Best Heat Protectant For Curling Iron

By: | Last Updated: December 1, 2019

Spending more time than you want to watching your hair break off at the ends? If you’re like most of us girls, you’re probably using some heavy duty heat tools to curl, wave, or straighten your hair into daily submission.

Using your curling iron may make your hair look amazing from afar, but if you’re not using a heat protectant spray to prevent heat damage, you can probably see your split, broken ends up close. Let’s take a look at the best heat protectant spray for curling and get you on your way to a style that looks great in the elevator and in the parking lot.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Before we continue on with the products, let’s answer some more burning questions you may have about heat protectant sprays before you make the decision to invest in one. Hopefully this next section clears the air about whether they are really necessary, and why your hairdresser is always on your case about your hair styling habits.

Do heat protectants really work?

Heat protectants do really save your hair from heat damage caused by your curling iron and other heat tools.  These products create a barrier or a shield against high temperatures, coating each hair strand and protecting your hair all the way to the cuticle from splitting, breaking, and frizzing out.

Not only do heat protectants stand between your curling iron and your hair shaft, most are formulated to moisturize your hair from the inside out, making it strong, shiny, and soft.  As they seal your hair cuticle they also trap in natural moisture, protecting the natural assets you have growing right out of your scalp.

Do you need heat protectant to curl hair?

How To Use Heat Protectant Spray – Curling Diva

Heck yes you do! No matter your hair type, you’re putting serious heat to your strands to create those perfect curls.  Using a quality heat protectant will squash split ends, prevent lackluster locks, and ensure you aren’t straight up killing your healthy, happy hair with any of your heat styling tools.  

Even your blow dryer can cause serious damage and your curling iron may get up to 450 degrees! Coating your hair in a product that seals your hair shaft and locks in moisture is the best way to ensure the healthiest style possible with your curling iron.

READ: Best Flat Iron That Also Curls Hair

Do you put heat protectant on wet or dry hair?

heat protection spray – Curling Diva

For best results, you should always use your specific product according to package instructions. Most heat protectants can be used on damp or fully dried hair, but some formulas may give you different results.  

How long does heat protectant last?

Most styling products are good for at least 2-3 years after you purchase them. If you’re a girl who is blessed with naturally awesome hair (lucky bum!) or you just don’t heat style very often, don’t worry-your product probably won’t spoil sitting on your shelf.

If you’ve hunted down an all natural heat protectant spray with no types of chemicals or preservatives, you may want to check the manufacturer’s instructions for storage.  

Don’t forget.. some heat protectant sprays have more than one use! If you’re not a regular curl and go girl, check out the products that can be used for speeding up your blow dry time or leave in conditioners! More bang for your buck!

How much heat protection spray should I use?

Homemade Heat Protectant For Hair – Curling Diva

How much product you use really depends on your own hair and style preferences.  If you’ve got a lightweight formula and strong thick locks, make sure to spray it on in sections and comb through your hair thoroughly.

If you’ve got fine or thin hair, less is more, even with the weightless products. You know the struggle is real, and more product means less volume!

Look for reviews from ladies with your hair type and see what’s working for them. Start with a little bit of product and work up to the amount that is just right for you hair.  Adding too much right off the bat might give you that crunchy, 1980’s something look that nobody is going for today.

Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Heat Protectant For Curling Iron

CHI Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray

CHI Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray

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CHI’s Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray helps prevent heat damage by sealing your hair’s cuticle and keeping heat damage at bay. Use this product by spraying it in to sections of dry hair and working it in before using your curling iron to create your daily style.

This heat protectant spray is formulated to not cause dirty, grimy build up in your hair, and will help hold your curls all day as well.  It’s good for all hair types including natural hair, and does a great job of helping to protect hair that is already heat or chemical damaged. It has a fresh scent that isn’t overwhelming or overpowering.

CHI’s Iron Guard Thermal Spray is lightweight, so it won’t weigh down your style if you’ve got thin or fine hair. Your hair may feel a little sticky when you’ve first sprayed this product in, but after brushing it through or curling your hair should feel soft and smooth.

