Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editorsSave this storySave this story
Just like your favorite sunscreen, the best heat-protectant sprays are essential for preventing damage. You wouldn't sit under the hot sun without wearing UV protection, right? Similarly, you should also avoid putting a hot tool (think blow-dryers, flatirons, curling irons) on your hair without first using a heat protectant. These essential hair-care products rely on ingredients like silicones, nourishing oils, and humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, to create a moisturizing barrier between your hair and the heat, which can help prevent breakage, frizz, and split ends.
However you’re styling your hair, the extreme temperatures–often reaching up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit–can literally cook your hair's protein structure, leaving it weakened and prone to snapping. What makes this particularly frustrating is that heat damage is cumulative, meaning each styling session without proper protection adds up over time, gradually compromising your hair's health and appearance. The good news is that incorporating a quality heat protectant into your routine is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to maintain strong, shiny hair, while still achieving your desired styles.
Our Top Heat-Protectant Sprays
- Best Overall: Cécred Thermal Heat Protectant Spray, $30
- Best for Quick Blowouts: Lolavie Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray, $30
- Best for Refreshing Hair: Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant, $32
- Best for Type 3 Curls: Virtue Correct Strength & Shield Leave-In Conditioner, $38
- Best for Type 4 Curls: The Doux O.P.P. One-Pass-Press Heat Protection Spray, $15
- Best for Volume: Chris McMillan The Major Hairspray, $36
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Does heat-protectant spray actually work?
- Should I apply heat protectant to wet or dry hair?
- Do you let heat protectant dry before styling?
- Is it bad to put too much heat protectant on hair?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
To help narrow down the best heat-protectant sprays out there, we asked editors, along with two hairstylists with over a decade of experience, to share their go-to products. Each stylist had not one, but multiple favorites, which work across a range of hair textures and styling needs.
Best Overall: Cécred Thermal Heat Protectant Spray
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Cécred
Thermal Heat Protectant Spray
Ulta Beauty
Cécred
Why we love it: Between constant heat-styling and back-to-back looks, it’s no surprise Beyoncé made Cécred’s Thermal Heat Protectant a non-negotiable in her line. It runs on the brand's proprietary StemShield Complex, a three-part blend of shape-memory polymers that flex and bounce back under heat, plant stem cell lipids that reinforce and nourish the strand, and black honey fermentation that helps retain moisture—so your style holds even when the conditions don't cooperate. Underneath sits the brand's Thermal Gloss Blend, a trio of oils (kalahari melon seed, mongongo, and wild plum) chosen specifically because they are extremely resilient to heat and dryness in their native climates. The mist itself is weightless, with no build-up or stiffness, and it works across every hair type and texture, including wigs and extensions.
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor before applying the Cecred Thermal Heat Protectant Spray
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after applying the Cecred Thermal Heat Protectant Spray
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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Before hitting my strands with a thermal round brush (specifically, the Hey Mane It's Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush), I spritz on the Thermal Shield Mist. The pump dispenses an extra-fine mist that makes it easy to distribute along my long strands. I apply it all over my hair, spraying a bit more onto my ends to keep them from getting crispy. Then I get to curling. When combined with the brand's Flexible Hold Hairspray, my hair looks shiny and smells oh-so-good. —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: StemShield Complex, thermal gloss blend (kalahari melon seed, mongongo, and wild plum oils), panthenol
- Who it's for: all hair types
- Protects up to: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Best for Quick Blowouts: Lolavie Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray
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LolaVie
Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray
Ulta Beauty
Credo Beauty
Han using the Lolavie Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Less time under the blow-dryer means less cumulative damage, which is exactly why Lolavie's Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray stands out. Its proprietary Speed Dry Complex, derived from amino acids, is designed to cut down actual blow-dry time on damp hair, so you're spending less time under hot air overall. Once hair is dry, the same mist doubles as pre-styling protection up to 450 degrees, with a moisture-locking trio of hyaluronic acid and rice, baobab, and amaranth extracts that draw in hydration and form a light barrier to keep hair from drying out under heat, plus mushroom extract to calm frizz and defend against humidity. Rice, baobab, and amaranth extracts round things out by forming a light barrier that seals in hydration.
