Compare Our Top Picks

Honorable Mentions

Photograph: Kat Merck

Sutra Heat Guard Blowout Cream for $24: I love Sutra’s IR2 hair straightener, so I had high hopes. This thick and almost fragrance-free cream is meant to protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce drying time, but my hair felt dried out after use.

Function of Beauty Smooth With It Blowout Mist for $13: This Target-exclusive spray is fortified with argan oil and Tsubaki oil (from camellia fruit), a common ingredient in many K-beauty products. It is a spray, but I was surprised to find it comes out with an opaque, creamlike consistency rather than as a liquid, which means it goes on a bit heavy. That said, sometimes my frizzy hair needs something on the heavy side, and this definitely fit the bill—it did visibly reduce frizz after blow-drying, and my hair felt very soft.

Remilia Rice & Shine Leave-in Conditioner for $24: This is a hydrating, heat-protective leave-in spray with a cool, cork-topped bottle and an inoffensive scent. However, it did not do much for frizz in my tests.

Mark Anthony Grow Long Anti-Frizz Shield Ultimate Blowout for $10: This anti-frizz spray is a great value, but it didn’t work wonders on my 3a curls, and Function of Beauty’s Smooth With It (above) outperformed it in this price category.

Raw Sugar Multi Miracle Leave-in Conditioner for $10: I really liked the wood accent and spray nozzle on the bottle of this heat-protective leave-in conditioner, but it did not perform well on frizz in my tests.

Biolage Thermal Setting Spray for $24: I like the Biolage brand, and the fact that this can be used on either damp or dry hair (though it doesn’t give a temperature limit). However, whether I used it wet or dry, I found it left parts of my hair stiff. Some online reviewers, though, found they quite liked it for setting curls.

Emi Jay Heavenly Hair Milk for $40: This is not exactly a spray, but it is lightweight enough that it could be, and it comes in a cool bottle with a pump that twists down to become a flush cap. It’s a combination heat protectant and detangler that happens to be an excellent anti-frizz product on its own (it supposedly cuts down on drying time too, but this feature wasn’t notable in my testing). This was at one time my first pick for best smelling, but someone online said it smelled like Play-Doh, and I was never able to un-smell it.

Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant for $15 (2 ounces): All of Moroccanoil’s products come infused with argan oil, and this spray that protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit is no exception. It can be used on wet or dry hair, and it’s extremely lightweight—I thought it felt and acted like a light hairspray, for better or for worse. I didn’t love the scent or the super-fine, alcohol-based mist—in fact, I was worried it would dry my hair out, but it didn’t.

Milk_Shake Lifestyling Amazing Anti-Humidity Spray for $28 and Smoothing Cream for $24: I love Milk_Shake as a brand, and these products were just fine, but didn’t stand out enough to qualify as top picks.

Verb Frizz Defense Smoothing Spray for $22: I’d heard great things about this frizz-fighting spray, and indeed it’s lightweight, feels non-drying, and doesn’t leave any heavy residue. It’d be a great pick if you have straight or wavy hair, but there are more effective options to cut frizz for type 3 and 4 curls if you’re trying to achieve a blowout.

Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment for $44: I loved this cream’s spicy botanical scent, stylish glass bottle, and the fact that it protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (according to Reverie; it does not say so on the bottle). It worked fine! There are just too many better options for half the price. (Ed. note: This is reviews editor Adrienne So’s current favorite heat protectant for thick, wavy 2a hair. She mainly likes the ease of application and frizz prevention, but admits that it’s stupid expensive.)

Others We Tried

Photograph: Kat Merck

Hairstory Primer Smoothing & Protecting Mist for $36: This leave-in mist protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and is designed to work with the whole Hairstory New Wash Method ($64), which involves a detergent-free “cleansing cream.” I tried it and it reminded me of the whole “no ’poo” movement of the early aughts, where practitioners eschewed modern shampoo for more natural options like baking soda. This method is not for everyone, but if you do try it, I don’t think the mist adds enough to justify the cost.

IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray for $38: This aerosol felt like it dried my hair out a bit, and it has the same unpleasant scent as the 4-in-1 (above). I didn’t care for it in a liquid spray, but it was overwhelming in aerosol cloud form.

