Best Heat Protectants for Fine, Straight Hair
Heat protectants are something I’ve only been using for the last few years. After a salon-recommended shampoo torched my hair and led to tons of breakage, I knew I needed a product to help protect the re-growth as my hair recovered while also preventing any further damage. My hair is fine (but I have a lot of of it), and naturally stick-straight, so it was important to me that the heat protectant wouldn’t make it harder to curl my hair, or keep the curls from lasting all day like I’ve become accustomed to. I also didn’t want anything that felt sticky, crunchy, greasy, or drying. After lots of trial and error, these are my top recommendations. I’ve covered everything from sprays to creams in the hopes that you’ll be able to find your perfect product, too.
the best heat protectants for fine, straight hair
unite hair 7SECONDS detangler leave-in conditioner
My top recommendation, UNITE’s heat protectant really is so good and I love that it’s muti-use. It hydrates and conditions your hair without weighing it down, yet it still feels lightweight. Sometimes heat protectants make me feel like I have too much product in my hair from the get-go and make it feel harder to curl my straight hair, but this effortlessly absorbs into your hair and doesn’t affect the outcome of styling it. Having fine hair that can accumulate tangles throughout the day, I’ve also found that this prevents a lot of knots, especially on windy days (or at the beach). I highly, highly recommend this multi-use heat protectant; use it on wet/ damp hair for the best results.
verb ghost prep heat protectant
If you prefer a cream you can work through your hair, VERB Ghost Prep is a great option. It adds TONS of shine to your hair, and while I can’t exactly describe the scent, it reminds me of the fresh hair products I used as a kid. I’ve applied this heat protectant to both wet and dry hair; it’s very easy to blend in but can make dry hair feel slightly crunchy if you don’t work it all the way through (but can be easily fixed by brushing it out a couple times). This is a great option for travel as it doesn’t leak and can be easily transferred into a 3oz bottle.
oribe dry texturizing spray
While expensive, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray is a cult-favorite for a reason. It adds lots of volume to fine hair without weighing it down or making it frizzy. I am not the biggest fan of aerosol sprays, but this mist sprays evenly and I’ve never had a problem with the nozzle clogging or breaking over time. The scent is nice yet very light, so it doesn’t trigger any headaches for me. A little goals a long way, so one can will last you a while. I recommend buying this during the holidays, as you can typically get it in a gift set to save a little extra, or during Nordstrom’s 3x beauty point promotion to stretch what you’re spending a little more.
the best clean-beauty heat protectants for fine, straight hair
dae agave dry heat protection and hold styling mist
One of the top clean-beauty hair brands, I don’t love their shampoos/ conditioners but their styling products truly are so good. This is the one heat protectant that feels like nothing in your hair; it’s so lightweight yet it helps hold curls all day, so the “hold styling” aspect definitely works. The scent is fruity, yet not so strong that it gives me a headache. It adds shine to my hair, and I am surprised by how often get compliments whenever I use this product.
briogeo color me brilliant mushroom and bamboo color protect primer
As far as clean beauty goes, Briogeo as a brand is pretty hit or miss for me. This heat protectant is one of their stand-outs, though. I love that it protects your hair color from fading while also protecting against environmental damage. The scent is not for everyone; it’s definitely earthy but more subtle than most fragrances. The pump can be a little crazy, so be mindful of that. A little goes a long way, and it does feel like you have a little something in your hair no matter what. Using too much (or not properly working it through my hair) can cause it to feel a little sticky/ crunchy if I’m not careful, but you really can’t beat how this product is 97% naturally-derived and vegan.