protectant cream feels a little thick but a little goes a long way, so you only need a small amount – literally, half a pump will do most hair types.
It contains UV protectant ingredients to shield your hair from the sun, plus a combination of polymers, proteins, essential oils, and silicone to protect against damage from heat tools. When used on wet/damp hair, it helps create big blowouts without any frizz, and if you have an afro or coarse, natural hair you can use Dressed Up at night as a mask to leave your hair feeling and looking soft.
Buy now from Hairstory
£20.80 | Buy now from Amazon
Why we love it: This isn’t the usual heat defence product, this is an oil designed to protect and repair the hair without weighing it down. All of Olaplex’s hair products are suitable for all hair types, are vegan and cruelty friendly, as well as being nut and gluten-free. Its products also don’t contain paraben, sulfates, or phosphate-free.
We love that this oil repairs damaged hair while keeping it soft, shiny and making it more resilient. No.7 is the perfect oil to protect your hair from heat, capable of protecting up to 230°C. Plus, being an oil means it helps minimise flyaways and frizz.
This can be used on damp or dry hair. To use, turn the bottle upside down and gently tap to dispense a size of a ten pence piece. Run through your hair. Once hair is dry you can use this to tame hair from frizz and give it that extra protection.
Buy now from Boots
£7.99 | Buy now from Superdrug
Why we love it: If you have relaxed, texturised, coloured or permed hair, this little beauty is the one for you. This heat protection spray is made with pure shea butter to give moisture back into the hair while leaving it with a natural shine. It will help reduce frizz and tame flyaways too. What’s more, Cantu does not test on animals and is part of PETA’s scheme.
This heat protectant can be used on damp or dry hair. We recommend lightly misting hair evenly in targeted dry areas, section-by-section before using a flat iron or curling irons.
Buy now from Superdrug
£6.99 | Buy now from Boots
Why we love it: Lee Stafford sells amazing hair products at highly affordable prices, including this leave-in cream. It’s perfect for protecting your hair from heat and styling and was created to give a guilt-free styling. It leaves the hair feeling soft, smooth and safe during styling, all while giving a weightless finish. Being a cream that is soaked into the hair it tames frizz and leaves hair feeling strong.
You can use this on towel-dried hair and there is no need to rinse out, just blow dry as normal. This can also be used on air-dried hair to leave hair looking smooth and polished without frizz.
Buy now from Boots
£9.60 | Buy now from Lookfantastic
Why we love it: This spray strengthens and protects your hair and is ideal for dry, coarse or brittle hair. It contains a blend of six featherlight oils that help soften, tame and de-frizz hair, all while protecting against breakage.
This spray is aimed at medium to thick hair that is straight or curly. It’s also perfect for colour treated hair. Having UV filters for protection additionally makes this a great product to use on a sunny holiday – which may finally be possible with the lockdown restrictions being lifted imminently.
On day one, apply to damp hair, comb through and style. On day two apply to dry hair to refresh your look and re-style.
Buy now from Lookfantastic
