Amazing Results with a Brazilian Blowout
What’s better than an expensive pair of red high heels? Hair that behaves the way you wish it would everyday! Like kids, our hair often has a mind of it’s own. Curling this way or that; laying flat when you want volume; falling down when you need it to stay up…the story is the same for many of us! For me, I think I’ve found my answer to well-behaved hair! The Brazilian Blowout™!
This past weekend I drove an hour and a half to Santa Monica to meet with Jordana Lorraine, a certified Brazilian Blowout Specialist at Dino-Clark Salon. (Jordana gave us the details of the Brazilian Blowout recently. If you missed the article, please read it first so you have a better understanding of what I’m discussing here.) Jordana suggested I come to her salon and give the Brazilian Blowout™ a try and I was excited to do so.
At the salon, Jordana gave my hair an analysis that determined the degree of curl I had. Based on the Hair Type chart on NaturallyCurly.com, I have every type of curl from 2a to 3b. The more course and dense the curl, the sooner it will return after the Brazilian Blowout™. Jordana anticipates the back of my hair, where it is most densely curled, will begin to return to it’s natural state in about 2 months. The rest of the hair will hold the treatment for up to 4 months. The treatment will be completely out of my hair in about 4 months time.
Before:
My hair in it’s natural state. I washed it and let it hair dry on my drive to visit Jordana. Three hours after washing it, it is still damp!
I didn’t add any product or attempt to style my hair. Notice the frizz and the variety of texture.
Jordana explained to me that the more porous the hair the better is absorbs the treatment and the longer the treatment will last. This is the one time that having dry, damaged hair from color processing will actually be a benefit! My highlighted hair on the top of my head (I only have a half-weave), should hold the treatment for a longer period of time than the underside, which is not highlighted.
The 11 steps to getting a Brazilian Blowout™:
- Deep cleansing with shampoo. The hair needs to be “squeaky” clean. No conditioner is used.
- Dry hair with blow drier until hair is damp.
- Paint on Brazilian Blowout product (like a color gloss would be applied), section by section.
- Blow dry hair with product on.
- Reapply product over any fuzzy ends
- Flat Iron hair, section by section
- Rinse well; no shampoo (you do the first shampoo at home)
- Apply Smoothing Serum to wet hair
- Rough Dry with fingers
- Style with brush to blend ends if desired
- Very light trim of ends since hair was cut to work with your natural texture. This step simply makes sure that your ends are even.
That’s it. The process takes about 2 hours total.
Word of Warning:
Jordana asked me if my eyes were sensitive before she began to blow dry my hair in step 4. I said no. I was wrong. Boy, was I wrong. All of the sudden I began tearing uncontrollable. The fumes from the product burned my eyes. Jordana gave me a plastic shield to stick to my forehead that helped keep the fumes from going into my eyes. I applied this just before my Twitter friend Robyn (from Girls in Tech) came in to meet me for the first time! Nice first impression, right?! But she was so sweet and didn’t laugh at all! In fact, I still struggled with tearing up and had to have my first face-to-face conversation with her with my eyes shut! Thankfully, she understands the “price” of beauty!
The shield help protect my crying eyes from the product fumes as Jordana was blow drying my hair.
Saying goodbye to Robyn. I’m done with step 6, moving onto step 7
End Results:
My final look! Jordana has also had the Brazilian Blowout done!
Is the Brazilian Blowout™ worth the time and cost?
In my life, YES! “Smooth and Sleek” is the hair I’ve always dreamed of having!
While I spent plenty of time on the road that day, Jordana was worth the trip! She is professional, informative and super sweet! If you are in South California, she is worth the drive!
As for the results of my hair, I cut down my normal hair drying time by 23 minutes! I kid you not! Before my treatment I timed from when I got out of the shower until the time I could call my hair dry. It broke down to be 30 minutes of air dry and 20 minutes of blow drying. This did include blow drying and styling with a round brush to get my hair straight. If I wanted a “polished” straight look, I would have had to add another 5 minutes with the flat iron.
Today when I washed and dried my hair for the first time since the treatment, I let it air dry for 20 minutes. It took 7 minutes to blow dry. I only used my fingers to move my hair around and added the round brush at the very end to add volume to my crown. My hair is as straight as it was when I left the salon on Sunday. I am in love. I feel like my hair is Pantene ad worthy!
