Wella Eimi Thermal Image 150 ml

Product Information

Together with nourishing emollient panthenol and shine-boosting citric acid, the serum coated our hair in a lustrous vibrancy we’ve only ever seen in shampoo commercials. Despite relying on many rich oils to deliver gorgeous results, an even bigger surprise was that the cream felt weightless on our hair and absorbed in under 20 seconds. Shatalebi MA, Safaeian L, Baradaran A, Alamdarian M. Preparation and evaluation of a hair wax containing propolis and Eruca sativa seed oil for hair growth. Adv Biomed Res. 2016;5:182. Published 2016 Nov 28. doi:10.4103/2277-9175.190985

Iudina also suggests looking for formulas with protein, like spirulina protein, which “works great for frizz control and smoothness,” she says. We’re fans of the Kérastase Résistance Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primer in this regard because its formula has proteins and amino acids galore that strengthened our hair and boosted elasticity. da Gama RM, França-Stefoni SA, Sá-Dias TC, Bedin V, Baby AR, Velasco MVR. Protective effect of conditioner agents on hair treated with oxidative hair dye. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(6):1090-1095. doi:10.1111/jocd.12484 Additionally, UV absorbers which boast similar benefits and work alongside vitamin E act as an iron curtain against heat damage, both man-made in our hot tools and nature’s UV rays. We also appreciate the inclusion of lavender and peppermint extracts that may help spur hair growth. We hope to see the fruits of that with continued use, but in the meantime, we’ll just be enjoying the calming herbal scent of a ritzy spa. Sure, it’s a little pricier than other protectants but we think it’s worth spending a little extra considering how, aside from a hairspray to hold our styles in place, we didn’t need to apply our usual finishing products, like rich oils and leave-ins. Seriously, our hair looked healthier after just a few uses, and gave us so much shine, likely due to the addition of rose water. This super hydrator often flies under the radar, but it’s brimming with vitamins and antioxidants to soothe the scalp and protect our color-treated hair. With the addition of salicylic acid, a natural surfactant, the formula naturally mitigates oil production.What We Love: Ingredients like hydrolyzed silk and vitamin E, give this cream hair-resorting benefits to help reverse damage from color treatments and heat.

Though these are all applaudable factors, we were most concerned with how well it would save hair from the harmful effects of our hot tools, especially on natural hair, but we were so pleased with the results. Our experts agree you should seek out oils, such as coconut and sweet almond, in a truly fantastic heat protectant as they coat the strands and “create a protective barrier when activated with heat,” says Johnson, who adds that since these oils are also super lightweight they won’t lead to wilted styles.Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC. Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicol Res. 2014;30(4):297-304. doi:10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297

What We Love: A trio of emollient-rich oils drenched our hair in moisture, effectively smoothing hair and taming flyaways after one use. In a few words, (and for even fewer dollars) Verb created an affordable product that gave us everything we wanted in a great heat protectant: Just a single spritz made our strands feel softer, look fuller and bouncier, and prevented our ends from looking dried out and frazzled. Though it only offers protection up to 425 degrees (a relatively lower threshold than others on the market), it provides a serious amount of value for the price.What We Love: Our strands soaked up the nutrient-rich formula of proteins and ceramides to become shinier and stronger. By softening our hair with a brilliant concoction of relaxing plant-based ingredients, like beetroot and artichoke extract, and emollients like glycerin, Living Proof’s Perfecting Spray calmed our tender, reactive scalps from the pain caused by raking combs through tangled strands. What We Don’t Love: Though the scent is heavenly, it is strong and can cause competition with the fragrances from other lotions and perfumes.

What We Love: The formula leaves out sulfates, silicones, and other potentially harmful ingredients that could strip color and lead to dullness. Heat protectants are the SPF of haircare: Professionals tell us that you absolutely need to use one every day, or, in this case, every time you use a hot tool, to avoid causing irreparable damage. As celebrity stylist and curly hair aficionado, Nai’vasha Johnson says, “a heat protectant serves as our hair’s health insurance insurance.” What We Love: This formula only consists of nourishing ingredients that feel weightless on our strands, but it still includes everything to protect them from damage. What We Love: Damaged hair will thrive again—and this time, the antioxidant-rich ingredients in Olaplex’s patented bond-building system ensure it will be better protected from heat and environmental factors. Of course, the number one rule is always to use it before applying any kind of heat – that means blow drying, hot rollers, flat irons, and curling wands. Whether you’re using a cream or a spray, the key to applying any heat protectant is ensuring it's distributed throughout the hair. Just like with sunscreen, if you miss a spot it’s prone to the adverse effects of heat.But that’s not all: When we dug a little deeper into the formula we uncovered shiitake mushroom, rosemary, and sage, all of which work to strengthen and maintain the health of the hair, and all its conditioning, shine-enhancing effects.