Flat Iron Heat-Activated Styling Products: CHI Silk Infusion Versus FHI Heat Hot Sauce

You may already know that one of the best ways to reduce flat iron damage to your hair is by using a heat styling protectant before you use your straightener. CHI versus FHI, is there a really a difference between two best-selling brands? Yes.

Any heat protection is better than no heat protection when styling your hair with a flat iron (or a hair dryer, hot rollers, or any heat styling appliance) but there are some clear differences in the heat-activated products on the market today.

As a hairstyling product enthusiast, I am a big fan of buying the most popular brands as well as trying new products, which currently leaves me with two choices: CHI Silk Infusion (the best-seller) versus FHI Heat Hot Sauce (the newbie). I shouldn't really say newbie, FHI has an extremely popular line of hair straighteners, but I have to admit the CHI brand name is very popular in the beauty industry, and for good reason. But is CHI better than FHI?

Day One, CHI Silk Infusion
This silky, alcohol free formulation is enriched with pure silk, and wheat and soy proteins. I like silk, I also want my hair to be silky soft. Obviously I am expecting this product to deliver. After spreading the CHI Silk Infusion throughout my hair, I am already to start styling. The product smells great, but the texture is a little rich for my taste. I tend to be heavy handed with products, and this is something I should have used sparingly. Have I used too much? Even after working it evenly through my hair, I can tell it's a bit heavy.

After using my flat iron, my hair is pin straight, very smooth, and very soft. Dare I say, like silk? But maybe a little too soft. My flat iron straightened my hair easily, but there is no volume. Straight is great, but limp? Not what I am looking for but again, I might have used too much. Maybe. We'll see if it's just me or if it's CHI.

Day Two, FHI Heat Hot Sauce
Most of the heat-activated hairstyling products I've seen are loaded up with silicone, and silicone agents, which makes your hair feel soft, but in reality all they do is buildup in your hair and weigh your hair down. Not the FHI Heat Hot Sauce, this heat-activated product is 'moisture-based' and is supposed to work in conjunction with your flat iron to penetrate your hair when styling.

The bottle of FHI Heat Hot Sauce says it has heat-activated jojoba crystals that dissolve and deeply penetrate into the hair, thus dramatically improving the quality, condition and texture of the hair. Who can resist? I'll give it a try. Not to mention, the super cute packaging looks like a bottle of hot sauce!

On my clean, freshly dried hair, I've applied a 'small' amount of product through my hair. Well, we all know I didn't use a small amount, and again, I fear I've used too much, but this time my hair doesn't feel heavy or weighed down. After straightening my hair with my flat iron as usual, I am pleasantly surprised. My hair is soft, straight, and has volume without product buildup. The perfect combination for my hair, and the clear winner for my comparison.

Ordinarily, I would just go straight for the product I've heard the most about and then randomly try new products from time to time, but my side-by-side comparison has opened my eyes. What a difference. CHI Silk Infusion versus FHI Heat Hot Sauce, the winner is clear, based on my findings, game, set match: FHI Heat Hot Sauce.

Think about it, you've probably done some research when you bought your flat iron, so shouldn't you do some research to find what product will work best with it while you straighten your hair? A side-by-side comparison is a small expense in the beginning but can result in a large investment in the health of your hair.