Beauty expert demonstrates which heat protector sprays are best for your hair

Those armed with any heat-based hair tool know to always protect your tresses – but some products are better quality than others.

Beauty expert Lucy Seitz ran a simple test on 16 popular brands of protectant spray, sharing with users which ones are worth investing in.

In her experiment, she showed the vast difference between the quality of products – shocking many users with her findings.

In a clip posted to TikTok, Lucy first demonstrated how much damage the heat does to a strip of paper without any protection.

Lucy conducted the test on a plain piece of receipt paper, ranking the protectant sprays from worst to best.

Running a hair straightener over it, the paper went from a crisp white to a burned, dark purple color.

The worst of the products was the Amika Blockade heat defense serum (RRP $28), which more or less left the paper the same color as it was before it had any protectant on it at all.

The next one was the TRESemmé heat protectant spray (RRP $7-$10) which left the paper slightly lighter in color but still fairly burned. 

Luseta Argan Oil Heat Protectant spray (RRP $19) was the 14th on the list, which left the paper with a few white cracks in it where the serum had stopped the heat.

Garnier Flat Iron protection (RRP $5.49 – $7) was tested next, which left the paper speckled.

Giovanni Flat Iron Styling Mist (RRP $10.99) and Not Your Mothers Beat The Heat spray (RRP $8) were leaving a large portion of the paper unburned.

L’Oréal Heat Slayer pre-iron spray (RRP $8.99) came in at 10th, providing a fairly decent heat protectant for hair, with a lot of the paper only lightly burned.

Aussie Miracle Repairer (RRP $5.99) gave fairly even coverage, as did Herbal Essence High Protect Spray (RRP $8.89) and Creme of Nature Argan Oil (RRP $7.79).

K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock Spray (RRP $27) gave the paper large patches of white – meaning protection. 

Fifth on the list was IGK 4-in-1 Prep Spray (RRP $16), which provided even coverage on the paper.

Hairitage Heat Protection Mist (RRP $9.99) only left the paper lightly burned, as did the Moroccanoil Perfect Defense (RRP $32).

Number one, was Chi Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray (RRP $11) which again, left the paper burn free

In her experiment, she showed the vast difference between the quality of products – shocking many users with her findings

Second on the list was Redkin #1 Big Blowout (RRP $18.90) which left the parts it had been applied to looking almost untouched.

Number one, was Chi Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray (RRP $11) which again, left the paper burn free. 

Users flocked to the comments to comment on Lucy’s video. 

‘I just bought the Chi heat protectant so fast,’ one user commented.

‘Thermal paper for receipts is design to absorb heat. So probably one of the better examples to use it for. This is super smart way to display heat protectant’s functionality! Love this video!’ another chimed in.  

‘Oooo I’m getting my self a new heat protector!!! NOW I know which ones work and don’ttt!!! THANK YOU,’ another enthused.  

‘I think this could also be influenced by the amount of product and how it’s distributed (ie. spray vs mousse vs creme),’ added another. 

Heat protector is designed to protect the hair follicles from becoming damaged when using hair tools such as hair straighteners, curling irons and hair dryers. 

Hair that isn’t properly protected from direct heat can quickly become damaged, leading to split ends.