The 10 Best Heat Protectant Options for Natural Hair
Who doesn’t love the beautiful, bouncy blowout we get from blow drying? Or a casual beach wave from a large curler? Or even just straight hair from a flat iron? I know I do! And because I love styling my naturally curly locks, I know how crucial it is to protect your hair from heat damage, regardless of your hair type. And to do that, you’ll need to know what the best heat protectant for natural hair is.
Specifically for textured hair, though, exposure to high heat can make your pattern looser—which makes your hair look flatter and restricts its ability to hold its shape. As I alluded to above, there are different sources of heat. These include a hot tool like a blow dryer, curling iron, or straightener. Luckily for us, heat protectants for natural hair are a dime a dozen. What’s more? They can help keep your strands soft and moisturized while cutting down heat damage.
Whether you’re having the Dyson Airwrap vs. Supersonic debate—or the more lowkey Shark Flexstyle vs. Dyson Airwrap dispute—there’s one thing that’s non-negotiable. And that’s applying a heat protectant prior to heat styling your hair.
However, not all heat protectants for natural hair are made equal. Below, we share a round-up of the best heat protectant options for natural hair regardless of your curl pattern.
The 10 Best Heat Protectant Options for Natural Hair
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Créme
I’ve tried dozens of hair brands during my tenure as a beauty writer. Without a doubt, Brigeo is one of my favorite brands of all time. This crème is said to minimize frizz, smooth hair, and protect from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. What makes this product best suited for curly hair is the rosehip oil in the formula. That substance keeps your hair nice and hydrated. Additionally, there’s coconut oil in the crème—which is great for adding shine to your strands and helping to prevent breakage.
Available on Ulta | Also available on Sephora, Amazon, and, Briogeo
Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray
As far as affordable thermal protectant goes, it honestly doesn’t get much better than this pick from Mielle Organics. It’s formulated for all hair types and contains almond as well as grapeseed oil. Both of those oils help to moisturize your scalp and strands. To be sure, users love this heat protectant spray for when you blow dry your hair because it adds a good amount of volume.
Available on Amazon | Also available on Mielle
#Mydentity #MyHero Collagen Shield Spray
I cannot sing high enough praises for this collagen shield spray. As its name states, the formula contains collagen, which can help repair split ends. It also features aloe vera and seaweed extract—which hydrates strands and promotes healthy hair growth, respectively. I use #Mydentity #MyHero Collagen Shield Spray as a heat protectant, of course. I’ve also found, however, that spritzing some of this on my hair in between washes brings my curls back to life.
Available on Amazon
Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray
The standout quality of this heat styling spray (besides protecting hair from heat damage) is that it’s ultra-lightweight. Formulated without parabens, this is a great pick for natural hair heat protectants. While it’s pretty pricey at $72 for 5.9 ounces, reviews indicate that it’s well worth the cash. “This spray makes a difference. It does seem to dry faster and it just smooths everything out,” said one Amazon reviewer.
Available on Sephora | Also available on Amazon
Not Your Mother’s Anti-Frizz Priming Cream
This heat protector will defend your locks from up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, it’ll help smooth frizz and add shine. Since it’s vegan, you can also feel good about supporting animal rights and the environment. Its shining ingredient is macadamia nut oil, which is the reason you won’t spot much frizz after using this product. As my curly-headed people know, we get a bit of frizz every now and again. And that’s why the Not Your Mother’s Anti-Frizz Priming Cream is great for natural hair.
Available on Amazon
Kérastase Résistance Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primer
According to the brand, this serum-like formula reduces hair breakage while providing next-level hydration. But it’s not just the brand that raves about this product. In fact, more than 5,500 Amazon reviewers have awarded this an average of 4.7 stars. Like other options on this list, the Kérastase Résistance Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primer is a great protectant shield. It protects hair from up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. My favorite thing about this serum is that it has keratine complex and ceramides, which are great for hair growth and strengthening.
Available on Amazon
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
Like the Kérastase Résistance Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primer, this Olaplex pick is highly rated on Amazon. At more than 3,500 reviews that average 4.6 stars, it’s clear that people love the Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum. Unlike other products on this list, which come as sprays or creams, this pick is a serum. That makes it super lightweight, but it’s still hydrating AF to curly hair.
Available on Sephora | Also available on Amazon
Verb Glossy Shine Spray with Heat Protection
Not only is this bottle awesome to look at, it also makes your hair feel extremely soft. It’s rich in omega oils, which help boost shine and hydration. It’s also formulated with vitamins A, C, and E. This helps nourish hair. Honestly, the entire formula is chock-full of top-notch ingredients. This pick also contains an olive oil base, which helps prevent future damage. According to the product page, you can use Verb’s heat protectant on all hair types.
Available on Ulta | Also available on Amazon
Mizani Heat Screen Hair Protectant Spray
This spray from Mizani helps protect your hair from damage up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it completely dries, your hair will see more gloss. It has a pleasant floral scent, which comes from the rose water in the formula, that isn’t overwhelming. Additionally, you’ll get a product that doesn’t change the texture of your hair. That said, though, some reviewers have noted that they wish this product offered more long-lasting shine. Reviewers have also noted that this product is perfect for coily hair because it’s highly hydrating.
Available on Sephora | Also available on Amazon
Tresemmé Heat Tamer Spray
Another great affordable option as far as best heat protectant for natural hair? This Tresemmé Heat Tamer Spray, which helps guard against heat and prevent friction. Moreover, since Tresemmé is a brand approved by PETA, you can also feel good about this purchase. According to the product page, this product is “ideal for those who style often.” It also has a moisturizing vitamin complex and has pleasant-to-the-nose notes of pear, apple, and peach.
Available on Target
Is Heat Protectant Necessary?
I hate to admit it, but I skipped heat protectant most of my life. And I’ve been using heat styling my hair for the better part of two decades. When a friend looked at me like, How could you do that to your hair?, I started spraying it on before I blowdried, straightened, or curled my hair. And I am so glad I did.
Since using it on my strands before heat styling, my hair is softer and I’ve noticed fewer split ends. So, in a long-winded answer to a short question: Yes. Heat protectant is necessary.
