I know it’s not great for me, but I use a lot of heat on my fine hair. Whether I’m blow-drying my strands straight or running a one-inch curling iron through them for a beachy bounce, I’m constantly playing with an array of hot tools. Not to mention, it’s literally part of my job to test every new device that hits the market. That being said, I’ve learnt to take every precaution possible when it comes to keeping my hair healthy—from hair masks and protein treatments to leave-ins and heat protectants.
As celebrity hairstylist DJ Quintero explains, heat protectants work to protect your hair from damage in three ways: shielding the cuticle from heat, retaining moisture to prevent breakage, and smooth the strands for limited frizz. Whether you’re using a spray, serum, or cream formulation, applying a protectant is especially important when you have fine hair. “Fine hair gets weighed down easily,” Quintero adds. “A good protectant for fine hair should be lightweight, low in heavy oils or butters, contain film-formers that don’t coat too heavily, and add volume rather than collapse it.”
To help shield your strands from damage—and shield you from choosing the wrong product for your hair type—we’ve compiled a list of the 9 best heat protectants specifically formulated for those with fine hair. Quintero weighed in on the protectants that won’t weigh down delicate strands, while I tested top picks and read through dozens of customer reviews. Below, find the heat protectant that perfectly suits your style.
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Best Overall
Resistance Ciment Thermique, $63 for 150ml, Kérastase.
Don’t underestimate the power of this heat protectant styling cream. Packed with pro-keratin and ceramides, it works wonders on weak, damaged, and brittle fine hair. It also leaves locks feeling incredibly soft without weighing them down.
Pros: Expert Favourite
Cons: Too Heavy For Some
Heat Protection: Up to 230°C
Sephora rating: 4.6/5
Our expert says: “I love this product, because it strengthens with pro-keratin + ceramides, makes blowouts smoother and faster, and leaves hair feeling soft. It’s been an iconic heat protectant for years.”—DJ Quintero
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Best For Shine
Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray, $96 for 175ml, Oribe.
The Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray doesn’t just protect your hair, it transforms it. With a few quick spritzes, you’ll be left with smooth and incredibly shiny strands. Plus, it even speeds up drying time.
Pros: Repairs split ends
Cons: Some reviewers found an oily residue
Heat Protection: Up to 230°C
Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5
Our expert says: “This spray is ultra-lightweight and adds insane shine. A little goes a long way, but it still cuts blow dry time dramatically.”—DJ Quintero
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Best For Damaged Hair
Leave-In Conditioning Spray, $49 for 148ml, Living Proof.
This new conditioning spray from Living Proof doubles as a detangler and a heat protectant, so your strands will be both smooth and strong. The best part? The more you use it, the healthier your hair will be.
Pros: Extremely lightweight
Cons: Smaller size
Heat Protection: Up to 230°C
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
Our expert says: “The Living Proof Leave-In Conditioning Spray is a great detangler and protectant. It’s lightweight but never greasy, and silicone-free but still protective. Plus, it strengthens our hair over time.”—DJ Quintero
Best For Frizzy Hair
Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer, $46 for 250ml, Bumble and bumble.
When you have fine hair, adding oil throughout your locks can feel scary. But not to fear, because the Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer is loaded with six different oils that are featherlight. “It softens, reduces frizz a tone, protects from heat and UV, and leaves hair incredibly silky,“ says Quintero.
Pros: Large size
Cons: Nozzle breaks easily
Heat Protection: Up to 230°C
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve been using the Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer for years now. Despite tons of testing, it remains one of my all-time favorite hair products. First of all, it smells amazing, but more importantly, it makes my dry and frizzy hair look and feel healthy.”—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer
Best For All Hair Types
Thermal Spray 11, $28 for 250ml, Redken.
The Redken Thermal Spray 11 is not only special because it works on all hair types, but it also works great when it comes to restyling your hair. Use it in between washes to protect your dry hair from heat, reduce frizz, and increase the hold of your style.
Pros: Works on dry or wet hair
Cons: Uneven spray
Heat Protection: Up to 230° C
Amazon rating: 4.3/5
Our expert says: “The Redken Thermal Spray 11 adds hold while protecting and creates long-lasting style memory. It’s ideal for curling irons or flat irons, because it’s not sticky and doesn’t flake.”—DJ Quintero
Best For Dry Styling
Perfect Defense Thermal Protection Spray, $52 for 225ml., Moroccanoil.
Looking for a heat protectant that doesn’t leave your hair wet? The Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Thermal Protection Spray is exactly that: A dry aerosol ideal for touch-ups or second-day styling. “This lightweight oil mist gives great slip and smells incredible,” adds Quintero.
Pros: Completely dry and smells amazing
Cons: May leave hair feeling tangled
Heat Protection: Up to 230°C
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An ELLE editor says: “I searched far and wide for a heat protectant I could use on dry hair that doesn’t make my hair feel wet. Enter the Moroccan Oil Perfect Defense Thermal Protection Spray. This dry aerosol formula is absolutely weightless on my locks, and I love the classic Moroccan Oil scent. I almost always use it before curling my hair. Sometimes it makes my strands feel slightly stiff, but I also find that this stiffness helps my hair hold a curl.”—Emma Aerin Becker
Best Serum
No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, $52 for 90ml, Olaplex.
Despite being packed with antioxidants and bond-building proteins, the Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector is one of the lightest heat protectants on the market. A few pumps of this clear, liquidy serum provides instant shine and heat protection.
Pros: Lightweight and non-greasy
Cons: Product runs out quickly
Heat Protection: Up to 230°C
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
Our expert says: “The Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector provides bond-building and heat protection. It adds shine, prevents pollution damage, and is one of the cleanest-feeling protectants I’ve tried.”—DJ Quintero
Best For Hot Tool Lovers
Bodyguard Heat Protectant Spray, $40 for 120ml, Ghd.
As a primarily hair tool company, Ghd knows just how much heat people put on their hair. This lightweight, invisible formula is suitable for all hair types, and keeps every style soft and bouncy.
Pros: Great for all hair types
Cons: Strong scent
Heat Protection: Up to 230°C
Amazon rating: 4.3/5
Our expert says: “This extremely lightweight mist is designed for hot tool users (or Ghd owners). There’s no buildup, and it keeps hair soft.”—DJ Quintero
Best Budget-Friendly
Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray, $30 for 237ml, CHI 44.
The Chi 44 Iron Guard is a classic pick for a reason. It’s affordable, effective, and has a light hold for fine hair.
Pros: Drugstore option
Cons: May make hair appear dry or tangled
Heat Protection: Up to 230° C
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
Our expert says: “A classic, the Chi 44 Iron Guard is a great affordable option that really works. I love it before straightening because it has a light hold without stiffness and protects up to high temperatures.”—DJ Quintero
What heat protectants are best for thick hair?
When it comes to thick, coarse, or curly hair, Quintero says “these textures benefit from heavier, more nourishing protectants.” He explains, “The hair shaft is more porous and loses moisture faster.” Because of this, it’s best to find heat protectants with richer silicones (think: argan, grapeseed, or avocado oil), and cream or serum formulas. “These give slip, hydration, and better cuticle sealing, which thick and coarse hair especially needs.
Regardless of your hair type and texture, it’s always good to opt for a protectant that improves hair health over time. “Look for proteins, ceramides, or amino acids,” Quintero says.
Meet the Expert
DJ Quintero is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City.
How We Test
For this piece, beauty writer Emma Aerin Becker consulted expert hairstylists to learn more about the best heat protectants for fine hair. She also tested them out and combed through reviews for top-rated products, assessing each one based on its features and customer evaluations.
This article was first seen on ELLE US.