I haven’t had time to play with styling my hair ina variety of ways but it will take some getting used to. The hair is silky and more slippery, which may cause styles with volume to require an additional spritz of hairspray or a volumizing product before blow drying. I’d like to see how it holds a curl as well as how it dries naturally (I’m hoping for the beachy Giselle-style waves!).
This week will be a great test as we’ll be driving up the California coast on vacation. I look forward to seeing how it handles coastal humidity, which would normally turn my hair into a frizzy mess!
Care of Brazilian Blowout™:
Jordana used a great analogy, likening the BB to laminating your hair. The treatment coats the outside of your hair so you have to be careful how you care for it. Shampoos should not contain sulfate or sodium chloride. (The sodium chloride works as an exfoliant and strips the treatment from your hair) Jordana recommends using the Brazilian Blowout™ shampoo, conditioner, hair serum and deep conditioning masque to help the treatment last longer. Available in certified Brazilian Blowout salons.
Get it for less!
Jordana shared with us before that the Brazilian Blowout costs $350. If you go to her at the Dino-Clark Salon in Santa Monica, she will give you a $50 discount when you mention A Mom in Red High Heels! That’s a generous offer! I hope you take her up on it! Thanks Jordana!
About Jordana:
Jordana Lorraine graduated from Vidal Sassoon in 1995 and specialized in color and extensions before focusing on Brazilian Blowout™. In addition to her Brazilian Blowout™ Certification, Jordana has spent a highly unusual 4 hours with the creator of the process, during which they discussed details of the treatment and worked on a client together.
Find Jordana at Dino-Clark Salon in Santa Monica, CA.
www.jordanalorraine.com
contact: 310-922-2645
UPDATE, APRIL 2010: Brazilian Blowout™ is now free of formaldehyde and all hyde family ingredients, as shown on their website www.brazilianblowout.com. Read our report: BIG NEWS: Keratin Hair Treatment, Brazilian Blowout™ in Now HYDE-FREE!
Not ready for the commitment of a keratin treatment? Try an at home anti-frizz system for hair: Living Proof Straight Making Styling System ($34 Value)
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Tammy,
Great informative article on the Brazilain Blowout. Sounds like this process is a lifesaver that’s so much safer than some of the other chemical straightners! Protecting and shielding hair from drying out is probably the most important self-appointed step in maintaining healthy hair and a great look.
As an FYI….Neero & Ana’s Satin Hydration Therapy satin pillowcases are used in conjuction with many chemical straighteners. Since the satin is woven from plant cellulose, they are botanical & breathable. Also are anti-absorbent, so they act as a shield for hair (and skin). They actually supplement moisturizers and add an extra layer of protection against the drying affects of cotton pillowcases. Big benefits for Brazilian Blowout users. Thanks Tammy!
Excellent point Doreen! Thank you for bringing Neero & Ana’s Satin Hydration Therapy pillowcases to our attention! It will be a great upcoming post
Beautiful! I would love to be able to get that Brazilian blowout… I’m sold on the idea! Your hair looks fantastic in those pictures!
Wow, you look great! Love your hair. You just found the fountain of youth, I’d say.
OMG! I just had mine done before July 4th determined to be at the beach without the frizz! On day two of the “no wash” period I noticed the front ends of my hair were crinkly and coarse. Naturally I called the woman who made a house call for the sake of me, one overly scheduled working mom. She responded by saying, you must have sweat during a workout. NOT. Besides, my hairline was silky and smooth. Then she blamed in on my blow dryer which remained in my drawer during this time. My feeling is that she burned the hell out my hair while ironing it which she later returned to cut off. UGH! Finally, I look like a million bucks. Perhaps I’ll hop a flight to see your girl next time!
Bradi
Co-Founder
MyWorkButterfly.com
Beautiful results!!!!
Thanks everyone!
I am traveling up the coast this week and am satisfied beyond my highest hopes! I’ve enjoyed swimming with the kids with a quick rinse and dry to follow! I’ve never done that because swimming meant 40 minutes of dry and style before dinner! Also, the coastal humidity has not been a problem at all!
Bradi, I wonder if you had a Brazilian Blowout (the brand) or a different treatment? I didn’t have a “no wash period”. I’m curious to know the brand you used if you find out
thx!
