12 Best Heat Protectants to Save Your Hair From Damage

Here's a cold, hard fact about hair styling: Basically everything we do to style our hair causes damage, especially working with heat. That's why so many stylists encourage their clients to find the best heat protectant for hair—it's helpful to have a product that keeps your tresses healthy and shiny between cuts and professional treatments.

Ree Drummond knows firsthand how harsh high heat can be on hair. She blow dries her hair almost every morning at home (these days she's using the Dyson Blow Dryer), and she does her own hair when she shoots episodes of her show, The Pioneer Woman. Between the styling and the coloring she does to keep her signature red locks looking shiny and bright, some split ends and a little damage are inevitable.

The good news is that you can work to prevent heat damage with one simple step: Just add a heat protectant to your hair-styling routine for an extra layer of defense against breakage. These products work by creating a physical barrier between your locks and hair tools, some of which can get as hot as 450 degrees Fahrenheit! While heat is the culprit most of the time, it's also important to note that damage can start even earlier, in the shower: Hard water can be rough on your tresses too (luckily there are shampoos to help you fight the damage).

Whether you use a flat iron, blow dryer, or curling wand, you'll find that one of these products (all under $30!) will offer the right defense for your 'do.