R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist for $36: This high-tech-looking aerosol in a recycled aluminum bottle was a favorite during the early weeks of testing—I liked its protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and its frizz-fighting properties. However, it does use a polymer and resin complex to smooth hair, and over time I noticed it was leaving a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.

Cloud 9 Miracle Repair 3-in-1 Leave-in Conditioning Spray for $26 and Cloud 9 Blowout Blow Dry Serum for $23: People rave about Cloud 9 online, and I really like parent brand Beautopia’s vibrating hair straightener, but neither of these products did much to cut down frizz during my tests.

Mane Cotton Candy Dry Texture and Volume Spray for $26: Protective up to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, this styler is supposed to add volume, and I had high hopes given my positive experience with this brand’s Temp Check heat protectant (above). However, it had the opposite effect on my mid-back-length hair.

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blowdry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme for $26: I have thick, unruly hair, and this cream protectant felt like it actually made my hair unmanageable and harder to style. It may speak to its effectiveness, but I felt like I had to take too many passes with a titanium flat iron turned up to max temperature.

Pureology Instant Levitation Mist for $32: Pureology is known for its formulas made specifically for color-treated hair, so I was hoping this would be a great-performing solution for those who don’t want to risk ruining their expensive highlights or balayage. However, it seemed to leave a dull residue, and neither I nor my short-haired tester found the volumizing feature to be very effective.

R+Co Chainmail Thermal Protection Styling Spray for $36: I appreciated this spray for its ability to add lots of visible shine, but the aerosol nozzle was not as targeted as I’d have liked, creating such a wide-ranging, fine-mist fog that it was nearly impossible not to breathe it in. I also found the cologne-like scent overwhelming.

Milk_Shake Lifestyling Thermo-Protector for $40: I usually love Milk_Shake products, but this aerosol spray felt like it dried out my hair and amplified my already hard-to-handle frizz after blow-drying. It also did not add a discernible amount of shine as promised.

FoxyBae Cool AF Heat Protectant + Biotin for $16: I like the cheery design of this pump spray bottle, as well as the fact it can be used on wet or dry hair. However, it didn’t seem as effective as other brands and was greasy when used on dry hair.

Chi 44 Iron Guard for $19: This drugstore stalwart works well to protect from heat while also tamping down frizz, and the new Botanical Bliss scent is an improvement over the original formula’s. However, it left a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.

Neqi Diamond Glass Styling Spray for $12: I love Neqi’s hair perfume spray, so I had high hopes for its heat protectant, but it just didn’t do much to reduce frizz.

FAQs

Ingredients vary, but most heat protectants work much the same way: by deploying ingredients like copolymers or silicone that coat the hair shaft to slow (though not totally stop) heat conduction. Many heat protectants also include moisturizers to help seal and smooth the cuticle to reduce frizz. Because heat protectants can only slow, not completely stop, heat damage, it’s still important to use the lowest heat settings you can for your hair for the least amount of time.

I wash my 3a curly hair twice a week, then blow-dry and follow up with a straightening iron. I touch up my hair with a straightening iron daily in between. I tested the heat protectants in this guide in the course of my normal day-to-day life over a period of four months. I used each product on either damp hair before blow-drying or on dry hair before the straightening iron—whichever was indicated by the instructions. If a product could be used on damp and dry hair, I tried it both ways.

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I’ve had every hairstyle imaginable. It feels like it, at least.

I have relaxed my hair, big chopped, braided it up, dyed it blonde, and been natural. I say all of that to communicate that Black hair is as versatile as it is beautiful. Since big chopping for the second time, my hair has grown into a medium length that’s allowed me to try a variety of hairstyles.

My favorite hair looks of the moment are cornrows, wash-and-gos, and an afro puff I spent an entire weekend perfecting. The good news about medium hair is that whether you’re still going to see your stylist every six weeks to get your new growth in check or have put your hot tools down for good, there’s an option for you. Just be sure to condition and moisturize your coils as you try the 18 styles on this list.