HSI PROFESSIONAL Top 5 Heat Hair Protector & Conditioner

HSI PROFESSIONAL Argan Oil Heat Protector

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This product by HSI PROFESSIONAL is a sulfate, phosphate, and paraben free heat protectant that will save your hair from up to 450 degrees of extreme heat styling. This argan oil based product also contains coconut, macadamia, and olive oils to boost the moisture in your hair and offer mega shine benefits. It can be used as a leave in conditioner to help detangle and hydrate your hair. It’s safe for all hair types, even natural hair and hair extensions.

Just a small amount of this product will give you the coverage you need to protect your hair from your curling iron and eliminate frizz and fuzz. It doesn’t leave hair feeling sticky, weighed down, or oily, even with daily use. It does smell a bit like baby powder, so if you’ve got an aversion to that you may want to go with something that has a little less of a scent.

L’Oreal Sleek It Iron Heatspray

L'Oreal Sleek It Iron Heatspray

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The Sleek It Iron Heatspray from L’Oreal gives your hair protection from up to 450 degrees of heat from your curling iron. Section off your damp hair and spritz in this product one section at a time before you blow dry to achieve the best results possible with it. This heat protectant spray does not leave hair feeling oily or heavy and provides long lasting results.  

It keeps hair from getting frizzy, even on high humidity days. It doesn’t have a heavy or offensive smell, and sprays on as a nice light mist, not heavy or “streaming” like some other heat protectant formulas. Sleek It Iron Heatspray gives your hair a healthy, shiny look and gives a little volume lift too. It’s great for all hair types and can be used daily to protect against heat damage without leaving residue or grimy build up on your scalp or in your hair.

Sun Bum Protecting Heat Protector Spray

Sun Bum Protecting Heat Protector Spray

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The Sun Bum Protecting Heat Protector Spray fights off heat and humidity, and can also speed up the time it takes to blow dry your hair. Ingredients like Giant Sea Kelp extract and Tahitian Noni extract smooth your hair and lock in moisture for an all day structured style.

This vegan product is free of Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, and is safe for all hair types, including color treated hair. It won’t cause scalp irritation like other heat protectant products may. Spray this heat protector before you blow dry, and work it in from roots to tips. Blow dry and style as usual.

This product starts working as soon as you start blow drying, protecting your hair from heat damage and giving you frizz free results. This formula helps to defeat humidity after you’ve styled as well. Block out UV damage and droopy locks with Sun Bum’s Protecting Heat Protector Spray.    

TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Protectant Spray

TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Protectant Spray for Hair

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This heat protectant spray by TRESemme is heat activated, so while you turn up the heat, this product turns up the damage control!

This spray is applied to damp hair, so spray it on before you blow dry. Unlike some products, this won’t leave your hair crunchy or stiff. You’ll have a style you can reshape and hair that is soft and shiny. The lightweight formula has added vitamins to help your hair maintain its health and moisture, and is easily the best heat protectant for curling fine hair. This works great for all hair types, and even protects thin or already damaged hair. It doesn’t leave a sticky or filmy residue.

On top of heat protection, it works well to detangle hair and fights frizz and flyaways. It’s got a light, fresh scent that isn’t overpowering for the girls with sensitive noses. A little does go a long way with this TRESemme product, so the bottle should last you quite a while.

CHECK OUT: Best hair straightener and curler in one

What else can I use as heat protectant?

There are plenty of ways to save your hair from dreaded heat damage, and they don’t all come in a can.  While you can use any heat protectant spray labeled for use with blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons to do the trick, there are some oils you might already have at home that will work just fine.

Before you walk to your cupboard and just pick something out, you need to make sure the oil you are using can face up against the heat of your styling tool. Some irons can get as hot as 450 degrees. Make sure the oil you’re using will at least meet a minimum of 350 degrees before burning, so you don’t cause more than mild heat damage to your precious hair.

Coconut, Argan, and Almond oils are great options for at home heat protectants.

Work just a small amount in to your damp or dry hair to protect it from the heat of your curling iron.  You’ll also get the vitamins and minerals that are naturally packed into these oils, making them a win all the way around.

READ: 15+ Oils that make your hair grow

If you’re tired of hearing about your split ends and heat damage from your hairdresser or you’re ready to give your hair some serious love, adding a heat protectant spray to your morning routine is one of the best things you can do.  Heat protectant sprays come in all types of formulas and price points, so there’s no reason to not spray before you play.

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