How important is it to use a hair heat protectant?

“I think it is very important to use a heat protector because it's a helpful reinforcement and has many uses," says Lawrence. She adds that she has wide range of clients, some who always use heat on their hair and others who never use it. "It's important for me to let them know why I am using it, even if their hair is not damaged," she says. "The slightest bit of heat protectant can prevent damaged and frizzy hair.”

What does hair heat protectant prevent?

“Heat protectant can help decrease the cause of split ends and help your hair come back to life,” says Lawrence. She also notes that, if your hair follicles are thin, heat protectant can help keep your hair healthy and prevent it from thinning . She adds that if your hair is prone to damage, thinning, or frizz, then she highly suggests investing in a heat protectant, both on and after your wedding day.

The 11 Best Heat Protectants for Bridal Hairstyles, Tested and Reviewed

Best Hair Heat Protectants — Brides / Brian Kopinski

Between styling, teasing, and dousing your ‘do with hairspray, there is a lot of damage to be done to your hair on the wedding day. The good news? You can take preventative measures to keep your hair both looking and feeling fresh, no matter how many pins and products are in your hair.

“Heat protectant is essential when styling hair,” says bridal hair stylist Jayme Lawrence. “These products are designed to help protect your hair against the damaging hot tools and to allow for a clean finish.” She also adds that, since hair is susceptible to breakage and damage, heat protectants help create a barrier between the product and hot tool and lock in moisture.

To help you find the best heat protectant for your hair, we researched the best options with Lawrence’s expert insight in mind. We then tested the most popular products for ourselves, and we narrowed them down to our top picks below. We made our final selection based on ingredients, application process, efficacy, consistency, hydration level, and overall experience.

Read on for the best hair heat protectants.

Our Top Picks

Best Spray Formula:

Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray at Amazon ($33)

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Best for Thin Hair:

Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist at Nordstrom ($30)

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Best Cream Formula:

Shu Uemura Netsu Design Blow Dry Cream at Harrods.com ($36)

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Best for Styling:

Oribe Balm D’Or Heat Styling Shield at Amazon ($45)

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Best Serum:

Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector at Amazon ($30)

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Best Budget:

CHI Total Protect at Amazon ($15)

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Best Heat Protection:

Amika Blockade at Amazon ($28)

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Most Nourishing:

Briogeo Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème at Nordstrom (See Price)

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Best Ingredients :

Gisou Heat Protecting Spray at Amazon ($41)

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Best Hair Primer:

Kérastase Résistance Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primer at Amazon ($45)

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Amazon

View On Amazon $33 View On Nordstrom $18 View On Livingproof.com

Our Ratings

Application

5/5
Absorption

5/5
Efficacy

5/5
Hair Feel

4.9/5
Overall Look

5/5

Living Proof is well-known for its high-quality, hair-loving products, and this perfecting spray is no exception. It delivers an instant boost of hydration, minimizes breakage from detangling, provides UV protection, and provides heat protection up to 450 degrees. Plus, it leaves hair silky and smooth.

When we tested this fan-favorite pick for ourselves, we noticed that our hair felt smoother, shinier, silkier, and even lighter. It applied easily, sprayed on evenly, and absorbed quickly without leaving any stickiness or residue. When we applied heat, there was no steam, sizzling, or burning scent like we can often experience with heated hair tools. Overall, our hair definitely felt protected. Bonus: it has a fresh and pleasant smell.

Ounces: 8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Plant extracts, beet-root extract, time-released conditioners, marine algae extract

Olaplex

View On Nordstrom $30 View On Olaplex.com View On Spacenk.com

Our Ratings

Application

4.9/5
Absorption

4.7/5
Efficacy

5/5
Hair Feel

4.5/5
Overall Look

4.7/5

This volumizing blow dry mist from Olaplex is infused with bond building technology to deliver volume, bounce, and shine while also protecting hair from heat. But does it actually work? According to our tests, it absolutely does!

When we applied the mist formula, it didn’t leave any noticeable residue, yet it still did make our hair feel more smooth and slick. Plus, it helped reduce fly-aways and frizz. After blow drying, we noticed that our hair looked sleek and nice without being weighed down by the product. Based on our results, we especially recommend this for those with thin and straight or wavy hair.

Ounces: 5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Water, phyllostachys bambusoides extract, pea peptide

Sephora

View On Harrods.com $36 View On Sephora $46

Our Ratings

Application

5/5
Absorption

4.9/5
Efficacy

5/5
Hair Feel

4.7/5
Overall Look

5/5

Ideal for all hair types, this rich cream formula delivers long-lasting shape and protects against heat damage. The result? Smooth and shiny hair with a natural feel, which is perfect for the big day. Overall, we really loved the product while testing it. It was lightweight and scented, and it made our hair feel amazing.