Han before using the Lolavie Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray
Sarah Han
Han after using the Lolavie Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I'm not sure what kind of magic is bottled in Lolavie's Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray but I swear it's responsible for the fastest blow-dry times of my life. We're talking around five minutes for 90% dried hair, which is usually where I leave it. (I have fine but *dense* hair, for the record.) It's one thing to have a professional stylist use it in the salon (I was just as surprised then), but for the same results to happen at home with my sub-sub-par hairstyling skills? Ok, this is the real deal. Since I have partially color-treated hair, minimizing heat is a priority, and this blow-dry spray helps me do, well, even more of that. I just hit my mid-lengths to ends with a small dose of hair oil afterwards, and my hair feels smooth as silk.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid and mushroom extract, rice, baobab, and amaranth extracts
- Who it's for: all hair types
- Protects up to: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Best for Refreshing Hair: Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
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Moroccanoil
Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
Moroccanoil
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
Alessandra Foresto
Why we love it: Moroccanoil's key ingredient, argan oil, always brings the shine—and the Perfect Defense Heat Protectant delivers that, whether you're using it on wet hair or refreshing third-day hair. If you need a refresher, "argan oil is unique in its composition, offering high amounts of oleic and linoleic acids, which makes it extremely rich and moisturizing," says cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline. While it may sound like it'd be heavy on the hair, it's actually very lightweight (promise), as LA-based hairstylist (and Moroccanoil global ambassador) Rachel Williams confirms. In fact, you can use this ultra-light aerosol formula freely on damp or dry hair before heat-styling, whether you're fresh out of the shower or wanting to refresh your waves. UV protection, added shine, and a lingering trail of Moroccanoil's addicting ambery-floral scent.
Foresto before applying the Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
Alessandra Foresto
Foresto after applying the Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
Alessandra Foresto
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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“After trying many heat protectants through the years, this is now my staple. I find the aerosol delivery of the product to be very effective at spreading it through my thick hair without much effort. It also dries very quickly because you can use it on dry hair. As someone who uses a flatiron to refresh her waves pretty often, I had been searching for a heat protectant I could use both on wet hair after a shower, and on day two or three when I put heat to my hair to refresh my style. This one hits both of those requirements without making my hair feel like it has a heavy layer of hairspray (you know that feeling?) or making it overly matte. Plus, it has that Moroccanoil scent that I know can be polarizing for some, but I actually like! A can lasts a long time, though I like it so much I have gone through many!” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil, panthenol
- Who it's for: all hair types
- Protects up to: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Best for Type 3 Curls: Virtue Correct Strength & Shield Leave-In Conditioner
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Virtue
Correct Strength & Shield Leave-In Conditioner
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin using the Virtue Correct Strength & Shield Leave-In Conditioner and diffusing her hair
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: A leave-in that defines curls, detangles, heat-protects, and smells amazing (hey, coconut, yuzu, and warm woods)? It sounds like a tall order, but Virtue Correct Strength & Shield Leave-In Conditioner is up for the job. Scratch that: It earns the employee of the year award. As you may know, the star ingredient in all Virtue formulas is Alpha Keratin 60ku, a keratin derivative that helps essentially fill in tiny cracks found in damaged strands. On top of that, a well-rounded supporting cast of moringa and chea seed extracts, provitamin B5, amino acids, shea butter, olive oil, and castor oil improves elasticity and strengthens hair—thereby reducing breakage in the long run—all while promoting soft, shiny, and healthy ringlets. Comb the product through your hair to ensure even distribution and you're good to style however you want—no fried hair in sight.