Looks fantastic Tammy! The moment I have the money, I totally will consider it. I wash and blow dry my hair twice a week. If I may say, I do a pretty good job. However, depending upon the weather, I will have a puff of hair in seconds. Keep us posted over the next few weeks. It will be interesting to hear how it holds up. Oh and btw, great to finally meet you!!!
I had it done and I looove it! but I had it done in May adn it’s semi -gone now. I paid 150 for it and my hair is about the same length as yours.
check out my blog: http://didisworld.wordpress.com
wow, what a change the hair style is lovely, I should try this also. I just hope I have the time. thanks from miraclebabyblog.com
Tammy, I’m so happy to hear that BB has made your vacation (and life) easier! If I may respond to a few posters/points:
Doreen-very cool info about the pillow cases, I will look into those!
Bradi-sorry to hear about your experience, but glad you’re beautiful+happy now. Sounds like an issue I have seen before, when the iron is to hot for the texture/condition of the hair on the ends. I often use multiple irons to accommodate different parts of the hair. Also, as Tammy mentioned, Brazilian Blowout (TM) has no waiting period.
Eye irritation: although it is formaldehyde-free, as are all the treatments I use, BB seems to have the highest occurance of eye irritation. My other treatments only cause that occasionally, although they do have 48-72 waiting periods before you can wash your hair…and different results, depending on hair texture. The best thing to do if you’re considering a treatment like this, is to book a consultation and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
http://www.jordanalorraine.com
I just got my BB a few days ago–I have to say it was the best thing I have ever done for my hair! My eyes stung and watered a little bit during the blow out, but it looks AMAZING! I just wash and air dry to a perfect, shiny, frizz free finish. (I’ve never had the kind of hair that could air dry!) I will definitely be back for another. The cost was about $300 in NYC. Do you have any tips on making it last longer? Certain products to use, or not to use? Washing every few days instead of every day? I want my hair to look like this as long as possible! BTW, your hair looks beautiful.
Hi Manda, glad you’re loving your Brazilian Blowout! You definitely shouldn’t shampoo every day, as each shampoo fades the treatment out a bit. The Brazilian Blowout products are to best to maintain it, it’s not just a pitch! To answer other questions about aftercare, please see this recent A Mom In Red High Heels post:
http://amominredhighheels.com/caring-your-keratin-hair-treatment/
UPDATE on the subject of eye irritation: Dino Clark Salon has made special accommodations for their valued Brazilian Blowout and keratin treatment clients. We now have a semi-private room with filtered air, to maximize comfort during the process! You can see how it works at http://twitpic.com/photos/brazilblowout
Question- I am seriously considering doing this but I have really fine thin hair – I’m scared it will just make my hair flat… any thoughts?
I think a huge misconception about the BB is that once you have it done, you have to wear it stick straight. I think most women, like myself, who fight the curl and WANT straight hair opt to wear it this way just because it so easy for us to finally do!
For you, having fine hair you may want to add some wavy or curl to your hair and enjoy the benefits of no frizz. For example, Nicole Richie gets BBs done but you don’t see her running around with super straight hair usually. Generally she has a beautiful wave. (http://amominredhighheels.com/smooth-hair-nicole-richie/)
Perhaps the lack of frizz and ability to dry your hair quickly will be just what you are looking for and you can still add volume with styling techniques.
Hope that helps! I’m sure Jordana will chime in here and give her professional opinion soon
Tammy is absolutely right! If air-dried, the hair will still have some wave or body following a Brazilian Blowout. It is much quicker and easier to blow smooth, but then you have the option of using a flat brush if you want it straight, or a round brush, rollers or curling iron to add curl and bounce.
STYLING TIP: For the ‘Gisele’ look on longer hair, blow hair upside down until it is dry (5-10 mins). Pull hair back into a low bun and secure with a clip or some bobby pins. Blow warm air on the bun for a few seconds, then let it cool off for 10 minutes or more while you eat breakfast, feed kids, apply make-up, drive to work, etc. When you take it down, you will be amazed at the soft, shiny wave you’ll see!
You’ve probably hated your friends who could do this for years…now you can too
Thanks for the Gisele tutorial!! I love her hair!
Yeah, me too! It is one of the most requested styles and that’s a pretty easy way to coy the messy, wavy look with little to no effort.
Thanks Jordana!
