5 Best Heat Protectants For A Silk Press – Tested And Reviewed

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When it comes to using heat on our natural hair, a lot of us are terrified, and we get it! The mere thought of getting heat damage on your flawless curls which probably took years to grow, is enough to send shivers down your spine. 

But what if there was a way to enjoy a sleek, shiny silk press without sacrificing your hair’s health? Now, that’s where heat protectants come in. Heat protectants are the avengers of the natural hair community – they create a barrier between your hair and heat styling tools, thereby preventing damage and promoting healthy hair.

In this article, we’ll count down the 5 best heat protectants for a silk press, ranked from “absolutely amazing” to “pretty darn good”. From sprays to serums, we’ve tested and reviewed the best products on the market to help you achieve a salon-quality silk press at home. We’re not just listing products; we’re giving you the real scoop, with honest reviews and professional insights. Whether you’re a heat-styling newbie or a seasoned pro looking to level up your hair protection game, this guide will be your new best friend. 

Ready to find your new go-to heat protectant? Let’s dive in!

Our Top Picks

1. Overall Best: CHI 44 Thermal Protection spray – $15.29 on Amazon
2. Best Spray: TIGI Bed Head Heat Protection Spray – $13.24 on Amazon
3. Best Serum: Creme Of Nature Argan Oil Heat Defense Serum – $9.49 on Amazon
4. Best Foam: Kevin Murphy Heated.Defense Heat Protection Spray – $30 on Amazon
5. Best Budget-Friendly: Hairitage Heat Protection Spray – $8.94 on Amazon

5 Best Heat Protectants For A Silk Press On All Curly Hair Types

1. Overall Best – CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray

The CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray is our overall best in the list of heat protectants for a silk press because of its incredible thermal protection formula. Being Amazon’s Top choice and most bought, the product is formulated to strengthen the hair and enhance its resilience by providing layered protection to each individual strand. 

What we love most about this product is its unique ceramic compound technology. When applied, it releases anions on the hair cuticles, which help to interlink proteins directly into the hair strands. This process not only protects your hair but also adds incredible luster and strength. 

It is suitable for use on all hair types and provides heat protection of up to 450°F.

Amazon User Review:

• I’ve been using this spray for my silk presses, and I’m obsessed! I’ve tried other heat protectants before, but this one is hands-down the best. It’s lightweight, non-greasy and it doesn’t weigh my hair down. Plus, it smells amazing!

Additional Information:

• Scent: Aromatic
• Volume: 8 Fl Oz
• Material Type: Sulfate-free,paraben-free, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free, recyclable.
• How to Use: Section your hair and spray evenly over dry hair. Start using your heat tool from roots to ends. Can also use on wet hair before drying.
• Best For: All hair types

2. Best Spray – TIGI Bed Head Heat Protection Spray

The TIGI Bed Head Heat Protection Spray takes second place among the best heat protectants for a silk press. It’s a high-performance, professional-grade spray formulated with a special thermal protection solution, mostly beneficial for people who use heat on a regular.

The product promises to shield your locks from the damaging effects of high temperatures while keeping your hair as fabulous and healthy as ever. It’s designed with advanced heat protection technology which creates an invisible protective barrier that helps distribute heat evenly across all hair strands. The barrier minimizes direct heat contact, reducing the risk of heat damage, moisture loss, breakage, and split ends.

The Bed Head Heat Protection Spray shields your hair from heat styling tools of up to 440°F, while also repelling humidity, smoothing frizz, and softening your curls.

Amazon User Review:

• I’m blown away by the results of this product! As someone who lives in Florida and constantly deals with frizz and humidity, I was a bit skeptical at first, but this spray has exceeded my expectations. I’ve used it three times already and my hair has looked amazing every time. The spray is lightweight, non-greasy, and smells incredible. Plus, it doesn’t leave any residue or film behind, which is a major win.

Additional Information:

• Key Ingredients: Glycerin, sunflower seed oil, grapefruit extract.
• Scent: Joyful, Juicy
• Volume: 3.38 Fl Oz 
• How to Use: Before using heat styling tools, spray all over damp hair, focusing on ends. 
• Best For: All hair types

3. Best Serum – Creme Of Nature Argan Oil Heat Defense Serum

When looking for the best heat protectants for a silk press, how often do you look towards serums? 