Shipin before using the Virtue Correct Strength & Shield Leave-In Conditioner and diffusing her hair
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after using the Virtue Correct Strength & Shield Leave-In Conditioner and diffusing her hair
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“This is the most used heat protection in my arsenal for so many reasons. Never mind the fact that it has a really beautiful, vanilla scent, but it’s a spray—which means that I can use it easily on damp hair when diffusing (without messing with my coils), and it isn’t a cream, so it won’t weigh down my strands, which are prone to falling flat at the root. It does a really nice job of detangling hair and also provides UV protection throughout the day. Importantly for me, it has the standard 450-degree heat protection, which is crucial since I blow-dry and diffuse multiple times a week.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: moringa seed extract, chia seed extract, provitamin B5, amin acid blend, shea butter, caster oil esters
- Who it's for: all hair types, especially those that tangle easily
- Protects up to: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Best for Type 4 Curls: The Doux O.P.P. One-Pass-Press Heat Protection Spray
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The Doux
O.P.P. One-Pass-Press Heat Protection Spray
Amazon
Walmart
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying The Doux O.P.P. One-Pass-Press Heat Protection Spray
Jessica Cruel
Why we love it: Anyone who’s ever double-pressed their hair knows the struggle: you get it sleek on the first pass, then end up frying it on the second pass. The Doux’s One Pass Press Heat Protectant Spray was made to stop that cycle in its tracks. This formula strengthens as it seals, helping curls and coils glide through heat tools without breakage or dryness. A blend of aloe, jojoba oil, and pineapple extract keeps strands hydrated, flexible, and silky smooth while taming coarse textures that usually resist straightening. It softens the cuticle for an even finish and adds weightless shine that makes every press look like a salon blowout. Plus, it can be used post-styling for an extra shot of sheen.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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"I used to be the type of coily girl that ran away from any type of heat. Then, my hairstylist recommended that I start blowing out my hair before doing a twist-out. Game. Changer. Before I stretch my hair with my Dyson Airwrap, I apply this O.P.P. heat protectant from The Doux. It is formulated to withstand flatiron heat, so it is great for my low-temp routine. I just do a quick mist over the section, comb through, and add heat. It doesn't leave my hair coated in oil like some other products. It's lightweight but I can notice a shinier finish to my blow-dry than when I skip it." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aloe, jojoba oil, pineapple extract
- Who it's for: all hair types
- Protects up to: 420 degrees Fahrenheit
Best for Long-Lasting Protection: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
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COLOR WOW
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Shipin using the Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray and styling her hair with a blow-dryer brush
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: Unlike most heat protectants that fade over time, this one provides long-lasting protection. Color Wow’s Best of Beauty-winning Dream Coat Supernatural Spray defends against heat and waterproofs your style with a glossy, humidity-proof barrier. Inspired by textile technology, the formula wraps each strand in an invisible, water-resistant "raincoat." San Antonio-based hairstylist Ebony Everette calls it a must-have for clients with frizz-prone, unruly, or color-treated hair, as it “offers incredible humidity resistance and leaves hair silky, smooth, and frizz-free without weighing it down."
Activated by the heat of your blow-dryer (Everette applies to damp hair, section by section, before hitting the heat), it compresses strands into a sleek, supple shape, then seals that smoothness so it stays intact through workouts, steam, and even sleep. The lightweight mist won’t leave buildup behind, making it safe for all hair types, including those with color-treated hair and those who wear extensions.
Shipin before using the Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray and styling her hair with a blow-dryer brush
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after the Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray and styling her hair with a blow-dryer brush
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Shipin
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“Ah, Dream Coat. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Traveling to a supremely humid environment? Dream Coat. Headed to a dinner and event? Color Wow. Busy week with the kids with zero getting-ready time? Dream Coat. It's always the answer for me. But before we go any further: Rule number one when using the Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is that it's heat-activated. It's not going to do anything if you're not following up with a hot tool. Now that that's out of the way, this is the perfect blow-dry spray for a smooth, bouncy, and shiny blowout. Period, end of story. There's no product that's held a candle to the effect this spray gives. I've had decent alts, but this product packaging also makes a difference: The pump-top is narrow with a circular top that's so easy to push down when your hair is wet, and your hands are sticky with leave-in; the body of the bottle is also nice and narrow so you can easily wrap your hand around it.
