Riddle me this: how is it that each of the three new Pantene Heat Protection & Shine Sprays ($6) list the exact same ingredients but are supposed to target a completely different type of hair? — Fine, Medium-Thick and Curly.
Hmm, right? 🙂
Heat protecting sprays help to protect hair from damage (who knew?) caused by blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons while also reducing friction and adding shine.
These three come calling as part of the completely revamped Pantene haircare line of shampoos, conditioners and styling products for fine, thick, curly and/or color-treated hair.
Since all of these list the same ingredients, I couldn’t help but think, “Are these all just the same stuff poured into different bottles?”
Ingredient list for Fine Hair formula
Ingredient list for Medium-Thick Hair formula
Ingredient list for Curly Hair formula
After testing all three on different sections of my curly hair and spraying each one on different dry pieces before flat ironing, wouldn’t ya know it? My hair likes the Curly version best!
Was this just Pavlov’s dog barking or perhaps a placebo effect? Maybe, but the sections of my curly hair treated with the Curly version sure look straighter, smoother, silkier and softer to me.
Whatever kind of magic’s afoot, I like the light floral scent, and all three of the versions I tried work pretty well, even the ones not designed for my kind of hair.
I still prefer Straight Sexy Hair Smooth & Protect, but for $6 these feel like a good drugstore deal, especially if you like the fragrance and depend on your flat iron or blow dryer. Available at drugstores now. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A-
Tabs versus Tabs
As much as I love that cat, he’s not exactly a rocket scientist — not even among cats.
Whenever homeboy catches his reflection in a mirror or other reflective surface he enters thug mode, as if the tabby facing him is an adversary trying to move in on his territory.
His tail puffs up, and he tries to look all thuggish ruggish, pacing back and forth and staring himself down… It’s been my main source of amusement all week.
Anywho, I’m so glad it’s almost Friday. How was your Thursday? I hope your hair looked super cute! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tracy says
July 1st, 2010 at 6:36 pmHmmm- I wonder if there’s different concentrations in each one? I’ll have to try the curly one out for myself!
.-= Tracy’s last blog post… Too Faced Natural Eye Collection =-.
Karen says
July 1st, 2010 at 6:41 pmYah, that’s what I was thinking. Try it! It’s pretty affordable at $6.
Liza says
July 1st, 2010 at 6:51 pmHa, “thuggish ruggish”! 😀
Karen says
July 1st, 2010 at 6:56 pmHe totally thinks he’s hardcore… but he’s not. 🙂
vero says
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:31 ammy cat feels that way about his tail, he turns and sees it move and does this crazy turn trying to pounce on it! such precious little predators
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:09 amHa ha, Tabs sometimes does that too! It’s so funny.
Janet says
July 1st, 2010 at 8:04 pmI wonder what I could have because my hair is a little bit fine and a little bit wavy and after I take a shower when it’s already dry it looks a little bit thick, voluminous.
Please help!
marisol says
July 1st, 2010 at 8:09 pmI like the look of the bottles but Pantene tends to create build up on my hair.
happy friday eve!
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Haulidays =-.
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:08 amI’ve heard that happens to some people. Maybe with these new reformulations it won’t be such an issue.
Got any plans for the weekend yet?
Kayann says
July 1st, 2010 at 9:50 pmOOOH! I may have to buy some! My Thursday is awesome! I’m have an awesome hair night! Got my hair cut and colored and I’m feeling L-O-V-E-L-Y! 😀
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:08 amNice! What did you get done?
Karen B says
July 1st, 2010 at 10:06 pmOoh finally a heat protectant spray from a brand that Belgian drugstores carry… I got this heat protectant serum from the L’Oréal Professional line from my hairdresser but I don’t feel like slamming down 14 euro’s every time…
.-= Karen B’s last blog post… Organize Your Bling- =-.
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:08 amHow are you liking that one?
Instant Karma (formerly L) says
July 1st, 2010 at 10:37 pmAww, Tabs!
That reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Otc_T3u1uY LOL. I swear, half the videos on youtube are of cats…
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:07 amAwww! That was too funny!
Carolina says
July 2nd, 2010 at 4:02 amHaha gotta love tabs. Lovely.
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:07 amLOL… he won’t be joining kitty MENSA any time soon. Poor guy! Good thing he’s pretty.
Nina says
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:27 amThursday was spent ordering a baby shower cake (tres leches with mixed fruit filling) and watching our boy Johnny Weir’s show. It was the season finale and it was pretty good. 🙂
I might check that Pantene out. Im currently using the Tresemme heat spray and im not sure if it works on me … the ends of my hair always feel fried! I blow dry almost everyday but flat iron very rarely … 🙂
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:06 amOh, I looove tres leches cake. Funny story: my good friend, N. Black, used to think “tres leches” meant the cake had three different types of milk from three different animals, LOL!
