Top 7 Heat Protectants for Straightening Natural Hair
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Finding heat protectants for straightening natural hair gets a little more personal when your strands are fine. I want heat protection, but I also want my hair to feel soft, move freely, and have some shine. A product that leaves it stiff or overly oily makes maintaining my straight hair more difficult.
Since becoming a straight hair natural, I’ve been paying closer attention to how different products fit into my routine. Beyond The Zone Turn Up The Heat is my favorite, but there are a few others I enjoy rotating through, plus an option I’m looking forward to trying.
These seven heat protectants include my personal favorites, one that didn’t quite suit my fine strands, and additional options worth considering when you want to silk press your natural hair. I’ll make those differences clearer as we go through them.
Heat Protectants for Straightening Natural Hair at a Glance
All of the products advertise heat protection up to 450°F. I think it’s important to note, however, that while the product claims protection up to that temperature, it’s not a recommendation to use that much heat – especially on fine hair. In fact, the least amount of heat needed to get your hair straight is the amount you should use.
Whichever heat protectant you choose to go with, always check the directions on your bottle, especially since packaging and formulas can change.
| Heat protectant | Why it’s included |
|---|---|
| Beyond The Zone Turn Up The Heat | My favorite for smoothing frizz and adding shine |
| amika The Shield | In my current flat ironing routine |
| CHI 44 Iron Guard | An option I tried once; felt stiff on my fine hair |
| Moroccanoil Perfect Defense | I love the softness, shine, and scent |
| TRESemmé Expert Selection Keratin Smooth | Drugstore option on my list to try when I do my next silk press or fluffy press |
| Silk Elements MegaSilk Olive | Olive oil and silk formula for smoothing frizz |
| Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil | One of my favorites before flat ironing and for my ends |
1. Beyond The Zone Turn Up The Heat Protection Spray
My favorite for frizz and shine.
Beyond The Zone Turn Up The Heat has been around for a long time, and I see why. Of the heat protectants I use, this is my favorite. It smooths frizz, gives my hair incredible shine, and has such a pleasant scent.
The one thing you need to know is that it does feel oily. So, you have to be careful not to overspray, especially if you have fine natural hair like mine. I want shine, but I still want my hair to move.
I also use it once or twice between wash days before wrapping my hair at night. A light application helps smooth the frizz that shows up as I wear my hair straight. I’m using it for the finish at that point because I won’t flat iron again just to touch up some frizz. It’s not worth the extra heat. So, it will just need to wait until the next wash day.
The product directions allow for use on damp hair before blow drying or on dry sections before using a flat iron. For me, the biggest consideration is keeping the application light.
Shop Beyond The Zone Turn Up The Heat on Amazon
2. amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray
A newer addition to my straight hair routine.
I started using amika The Shield after watching other straight hair naturals who retain length recommend it. Learning about the practices straight hair naturals use to retain length made me interested in the products they use consistently, too.
I use the Shield before flat ironing, and then again after finishing my style to help with humidity.
Now, let me be honest: I haven’t mastered the anti-humidity piece yet. I can’t tell you that my hair stays perfectly smooth every time I use it. What I can say is that my hair feels strong when I heat style with it, and I haven’t noticed breakage while using it in my routine.
My stylist also uses amika products for heat protection when she straightens my hair.
Shop amika The Shield on Amazon
3. CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray
One I tried, but didn’t love on my fine strands.
I’ve only used CHI 44 Iron Guard once because it left my fine natural hair feeling a little stiff.
However, I still wanted to include it because I’ve seen other naturals speak highly of it. My experience doesn’t mean it won’t suit someone else’s hair.
CHI describes it as a thermal protection spray, and the current ingredient list includes hydrolyzed silk and a keratin-derived ingredient. The directions allow for use on dry hair before heat styling or on wet hair before drying.
If you’re considering this one, pay attention to how your hair feels after applying it. For my fine strands, the slightly stiff finish was the drawback. I can’t offer a long-term review after using it just once but the overall high reviews mean something.
Shop CHI 44 Iron Guard on Amazon
4. Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
A favorite for soft, shiny hair.
I love the Moroccanoil line, and Perfect Defense gives me several things I appreciate in a heat protectant: softness, shine, and that signature Moroccanoil scent.
It contains their signature argan oil, panthenol—a form of vitamin B5, and a copolymer in its formula. Moroccanoil describes it as a no-hold spray, which is appealing when you want a smooth finish without a stiff feel.
This is one of the more expensive options, like the amika line, but I find it’s worth every penny. This brand offers wonderful products.
Shop Moroccanoil Perfect Defense on Amazon
5. TRESemmé Expert Selection Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Spray
The drugstore option I want to try next.
I discovered TRESemmé Keratin Smooth while researching heat protectants for my fine natural hair. The positive reviews I came across made me curious, particularly because this is an affordable option.
I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m including it as an option on my list to try because it gets very high praises from many ladies.
Affordability is a big part of the appeal. If you’re comparing it with the salon brands here, check the current price and bottle size to see how the value stacks up.
