Hot take: I used to think all thermal protectants were basically the same

For years, I just grabbed whatever spray was on sale. Then last month, a client brought in her own, a pricier one she swore by. I used my usual brand on one section of her hair and hers on the other before a 450-degree flat iron session. The difference was wild. My side felt drier, looked a bit frizzier after. Her side was smoother, shinier, and felt way more hydrated. I checked the ingredients later. Mine was mostly silicones and alcohol. Hers had way more actual moisturizing agents and proteins listed higher up. It wasn't just marketing. I'm rethinking my whole kit now. What's the one product you switched that made you realize not all formulas are created equal?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_anna28d ago

Wait wait wait... "hydrolyzed wheat protein as the third ingredient"? That's wild to me. I always just grab whatever leave-in conditioner has the prettiest bottle or smells the nicest. Never once thought to check where the protein was on the list. Now I'm sitting here looking at my current bottle and the good stuff is way down near the bottom... It's basically water and fragrance with a splash of protein thrown in at the end. I gotta go dig through my cabinet now and see what else I've been fooling myself with. You just ruined my whole laundry list of go-to products for me in one sentence.

noahs822mo ago

Same thing happened with my leave-in conditioner. The cheap one just sat on top of my hair, made it feel coated. Switched to one with hydrolyzed wheat protein as the third ingredient. My curls actually absorbed it, way more definition and less breakage. Totally changed how I buy hair stuff now.

jordan6532mo ago

Man that's so true, @noahs82. I had the same thing happen with a cheap sunscreen last summer. Felt like I was rubbing white glue on my skin, just sat there all greasy. Switched to a different kind my buddy suggested and it actually soaked in, no weird film. Makes you check the bottle for the good stuff now.