With the arrival of fall, many of us find ourselves reaching for hot tools more often. After months of air-dried beachy waves and low-maintenance summer styles, the cooler season inspires blowouts, polished curls, and sleek straight looks. Unfortunately, all that extra heat styling can take a toll on your strands—causing dryness, breakage, and a loss of shine if you don’t protect them properly. That’s why a good heat protectant is one of the most essential products in your fall hair care routine.
Think of a heat protectant as your hair’s seasonal armor. Just like you wouldn’t leave the house without a jacket on a crisp September morning, your hair shouldn’t face hot tools without a shield. The right protectant not only prevents heat damage but also helps lock in moisture, smooth frizz, and extend the life of your style. KEVIN.MURPHY and Kérastase both offer professional-grade solutions that do more than defend against heat—they nourish, smooth, and lock in shine. Discover the perfect heat protectant for your hair, here are our recommendations.
KEVIN.MURPHY- HEATED.DEFENSE
This leave-in foam is a go-to for anyone who wants powerful heat protection without weighing hair down. Offering up to 450°F protection, HEATED.DEFENSE is lightweight, easy to apply, and perfect for all hair types. This is especially great for fine to medium hair textures that can be easily overloaded by heavier products. In addition to defending your strands from heat damage, it also provides essential conditioning and smoothness, making it a great prep product before any blow-dry or flat-iron styling.
Pro Tip: Dispense one to two pumps into your hands, emulsify, and distribute evenly through damp hair. Follow with your favorite styling routine for a soft, shiny, frizz-free finish.
KEVIN.MURPHY- EVER.SMOOTH
Fall often brings unpredictable weather like misty mornings, blustery afternoons, and dry indoor heat. That’s where EVER.SMOOTH comes in. Activated by the heat of your blow-dryer, this spray uses a blend of heat-activated polymers and natural extracts like wood bark complex to create a silky, long-lasting finish that resists frizz and humidity. If you’re after a sleek blowout or a smooth, polished look that will hold its shape all day, EVER.SMOOTH is the product you’ll want in your lineup.
Pro Tip: Mist onto towel-dried hair section by section then blow-dry with a round brush to activate its smoothing powers and lock in your style.
Kérastase- L’Incroyable Blowdry Lotion
This product is a cult favorite for good reason. Not only does it provide heat protection up to 450°F, but it also features shapable memory technology, meaning you can restyle your hair for days without reapplying product. Perfect for busy fall weeks when you don’t have time to wash and style daily, L’Incroyable keeps your blowout or curls looking fresh. Plus, it tames frizz, making it a must-have for weather changes.
Pro Tip: Apply to damp hair before blow-drying and re-activate with heat whenever you need to refresh your style.
Kérastase- Résistance Ciment Thermique
If your hair is damaged from summer sun, chlorine, or frequent color processing, Ciment Thermique is a restorative option that also doubles as a protective primer. Infused with ceramides and Vita-Ciment® technology, it strengthens weak, brittle strands while safeguarding them from heat damage. This dual-action product not only prevents further breakage but also actively repairs, making it perfect for anyone starting the fall season with stressed-out hair.
Pro Tip: Use a small amount on towel-dried hair, focusing on mid-lengths and ends where breakage is most common, then style as usual.
Kérastase- Nectar Thermique
For hair that runs on the drier side, especially during cooler fall months, Nectar Thermique delivers intense nourishment while still offering superior heat protection. Infused with plant-based proteins and niacinamide, this rich, creamy formula delivers heat protection up to 450°F while deeply conditioning the hair. It smooths tangles for effortless combing, helps reduce frizz, and reinforces strength. With every use, hair feels more supple, soft to the touch, and brilliantly shiny.
Pro Tip: Smooth evenly onto damp hair before blow-drying or using a curling iron. It’s especially effective on medium to thick textures that crave extra hydration.
Kérastase- Blond Absolu Cicaplasme
If you’re rocking lighter shades this fall—platinum, ash, or highlighted—this product is a must-have. Cicaplasme is an opalescent lavender, milk-like serum enriched with antioxidants to instantly repair and unify damaged areas of the hair. It delivers lightweight smoothness and softness for flawless blonde results, while providing 450°F heat protection and immediate anti-frizz benefits.
Pro Tip: Apply to towel-dried hair before heat styling or use sparingly on dry hair as a finishing serum to tame frizz and boost shine.
Fall Hair, No Damage
No matter your hair type or style preference, heat protectants are essential for keeping your locks healthy and radiant as you transition into fall. From KEVIN.MURPHY’s innovative, heat-activated sprays to Kérastase’s luxe, reparative creams and serums, these products don’t just protect—they also enhance your styling routine, giving you the confidence to play with new looks all season long.
As the leaves change and the weather cools, give your strands the same care and attention you give your favorite fall outfits. With the right protection in place, you can curl, straighten, and blow-dry to your heart’s content—without sacrificing the health of your hair.
Protect first, style second, and let your hair shine all season long.