Whether you blow dry, curl, or wave your strands, it’s nearly impossible to avoid the heat required to set the style and get that salon-worthy ‘do when using these styling tools. One way to alleviate the effects of high heat when styling, especially with the regular use of a hair dryer, is to shield it with a heat protectant spray. 

“Heat protectants are used to literally protect the hair from damage caused by any version of heat styling — this can range from blow-outs to silk pressing to the use of curling irons and flat irons,” Christin Brown, a celebrity hairstylist and curl specialist, tells PEOPLE. “Using a heat protectant can truly give your hair a fighting chance when it comes to styling the hair with high-heat tools.”

After researching and testing dozens of formulas, we were able to tackle the vast world of heat protectants. Whether you need a versatile spray or a frizz-taming cream, here are our top picks for the best heat protectant sprays.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON PEOPLE.COM