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
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Ms Manya
Posted at 01:12h, 17 MayI am a professional hair stylist, certified by Coppolla as a Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment Technician. For the life of me, I cannot understand WHY anyone would spend close to a hundred bucks to do their own keratin treatment at home. The litlle money that was saved from a salon visit was drfinitely felt in the labor that went into doing your owm treatment. Besides that, what is wrong with just enjoying going to the salon? Help me understand the point of doing this kind of treatment at home…
Kasia S
Posted at 03:18h, 17 MayThis seems like a ton of work:(
Starla Paulus
Posted at 14:56h, 21 MayI’ve had keratin put in my hair; cost about $500 because my hair is very long. It only lasted about 2 weeks at best. While my hair isn’t out of control curly, just nice waves which turn frizzy in the humidity, it did tame the frizz and make it easier to blow out IF I felt like it. Will I do it again? No. Will I ever buy this treatment from a store? No. It was the same process with the flat iron at the salon, 7 passes, and unless I have a trusty friend to help me it’s not worth the headache.
Karen Michaels
Posted at 19:15h, 21 MayWhile I agree that it is a lot of work, I actually enjoy doing at home treatments. It does seem a bit pricey however and so I will probably save up and go for a salon treatment! Unless, of course, it comes out cheaper soon! 🙂
Susan
Posted at 04:43h, 24 MayNo I don’t think I would try it. My hair is too long and heavy to do at home and it would be too expensive in a salon. I thought your hair looked great though.