Sian Victoria © - Curly silver blonde hair

Bond building, conditioning & heat defense products for damaged hair

Whether you're experiencing damaged hair due to bleaching or heat damage, brittle and easily breakable hair is something a lot of us experience. And, while it might feel like there’s no way to bring the life back into your hair when it’s reached this level of damage, there are plenty of ways for you to give your locks some TLC and try to restore it to its former glory.

As someone who’s experimented with hair colours and treatments over the years, I’m no stranger to noticing signs of hair damage. I’ve also had my fair share of disastrous bleach sessions at professional hair salons leaving me with awful hair in a poor condition and a burnt scalp, but those experiences are to share for another time - I've mentioned it a little in my before and after purple shampoo post.

Because of this, I’ve used many hair treatments on the market designed to repair damaged and dry hair and have experienced what products truly live up to their claims and will help you if you do find yourself in a hair dilemma.

Have a read to see what hair treatments I recommend for building stronger, healthier hair that’s a far cry from the damaged hair you might be dealing with now. From the best bond-building treatments to deep conditioning masks and heat protectants, there are so many products for you to try out and give your hair the VIP treatment it deserves.

Even if you’ve not experienced a regretful trip to the salon, or a terrible at-home dye job and simply want to improve the condition of your hair to make it the strongest and best condition it can be then you’ve come to the right place.

What are the benefits of hair bonding treatments and are they good for hair?

So, why are hair bonding treatments effective? These treatments can come in many forms - including masks and oils - and are specifically designed to target brittle, dry hair with breakage and split ends. They resolve these haircare problems by restoring the strength of the hair follicles and the chemical bonds within the hair, to improve hair density and shine.

These hair bonding treatments are the perfect way to bring back your hair's former beauty, to help it to be thicker, fuller, and healthier after you begin incorporating the treatment consistently into your haircare regimen.

How to protect hair from damage and best ways to improve the condition of hair?

With breakage and damaged hair being a concern for so many of us, you may be wondering what the best ways are to improve the condition of your hair. Rest assured; I have you covered!

Bond treatments – Hair bonding treatments, as discussed are the secret weapon against damaged hair, particularly because of colour damage. Before and after hair colouring, bond treatments can be used to ensure the hair is protected through the colouring process and are used to repair the chemical bonds that are damaged and broken when the hair is coloured.

General conditioner – Use general conditioner after shampooing every time you wash hair to ensure your hair has enough hydration and moisture. The conditioner will support the overall health of your hair, with hair-loving vitamins and proteins in the product smoothing the hair and locking in nourishment.

After each wash – Use a nutritional hair oil or serum after you’ve washed your hair to maximise your hair's health. Serums and oils are incredibly beneficial in the sense they hydrate and smooth the hair, while also adding a vital protective layer to the locks to seal in moisture and prevent potential damage from pollutants and heat damage when styling. I’ve gone into a lot more detail about the benefits of hair oils for hair growth and strength in another post.

Deep conditioning masks & leave-ins – At least once a week, deep conditioning hair masks and leave-in treatments should be used to restore and regularly maintain the condition of your hair. These treatments are deeply moisturising, locking in vital nourishment that your damaged hair desperately needs. They strengthen the integrity of the hair follicle to reduce breakage and improve the elasticity of the hair and the overall condition.

Heat defence spray – Before every hot hair styling use, make sure you use heat defence spray. These heat protectants provide an essential protective barrier between the styling tool and your hair, minimising damage caused by blow-drying hair tools and styling wands. In turn, moisture loss caused by direct heat is prevented and your hair's condition is protected.

Best bond-building treatment products for hair repair after dying

Now you know the benefits of bonding hair repair treatments and how to protect hair and improve its condition. Here are a few tried and tested products I recommend that I’ve used to treat my hair after having bleached highlights at the salon.

These products are what I have used two weeks before I have my hair coloured to ensure it's in a good condition before dying and for a couple of weeks after my new colour to repair the bond structure of my hair to prevent it from being dry and brittle after it has been chemically altered by bleach.

