75/ 100
C
OverallF61/100
Aussie Hairspray Headstrong Volume

Aussie · Hair Spray

Aussie Hairspray Headstrong Volume

C · Moderate

Standard hairspray, PFAS risk unclear, no brand disclosure

Verdict: BuyStandard aerosol hairspray with no major documented safety issues beyond typical category risks; PFAS status unclear but not a differentiator vs. competitors.

Aussie Headstrong is a conventional aerosol hairspray with no public PFAS claims or third-party verification. Formulation details on PFAS-containing propellants or resin additives are not disclosed by the brand.

Shop Aussie on Amazon →

Material

aerosol propellants and cosmetic resins

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

Why this grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

Category baseline

cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Aussie Headstrong Volume is an aerosol hairspray containing polymeric resins (likely acrylates or vinyl acetate copolymers) suspended in propellant gases and alcohol solvents. The propellants are typically hydrocarbons or compressed gases like butane/propane, which carry minimal health risk at the exposure levels from consumer use. The resins dry on hair to form a flexible film; they are not systemically absorbed. Alcohol content aids quick drying but poses no hazard at airborne concentrations from normal spraying.

The brand's record and disclosure

Aussie (owned by Procter & Gamble) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or fluorochemical use in hairsprays, nor has it issued a brand-wide ban on PFAS in cosmetics. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to this product line. P&G does list some ingredients on product labels and safety data sheets, but transparency on PFAS "forever chemicals" in aerosol cosmetics remains limited across the industry.

How it compares in its category

Aussie Headstrong sits in the mass-market aerosol hairspray segment, where propellant formulations and polymer chemistry are broadly standardized. Most competitors (Tresemmé, Pantene, Garnier) use identical or near-identical resin and propellant systems with similar ingredient transparency. Premium salon brands and natural/organic aerosol sprays do not meaningfully reduce exposure to resin polymers or propellants; the main difference is marketing and fragrance profiles.

If you buy it

Use hairspray in a well-ventilated space to minimize inhalation of propellant vapors, especially if spraying frequently or in small rooms. Avoid spraying directly into the face or eyes. There is no safety concern from residual product on hair; resin coatings wash out easily with shampoo. Discard the can when it no longer sprays; do not incinerate. Pregnant or nursing users should follow the same guidance as the general population, as skin/scalp absorption of aerosolized hairspray is negligible.

Beyond PFAS: other things we checked

Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”

Possible

Propellant inhalation (acute respiratory irritation)

Butane and propane propellants can cause dizziness, mild respiratory irritation, or headache with intense exposure in poorly ventilated spaces. Consumer-use exposure during normal spraying is too brief and dilute to cause harm; risk applies mainly to occupational settings or intentional huffing.

Reported

Fragrance allergens and sensitizers

Aussie Headstrong contains synthetic fragrance blend (not disclosed in detail). Fragrance compounds are a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis and scalp irritation in sensitive individuals. Patch testing data for Aussie fragrances is not publicly available; reactions are individual and typically mild.

None known

Polymer resin respiratory effect (occupational concern only)

Acrylate and vinyl acetate copolymers in hairspray are not documented to cause chronic respiratory disease at consumer exposure levels. Occupational hairdressers with repeated high-dose inhalation face a theoretical risk that remains under epidemiological investigation.

None known

Talc contamination

Aussie Headstrong is an aerosol spray formulation and does not contain talc. Talc contamination concerns apply only to powder-based haircare products.

None known

Heavy metals in colorants or preservatives

No documented reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Aussie hairsprays. Cosmetic colorants and preservatives in this product are subject to FDA oversight and do not carry identified metal contamination risk.

What we don’t know

This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% confidence. It is not a lab result.

No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.

The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.

Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.

More hair spray grades

How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.