It’s a fine line for us curlies to walk: We need all the hydration help we can get, but without causing our spirals to become heavy and fall flat. Yet, this Mizani spray protectant shows that small and simple can most certainly be mighty. With a lightweight mix of conditioning ingredients, such as tea tree oil and propylene glycol, we got better-defined bouncier coils, ringlets, and waves. Though these are all applaudable factors, we were most concerned with how well it would save hair from the harmful effects of our hot tools, especially on natural hair, but we were so pleased with the results.

da Gama RM, França-Stefoni SA, Sá-Dias TC, Bedin V, Baby AR, Velasco MVR. Protective effect of conditioner agents on hair treated with oxidative hair dye. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(6):1090-1095. doi:10.1111/jocd.12484What We Love: Our strands soaked up the nutrient-rich formula of proteins and ceramides to become shinier and stronger.

When using hot tools to style your hair, it is critical to have the best heat protectant spray on hand, no matter your hair type. “I’d highly recommend a heat protectant to anyone who uses a blow dryer or hot tools directly on their hair, to eliminate as much heat damage as possible,” explains celebrity hairstylist Alexander Armand, who sees clients from Marsai Martin to Serena Williams. Our experts agree you should seek out oils, such as coconut and sweet almond, in a truly fantastic heat protectant as they coat the strands and “create a protective barrier when activated with heat,” says Johnson, who adds that since these oils are also super lightweight they won’t lead to wilted styles. Yes, just take it from the pros: “Hair should never be exposed to heat without this barrier,” says Johnson. She adds that heat protectants function like a barrier between your hair and the high temperatures from hot tools. To form this barrier, formulas usually feature ingredients like coconut oil, amino acids, and proteins that shield the hair cuticle from damage. Additionally, many formulas include hydrating emollients like squalane and glycerin to combat any dryness caused by heat. Heat protectants are the SPF of haircare: Professionals tell us that you absolutely need to use one every day, or, in this case, every time you use a hot tool, to avoid causing irreparable damage. As celebrity stylist and curly hair aficionado, Nai’vasha Johnson says, “a heat protectant serves as our hair’s health insurance insurance.”

Sharifi N, Hamedeyazdan S, Shokri J, Monajjemzadeh F. Argan oil as a pretreatment of human hair before exposure to oxidative damage: Attenuated total reflectance and protein loss studies. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(10):5010-5017. doi:10.1111/jocd.14885. While not as rich or hydrating as a cream by nature of the spray formula, we did find that it provided a bit of moisture. Dry ends felt smoother and more hydrated after using this spray, but not in a way that altered the texture or finish of the hair—we appreciate that it doesn’t wilt or flatten coils. And lastly, we really like that it has a light, fruity-floral scent that’s pleasant but not overpowering. The same can be said for creams—separate your hair into even sections and apply it liberally. Be sure you wait for it to fully absorb into your strands before going over it with your hot tool. You can usually tell by touching your hand to your hair and noticing if there’s a significant amount of residue. Along with honey, glycol helps the hair cuticle retain moisture, in turn giving our strands extra radiance that make us just want to touch and tousle it. Meanwhile, propolis, a material that bees use to build hives, is another key ingredient that has anti-inflammatory and hair-strengthening benefits. As a bonus, we felt better leaving the house without a hat since the formula has a UV filter for an extra layer of safety against the sun.