1. Goldwell Bond Pro Fortifying Conditioner

Sian Victoria © - Goldwell Bond Pro Fortifying Conditioner

The Goldwell Bond Pro Fortifying Conditioner is the perfect product to use to rectify your fragile, damaged hair. Formulated with an inter-amino-bold builder, essential amino acids in the conditioner penetrate the scalp and hair follicles to target each hair strand and strengthen the cortex.

The conditioner also boasts ground-breaking microPROtec technology, meaning these imperative, hair-loving ingredients are carefully and evenly distributed to nourish the hair and let the formula get to work.

The conditioner couldn’t be simpler to use. After shampooing, just work the product through your hair and let it soak in before rinsing – I like to leave it on for at least 10 minutes or more for it to deeply get to work on my strands. As it is not a cheap product to use, I like to get my worth and the best results from it by leaving it on as long as possible, so consider using this as a hair mask.

If you’re suffering from weak hair prone to breakage, why not try out this conditioner that’s sure to give your hair the optimal care and healthy shine and strength it deserves? Retailing for just over £50 for a 1000ml Goldwell Bond Pro conditioner or £15 for 200ml, this conditioner is on the steeper side, but its miraculous results are certainly worth it.

I’m saving my bleach hair disaster experience for another post, but without discovering this conditioner after a frantic search session to solve my hair dilemma the condition of my hair probably wouldn’t have been saved to what it is now. I bought the largest bottle because at the time it was all I could get my hands on and didn’t care what it cost I just needed to save my hair and thankfully it did the trick.

2. Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Split-End Remedy

Sian Victoria © - Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Split-End Remedy

The award-winning Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Split End Remedy is a brilliant hair treatment product that tackles damaged hair prone to breakage and split ends, working hard to strengthen and repair these haircare concerns upon consistent use.

Retailing at £26, this treatment is a trusted product in the haircare market. Sealing split ends and fragile hair, the formula fuses the broken hair bonds to create healthier locks, while also creating a protective barrier to shield heat, UV, and pollution damage to prevent further risk of damage to the hair.

Simply work the product through washed, towel-dried hair and focus on the areas where it is needed most such as your split ends and any dry, damaged, and brittle areas. Incorporate it into your consistent haircare routine or make sure to use it at least every three washes, so that it can consistently get to work on improving the bonds of your hair.

The gel-like consistency of the product smells nice and a little goes a long way.

3. Giovanni 2chic Repairing Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir

Sian Victoria © - Giovanni 2chic Repairing Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir

Noticed split ends and breakage in your hair, or perhaps frizz is getting out of control? Look no further than the Giovanni 2chic Repairing Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir. Retailing for an affordable £10, this treatment will improve the look and condition of your haircare concerns after just a few consistent uses.

The leave-in hair elixir has a formula rich in ripened blackberries and sweet coconut milk; a blend that ensures the utmost moisture and nourishment for the hair. Simply apply the treatment through damp towel-dried hair after washing, and let the unique formula get to work in enriching your locks with hydration, while also restoring elasticity and smoothing away split ends and frizz.

Plus, the vegan and cruelty-free haircare brand made this hair repair treatment with no parabens and safe for use on coloured hair, meaning your hair will be given the best treatment possible while being a kinder product to use.

Although making sure not to use too much as a little goes a long way, I made my hair greasy the first few times I used it. But that shouldn’t stop you from using this effective and affordable strengthening hair treatment, just use it a little bit at a time when working it through the length and near the roots of your hair.

4. Bleach London Alex Plex

Sian Victoria © - Bleach London Alex Plex

Looking for something affordable that is just as effective as haircare products towards the higher end of the market? The Bleach London Alex Plex is a two-part treatment relative to the popular Olaplex treatment but has a much lower price tag of £4.

Formulated with the ground-breaking bond-building treatment Alex-Plex, this product is specifically designed to care for hair that is likely to be damaged during the colouring process. If you’ve noticed split ends or brittle or breaking hair, use this two-step treatment to reform the weakened bonds in your locks to leave you with strengthened, healthier hair after colouring.

