Although I love all things beauty, one thing I often complain about is hair wash day. I have a lot of hair, and it easily takes me 45 minutes to an hour to blow dry and straighten it. On days when I also need to do my makeup, it can take me 2 to 3 hours from the shower to out the door! It’s quite a process, y’all.
I heard of the Brazilian Blowout before but never paid it much attention because I had a keratin treatment years ago, and it DAMAGED MY HAIR! As a result, I vowed to never get one again, lol. While talking to my friend Gabi, who is a certified stylist, she assured me that they are not the same treatment. I went back and forth for a few months and finally decided to take the plunge! Not sure why I waited so long because I am sooo obsessed with the results! My blowout time decreased from 1 hour to just 20 minutes! Yes, just 20 minutes!
So what is a brazilian blowout?
The Brazilian Blowout brand treatment is known for providing frizz reduction, enhanced shine, and manageability to the hair. The results can last for several weeks, gradually fading as you wash and style your hair. Maintenance treatments can help prolong the effects.
Now, when I work out, walk out in the rain, or encounter major humidity, my hair stays tamed and doesn’t poof up like it used too, haha.
It’s essential to have the Brazilian Blowout treatment performed by a certified stylist who follows safety protocols and uses genuine Brazilian Blowout products for the best results and safety. I went to Gabi at The Beauty Hub in Laurel and highly recommend her! She’s been a stylist for 10 years and I trust her with my hair. Of course, always discuss any concerns or questions with your stylist before proceeding with the treatment.
Before we get into the process and my experience, let’s answer the two major questions that always come up!
How much does it cost?
You can expect to pay $300+ for the treatment, depending on how long and thick your hair is. If you have long hair, you will use more product which means the cost will be more than someone with short hair. My treatment was $350, before tip + aftercare products. I paid about $475 in total.
how long does it take?
The time is dependent on how long your hair is and how straight you want your results to be (we’ll discuss this further down). The straighter you want your hair, the longer it will take. In total, I was at the salon for almost 6 hours!
the process
Consultation // My journey with the Brazilian Blowout treatment started with a consultation with Gabi. During this chat, I had the opportunity to express my hair goals, concerns, and what I hoped to achieve. She took a close look at my hair’s current condition to determine if it was a good fit for the treatment. Given my naturally curly hair, I had options: I could keep the curls, relax them a bit, or go for the smoothest look possible. Since I had a vacation planned, I decided to go for the smoothest result. This decision influenced the number of times the flat iron would be used on my hair during the later stages of the process.
Preparation // First, we prepared my hair by washing it with the Brazilian Blowout Anti-Residue Professional Shampoo. This clarifying shampoo removes impurities and residues from the hair.
Drying // Following the shampooing, my hair was towel-dried to remove excess water.
Application // Now onto the application phase. The Brazilian Blowout solution is applied section by section to your hair. This solution typically contains a formula with amino acids and other ingredients designed to bond to the hair’s surface and improve its condition. The straightening treatment does contain formaldehyde, so it is not safe for pregnant women. Since I only plan on getting the treatment done once a year during the summer, I do not mind. To each their own! The chemical smell is strong, so I highly recommend wearing a mask and opening the windows, if possible.
Blow-Dry // After the solution was applied, my hair was blow-dried straight.
Flat Ironing // Then, using a special flat iron set at high heat, Gabi straightened my hair, which helps to lock in the treatment and seal the cuticle. This step is essential for achieving the desired results. She passed the straightener through each section of hair 12 times in order to achieve the results I was looking for. Between the application and flat ironing, this took about 5 hours. I have medium length, thick hair. The time will depend on the length and how much hair you have!
Rinse // Once the straightening process was complete, my hair was rinsed thoroughly with water, and the treatment solution was washed out. YES! All that hard work is now gone lol. When we washed my hair, it was soo straight! I was already excited although we weren’t done yet.
Conditioning // Next, Gabi applied the Brazilian Blowout Masque (a deep-conditioning mask) to my hair. This helps to lock in moisture and maintain the treatment’s effects.
Final Styling // Lastly, my hair was blow-dried and styled. I instantly noticed that my hair was smoother, shinier, and more manageable immediately after the treatment!
aftercare //
– No waiting period. You can exercise without any restrictions and wash your hair whenever you would like, with no waiting period after the treatment. Enjoy the benefits the moment you leave the salon!
– Wash your hair less frequently. The longer you go between washes, the longer your hair will stay sleek and silky. I highly recommend buying the shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask from the “Brazilian Blowout Brand.” It prolongs your treatment and keeps your hair strong and healthy. I haven’t had any issues with these products!
– Deep condition your hair. Deep conditioning products add moisture to your hair, which can decrease frizz, boost shine, and increase smoothness. I use the hair mask once a week!
– Use salon-quality products. Using professional hair care products designed for blown-out hair can help you keep your look longer. The two products I have been loving are amika’s plus size body mousse for volume and amika’s supernova moisture and shine cream as a heat protectant.
– Avoid swimming in saltwater or chlorine. Salt and chlorine can remove the protective layer of moisture from your hair shaft and scalp, causing dryness and irritation.
the results
These are a few after photos of my hair in various environments. I wanted to include some taken in hot and humid weather, as well as some after working out and after showering when my hair air-dries. I seriously cannot recommend this enough! The treatment is perfect for those living in a humid climate or going on vacation and wanting low-maintenance hair. In Greece, it only took about 20 minutes to blow dry and straighten my hair. It was a dream!
If you are in the DMV area, definitely book an appointment with Gabi at The Beauty Hub!