We loved how our hair did not have a negative reaction to this product, and our hair felt healthy as well as looked very shiny. Plus, it smelt amazing! Even after blow drying and heat styling, our hair felt significantly smoother and shinier. We were able to run our fingers through our hair and there were no small knots (which we usually get after a blow dry). It felt and looked healthier, making it the perfect addition to a pre-wedding beauty routine.

Ounces: 5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Water, beeswax, hydrogenated castor oil

Amazon

View On Amazon $45 View On Net-a-Porter $45 View On Nordstrom $45

Our Ratings

Application

5/5
Absorption

4.5/5
Efficacy

5/5
Hair Feel

5/5
Overall Look

5/5

Shield your hair from heat using this advanced styling formula and protectant. It features heat-activated polymer technology and nourishing oils to protect and heal fragile strands. Plus, it works to deliver shine while you blow dry and style.

We loved that the application process of this product was so easy–we just applied the creamy, rich formula evenly through damp hair. It worked perfectly while styling, and it was noticeably protecting our hair from the high heat. There was very little steam when drying and ironing. Overall, our hair looked significantly healthier and it left our hair feeling silky, smooth, hydrated, and bouncier. We also loved that it didn’t weigh our hair down at all. Overall, we loved the product and felt that it is worth the investment.

Ounces: 3.4 oz. | Key Ingredients: Plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, niacinamide

Olaplex

View On Amazon $30 View On Olaplex.com View On Harveynichols.com

Our Ratings

Application

4.9/5
Absorption

4.7/5
Efficacy

5/5
Hair Feel

4.9/5
Overall Look

5/5

Protect hair from pollution and heat damage with this nourishing serum from Olaplex. Its powerful formula shields your strands while also adding shine and reducing static and tangles. When applying this formula ourselves, the product absorbed very quickly because of its liquid-based consistency.

Overall, this product worked great for our hair. We felt that our hair was protected by the product and it came out very smooth with little breakage from the heat. There was also a nice shine compared to when we don’t use a heat protectant. Most importantly, after blow drying and flat ironing, our hair felt hydrated, shiny, and smooth.

Ounces: 3 oz. | Key Ingredients: Water, propanediol, betaine

Ulta

View On Amazon $15 View On Ulta $19 View On Chi.com

Our Ratings

Application

4.8/5
Absorption

4.5/5
Efficacy

5/5
Hair Feel

5/5
Overall Look

4.8/5

Strengthen your strands and protect hair from daily heat styling with this affordable find from CHI. This unique and lightweight formula uses positively charged silk molecules to build resilience and promote moisture and shine. After testing, we determined that this product did not weigh down our hair, and we could definitely feel the difference compared to using no protectant. We could tell that the product was hydrating–it felt like freshly rinsed hair after applying conditioner in the shower. In fact, this was the closest we have ever felt to how our hair feels after leaving the salon.

After styling with hot tools, everything was still light and soft, and we could still happily run our hands through our hair for the rest of the day. Overall, our hair felt soft and light, making it an especially great pick for those with thick hair.

Ounces: 6 oz. | Key Ingredients: Silk, vitamin E, UV absorbers

Amika

View On Amazon $28 View On Revolve View On Loveamika.com

Our Ratings

Application

4.5/5
Absorption

5/5
Efficacy

4.6/5
Hair Feel

4.8/5
Overall Look

5/5

This serum may be lightweight, but it packs a powerful punch! Ideal of all hair types, this Amika serum works to protect against heat—up to 450 degrees—and deliver intense moisture for a hydrated and healthy head of hair.

While testing, we felt like our hair was protected from the heat very well. After first applying it, we thought it made our hair look slightly wet. However, after using a straightener, our hair felt so smooth and had a beautiful shine to it. In fact, our hair felt the softest it ever has after flat ironing it. Plus, it did a great job at keeping our hair hydrated after using the harsh heat.

Ounces: 1.7 oz. | Key Ingredients:

Briogeo

View On Nordstrom View On Briogeohair.com View On Sephora $26

Our Ratings

Application

4.5/5
Absorption

5/5
Efficacy

5/5
Hair Feel

4.5/5
Overall Look

5/5

This powerful heat protectant cream formula helps lock in moisture to fight off damage and deliver smooth, sleek hair. It’s perfect for all hair types and textures, but it’s especially beneficial for those with dryness and flyaways. When testing, we noticed that it worked great with the blow dryer. It helped to really calm frizz, leaving our hair shiny and smooth. Plus, it felt light and easy to run our fingers through. Overall, we were amazed at how well the cream protected our strands. And for the price, we think it's a great product that offers the heat protection it claims to.

