The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · Moroccanoil
$32 · 6 oz
An aerosol spray with a film-forming acrylate polymer, alcohol and argan oil that coats hair before hot tools.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
Not Your Mother's
Garnier
Adds: Protein and amino acids
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant into 4 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
Film-formers and polymers (Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/ Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol) give hold, set and heat or humidity resistance.
Silicones add slip and shine and help cut combing damage. Ppg-12 Dimethicone do that here.
Humectants (Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Glycerin) pull in water and keep the hair feeling soft.
Hydrolyzed proteins and amino acids (Cetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein) are added to coat and temporarily fill rough spots on the hair surface.
Optional
76 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total ~$7.99
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Running total ~$15.98
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Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
Not Your Mother's
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Why it is close. Film chemistries differ (NYM is silicone-based).
Not an affiliate link.
Garnier
Why it is close. Same function.
Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
Garnier
Adds: Protein and amino acids
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Garnier
In a lab test on hair colored with oxidative dye, adding conditioning agents (a silane/panthenol blend, PEG-12 dimethicone, or hydrolyzed silk and milk protein) cut protein loss and combing damage compared with dye alone.
da 2018 · J Cosmet DermatolA combing test found bleaching raises hair breakage and that nearly all anti-breakage products on the market pair silicones with cationic polymers.
Haake 2009 · J Cosmet SciDimethyl Ether, Sd Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denat.), Aqua/Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/ Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Achillea Millefolium (Common Yarrow) Extract, Geranium Maculatum (Spotted Cranesbill) Extract, Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake Mushroom) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Parfum/Fragrance, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panthenol, Cetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, PPG-12 Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate, Benzoic Acid, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalyl Acetate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Vanillin, Lavandula (Lavender) Oil/Extract
Ingredient list from retailer listing, not confirmed on brand site. Source
We split Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant into 4 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 76 of a possible 100. A full 100 needs every standout fully covered.
Not Your Mother's Beat the Heat Spray Heat Protectant by Not Your Mother's is our closest single-product match at 65 out of 100 for ~$7.99 (6 fl oz). It shares Heat protectant spray.
Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant costs $32 for 6 oz. The closest dupe costs ~$7.99, a saving of about $24.01. Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Argan, Polymer film (octylacrylamide copolymer). See our methodology for how we score.
Olaplex · bond-repair
$10.99our build, 1 partOriginal $34, build $10.99.
Not Your Mother's
Olaplex · conditioner
~$18.78our build, 2 partsOriginal $34, build ~$18.78.
Neutrogena + Not Your Mother's
Olaplex · dry-shampoo
~$17.98our build, 2 partsOriginal $30, build ~$17.98.
Not Your Mother's