Honestly, most of us are just frying our hair. We spend a fortune on balayage and then hit it with a 400-degree iron every single morning. It’s a cycle of destruction. That’s where Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray by Eleven Australia comes into the picture. Most heat sprays feel like sticky glue or, worse, like you’re spraying water on a hot pan—you can almost hear the sizzle. This one is different.
It’s weirdly versatile.
Usually, you have to choose between a "protectant" and a "hairspray." If you use both, your hair ends up feeling like a helmet. It gets crunchy. It doesn't move. But this product is a hybrid. It’s a flexible hold spray that happens to provide a shield against the heat. If you’ve ever tried to curl your hair and noticed the ends look "fried" even though you used a serum, it’s probably because the serum wasn’t designed to withstand the actual temperature of your wand.
What's actually inside Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray?
Let's get into the weeds for a second because the ingredients matter more than the cool packaging. Eleven Australia uses something called Copolymer. Now, that sounds like a plastic, but in hair science, it's basically a film-former. It creates a literal barrier around the hair shaft. This barrier does two things: it prevents moisture from escaping (so your hair doesn't turn into straw) and it slows down the conduction of heat.
It’s not just chemicals, though.
The formula includes things like Lily Pilly. If you aren't from Australia, you might not know what that is. It's a native berry extract that’s packed with Vitamin C and fruit acids. It helps plump the hair. Then there’s Kelp Extract. Have you ever noticed how seaweed stays slippery and hydrated even under a brutal sun? That’s the vibe here. It keeps the hair fiber resilient.
You also get a hit of Pro-Vitamin B5. This is the stuff that actually penetrates the cuticle to provide moisture rather than just sitting on top. Most cheap sprays just coat the hair in silicone and call it a day. This actually tries to keep the hair healthy from the inside out.
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The big mistake most people make with heat protection
I see this all the time. People spray their hair and then immediately clamp down with a flat iron. You can see the steam. That steam isn't just the product evaporating; it’s your hair's internal moisture boiling off.
You have to let it dry.
Even with a high-quality product like Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray, you need to give it thirty seconds to set. Think of it like primer on a wall. You wouldn't paint over wet primer.
Another thing is the "distance" of the spray. People hold the bottle two inches from their head. Don't do that. You’ll end up with a wet spot that gets crunchy. Hold it at arm's length. Mist it. Let it fall onto the hair like a cloud. This ensures every strand is coated without being saturated.
Why a flexible hold matters for heat styling
Most traditional hairsprays are meant to be the last step. If you spray a "hard hold" spray and then use a curling iron, the hair can actually snap. The alcohol in the spray dries too fast under the heat, and the resin gets brittle.
The Great Barrier formula is designed to be "workable."
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- You spray it on.
- You curl.
- You can still run your fingers through it.
- The curl stays, but it doesn't look like a 1980s prom photo.
It’s great for that "lived-in" look. If you’re going for those flat-iron waves that everyone is wearing right now, this is the tool. It gives just enough grit to hold the shape but enough slip to let the iron glide.
Dealing with humidity and the "frizz" factor
One of the secondary benefits of this specific spray is its humidity resistance. If you live in a place like Brisbane or New Orleans, you know the struggle. You spend forty minutes blow-drying your hair, step outside, and—poof—it’s a poodle.
Because the Copolymer creates that barrier, it keeps external moisture out. It’s like a tiny raincoat for your hair. It’s not going to be 100% waterproof, obviously, but it significantly delays the frizz.
Is it worth the price tag?
Look, you can buy a heat protectant at the drugstore for six bucks. I’ve tried them. Some are okay. Most feel like watered-down rubbing alcohol.
Eleven Australia is a salon-grade brand. It’s PETA-certified cruelty-free. It’s paraben-free. When you pay a bit more for a product like Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray, you’re paying for the refinement of the spray nozzle (which matters more than you think) and the quality of the resins. A fine mist is the difference between "good hair" and "greasy hair."
If you use heat more than twice a week, it’s an investment in not having to cut six inches off your ends next year because of breakage.
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How to use it for maximum results
There is a specific rhythm to using this if you want that "just stepped out of the salon" shine.
- Start with damp hair. Even though this is a hairspray-style protectant, you can use a light mist before you blow-dry.
- Sectioning is key. Don't just spray the top layer. Your bottom layers get hit with the most heat from the iron, but they’re usually the most neglected. Lift your hair up and spray the underside.
- The "Cool Down" trick. After you curl a section, don't touch it. Let it cool completely. Then, give it one more light mist of Great Barrier to lock in the shape.
- Brush it out. Once everything is cool, use a wide-tooth comb or a boar-bristle brush. This breaks up the "product" feel and leaves you with soft, bouncy hair that actually has a shield on it.
Common misconceptions about heat sprays
A lot of people think that if their blow-dryer has an "ionic" setting, they don't need a spray. That’s just not true. Ions help with frizz, but they don't provide a thermal barrier.
Others think that oils (like Argan or Coconut) are enough. Putting straight oil on your hair and then hitting it with 400 degrees is basically deep-frying your hair. You need a product specifically formulated with thermal resins. Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray is engineered for this exact purpose. It’s the difference between using a potholder and just wrapping your hand in a greasy paper towel.
Final thoughts on hair health
At the end of the day, your hair is a dead fiber. Once you damage it, you can't really "fix" it; you can only coat it in silicones to make it look better or cut it off. Prevention is the only real strategy.
By using a legitimate barrier, you’re extending the life of your color and the integrity of your strands. It’s simple.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your styling routine and protect your hair from permanent thermal degradation, follow these steps:
- Check your tools: Ensure your flat iron or curling wand has a digital temperature gauge. Never exceed 365-380°F (185-193°C) for fine to medium hair.
- The Sizzle Test: If you apply Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray and hear a loud sizzle when the iron touches your hair, you haven't waited long enough for the product to set. Wait 30 seconds.
- Layering: If your hair is extremely dry, apply a leave-in cream first, then layer the Great Barrier spray on top once the hair is 90% dry. This creates a "moisture sandwich" that protects against the dry heat of styling tools.
- Clean your tools: Product buildup on your iron can snag your hair. Use a damp cloth (when the iron is cool!) to wipe away any residue from the spray once a week.
Protecting your hair isn't just about one product; it's about the habit of never letting raw heat touch unprotected hair.