Ounces: 4 oz. | Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil, argan oil, coconut oil, vitamin E

Gisou

View On Amazon $41 View On Gisou.com View On Harrods.com

Our Ratings

Application

4.8/5
Absorption

4.7/5
Efficacy

4.8/5
Hair Feel

5/5
Overall Look

4.5/5

The star ingredient of this powerful protecting spray is mirsalehi propolis, a substance produced by bees that contains multiple oils, vitamins, minerals and flavonoids. This potent ingredient works to protect hair and keep it healthy, from your everyday tasks to your walk down the aisle.

When applying the product, we loved that it didn't feel as though the formula weighed down our hair at all. Even after brushing through and straightening, our hair didn’t look too flat. We also didn't notice any greasiness and were happy with how lightweight it felt. After blow drying, our hair was soft and had some bounce. Once we straightened it, it stayed soft and smooth but didn't flatten out too much. Overall, we were very happy with the texture of our hair after using this heat protectant spray.

Ounces: 6.8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Mirsalehi propolis

Kerastase

View On Amazon $45 View On Kerastase-usa.com

Our Ratings

Application

4.5/5
Absorption

5/5
Efficacy

5/5
Hair Feel

4.9/5
Overall Look

4.5/5

Prime and prep your hair for the big day! This blow dry primer from Kérastase nourishes hair fibers to protect from heat and create smooth and shiny-looking hair. We determined that this heat protectant worked very well when using hot tools. It helped to protect our hair because of the barrier between the heat. We also noticed that it helped to smooth out strands and tame frizz. We loved how smooth and soft to the touch our hair looked and felt after use. Plus, the formula smelled amazing, and a little bit of product went a long way. We would certainly recommend this product for its effectiveness to protect and nourish hair.

Ounces: 5.1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Pro-keratine complex, ceramides, resurrection plant sap

Ulta

View On Dphue.com $30 View On Ulta $30 View On Dermstore $30

Our Ratings

Application

5/5
Absorption

5/5
Efficacy

4.8/5
Hair Feel

4.6/5
Overall Look

4.6/5

Protect the health and the gorgeous color of your hair with this protection spray that’s specifically designed for those with color-treated hair. The formula is infused with a humidity shield to fight flyaways, smooth hair, hydrate, and boost shine, while also guarding against color fading and heat damage. We loved that this product felt super lightweight on our hair and didn’t weigh it down. It also absorbed almost immediately during the application process. After blow drying and straightening, our hair still felt soft, healthy, and smooth.

Ounces: 5 oz. | Key Ingredients: UV absorber, velvet feel emollient, humidity protection shield

What to Look for in a Hair Heat Protectant

Ingredients: “There are many things I look for when buying a heat protector,” says Lawrence. When shopping for her own heat protectant, she considers how the product smells, if the product applies easily and not greasy, and what ingredients are in it. “I try to stay away from silicons because those have been known to damage your hair further and leave residue. A lot of my clients have thin hair, so buying a heat protectant is a must.”
Application: “I like to use a spray applicator or oil based protectant because they are light and easy to apply,” Lawrence recommends. “It makes it not too overwhelming on thin hair and easy for thick hair.” If light and easy application is a priority to you, go with the Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum.

FAQ

How important is it to use a hair heat protectant?

“I think it is very important to use a heat protector because it's a helpful reinforcement and has many uses," says Lawrence. She adds that she has wide range of clients, some who always use heat on their hair and others who never use it. "It's important for me to let them know why I am using it, even if their hair is not damaged," she says. "The slightest bit of heat protectant can prevent damaged and frizzy hair.”
What does hair heat protectant prevent?

“Heat protectant can help decrease the cause of split ends and help your hair come back to life,” says Lawrence. She also notes that, if your hair follicles are thin, heat protectant can help keep your hair healthy and prevent it from thinning. She adds that if your hair is prone to damage, thinning, or frizz, then she highly suggests investing in a heat protectant, both on and after your wedding day.

Why Trust Brides

Chloe Caldwell is a commerce writer at Brides who specializes in shopping and lifestyle topics. She has more than five years of journalism experience writing about all things fashion, beauty, travel, and wellness. For this article, our team tested a variety of hair heat protectants and selected the top performers. We also spoke to an expert for their valuable insight: