We should all hopefully know by now that facial SPFs are an everyday must-have for guarding against sun damage and external aggressors. But did you know that a heat protection spray is just as essential, especially if you’re regularly styling your hair with heat. Don’t believe us? See how long you can hold a hair dryer to your hand (from a reasonable distance) and feel how hot it gets. Then spray some heat protectant on your palm first and repeat – you’ll literally be able to feel the difference it makes.
And while there are thousands of heat protection products to choose from, one stands out from the crowd, according to Lifestyle Writer, Madeleine Evans.
She recently tried K18’s latest launch, HeatBounce, a 2-in-1 conditioning heat protectant, as part of our GHI Believe in Beauty Awards and it’s become a non-negotiable. There's a reason it was crowned the best heat protector by our panel of experts, editors and GH members...
Here’s everything you need to know about this haircare essential and why it wowed our experts.
K18 HeatBounce at a glance
K18 Heatbounce Conditioning Heat Protectant
K18 Heatbounce Conditioning Heat Protectant
Pros:
- Protects from heat up to 232°c
- Acts as a leave-in conditioner as well as a heat protector
- Softens and detangles hair
Cons:
- Higher price point
- The spray is quite wide-ranging, so can be a little haphazard
How does it work?
You may be wondering what sets this spray apart from your average heat protectant. Well, whereas most heat protections sprays only guard the outer cortex of the hair strand, this one goes deeper. It's all down to the brand’s patented ResilicoreTM tech, which prevents heat damage by forming a shield around the hair shaft from the inside out.
And as well as being a heat protectant, the spray also acts as an easy leave-in conditioner, which works to detangle your hair, so you can forget about any snagging.
Plus, it’s an ultra-light mist, so it won’t weigh your hair down (the worst!), but will leave it looking shiny and swishy instead.
When do I use HeatBounce in my routine?
Generously spritz HeatBounce to towel dried hair before applying any heat. You can also reapply it on dry hair for added protection, before any additional heat styling via curlers or straighteners.
My honest review of K18 HeatBounce
As someone who has been on a real hair growth journey after wearing extensions and suffering damage to my roots, I’m always looking for the next best thing to keep my locks feeling and looking their healthiest.
K18 products have been part of my hair health turnaround, and when the brand released the HeatBounce, I couldn't put my hand up fast enough to try it. It makes a great first impression, in K18's simple packaging and it has a wide spray span (if that’s a thing?), which means a few spritzes covers a lot of hair ground. So, while it is pricey, a little goes a long way. It has a conditioner-like texture, and a subtle sweet scent, which you can still smell after drying your hair.
As with my daily SPF, this heat protecting spray has become a non-negotiable for me whenever I style my hair with heat. I will even take it to my boyfriend's house when a visit coincides with hair wash night.
My hair genuinely feels thicker and healthier, too. My knees are no longer left coated in a layer of hair after using my hair dryer, as breakage has significantly reduced. Note, it did take a good few weeks of consistently applying it to see a significant change, but now I can’t style my hair without it. I’ve also noticed how much easier it is to comb my hair through, which further reduces any chance of breakage caused by excessive pulling.
I should probably be an official K18 rep at this point, as any new product the brand releases becomes one of my firm favourites. But it’s the healthy hair results and hard-working technology that have me hooked! I've talked about it so much, my mum has also picked up a bottle. As someone who had never used heat protection before, despite years of blow drying and styling, she now uses it every day.
It’s worth noting that I am also reaping the rewards of a well-rounded haircare routine, as I apply the brand’s Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask and AstroLift spray alongside the HeatBounce, every time. As with everything, it's the consistency that really counts.
The Good Housekeeping Institute results
When we tested the HeatBounce spray at the GHI, it scored an impressive 87/100 with our panellists. It was consistently called out in feedback for how lightweight it felt in the hair, without leaving behind any weighty residue. It really did its job too – many of our testers said their locks looked and felt more nourished after the two-week trial period. They also noticed a sleeker finish, thanks to the effective humidity defence that fights frizz.
“My husband thought I’d been to the hairdresser, my hair looked so good,” said one impressed tester. If you’re not convinced yet, one heat protectant cynic who tried it says they’re now a “total convert”, and would be buying it regularly in the future.
The final verdict
K18 Heatbounce Conditioning Heat Protectant
K18 Heatbounce Conditioning Heat Protectant
If stronger, healthier hair is something you’re striving towards (aren't we all?) then this spray is the first product you should invest in. The £48 price tag isn’t cheap, we know. But it is a real multi-tasker, combining heat protection with conditioning, and a little does go a long way. Plus, with such consistently positive feedback from both our in-house experts and our discerning at-home testers, who all enjoyed stronger, thicker hair after trialling it, we think the long-term pay-off is worth it.
Think of it a little like SPF for your hair and just as essential.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
