I've been straightening my hair for many years now and to be honest I had kind of given up on heat protection sprays. I know how bad that is, but I think I purchased to many bad ones to want to continue using them. I read some reviews on the VO5 Heat Protect and decided that given it's decent price I would give it a try.
I really like the formula, other heat protectant sprays I have used have felt super sticky almost, and seemed to be more like a hair spray texture. This one is light and not clunky at all.
I know some people are bothered by the smell, but I quite like it. I don't find it too overpowering on my hair, and the smell seems to disappear once it drys anyway.
I'm not 100% how much it's protecting my hair though. I suppose it is kind of hard to tell - but I don't feel like my hair is any worse. I don't feel the need to wash my hair any more often that I would normally do (with other similar products I felt like my hair would get greasier quite fast).
I've straightened my hair for many years, and have gone through quite a few hair protect products. I chose this spray because it's easy to find (supermarkets, Farmers,etc), and for it's price. It comes in a cute, hot-pink, plastic spray bottle which has a lock feature (though I find this feature sort of useless, I have never felt the need to lock my spray), but maybe it would be useful for some people. I do love the scent of the spray, it smells like the hair sprays used in salons and is pleasant and floral, as opposed to chemical. It definitely does as claimed, in protecting my hair from heat-products, as my hair continues to feel conditioned and moisturised. However, I do not feel that this product necessarily adds shine or a "smooth finish" to my hair- I believe that my hair straightener is what gives it a smooth finish. Also have not see it give me a "frizz free" finish either
Tips: For truly frizz free hair, you may need to rely on a serum. Do use a heat protectant spray every time you use a straightener- I have burnt my hair before, and it's not nice!