Depending on where you go, most salons don’t give you the option of mixing Olaplex or a similar alternative with bleach, or your general hair colour dye – instead, you can kindly ask them to mix this Bleach London additive with the colour to ensure the bonds in your hair are as protected as possible through the colouring process.

Or you can use it when dyeing your hair at home. The second treatment sachet should be used after colouring to make sure your coloured or bleached hair receives the best care possible. Two other products I highly recommend from Bleach London are the white hair toner and sea salt hair spray, both are great safer alternatives if you are looking to lighten hair without dying and curling your hair without heat.

5. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Bond Repair 3-Step Routine

Sian Victoria © - SmartBond Kit by L'Oréal Professionnel

Previously known as the SmartBond Kit by L'Oréal Professionnel, this 3-step haircare now known as the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Bond Repair 3-Step Routine kit should be your new secret weapon against damaged and breaking hair.

Containing a pre-shampoo treatment, a shampoo, and a conditioner, upgrade your haircare routine with this £19.49 brilliant bundle. Start your hair regimen with the pre-shampoo product – run it through the hair before rinsing to strengthen each strand with its brilliant bond-building formula.

Next, apply the shampoo, formulated with citric acid to stimulate the hair follicles to strengthen the strands and nourishing ingredients that cleanse the scalp and leave your locks with an envious shine and improvement to split ends.

Finish off your routine by leaving in the conditioner before rinsing after a minimum of three minutes, the hair will then be nourished, while also smoothing out fragile and brittle hair to give it some much-needed TLC.

I began using this trio back in 2017 when I received a L’Oreal colour bonding treatment at my local salon in Birmingham. Within a year of using it regularly at home and seeing great results in the condition of my hair, it was discontinued due to using a maleic acid-based formula that Olaplex had patented so they filed a lawsuit and won – therefore the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Bond Repair 3-Step Routine now exists promoting it as a citric-acid-infused formula instead.

6. Aveda Botanical Repair Intensive Strengthening Masque

Sian Victoria © - Aveda Damage Remedy split end repair

The Aveda Botanical Repair Intensive Strengthening Masque is a cruelty-free, vegan product that may be your answer to improving chemically processed, damaged, weak, and lifeless hair caused by dying, styling and environmental factors – thanks to the natural combinations of plant-based ingredients. There’s no denying the benefits of switching to vegan hair care, especially when it comes to Aveda’s products.

This hair mask is specifically designed to intensely repair and strengthen your locks after first use; formulated with hair-loving ingredients including silken cream, the treatment will leave your locks looking softer and healthier as the product strengthens the weakened hair bonds without weighing down your hair or stripping it of its essential nourishment.

Carefully formulated for safe use on even the finest of hair types, this hair mask is sure to reduce the appearance of split ends and breakage. Retailing for £35, this product is certainly on the higher end of the market – however, if your budget can accommodate this, your hair will thank you for the VIP treatment this mask will deliver.

7. PROVOKE's Blonde Rehab Bond Repair No.1 Hair Perfector Treatment

Sian Victoria © - PROVOKE's Blonde Rehab Bond Repair No.1 Hair Perfector Treatment

As featured in my how to carry out salon-like haircare treatments at home post, PROVOKE's Blonde Rehab Bond Repair No.1 Hair Perfector Treatment is an innovative, cruelty-free hair care solution designed specifically for blonde, bleached, or colour-treated hair. The collection is formulated to maintain and enhance blonde hair vibrancy while providing necessary repair and protection. Infused with a bond complex enriched with Keratin and hyaluronic acid, this treatment is specially targeted to the naturally thinner and more fragile structure of damaged blonde hair.

This advanced bond repair technology rebuilds damaged bonds from the inside out, resulting in strong, healthy-looking hair. Frequent bleaching or colouring can weaken hair bonds, leaving them more prone to breakage and damage. This treatment effectively rebuilds these bonds, providing noticeably stronger and healthier hair.

