I’ve been wearing my hair in silk presses and blow outs more often, which means I’ve become well versed in heat protectants. Heat protectant is essential if you’re doing any sort of heat styling on your hair, especially using direct heat like a flat iron or blow dryer with a brush or comb attachment.
Read more: Heat damage and how to avoid it, according to natural hair experts
There are several different types of heat protectants available, including serums, sprays, oils, and bond building/repairing systems. If you frequently heat style your hair, it’s important to also use products that strengthen the hair strands and make them more resilient to manipulation. Heat protectant is also important if you are in hot, sunny weather. Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun! I find oil heat protectants perfect for this purpose, especially in the summer.
Here are the best heat protectants and products for heat styled for natural hair that I use, all sulfate and paraben free:
CHI Keratin Silk Infusion
I’ve been scared of the word “keratin” ever since I got a terrible keratin treatment in my early 20s. However, the CHI Keratin Silk Infusion serum has done wonders for my hair. The product contains silk, wheat and soy proteins that strengthen hair and helps prevent future damage. Like the name suggests, CHI Keratin Silk Infusion leaves my hair very shiny and silky, and also leaves it feeling stronger without feeling crunchy. I’d recommend this product for all hair types and think it works especially well for fine hair that needs a little more strength.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
I’m a huge fan of Olaplex products and credit them for keeping my hair healthy and damage free. Not only does Olaplex No. 7 offer heat protection up to 450 degrees, it actually repairs damage to hair and strengthens your strands to help you avoid damage in the future. I have “type 4” hair, with fine strands. My hair easily gets dry and spray heat protectants often make my hair feel like straw. I find this oil to be extremely moisturizing. When I use this for a blow out, I towel dry my hair and work the oil through, making sure to concentrate on the ends. This oil gives me soft, frizz free blow outs and truly silky silk presses. This product really works for all hair types, including kinky and coily textures.
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Prector Nourishing Hair Serum
This serum and Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil are a dream team. No. 9 acts as a leave-in conditioner, as well as a heat and pollutant protectant. This serum is very light weight and is good for when you’re blowing out and straightening your hair or just part of your daily routine. It leaves my hair soft and not at all sticky.
How often do you use heat on your hair and what products do you use? Share your tips in the comments!
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