16 May (Review, Before/ After Photos) Keratin Perfect 30-Day Brazilian Hair Smoothing System Essentials Treatment
I always thought that the keratin treatment controversy would never touch me; I’ve always been at peace with my frizzy, unruly waves, so hidden formaldehyde would never bother me. (Photo #1, my go-to ‘before,’ proves this.) I’ve never envied straight hair, but when the KeratinPerfect 30-Day Brazilian Hair Smoothing System Essentials Collection ($95 at sephora.com) came my way, I did wonder briefly if it would turn me into Kate Middleton. (Spoiler alert: I’m still me but the treatment gives you RESULTS. The proof is in the picture pudding).
The KeratinPerfect line gave me a dose of refreshing honesty; instead of guaranteeing a month of straight and shiny hair, it promises instead a boost of health with reduced frizz (including half shaved hairstyles for curly hair). It’s jumped into the now-teeming market of at-home straightening products that try to deliver lasting smooth hair without a side of carcinogen.
Before Keratin Perfect
The kit came with illustrated directions and charts to simplify the process. I started off with the Perfect Prep Pre-Treatment Clarifying Shampoo. I had to lather up, partially rinse, then repeat twice more, building the amount of shampoo in my hair until the third and final rinse. Then came the actual keratin, the Perfector 30-Day Hair Smoothing Treatment. I sectioned off my hair into quarters and smoothed on two ounces of the thin brownish liquid, then combed it through for three minutes and let it sit for another ten. Once my hair had a chance to absorb the liquid, which also contains collagen to smooth the cuticle after it the keratin repairs the thin and weak spots in the hairs’ surface, I got out my blow-dryer and paddle brush and put them to work. I consulted the charts in the directions and determined that I’d have to set my flat iron on a fairly high temp and take seven passes at each two-inch section of hair. For chemically treated hair, the process requires a cooler iron and fewer swipes with it. This consumed more than a little time, and I’m not a fan of the flat iron, so it was extra slow-going. I couldn’t deny the results though – with each pass of the iron, my hair got shinier. This brings us to photo #2, the finished product. I’m not crazy about the lack of volume, but that’s part of sleek hair isn’t it? It laid flat to my head. I had to keep it dry for the next forty-eight hours to let the treatment fully manifest, and on the second had my hair had more bounce and bend to it while still maintaining its sleekness.
After Keratin Perfect Treatment
Now that the forty-eight hours had gone, I got to try the shampoo and conditioner, along with the PerfectRenew Keratin Replenishing Spray. They work like a standard shampoo and conditioner, with no fancy steps, and the spray goes on immediately out of the shower on damp hair. Each of these products delivers a pop of keratin back to hair to extend the life of the treatment. I let my hair air-dry and got photo #3. If I had to put a number on it, I’d say I have roughly 25% less frizz, although my hair surely isn’t perfectly smooth. To be fair, that’s what the product literature told me to expect. Texture doesn’t translate well to photos, but my hair is most assuredly softer. I noticed the most improvement from mid-shaft and down. Funnily enough, the roots, the youngest and in theory, healthiest, part of my hair, still showed frizz while my dry ends looked and felt much better.
After Keratin Perfect + Shampoo and Conditioner
I’d been going through a rut, wherein nothing I did with my hair, be it cut, style, or treatment, could perk up my strands. I can honestly say that I’m more at peace with my hair now.
Would you try this treatment at home? Why or why not? Post a comment below to be eligible to win free hair product samples.
– Katharine McKenzie
If you like this post, give it a LIKE on Facebook and share it with your friends
rachel
Posted at 06:02h, 28 Mayit actually is cheaper, Sephora carries it for $65!
Jen
Posted at 23:45h, 30 MayI bought the $65 Keratin Perfect box from Sephora. I followed the instructions exactly. The results were my long chemically treated straight hair that just needed some frizz control ended up with result that left my hair very dry and there was no shine or softness but my hair was very straight. I wouldn’t recommend this product.
Brendita
Posted at 03:51h, 25 JulyFor reference, I’ve had a keratin treatment done profressionally once before. This did not even come close. I have straight hair with some minor waves and I usually let it air dry and it looks great. The problem is that during the summer my hair gets frizzy. I followed the instructions to a dot and had enough product left for a second treatment. After 24 hours I washed my hair and…-drum roll-… it looks exactly the same as before. No reduction in frizzies, not any straighter, not any shinier, not anything different. Oh well.
Julia
Posted at 19:27h, 31 MarchI loved the definite hold and curl this
product kept in my hair. I did not try it alone as another reviewer did, but instead used it with the Moroccan Treatment (oil) product and they seemed to complement each other perfectly. If you have curls
like me and want them to look defined and beautiful, then you will like this product in conjunction with Moroccan Treatment.
Sherry
Posted at 00:48h, 24 JulyA keratin treatment is only as good as your flat iron is, so if you have a cheap straightener, you can expect cheap inferior results, frankly. I have the one of the best flat irons on the market right now, called the Croc Infrared, and it makes my keratin treatments look like I just left the salon…only I didn’t have to pay a ridiculous inflated price to get it! Invest in a good flat iron and all your hair troubles will be over and your keratin treatments will look better and last way longer. There are things you go cheap in in life but your hair is not one of them because it’s going to be with you all your life. Investing in only the best styling tools and products for your hair will end your hair problems. You deserve it and so does your hair. Enjoy. 🙂 Remember that mediocre flat irons will produce mediocre keratin treatment results. My Croc Infrared iron was made for keratin treatments and has titanium plates. My frizzy virgin hair turns to complete silk when I use it. I also use it for my keratin perfect treatments and it stays silky for weeks. Go buy yourself an amazing flat iron that’s right for you and you will wonder what took you so long! If you want the best hair, you gotta use the best tools…like the stylists do. Good Luck and love your hair, ladies. 😉