The Best Flat Iron Spray for Smooth, Shiny Hair
Fact: Applying heat to hair is the quickest way to temporarily rebound it into a new shape. This makes it ideal for styling and setting your tresses. Unfortunately, the biggest caveat (and open secret of the trade) is that repeated heat exposure—whether to UV light or via heat and mechanical styling—can also damage hair, causing dryness, dullness, porosity and split ends.
1. Thermal Protectant
Heat protect sprays are pre-styling agents that coat the hair in a lightweight film of protection. It also provide conditioning, shielding it from heat. Their tier-two benefit is that they also pave the way for a great style by offering some level of control and slip. They’re usually formulated to work as a prepping agent for all sorts of mechanical tools—catch-alls, if you will, before styling with blowdryers, flat irons, curling irons and even hot rollers. Typically applied on freshly washed hair before styling, they form a protective barrier on damp hair, as locks are at their most vulnerable when wet. Current obsession: TRESemmé Repair and Protect 7 Pre-Styling Spray, which does it all, including frizz control for up to 24 hours. More thermal protectants we love include TRESemmé Get Sleek Heat Protection Spray (resists heat up to 450 degrees!), Nexxus New York Salon Care Promend Heat Protecting Mist (protects against breakage) and TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray (a classic that conditions while actually enhancing your texture).
2. Flat Iron Spray
Flat iron sprays are similar to heat protectants. However, they may include more heat-activated shine boosters and shine-enhancing ingredients. The best flat iron spray formulas are also infused with nourishing ingredients. As the hair strand has actual touch exposure to a heated clamp with a flat iron. Most of the time, it’s even sandwiched between two tongs, increasing the risk of direct damage. When shopping, look for keratin-infused products that can also withstand super high temperatures, and add a smooth finish to hair like TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Smoothing Spray.