In addition to strengthening hair, PROVOKE's Blonde Rehab Bond Repair No.1 Hair Perfector Treatment provides intense hydration, which is often a struggle for blondes due to the lightening process. The nourishing ingredients in this treatment provide deep hydration, leaving hair soft, smooth, and more manageable.

Moreover, this treatment's unique formula is designed to enhance and maintain blonde hair vibrancy. It helps prevent colour fading, ensuring that blonde locks remain vibrant and true to shade. Plus, with UV filters included in this treatment, it shields hair from harmful UV rays, which can cause colour fading and damage over time.

In short, this cutting-edge hair perfector treatment is a must-have for anyone with blonde, bleached, or colour-treated hair looking for essential repair and protection. It is the perfect solution for maintaining blonde hair's structural integrity, colour vibrancy, and overall health.

8. Malibu Miracle Repair Hair Reconstructor

Sian Victoria © - Malibu Crystal Gel Treatment & Miracle Repair

The Malibu Miracle Repair Hair Reconstructor offers a transformative experience for those seeking to revive, fortify, and beautify their hair. Its unique formula is a harmonious blend of potent ingredients that work in unison, to repair weak and damaged bonds with essential protein.

What sets Miracle Repair apart from other hair care products is its ability to detangle and restore manageability. Your combing process becomes a breeze as this formula revitalises and leaves your hair silky-smooth. The nourishing cocoon it provides ensures that your hair is not only restored but also shielded from the rigours of daily styling and environmental stressors.

This hair reconstructor contains key ingredients such as Allantoin, which protects your scalp from irritation and inflammation, creating the perfect foundation for healthy hair growth. Flax Protein (Linseed Extract) penetrates deeply, offering immediate strength to the hair shaft, an essential component of effective hair repair. Provitamin B5 (Panthenol) replenishes vital moisture to dry, damaged hair, ensuring that your locks are not just repaired but thoroughly nourished. Quinoa Protein acts as a powerful humectant, providing substantial repair and hydration, and Rice Protein enhances manageability, smooths the cuticle, forms a protective barrier, and imparts gloss and texture.

The brand Malibu is committed to ethical beauty practices, making the hair treatment 100% vegan and cruelty-free, allowing you to indulge in a haircare ritual that aligns with your values. The formula is free from parabens and gluten, making it as clean as it is transformative.

Obtaining a 12ml sachet of the Miracle Repair and 5g of Crystal Gel Treatment in the UK was a bit of a challenge and set me back approximately £8.50. Whilst it may seem costly for a small amount, I am pleased to report that my hair now feels softer, smoother, and stronger than before. For this reason, I'm using it once a month and buying it in bulk from a non-UK supplier.

9. OLAPLEX Nº.0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment

Sian Victoria © - OLAPLEX Nº.0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment

Given the constant damage our hair sustains from factors like heat styling, colouring, and environmental stress, it's important to take extra steps to care for our delicate hair. For this, OLAPLEX Nº.0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment presents an all-in-one solution to hair woes, offering repair and restoration like no other thanks to their patented ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.

This key ingredient works on a molecule level by repairing disulphide bonds often compromised by chemical treatments which can fortify hair against breakage and dullness. It's an effective product that can reset and strengthen hair from the inside out.

But Nº.0 isn't just a standalone product - it also acts as a primer, boosting the effectiveness of OLAPLEX Nº.3 Hair Perfector when used together. The spray applicator makes it easy to apply to dry hair, meaning it can be integrated into any haircare routine.

With regular use, OLAPLEX Nº.0 can bring about a noticeable transformation in hair texture, shine, strength, and overall appearance. Plus, OLAPLEX is committed to clean beauty, ensuring its products are free from harmful ingredients and animal testing.

So, if you're in need of healthier, more resilient locks take your hair to the next level by incorporating OLAPLEX Nº.0 into your haircare routine.