Whether you’ve spent years perfecting your shade of blonde or can’t resist experimenting with the latest multistylers or blow-dryer brushes, the best treatments for damaged hair can help bring brittle, easily-tangled strands back to life. “Damaged hair will feel dry to the touch and lose its shine, the ends of your hair will start to split—indicating breakage—and your hair may even become frizzy and unruly,” says Jennifer Nast, a hairstylist based in New York City. But you’re far from the only one to experience this—almost everything we do to our hair can cause some damage, including brushing, tight ponytails, and sun exposure.

Our Top Treatments for Damaged Hair

Let’s dig a little deeper. There are several types of hair damage and countless things that cause them. “Heat styling with tools like straighteners and curling irons, coloring and chemical treatments like bleaching and perming, over-washing, and rough handling, such as brushing too hard or using tight hairstyles,” says Angelo David, a hairstylist based in NYC. While there’s no single fix for all types of damage, the right treatments and care can restore shine, bounce, and overall health. Read on for hairstylist tips to revive troubled strands, plus editor-approved fixes we swear by.

Best Overall: K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask

Why we love it: K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask isn’t your run-of-the-mill hair mask. It still promises similar benefits to that of rinse-off masks (shinier, bouncier, and stronger hair), but it’s a leave-in treatment that’s meant to be applied on shampooed, unconditioned hair—and it’s formulated totally differently, too. Unlike hair masks that sit outside each strand, this one actually penetrates the cortex to repair bonds that are broken during heat styling and color treatments.

“Even though it’s lightweight, it delivers a serious hit of moisture and repair by reconnecting polypeptide chains to strengthen the hair,” says Nast. “My clients love it, especially those with color or heat-styling damage. Plus, it’s lightweight enough for fine hair so that it won’t weigh you down.” The brand recommends working it through your strands and letting it sit for four minutes to activate (you can layer on your usual styling products during the wait), then styling as usual. Results build over time, so don’t be surprised if it takes a few washes before you start to see what all the hype is about.

Best for Frizz: Dae Stargloss Shine Hair Gloss Treatment

Why we love it: Do you ever wonder why your at-home blowouts never hit quite the same as a salon one? We felt the same way, until we gave Dae’s Stargloss Shine Hair Gloss Treatment a try. Massage it from root to tip, let it sit for at least 20 minutes (or toss your hair in a bun and sleep on it for some extra TLC), then rinse, condition, and style as usual. The result? Frizz-free, healthy strands that look like they’d cost triple at the salon. The secret sauce is prickly pear seed oil, a fan fave in Dae’s lineup, plus shea butter and moringa seed oil to lock in that juicy moisture. PSA: If you have finer hair, double cleanse in the shower. Any leftover product can weigh it down and make it look greasy.

Best Leave-In Treatment: Crown Affair Overnight Repair Serum

Why we love it: After a summer of heat styling and sun exposure, Crown Affair’s new Overnight Repair Serum is exactly what the stylist ordered to repair dry, limp strands. Inspired by the body’s natural overnight cell replenishing and repairing process, it nourishes while you sleep, strengthening, smoothing, and boosting shine, with no rinsing required come morning. I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry—it leaves behind zero greasiness, making it great for finer hair textures. The source of its silky-ifying powers? A seriously stacked ingredient list, including flaxseed and chia that support repair, while a Tsubaki Meadow’s blend—meadowfoam seed oil and tsubaki, the oil extracted from the camellia seeds—locks in moisture, and rosemary adds a natural shine.

Best Heat Protectant: Gisou Honey Milk 5-in-1 Styling Cream

Why we love it: A heat protectant is non-negotiable before blow-drying, and Gisou’s 5-in-1 Styling Cream does that, and then some. Powered by honey from the Mirsaleh bee garden in Holland (a staple in all of Gisou’s formulas) and hydrolyzed milk protein that patches up weak spots in the hair shaft, it strengthens as it smooths. Hyaluronic acid is also thrown in the mix to add a hit of hydration and keep frizz at bay. Beyond 450-degree protection, it delivers flexible hold, glossy shine, and major moisture—it’s basically your blow-dry’s new BFF.

