Keratin blowdries: what would we do without them? Though they're nothing new, they've been transforming our locks for years.
Since you clicked on this article, I'm going to go ahead and assume that your hair is wavy or curly (like me), and if so, you probably already have an idea of what I'm harping on about. In case you don't have the foggiest clue, though, allow me to give you a break down.
(Feel free to scroll past this part if you're a treatment aficionado, of course).
How do keratin blowdries work?
Initially, the hair is throughly washed using a clarifying shampoo to rid it of oil and product build up. A solution is then applied and worked in from root to tip, before being blow dried in, and finally sealed with straighteners.
During this process the solution - which contains either formaldehyde (bad) or glyoxylic acid (good) - fills the porous parts of your strands, and gently (not permanently) relaxes the hair fibres, leaving your hair shinier, smoother, less curly and more manageable.
Everyone's clicking on...
I used to get them religiously, and I'll admit, I've had some shockers in my time. The first treatment left my hair SO straight it lost all volume and lay flat to my head. Not good. A more damaging experience (I swore it would be my last), resulted in excessive hair shedding for months after.
Ideally, I want a treatment that cuts drying/styling time in half, leaves it less frizzy, doesn't contain overly harsh chemicals, allows me to still wear it curly, AND doesn't do much damage. Am I asking for too much? I don't think so, but after some research, I realised there was nothing currently on the market that ticked all the boxes.
It wasn't until I was introduced to a revolutionary new treatment named Braliz, that I realised how subpar everything else I'd had before had been.
What is Braliz Blow Dry treatment?
A brand spanking new treatment - and the first of its kind - Braliz combines all of my above asks, and much, much more. Old school formulas coated your strands with harmful chemicals giving the illusion of a healthy shine, but weakening your hair, and leaving lasting damage.
Braliz is free of harsh chemicals and formaldehyde-free. It uses nourishing, all-natural (vegan) botanical bioactives, including cashew, guarana and Brazil nut oils, which bind to, and realign the hair fibres, repairing and smoothing the hair cuticles.
I've had natural treatments before, but sadly none of them worked, so to tell you the truth, I was sceptical.
Before
The treatment
The application process was the same as usual: shampoo, apply treatment, dry in, straighten - although this time you're permitted to wash your hair whenever you want. This was delightful news, considering past instructions have been to avoid water at all costs and live with the limpest, lankiest locks imaginable for 3 painstaking days.
Personally, I left mine for as long as poss because my hair wasn't greasy, rather, it closely resembled (and felt like) silk (pls refer to the after picture), however, it's nice to know you have the option.
Another surprise was the lack of smell. All previous treatments have released a strong scent during the blowdrying and straightening process, something that has lingered months later I'm washing and styling my hair. I can confirm that there is no whiff of anything unpleasant here.
The results
Immediately after
Courtesy of brand
When I blow dry my hair it takes half the time, is sleeker, smoother and less prone to puffing up when humidity rears it's ugly head. It is without questionable doubt shinier (but not claggy), feels a lot softer, and on close inspection my split ends are nowhere to be seen (see ya).
The biggest difference, though, is how my hair looks (and feels) when I leave it to dry naturally. The lack of harsher ingredients stop it from casting out your curls, instead it gently teases them apart so they're just that little bit looser than before (for me it means they're now waves).
I've got those effortlessly beachy, Cali-girl curls I've enviously admired my entire life. Regular shaped, glossy, frizz free - for once they do what I want, without me having to do, well, anything.
After
(with no heat/styling)
Cosmopolitan UK
Before, if I'd planned to brave it au naturel I followed a strict format: layers of products (so.much.oil), meticulous and strategic combing, under NO circumstances sleep on it until it is bone dry. The list goes on.
Now, I'm the laid back, get-up-and-go hair gal I've always aspired to be. No time? No problem! I can wash my hair and leave it to do its thing without adult supervision. Last week I fell asleep whilst it was damp, when I awoke, I was met by the same wondrous waves from the night before. It's nothing short of a miracle.
The need to know deets
- It take on average 2 hours, but is determined by the length, type and thickness of your hair.
- It costs anywhere between £250-£400, but is also down to salon discretion.
- It lasts for approx 3 months, but you must avoid seawater, chlorine and hair products that contain sulfates, as these remove the treatment.
- It's available at selected salons across the UK including Neville’s, Richard Ward (where I got it done) & Edward James in London.
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Gaby is the Senior Beauty Writer here at Cosmopolitan.com/UK. Her favourite hobbies include sleeping, eating cake till she can't move and uncontrollably hoarding beauty products.