Best deep-conditioning hair products for dry, damaged, split, and brittle hair

Bond building treatment is essential to use if your hair needs repair before and after colouring. But when you're not dying your hair, it's still prone to get dry, damaged, brittle, and split ends from using hot styling products like straighteners, curlers and hairdryers as well as be damaged from using hot water when washing and from environmental factors like cold and hot weather, and too much wind and rain taking its toll on your locks.

So, here are a few of my tried and tested deep conditioning hair products to use regularly to improve the condition of your hair to ensure it stays soft, healthy, and manageable. And if you’re seeker a gentler low-heat approach to drying and styling your hair you may want to check out my Dyson Supersonic hairdryer review.

10. Rossano Ferretti Rejuvenating Mask

Sian Victoria © - Rossano Ferretti haircare, Rejuvenating Mask

The Rossano Ferretti Rejuvenating Mask is a brilliant haircare product designed to restore the strength and vitality of fragile, brittle damaged hair.

Although this product retails for a relatively expensive £60 as the salon brand prides itself on its Italian designer haircare, its results are certainly reflective of its luxury price tag. Formulated with hair-loving, naturally sourced ingredients including nourishing shea butter, coconut oil and avocado, this hair mask makes sure moisture is locked in.

Working wonders to bring back the density and softness to hair that may be prolific in split ends, fly-aways and breakage, this mask will make these concerns a thing of the past. And it couldn’t be easier to use this restoring product – apply a small amount of the mask to the hair and massage through.

To make the most of the hefty price tag and nourishing ingredients I recommend leaving the mask on for at least an hour so that the hair and scalp can soak up the nutrients. Plus, it can be used if you’re seeking stimulating hair growth products too.

As expected with a premium Italian haircare brand made in the country itself, this cruelty-free hair mask smells gorgeous and is free from mineral oils, parabens, and GMOs.

11. Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme Hair Mask

Sian Victoria © - Phyto Phytokeratine repairing serum, Phytonovathrix fortifying energizing shampoo

The Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme Hair Mask has been specifically developed to target dry, brittle, and visibly damaged hair, the intense treatment promises to repair your hair and restore each strand and fibre to its former glory – I’ve been using Phyto Paris since 2016 and I can confirm their botanical formulas live up to their promises on my bleached blonde hair.

The botanical keratin within its formula exceptionally transforms the hair by penetrating each strand and reforming weakened bonds and replacing amino acids essential for strengthening and moisturising that may have been lost. As well as boasting this amazing repairing ingredient, the hair mask is also enriched with baobab oil and sapote butter to lock in as much nourishment as possible, leaving your hair looking sleek, hydrated, and healthy.

The visible results that this hair mask delivers can be enjoyed for £39. Simply apply after shampooing to the lengths of the hair, and rinse through after 10 minutes to give your damaged locks the love they deserve. I’ve used many Phyto products over the years, especially for colour-treated hair so if this sounds like the brand for you, you may also be interested in my review of Phyto haircare for coloured, dry, and damaged hair too.

12. TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Intense Nourishing Mask

Sian Victoria © - TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Intense Nourishing Mask

Get salon-worthy lustrous, voluminous locks at home with the TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Intense Nourishing Mask hair treatment.

Formulated with hair-loving ingredients, lactic acid will reconstruct weakened hair, while also protecting it from heat damage when styling as it forms a protective barrier across the hair shaft, with hydrolysed wheat protein hydrating each strand and adding essential protein to increase vitality.

The hair mask remains nourishing with conditioning ingredients locking in necessary moisture, making sure the product repairs damage, smooths split ends and frizz and leaves the hair looking as shiny and smooth as possible.

Retailing for £16.95, this nourishing hair mask can help to reconstruct your tresses to leave them looking better than ever. All you must do to see these results is run the mask through damp towel-dried hair and rinse out after a minimum of 5 minutes.

Besides the noticeable improvement to the condition of your hair, you are sure to love the scent of this range too. I was first introduced to TIGI haircare during a visit to Bad Apple hair salon and was quickly converted into a fan of the range, just on the scent alone.