One detail to watch: TRESemmé has different Keratin Smooth names and packaging. Its current US Keratin Smooth Blowout Heat Protection Spray advertises protection up to 450°F. Check the label on the Expert Selection version you purchase rather than assuming every version has identical directions or claims.
Shop TRESemmé Keratin Smooth on Amazon
6. Silk Elements MegaSilk Olive Heat Protection Spray
An olive oil and silk option for frizz-prone hair.
Silk Elements MegaSilk Olive Heat Protection Spray is another option worth considering when you want heat protection with a smoother finish. It’s suitable for natural or relaxed hair.
The formula contains olive oil and hydrolyzed silk. The manufacturer describes it as helping reduce frizz while supporting softness and shine during heat styling.
The directions say to apply it to damp hair before drying or dry hair before using a heat styling tool, while avoiding the root area.
If frizz is one of your main concerns, those smoothing benefits make it an option to compare with the others on this list.
Shop Silk Elements MegaSilk Olive Heat Protectant on Amazon
7. Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
One of my favorites for heat styling and caring for my ends.
Olaplex No. 7 is a bonding oil, but it also offers heat protection up to 450°F. That makes it different from an ordinary finishing oil without a stated heat protection claim.
I use it just before flat ironing, and I also use it on my ends throughout the week. It absorbs into my strands easily and helps smooth frizz, which is part of why I enjoy it so much on my fine natural hair.
I like having a product that fits into more than one part of my routine. On wash day, it serves as a heat protectant. Between washes, I use a small amount to help keep my ends feeling smooth and protected.
Along with Beyond The Zone, this is one of the products I’d point to first if you asked which ones I personally like most.
Shop Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil on Amazon
BONUS: Shea Moisture Silk Press in a Bottle
Shea Moisture’s Silk Press in a Bottle is a relatively new product on the scene as of this writing. I’ve used it once, and my hair felt nice afterward. I think it will make this list, but I’d like to use it a few more times.
The product claims:
- coating every strand with moisture, leaving the hair soft, silky, and shiny
- restoring strength by repairing hydrogen bonds from within
- heat protection up to 410°F
This product is unique in its own right, being formulated with plant-derived straightening actives and Amla Oil. It’s a 3-in-one product offering the benefits of a leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, and anti-humidity product.
Early reports from naturals everywhere indicate that this product is a good one.
Why Color Wow Dream Coat Didn’t Make My List
You may be wondering why I didn’t list Color Wow Dream Coat among my list of top heat protectants. It’s been used to protect hair from heat damage, coupled with providing supposed miracle like anti-humidity protection.
Color Wow Dream Coat got really popular a few years ago, and I wanted to love it. I used it again and again, followed the instructions, and gave it more than one opportunity to impress me.
The frizz and humidity claims didn’t live up to the hype for me. For what it costs, what a disappointment.
However, I can’t judge its heat protection performance simply by whether my hair frizzed. Those are separate things. But the humidity protection was a major reason I bought it, and that part greatly disappointed me.
Other people have had good experiences with it, so your results may be different. As for me, my trial phase is over, and for that price? I’m not recommending it.
How I Use Heat Protectants on My Fine Natural Hair
Now that I’m wearing my natural hair straight, I wash and straighten it every two weeks. I rotate through different heat protectants in my natural hair routine from time to time. I also don’t wear my hair bone straight. To avoid heat damage, I go for more of a “fluffy” pressed look.
Before Blow Drying
I use heat protection before blow drying because that is part of the heat styling process, too. The product’s directions dictate the product I reach for the most: I choose one suitable for damp hair and apply it as directed.
Before Flat Ironing
I also use heat protection before flat ironing. Depending on what I’m using that wash day, amika The Shield or Olaplex No. 7 may be part of this step.
What I learned is that before your flat iron touches your hair, there needs to be no moisture present. Otherwise, your results won’t be guaranteed. If a spray leaves it damp, allow it to dry first.
Also, adding more product doesn’t give me permission to use more heat. That only weighs your hair down.
Between Wash Days
When a heat protectant gives my hair an obvious oil sheen, I may also use a little to smooth frizz between washes. Beyond The Zone is my favorite for this before wrapping my hair at night.
I will pair that with a small amount of BioSilk drops as well.
Every three months, I see my stylist for a trim, and when she straightens my hair, she uses amika products for heat protection, too.
Choosing a Heat Protectant for Fine Natural Hair
For me, the deciding factor in what heat protectant to use on my fine hair is based on several factors:
- how a product feels in my hair
- being able to easily “dose” the amount I want applied to my hair
- whether I enjoy the finish enough to keep using it
If my hair feels tacky or overly dry, I’m never buying that product again.
My advice to you would be not to purchase a heat protection product based on popularity alone. Review the ingredients and claims. Then, whatever you buy, follow the directions on the bottle while paying attention to your own results.
Lastly, a thermal protection claim, a smooth finish, and humidity resistance are related benefits, but they aren’t interchangeable. A product can feel lovely on your hair and still not keep every bit of humidity out.
Save this list to refer back to when you’re choosing a heat protectant for your next wash day.
Which heat protectant do you use when straightening your natural hair? Have you tried any of these in your straight natural hair routine?