If you’re someone who usually inches toward sprays, spare me a minute before you scroll away. Let’s talk about this product!

The Creme Of Nature Argan Oil Heat Defense Serum is a powerful and affordable solution for those seeking maximum protection and shine. Infused with authentic Moroccan argan oil, this heat-defense serum offers multiple benefits for not just protection, but overall hair styling and care.

With a heat protection range of up to 425°F and a lightweight, non-greasy formula, the serum leverages the natural protective power of argan oil to create a protective barrier against heat-styling tools and UV rays from the sun. 

In addition to its protective properties, the creme of nature heat protectant serum also softens your hair and adds shine to it, while also smoothing out frizz and sealing in your protective styles in the process. Talk about an ‘everything’ serum!

Amazon User Review:

• This is one of my favorite heat protectants of all time. It does a good job of protecting my hair and adding shine to my silk press. This is my hair after it reverted to curly, you can see I haven’t gotten any heat damage, so go ahead and get this, y’all! (Source – video review).

Additional Information:

• Key Ingredient: Argan Oil
• Scent: Argan oil
• Volume: 2.37 Fl Oz
• Material Type: Sulfate-free
• How to Use: Apply to damp or dry hair before heat styling
• Best For: All curly hair types

4. Best Foam – Kevin Murphy Heated.Defense Heat Protection Spray

The Kevin Murphy HEATED.DEFENSE is a revolutionary heat protectant foam, designed to shield your hair from the mildest to most aggressive forms of damage. This weightless, invisible treatment stands out as a top recommendation to anyone looking for a really good heat protectant for a silk press. 

Apart from the fact that it shields your hair from temperatures up to 450°F, what sets the HEATED.DEFENSE foam apart is the brand’s skincare-inspired approach to hair protection. The product’s formula goes beyond basic heat shielding and includes other helpful ingredients like jojoba seed oil which provides much-needed moisture and protection to your strands, as well as hydrolyzed quinoa which strengthens and repairs your hair from the inside out.

The product works to protect your hair during the heated parts of your silk press routine while ensuring that you maintain a natural, effortless look all the way.

Amazon User Review:

• This product was recommended by my hairdresser and all I know is since using it, I don’t have any more split ends. My hair does not feel weighed down or sticky/greasy. Some people do not like the smell but I love it. 

Additional Information:

• Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, hydrolyzed quinoa extract.
• Scent: Unscented
• Volume: 5.1 Fl Oz
• Material Type: Alcohol-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free.
• How to Use: Rub into damp hair before styling.
• Best For: All hair types

5. Best Budget-Friendly – Hairitage ‘Play It Cool’ Heat Protection Spray

As one of the most popular heat protectants in the curly hair community, the Hairitage ‘Play It Cool’ Heat Protection Spray is a versatile, weightless solution designed to shield your hair from heat damage while also maintaining its natural strength and vitality.

The spray has a unique formula that focuses on multi-dimensional heat protection – it has a lightweight hydration mechanism that instantly moisturizes, strengthens, and conditions your hair while preventing any form of moisture loss during heat styling. 

It shields your hair from high temperatures up to 450°F and is suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair.

Amazon User Review:

• I love the smell and softness of this product. It works well with high heat and doesn’t leave my hair feeling greasy, smelly, or weighed down. It also keeps my hair from tangling after heat styling. Love it and will definitely buy it again.

Additional Information:

• Key Ingredient: African tulip flower extract
• Scent: Mild
• Volume: 6 Fl Oz
• Material Type: Sulfate-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, silicone-free, gluten-free, mineral oil-free, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, color-safe.
• How to Use: Spray on hair before blow-drying, flat ironing, or curling.
• Best For: All hair types

How Did We Make Our Top Picks?

Our testing method was inspired by a viral hair care moment that stirred up a lot of conversation within the silk press community. We stumbled upon a genius hair stylist on YouTube who demonstrated heat protectant effectiveness by testing different products on a simple receipt sample.