13. Windle Ultra Nourishing Masque

Sian Victoria © - Windle Ultra Nourishing Masque

If you’re seeking a cruelty-free premium haircare brand made in Britain then the Windle Ultra Nourishing Masque is the perfect product to use when looking to say goodbye to brittle, damaged hair for good.

This £37.50 hair mask is sure to deliver noticeable hair-repairing results thanks to its nourishing formula. With amino acids and lipid technologies, the mask strengthens and restores the vitality to each hair strand after first use as they maintain the essential keratin levels.

As well as intensely strengthening and repairing broken bonds to bring life back into your hair, the white tea, antioxidant and essential oils make sure nourishment remains a top priority. Baobab, babassu and monoi oils lock in this essential hydration, with additional shea butter making sure to add shine and moisture while also sealing the hair to protect it from further breakage.

Enjoy all of these benefits by just evenly distributing the mask through clean damp hair, before rinsing out after 15 minutes – although I always like to leave vitamin-infused hair masks on for much longer to reap the greatest results.

14. Kevin Murphy Leave in repair

Sian Victoria © - Kevin Murphy Leave in repair

This cruelty-free Kevin Murphy Leave-in repair treatment is the perfect solution to improving the condition of breaking, brittle hair thanks to its expert nourishing, reconstructing formula.

This £36 hair treatment tackles even the most serious cases of damaged hair, with its sulphate and paraben-free formula perfect for usage on all hair types. The hydrolysed keratin and green pea protein are designed to intensely repair broken or weakened hair bonds, restoring, and strengthening damaged hair.

As well as reducing breakage and strengthening the hair strands, the mask makes sure to care for the hair with jojoba seed oil adding moisture and bamboo leaf extract adding a luscious shine and sleekness to bring life and bounce back into your hair.

To use simply apply the product to clean, damp hair before leaving it to dry and styling – allowing it to get to work on your strands while you get to work on your lifestyle.

15. Bleach London Reincarnation Mask

Sian Victoria © - Bleach London Reincarnation Mask

If you're someone who enjoys experimenting with different hair colours, Bleach London's Reincarnation Mask is a product you need to add to your beauty arsenal. As someone who bleaches their hair frequently, I can attest to the fact that this product is a true godsend.

One of the biggest issues with constantly dyeing your hair is that it can leave your locks feeling like straw. But with this mask, you can minimise dry, damaged hair. Its nourishing formula works wonders by infusing your hair with much-needed hydration, leaving it feeling soft and revitalised.

But that's not all. The Bleach London Reincarnation Mask is also excellent at repairing and restoring your hair's health. Unlike other hair masks that simply mask damage, this product actively works to mend it. Whether you've been bleaching, colouring, or heat styling your hair, this mask can help to improve any past hair sins.

And best of all? Applying this mask couldn't be easier. After shampooing, simply coat your hair from root to tip and let it soak in for a few minutes – or for an hour or two. As your hair drinks up the nourishing formula, you'll practically be able to feel it sighing in relief. Rinse it out, and you'll be left with locks that look and feel like life has been pumped back into each strand again.

Overall, if you want to keep your hair vibrant, healthy, and colour-ready, the Bleach London Reincarnation Mask is one to consider for improving the condition of your hair, especially after colouring.

16. TRESemmé Rich Moisture Intensive Hair Mask

Sian Victoria © - TRESemmé Rich Moisture Intensive Hair Mask

If you are looking for an efficient and affordable solution to bring back the natural shine of your dry and damaged hair, look no further than TRESemmé's Rich Moisture Intensive Hair Mask. This mask acts as a luxurious spa treatment for your hair and deeply nourishes your locks with moisture-rich ingredients such as argan oil and almond oil.

It efficiently permeates through the hair to replenish lost hydration and revitalise the strands, resulting in smooth and silky hair. The formula is also designed to repair and strengthen hair, preventing breakage and enhancing overall hair health.

