Your hair is basically your best accessory in the beauty department. So to put your best follicle forward you cut it, color it, blow-dry it and what not, until it’s how you want it. However, it ends up taking a beating in the process. That’s why there’s products like heat protectant sprays to help minimize the damage. But do they actually work? We asked Michael Duenas, hairstylist and founder of Hair Room Service in New York, to find out.
From what he says, they definitely serve a purpose, and in fact, make a dramatic difference. “A heat protectant adds moisture to your hair, preventing the natural moisture to evaporate,” says Duenas. “It also forms a protective barrier over the cuticle on the hair strand, preventing heat damage and enabling your hair to keep its high shine.”
When choosing a spray, Duenas says to look for products that contain obliphica Berry, argon nut oil, olive oil and/or coconut oil. These particular oils have nourishing properties that will help protect your hair and condition it. A couple of his favorites include Schwarzkopf Bonacure Oil Potion
($38) because it helps your hair dry faster while also keeping it soft and smooth. He’s also a big fan of Amika Obliphica Heat Defense Serum
($30) because it has anti-frizz agents and helps fight humidity.
Once you’ve got the right product, always use it before blow drying or running a heat styling tool, like a curling iron or flat iron, through your hair. Another step to protect your strands from heat damage is to use a cooler temperature when blow drying. Even though it may take longer, the cooler temperature will help close the cuticle and make your hair shiny.