Nina says
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:44 pmLOL … well, N had half of it right – 3 diff types of milk. LOL @ three diff types of animals … hmm cow, goat and …
The tres leches in that bakery is awesomeness … cannot wait to nom it tomorrow LOL !!!
gio says
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:13 amThe packaging looks so pretty!
Aww Tabs looks adorable, like always. 🙂
.-= gio’s last blog post… Product Review- Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in Party Animal =-.
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:05 amYeah, it’s really cute! Pantene seems to have stepped up the game in the packaging dept.
Chelsea Alise says
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:54 amTabs is seriously the cutest kitty of all time! I just wanna squeeze his furry little cheeks! =)
My hair is naturally curly/wavy too… I’m a bit hesitant to try it because my hair doesn’t like anything but expensive products. Do you use the smooth and protect while you’re hair is damp or after you blowdry before you use your flat iron?
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:04 amI use it on dry hair before I flat iron.
Michelle says
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:55 amDid you notice that the fine hair formula comes out in a finer mist? I have super fine hair, and some heat protectant sprays make my hair too wet. I’ve tried the new shampoos/conditioners from Pantene for fine hair and love them. I think I’ll give this a try!
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:04 amHi Michelle,
I didn’t really notice. All the sprays seem to mist similarly.
Rachel Taninecz says
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:11 amI’ve heard about this before and wondered the same thing – apparently there are different amount sof the ingredients in many products like this. Whether Pantene did that, who knew… I’ve also heard that they put floor wax in their shampoo/conditioner – oh the price of beauty, haha. You’re definitely a trooper to have tried all three! Thanks for the reviews 🙂
.-= Rachel Taninecz’s last blog post… Whats in the packaging =-.
Shannon says
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:34 amHave you ever tried Tresemmé’s Heat Tamer spray? I have normal/fine-ish hair with a bit of wave, and I LOVE how soft that stuff makes my hair feel. I really like how it smells, too. 🙂 I’m almost finished with my current bottle, though – I might have to check the pantene spray out.
Karen says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:03 amFunny you should mention that one, because I have it on my list of things to try! My friend loves it and gave me a bottle (it’s sitting on my desk right now).
Shannon says
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:09 amha! That’s awesome 🙂 I’d love to hear how it compares to the pantene!
Melessa says
July 3rd, 2010 at 5:12 ami agree, blog it!
Shannon says
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:55 amThose ingredients look very drying. I’ll pass! My go-to heat protector is Fantasisa IC heat protecting serum.
Glosslizard says
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:42 amLOL! It’s like Duff, Duff Lite and Duff Dry on the Simpsons! 😀
Trinidad says
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 amMost Pantene products dry out my hair. Did you find it drying at all?
.-= Trinidad’s last blog post… Whats on Sample Sale- 7-2 =-.
Steph B says
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:42 pmHmmm…very intrigued because it doesn’t have silicones like most protector sprays but a little worried that alcohol is so high on the list because it tends to dry me out and PVP (hold agent) is 3rd. Does it get stiff or heavy at all?
Alexandra says
July 2nd, 2010 at 3:38 pmIm afraid of Pantene! In England *or was it germany?!* a girl got bold after using their shampoos! So im going to pass these ones!
Tabby is awesome as always!
Melessa says
July 3rd, 2010 at 5:18 amk i sent a comment but i dont see it… umm lets see, the guess of different amounts of the ingredients has already been commented on, and i doubt you know wether i should use the fine or curly(wavy) spray so have a great 4th of july weekend! and celebrate your right to wear eyeshadows in all the colors of the rainbow (and then some) lol
Melessa says
July 3rd, 2010 at 5:20 amoh yeah!
Why do you like Sexy Straight better, and if that’s so why did it get a slightly lower grade?
Melessa says
July 3rd, 2010 at 5:22 amblaaaaah, ignore the second part of that last comment. switched them up. need. sleep.
Barbra Gordon says
August 30th, 2011 at 7:48 pmI have crazy thick hair that tends to run on the fuzzy side. I use Shielo Antioxidant Leave In Portectant because you CAN physically see the hair being sealed. My hairdresser is on strict orders to let me know if my hair starts drying out (so I can stop with the iron). She says it’s fine. And since she doesn’t sell me the thermal protector, I believe her.
Shielo hair leave in protector works great on my hair. You can clearly see the spray protecting your hair from the heat. My hair is really thin and my sisters hair is extremely thick and it works great on both our hair.
Mary Ware says
July 1st, 2016 at 11:17 amHello Karen! Great post and great recommendation, but the best I have ever used is the GKhair ThermalStyleHer. Best against heat prior to styling. I am using it for the past couple of years and I am quite happy with the results I got. Very much effective if used before blow drying that can totally fry your hair during the process. I use it always in my hair care arsenal. 🙂 <3