The experiment was simple: Apply heat to a piece of special receipt paper with various heat protectants to see which ones actually shield the paper from the heat.

When the flat iron was passed on the paper without a heat protectant, the receipt turned a deep brown color. However, when a good-quality heat protectant was applied before passing with the styling tool, the paper either remained clear or turned a light brown color. 

This unconventional testing method became the main source of inspiration for this article. While we couldn’t replicate the exact YouTube experiment, we took it upon ourselves to conduct further research on each product featured in the videos, making sure to list only the best heat protectants suitable for a silk press. We evaluated each product not just on marketing claims, but on real-world performance, protection capabilities, and of course, first-hand user reviews.

Here Are The Videos For Interested Readers:

⚠️ Disclaimer For The Products That Failed The Receipt Test 

This is a friendly reminder that what you see on YouTube isn’t the whole story! There are hundreds of videos on the internet, where people ‘test’ heat protectants to determine their effectiveness. The creators test the products on all kinds of things from receipt paper to Q-tips, and even bread. 

What everyone seems to forget is that heat protectants were not created to act as a universal shield for heat on all sorts of materials. Hair care companies formulate their products with actual human hair in mind and therefore test their effectiveness on hair and hair alone. This is because the chemical structure of hair is complex and much different from that of  Q-tips or paper.

That said, please keep in mind that the results of the above test are meant to demonstrate exceptional effectiveness, not to discredit the products or brands that didn’t “pass”. Remember that every product has its strengths and weaknesses and that these videos are not the ultimate test of a product’s effectiveness. If you already own a heat protectant that ‘didn’t make the cut’, do not feel obligated to discard it. Simply continue to use as directed and explore other options if you wish.

• This section of the article was inspired by Beauty Influencer and YouTuber, Abbey Yung.

Other Heat Protectants That Passed The Receipt Test

FAQs On Best Heat Protectants For A Silk Press

1. What’s the best way to use heat protectants for a silk press?

To get the most out of your heat protectant, apply it evenly to your hair before going in with a heat-styling tool. Use a small amount on your blow-dried or previously stretched hair, focusing on the ends and mid-lengths. Style as usual, and don’t forget to reapply the heat protectant as needed.

2. What should I look for in a good heat protectant?

When choosing a heat protectant, look for a product that contains ingredients like silicones, antioxidants, and plant extracts. These help protect your hair from heat damage, dryness, and breakage. Next, look for a heat protectant with a high heat protection temperature (usually up to 450°F).  And finally, look for products with additional benefits like moisture, shine, frizz control, and a lightweight, non-greasy formula.

3. How does a heat protectant work?

Heat protectants work by creating a barrier between your hair and heat styling tools. This barrier helps prevent heat damage, dryness, and breakage by reducing the temperature of the heat tool as it comes into contact with your hair. Heat protectants can also help smooth the hair cuticle, reducing frizz from potential moisture loss, and adding shine to your strands.

4. What can I use in place of a heat protectant?

If you’re in a situation where you can’t get your hands on a proper heat protectant, here are a few alternatives you could try:

• A leave-in conditioner or hair serum with heat-protective properties
• A hair oil with a high smoke point (like argan or coconut oil)
• A styling cream or pomade with heat-protective ingredients
• A DIY heat protectant mix

⚠️ Caution: These alternatives are NOT as effective as professional heat protectants!

Conclusion

Choosing the best heat protectant for a silk press is about more than just looking good – it’s about maintaining the health and integrity of your beautiful locks! 

Remember, the right heat protectant isn’t just a regular product, it’s a superhero that shields your hair from potential heat damage. Whether you’re getting ready for silk press season or just simply touching up an old do, these products will provide you with the protection and peace of mind you deserve. Each product we’ve reviewed offers something unique, so take the time to find the one that works best for your specific hair type and styling needs.

Pro tip: Combine a great heat protectant with a proper silk press routine, and you’ll be unstoppable!

Ready to transform your silk press game? Head over to Amazon.com and grab one of these amazing heat protectants today.