Because I use this product (in conjunction with either the Dyson Co-anda brush head or the GHD Duet Blow Dry Brush), people think I get my hair professionally blown out. Nope! The salon-smooth (and bouncy) finish comes from this silver bottle. One tip that really works for me? Getting really good tension with your brush when using this product. The shine is off the charts.” –Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: polysilicone-29, silicone quaternium-18, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract
- Who it's for: all hair types, especially frizz-prone or color-treated
- Protects up to: 380 degrees Fahrenheit (normal/coarse), 300 degrees Fahrenheit (fine/fragile)
Best for Volume: Chris McMillan The Major Hairspray
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Chris McMillan
The Major Hairspray
Sephora
Why we love it: We love a hybrid: Eliminating the need for separate prep and finishing steps, Chris McMillan The Major Hairspray is both a heat protectant and flexible-hold spray in one. It's built on the brand's proprietary HS3 Complex, which fortifies the cuticle and adds shine, so it's actively protecting the hair underneath it. TCM mushroom extract keeps strands hydrated, preventing them from getting dry and brittle, while a neodecanoate polymer sets the style with real hold that still brushes out without flaking or a crunchy feel. Spray it at the roots for lift, mid-style to block humidity before hot tools, or as a final seal—it flexes to whatever step of the routine needs it.
Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the Chris McMillan The Major Hairspray
Katie Gunderman
Gunderman after applying the Chris McMillan The Major Hairspray
Katie Gunderman
Tester feedback from social media manager Katie Gunderman
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“The Major Hairspray is hands down the hairstyling spray I grab for the most. It works as a heat protectant, root volumizer, and flexible-hold spray for pre- and post-styling. Getting to protect my hair while I also get some hold and volume is ideal for me as someone with thin, straight, and color-treated hair. My hair is still soft and silky after I use it and it holds my ends and curtain bangs in their spots all day.” –Katie Gunderman, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: TCM mushroom extract (Polyporus umbellatus), neodecanoate polymer
- Who it's for: all hair types
- Protects up to: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Best for Fine Hair: K18 HeatBounce Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant
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K18
HeatBounce Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant
Amazon
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying K18 HeatBounce Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Whether you're diffusing, flatironing, or silk-pressing, you need a hair shield that protects your strands from damage. Enter the K18 HeatBounce Conditioning Heat Protectant, a lightweight leave-in that not only blocks heat damage up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit but also softens, detangles, and quenches thirsty ends. The magic lies in its patented Resilicore technology, a blend of peptides, proteins, and conditioning agents that mimics resilin, a natural protein able to withstand extreme stress. This technology penetrates past the cuticle and into the cortex, where heat stress really does its damage. Unlike many protectants that can leave a tacky film or weigh hair down, this one sprays on weightlessly and disappears into strands. The formula is safe for all textures and even extensions, making it a universal staple.
Han before applying the K18 HeatBounce Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant
Sarah Han
Han after applying the K18 HeatBounce Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
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“Once upon a time, I used to completely air-dry my hair…and wake up with frizz for days. Listen, I didn't know any better. (In fact, you shouldn't go to bed with wet hair at all.) In the years since, I've upgraded my (albeit still-not-so-sophisticated) post-shower routine to the following: generously spritzing heat protectant all over, rough-drying my hair to ~60% with my trusty Dyson Supersonic, slathering on a hair serum or leave-in of choice on my mid-lengths down to my ends, and letting my microfiber towel soak up the remaining moisture as I watch some TV. After I rough-dry with K18 HeatBounce (which absorbs immediately—key for my impatient self), my hair still feels soft and hydrated, and my brush glides through without any issues. With my colored hair, I'm concerned with fading, and I think HeatBounce—along with the rest of my lineup—has helped prevent just that." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peptides, proteins, sunflower seed oil, rice bran extract
- Who it's for: all hair types
- Protects up to: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Best on Dry Hair: Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray
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Oribe
Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why we love it: If your hair has seen better days due to heat damage, Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray offers a second chance. This luxe heat-styling spray shields strands from temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit while actively repairing weakened cuticles, smoothing away frizz, and leaving hair touchably soft with a satin finish. Andover, Massachusetts-based hairstylist Sean Michael says it's his go-to whenever he's using hot tools. "It doesn't just shield,” he says. “It also adds nourishment and smoothness, so hair feels soft and silky instead of dry after styling."
