The Best Heat Protectant Sprays
Photograph: Kat Merck
R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist for $36: This high-tech-looking aerosol in a recycled aluminum bottle was a favorite during the early weeks of testing—I liked its protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and its frizz-fighting properties. However, it does use a polymer and resin complex to smooth hair, and over time I noticed it was leaving a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blowdry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme for $12: I have thick, unruly hair, and this cream protectant felt like it actually made my hair unmanageable and harder to style. It may speak to its effectiveness, but I felt like I had to take too many passes with a titanium flat iron turned up to max temperature.
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray for $34: This aerosol felt like it dried my hair out a bit, and it has the same unpleasant scent as the 4-in-1 (above). I didn't care for it in a liquid spray, but it was overwhelming in aerosol cloud form.
Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment for $44: I loved this lightweight cream's spicy botanical scent, stylish glass bottle, and the fact that it protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (according to Reverie; it does not say so on the bottle). Unfortunately, it did absolutely nothing for my frizz.
Sutra Heat Guard Heat Protector for $18: Imperceptibly scented and light, this pump spray seemed promising for use on dry hair, but it had the same issue as Briogeo's Farewell Frizz—even after multiple passes at high temperatures, my hair was unmanageable and would not cooperate with the flat iron.
Chi 44 Iron Guard for $19: This drugstore stalwart works well to protect from heat while also tamping down frizz, and the new Botanical Bliss scent is an improvement over the original formula's. However, it left a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.
Sutra Heat Guard Blowout Cream for $24: I love Sutra's IR2 hair straightener, so I had high hopes for this thick and almost fragrance-free cream that's meant to protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce drying time, but my hair felt dried out after use.
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Thermo-Protector for $18: I usually love Milk_Shake products, but this aerosol spray felt like it dried out my hair and amplified my already hard-to-handle frizz after blow-drying. It also did not add a discernible amount of shine as promised.
FoxyBae Cool AF Heat Protectant + Biotin for $13: I like the cheery design of this pump spray bottle, as well as the fact it can be used on wet or dry hair. However, it didn't seem as effective as other brands and was greasy when used on dry hair.
Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist for $28: This keratin- and paraben-free aerosol spray was quite pleasant to use for touch-ups, but it was just a little too lightweight to have any real effect on frizz.
R+Co Chainmail Thermal Protection Styling Spray for $36: I appreciated this spray for its ability to add lots of visible shine, but the aerosol nozzle was not as targeted as I'd have liked, creating such a wide-ranging, fine-mist fog that it was nearly impossible not to breathe it in. I also found the cologne-like scent overwhelming.
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