I Tested the Top Hair Heat Protectants and These Are the Results 🔥
Hey glow girl 🌸
Okay, let’s be real—
heat styling is one of those “love-hate” things. I love what my curling wand can do… but the dry ends, breakage, and heat damage? Not so much.
As someone who’s on a constant hair glow-up journey (aren’t we all?), I decided it was time to stop guessing and actually test the top-rated heat protectants to see which ones are worth the hype.
Because if I’m going to blow-dry, curl, and straighten my way to hair happiness, I need a ride-or-die protectant that’s actually doing something.
So I tried 6 popular heat protectants—on clean hair, styled the same way each time—and tracked how my hair felt, looked, and behaved.
Let’s get into the tea ☕️ (or the shine spray, in this case).
🧪 How I Tested Them:
I applied each product to freshly washed, towel-dried hair.
Blow-dried using medium heat, then styled with either a curling wand or flat iron.
Checked for:
Smoothness
Frizz control
Shine
Scent
Residue or stickiness
Next day feel
1. Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
💰 $$ | ⭐️ 8.5/10
My thoughts:
This one feels bougie—in the best way. Lightweight, non-greasy, and it gave me salon softness after just one use. My hair felt protected without being weighed down. The shine was subtle but chef’s kiss.
What I loved:
Zero residue
Sleek finish
UV protection bonus!
What I didn’t:
A bit pricey for everyday use.
Doesn’t help a ton with frizz unless you pair it with a smoothing cream.
Final vibe:
✨ Quiet luxury in a bottle.
2. CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray
💰 $ | ⭐️ 6/10
My thoughts:
This one has been around forever, so I had high hopes—but it didn’t quite wow me. The scent is strong (like, hairspray strong), and while it did protect from heat damage, it left my hair feeling a little crunchy.
What I loved:
Budget-friendly
Definitely minimized split ends over time
What I didn’t:
Sticky if you use too much
Not ideal for fine or soft hair types
Final vibe:
🧯 Gets the job done, but not my fave for daily use.
3. TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray
💰 $ | ⭐️ 7.5/10
My thoughts:
If you're a drugstore girlie like me, this one is a solid pick. It smells amazing, sprays evenly, and leaves your hair soft. Not super glossy or transformative, but very dependable.
What I loved:
Lightweight
Great for everyday blow-drying
Budget win!
What I didn’t:
Doesn’t fight frizz well
Slightly sticky if you go overboard
Final vibe:
💁♀️ Cute, casual, and dependable—like your hair’s bestie.
4. Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray
💰 $$$ | ⭐️ 9.5/10
My thoughts:
Okay, wow. This one turned my hair into actual silk. Blow-drying was faster, smoother, and I noticed way less frizz. Plus, it smells like a sweet, grown-up perfume.
What I loved:
Cuts drying time by half (yes, really)
Amazing smell
Mega shine
What I didn’t:
On the pricier side
Works best for medium to thick hair (might be heavy for super fine strands)
Final vibe:
🌬️ Blow-dry bar results at home.
5. Gisou Honey Infused Heat Protecting Serum
💰 $$$ | ⭐️ 8/10
My thoughts:
The aesthetic? Immaculate. And the smell? Like a literal dream. This heat protectant is light and nourishing, and the honey infusion definitely made my hair feel softer and more hydrated.
What I loved:
Beautiful scent
Clean ingredients
Non-greasy formula
What I didn’t:
Pricey
Not a major frizz-fighter if humidity is your enemy
Final vibe:
🍯 Sweet, soft, and so pretty on your shelf.
6. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray
💰 $$ | ⭐️ 9/10
My thoughts:
This one gave me model-off-duty hair. Lightweight, invisible, and made my style last way longer than usual. My curls stayed bouncy and shiny without getting crunchy.
What I loved:
No scent (if you’re sensitive to smells!)
Perfect for re-styling
Keeps hair soft even after straightening
What I didn’t:
Slightly drying if you don’t follow with a leave-in conditioner
Final vibe:
📸 Photo-shoot ready without the fuss.
💖 My Final Ranking (From Personal Fave to "Meh")
Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray – smooth, shiny, worth the splurge
Living Proof Heat Styling Spray – lightweight, long-lasting, everyday chic
Olaplex No.9 Serum – nourishing and luxe
Gisou Honey Protectant – soft & sweet but not for frizz
TRESemmé Heat Tamer – budget basic but reliable
CHI Iron Guard – too sticky for my liking, but protective
💡 Final Thoughts: What I Learned on My Heat-Protectant Journey
Girl math: If I’m investing time into curling my hair, I deserve protection that works AND makes my hair look cute.
I learned that not all sprays are created equal, and the best one depends on your hair type and styling habits.
If you're heat styling more than 3x a week, I’d 100% recommend investing in something a little higher-end (like Kenra or Living Proof). But if you’re just blow-drying and doing the occasional curl? A trusty drugstore protectant will still keep your strands safe.
💕 Let’s Chat!
Do you have a ride-or-die heat protectant I didn’t test?
Drop it in the comments or DM me—I’m always down for a good hair glow-up chat. ✨
And remember: healthy hair is happy hair. Protect it like it’s the crown you never take off. 👑
With love and soft strands,
xoxo