Powering all that behind the scenes is the brand's Bio-Restorative Complex, a blend of plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide that penetrates deep into the hair shaft to strengthen from the root and revive strands from the inside out. The formula also includes brassica oil copolymer, a plant-based shield that acts as a barrier against hot tools, along with coconut water and marine algae extract to infuse brittle hair with hydration. Michael especially recommends it for color-treated hair or when you’re creating polished, sleek looks, suggesting to "spray it section by section before styling, then finish with a light mist to add shine and control flyaways."
More to know
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- Key ingredients: bio-restorative complex, brassica oil copolymer, coconut water
- Who it's for: dry, damaged hair, all hair types
- Protects up to: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Frequently asked questions
Does heat-protectant spray actually work?
Both Everette and Michael agree that heat protectants are effective and non-negotiable. It “works by forming a thin, protective barrier over the hair shaft, which helps to reduce direct heat exposure from styling tools like flatirons, curling wands, hot combs, or blow-dryers,” explains Everette. She adds that this barrier distributes heat more evenly to prevent “hot spots” and often contains silicones or proteins that smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz. Michael highlights the risks of skipping it, noting, “If you don’t use a heat protectant, hot tools can strip moisture, weaken the hair’s protein structure, and lead to dryness, breakage, and dullness over time.”
Should I apply heat protectant to wet or dry hair?
Everette advises starting with clean, damp hair, noting, “part into four to six sections and spray or distribute the product evenly from mid-lengths to ends, avoiding the roots to prevent greasiness.” She recommends using a wide-tooth comb for even coverage and letting the product dry completely before heat styling to avoid sizzling. For touch-ups, she adds, “Use a lightweight heat protectant formulated specifically for dry application.”
Michael breaks it down by formula, explaining, “For sprays, hold the bottle six to eight inches away and mist evenly on damp or dry hair, making sure to cover from mid-lengths to ends without oversaturating.” He notes that “cream or serum versions should be applied sparingly to damp hair—work a small amount between your palms, then distribute evenly with your hands or a wide-tooth comb. Focus on the ends, since they’re the oldest and most fragile part of the hair.”
Do you let heat protectant dry before styling?
Heat protectants come in a range of textures, from liquid sprays to cream and serums, and for most, “You don't wait for it to dry because they're typically formulated and designed to apply on wet or damp hair just before the blow-dry," says NYC-based hairstylist Cataanda James. She notes that products made for use on already blown-out hair tend to dry faster than those designated for wet application. Plus, those post-dry serums are usually used for straightening or curling irons, whereas most sprays are better for use before any heat; but for curly hair, they can revert blown-out hair if water-based, so it's better to use a post-blow serum for additional heat protection.
Is it bad to put too much heat protectant on hair?
Yes, overdoing heat protectant can backfire. “I am a stickler for lightweight, flowy hair and too much heat protectant can compromise the feel and flow,” James explains. When applied moderately on wet or damp hair, “it absorbs deeper into the strand and allows the round brush or dryer attachment to glide through the strands with ease as the hair dries. Too much, though, just coats the strands, leading to buildup and a weighed-down feel,” says James.
Meet the experts
- Ebony Everette, a hairstylist based in San Antonio
- Sean Michael, a hairstylist based in Andover, Massachusetts
- Cataanda James, a hairstylist in NYC
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of best heat-protectant sprays, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