Best for Scalp Health: Virtue Overnight Scalp and Hair Elixir

Why we love it: Your scalp is basically ground zero for healthy hair, and Virtue’s Overnight Scalp and Hair Elixir understands that to the fullest. While you sleep, it rebalances your scalp and repairs damage, so hair feels softer, stronger, and shinier by morning. Packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid, fortifying peptides, and scalp-balancing prebiotics, it tackles dryness, flakiness, and itchiness without leaving any residue behind, so you can wake up and go (no washing or dry shampoo needed!). With lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood in the mix, it’s like sneaking in a little aromatherapy moment before bed, because who doesn’t long for better sleep?

Best for Bleached Hair: Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

Why we love it: Before TikTok sent Olaplex’s No. 3 Hair Perfector into viral stardom, hairstylists (and Allure editors) were already in on the secret for restoring dry, damaged hair. “It’s a bond builder that repairs the broken disulfide bonds in your hair that cause damage from heat styling, coloring, and chemical treatments,” says David. Even after one of his clients had undergone years of bleaching, No. 3 was able to bring it back to life. “After just one use of Olaplex No. 3, her hair felt noticeably softer and stronger,” David attests. “With continued use, it helped restore her hair’s health and vitality. You’ll notice less breakage, improved elasticity, and a smoother, shinier appearance.”

Best In-Shower Treatment: Pantene Pro-V Miracles Miracle Bond Repair Conditioner

Why we love it: Got a minute? That’s all it takes for this powerful bond repair conditioner—and Allure Best of Beauty award winner—to start kicking frizz, dullness, flyaways, and dryness to the curb. Taking inspiration from the skin-care world, Pantene’s Pro-V Miracles Miracle Bond Repair Conditioner is packed with pro-vitamin B5, keratin, and vitamin E to strengthen hair from the core while adding hydration and shine back to your life. And the best part? It smells like a blooming garden, and the scent actually lingers in your hair until your next wash.

More treatments for damaged hair we like

Best Weekly Deep Treatment: Amika Soulfood

Why we love it: Packed with powerhouse hydrators, Amika’s Soulfood Nourishing Mask brings dry, damaged hair back to life. Jojoba oil swoops in to help mend split ends, while sea buckthorn oil restores lipids for softer, more elastic strands. Rich but never heavy, it works as a weekly treat for fine hair, but our editors found that it’s not the most hydrating option for thicker strands. Those with coarse hair actually prefer using it daily, as it leaves behind no buildup. Bonus: Amika’s signature scent lingers like a hair perfume between washes, keeping those strands smelling as good as they feel.

Best for Second Day Hair: Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Why we love it: It’s been around forever, but Moroccanoil Treatment Original still delivers, reviving even the driest, most fried strands. David agrees, noting, “Moroccanoil Treatment is a versatile, multi-tasking oil that adds incredible shine, hydration, and manageability to all hair types.”It’s not just about the results but also the experience. The luxurious, lightweight texture absorbs quickly, and while the signature, slightly spicy scent is strong at first, it fades to a subtle level. “It doesn’t leave any greasy residue,” says David, who often uses a small amount on his ends throughout the day to refresh his style and add a touch of shine. “It’s also fantastic for taming flyaways and creating a sleek, polished look,” he adds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best treatment for damaged hair?

The best, salon-grade treatments are always going to be reserved for the hands of the pros, “meaning you’d need a cosmetologist to administer them,” explains Claire. But if you’re after at-home solutions, she says treatments for dry, damaged hair generally fall into two categories. “The first is surface-level cosmetic treatments, like hair masks and leave-in conditioners, that offer temporary shine and softness. The second is bond-building reparative treatments, like K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask and Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, which work at the molecular level to repair serious damage,” she says. Remember that those reparative treatments need consistent use for long-term results, but they’re worth it for the deep restoration.

How can I heal my damaged hair?

Healing damaged hair requires consistent care, nourishing products with restorative ingredients, and healthy lifestyle habits. “At-home treatments can be just as effective, if not more so, when used properly and regularly,” says Nast. Start with a gentle shampoo and conditioner that focuses on scalp health and replenishing moisture. Incorporate a rich, deep-conditioning mask into your routine weekly to boost hydration and strength. If it’s possible, cutting back on heat styling and chemical processing is key. If you do reach for your hot tools, always prep hair with a heat protectant.