The application is effortless and simple; apply it evenly to your hair, focus on the ends, and leave it in for a few minutes to experience improved hair condition. The tub says to leave it on for a few minutes, however occasionally if I have the time, I’ll leave it on for much longer.

After rinsing, you will notice rejuvenated, more manageable, and soft hair. Try it as often as you can to consistently indulge your hair with essential moisture and hair-loving oils.

17. Palmers Biotin Length Retention Leave-In Conditioner

Sian Victoria © - Palmers Biotin Length Retention Leave-In Conditioner

Palmer's Biotin Length Retention Leave-In Conditioner revolutionises the quest for longer, stronger hair. Powered by biotin, this leave-in conditioner works tirelessly to provide your hair with essential nourishment, leading to healthy growth, moisture retention, and damage prevention throughout the day. Enriched with biotin it provides locks with an essential boost as it strengthens your hair, minimising breakage and encouraging growth.

There is also no need to rinse as this convenient leave-in conditioner continuously hydrates and maintains manageability, locking in moisture to reduce dryness, split ends, and breakage. With UV and pollution protection, your hair is safeguarded while the hair cuticle is smoothed for tangle-free brushing.

As a bonus, revel in the sensory pleasure of its delightful scent and lightweight texture, the scent I’m sure you’ll be familiar with if you use Palmers often, especially the Palmers Cocoa butter skincare collection.

So, if you seek healthier, and more resilient hair try this affordable and generous 250ml bottle of Palmer's Biotin Length Retention Leave-In Conditioner. Don't go crazy with it though, like I did. On my first application my hair was stiff and became greasy quickly, so use a small amount and work it through evenly.

Best heat protectant sprays for preventing hair styling damage

Using deep conditioning hair masks at least once a week will ensure your hair stays in good condition by providing it with the nutrition it needs from root to tip. However, when it comes to using hot hair styling products its essential to use heat protectant sprays before using a hair dryer, curling tong or hair straightener to protect your hair from damage daily and ensuring it doesn’t get burnt, helping you to prevent breaking your hair near the root and having split and brittle ends.

Here are the handpicked tried and tested heat protectant sprays I recommend using to prevent heat damage that I’ve used over the years and found most effective.

18. VO5 Enhance Heat Protect Spray with Heat Activated Complex

Sian Victoria © - VO5 Damage Protect Primer Spray

Protect your hair from heat damage with the VO5 Enhance Heat Protect Spray with Heat Activated Complex. This super affordable, yet effective heat protectant spray is a budget-friendly hair saviour and is an easily accessible product to get your hands on – with it being a mainstream item, unlike a few products I have suggested in this list.

Spray this product onto hair just before styling to apply a strong, protective barrier that promises to shield your hair from temperatures up to 230 °c thanks to its heat-activated complex. Ensuring you’ve sprayed a good coverage root to tip so that – in my case, it is protecting while I blow dry at the roots and when curling through the length of my hair.

When using a heat defence spray split ends and breakage caused by heat damage are a lot less likely. And this non-greasy feeling spray ensures hair remains to look clean and weightless. For a budget-friendly £5.60, it is certainly a beauty product I recommend incorporating into your haircare routine to act as a weapon against heat damage.

19. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Spray

Sian Victoria © - L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Spray

Just like the VO5 product, the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Spray promises intense protection from temperatures up to 230°c with this effortless, weightless heat protectant.

Retailing for an affordable £5.99, this product forms an essential protective barrier against heat damage from styling tools, while also being equipped with moisturising agents to ensure frizz, split ends and fly-aways are tamed and soothed.

Enriched with castor oil, the hair shaft is intensely moisturised and nourished, leaving your locks feeling smoother and more manageable and best of all protected to prevent the likelihood of further damage.

Not only can you enjoy styled hair without worrying about your hair being damaged from the heat, but you can also enjoy strengthened, shiny, sleek hair. I’ve been using heat protectant sprays by L’Oréal on and off for years as you’ll discover in my L’Oréal Studio Pro heat spray review from 2016, it’s an easily accessible brand and a purse-friendly product I always come back to.

20. Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique

Sian Victoria © - Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique

If you are not on a budget, you might want to consider the Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique range by this luxurious salon-worthy brand.

This leave-in treatment boasts an Iris Royal Complex, an extract rich in antioxidants and nourishing agents perfect for intensely hydrating the hair while also forming a protective barrier to prevent free radicals from damaging the hair further. As well as making sure to prevent the hair from heat damage, the moisturising properties of this expert formula also leave the hair looking as glossy, sleek, and shiny as possible.

Run the product through damp hair and style as you wish to enjoy these beneficial hair ingredients. If you want to repair damaged hair fibres and get rid of visible breakage in your hair while continuing to make sure heat damage won’t be a problem, this product should be your go-to. I was first introduced to Kérastase haircare when Blow Ltd created 5 festival hairstyles for long hair on me many years ago and have been a fan ever since.

21. Jerome Russell Heat Protection Spray

Sian Victoria © - Jerome Russell Heat Protection Spray

The Jerome Russell Heat Protection Spray is a reliable option to protect hair from the damaging effects of heat styling tools. Suitable for various hair types, including straight and wavy hair, this product effectively shields the hair from heat damage up to 230°C, reduces frizz with its anti-humidity formula, and helps maintain a healthier appearance.

Its lightweight formula ensures easy application without weighing down the hair, and the pleasant scent adds a touch of freshness to the styling routine. Thankfully, the ingredients list is vegan-friendly while also containing turmeric and pomegranate for added strength and shine.

Overall, this heat protection spray is a worthy investment for those seeking an affordable and effective way to safeguard their hair during heat styling while helping to strengthen the hair with its bond-building formulation.

22. Dr. PAWPAW It Does It All 7 in 1 Hair Treatment Styler

Sian Victoria © - Dr. PAWPAW It Does It All 7 in 1 Hair Treatment Styler

When it comes to haircare, countless products claim to offer multiple benefits, but few compare to the transformative power of Dr. PAWPAW It Does It All 7 in 1 Hair Treatment Styler. This game-changing product is a must-have for anyone looking to streamline their haircare routine and achieve noticeable results. With a wide range of benefits, this multitasking styler is worth your attention.

The key benefit of this treatment styler is its ability to nourish and hydrate your hair, leaving it softer, smoother, and more manageable. Additionally, it eliminates frizz for a polished and sleek look while enhancing shine that is sure to turn heads. This product also offers essential heat protection, guarding your locks against the damaging effects of daily hot tool styling.

Moreover, one of the product's best features is its easy detangling properties, making combing or brushing through your hair a breeze. This reduces breakage and promotes healthier, stronger strands.

Split ends can be a common enemy for those who love beautiful, healthy hair, but luckily, this product is designed to reduce and prevent them. It fortifies and strengthens your hair, making it more resilient and less prone to breakage, regardless of your hair type or level of damage.

In addition to its many hair-nourishing properties, Dr. PAWPAW It Does It All 7 in 1 Hair Treatment Styler also provides styling control, whether you're going for a sleek and straight look or a more textured style. With this multitasking product in your haircare arsenal, achieving your desired look has never been easier.

To conclude

There we go! A complete run-down of some of the best hair care products that you should consider incorporating into your haircare regimen to combat the struggles of damaged, brittle hair. From luxurious hair masks and treatments to affordable heat protectant sprays, there are so many incredibly effective products to choose from especially if you’re experiencing a hair dye nightmare as I have.

If you find that despite consistent use of bonding treatments and deep conditioners, your hair still lacks moisture, appears fragile, and breaks easily, it's possible that the issue doesn't lie with the product's effectiveness. Rather, the culprit could be the quality of your shower water, particularly if you live in an area with hard water that's rich in metals, which is known to cause hair damage. On the other hand, soft water doesn't have this impact. To learn how to prevent hard water from damaging your hair, I’ve created a guide on minimising its effects.

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