I heard that the products that can’t be washed out have some degree of formaldehyde or chemicals. The first time I had my Brazillian done, I had the BB formulation which stung my eyes (in West Hollywood). I went to a different place in Beverly Hills this time and it didn’t sting at all. They said they used a gentler Keratin formulation which has left my hair just as straight and smooth (and smelling like chocolate, until I washed it).
Hi Shawna, I’m glad to hear you had a better experience your second time! How long did you have to wait to wash it, each time? The truth is, all keratin treatments contain some chemicals, or they would wash out after a few shampoos. If this formulation gives you results you like, with a more comfortable process, you should stick with it.
Would you mind asking for the brand name and formula type, and posting it? I think it would be a good reference point. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
how strong is the smell of the brazillian blowout.
The smell itself isn’t strong, it’s the fumes that irritate the eyes and/or nose. Some people are not bothered by it at all, other’s -like myself- have an irritation during the process. For me, it was watery eyes. I look forward to my next treatment with Jordana using the filter system to help eliminate the fumes!
The smell of the old solution was rather strong, but as Tammy said the current smell is much milder. There are still chemical fumes given off, mostly during the blowdrying process, which can irritate some people eyes. This is been greatly reduced since our treatment room was completed. See it here:
http://bit.ly/4Zzap2
heya! I just washed my hair for the first time after I got the blow out done – and it’s not really straight.. i thought it would be??
Hi Becki, as described above the Brazilian Blowout is not really a “straightener.” It reduces curl and knocks out frizz, but how straight your hair gets will depend on a few factors, including: natural curl (how tight), hair’s texture (how thin or thick each strand is), hair condition (it will take better on colored or highlighted hair), and of course the application and execution.
Most curly hair will not be straight if air-dried, but will take a fraction of the time to blow-dry straight and will resist external factors like humidity that would usually ruin a blowdry.
If you are in Los Angeles, I would be happy to meet you for a free consultation/analysis. You can read my bio here:
http://www.brazilianblowoutspecialist.com
I just received the BB yesterday at a salon in Woodland Hills. I must, say, I love the results of my hair, but let me tell you, it was extremely torturous going through. The fumes really burned my eyes, throat, I experienced chest tightness, short of breath. You name it! I almost needed to stop. He used a fan which helped quite a bit. I never had any reaction/problems/sensitivities before to anything. I have no medical problems. I am a registered nurse, and i was quite concerned. But the results were amazing. I will get it done again, but wear a mask or shield or something, and use the fan. I strongly recommend the BB, but wear a mask!
@Rebecca I’m sorry to hear that you had what sounds like a pretty severe allergic reaction. I must say, I am surprised you would have the service again, considering.
As you probably know from working in the medical profession, a fan will move air around but will not remove or filter fumes. If you are certain you’d like to have another Brazilian Blowout, perhaps you will consider making the drive to Santa Monica, to experience our Brazilian Blowout room? We have an air filter designed especially for these services (it hangs right over your head and vaccuums up the fumes), as well as an exhaust system puling the air out of the room to provide the safest and most comfortable environment for our clients and staff.
You can learn more about our air-filtered treatment room at http://www.jordanalorraine.com
i don’t know about this, but it looks sooooooooo cool. i have the stupidest hair in the world, and want to get rid of its frizeness and will do anything to make it go away.
@lauren Brazilian Blowout is truly amazing and will definitely help ease your hair woes. If you’re in Southern CA, please see my website by clicking on my name above. Elsewhere, check out Tammy’s recent post on choosing a stylist: http://amominredhighheels.com/keratin-treatment-choose-stylist/
I have been researching and learning about the BB and dying to try it. But a little skeptical about what it will look like when my curls/frizz start to grow in. I have friends that have been doing the Japanese treatment for years and it just looks weird when it grows in. Do you have any pic of someone with full, thick, curly hair 4-5 months after the first treatment?
I have long 3b hair and when I blow-dry it I usually don’t have a big frizz problem except when it is extremely humid. I got the BB about 3 weeks ago to have easy wash and go hair for the summer with beachy waves. Since then, whether I let it air dry or blow dry it with a brush, the front of my hair is smooth, the middle part of my hair is frizzy and weird and the longest part of my hair is stick straight even when I use a curling iron to curl the ends. I checked to make sure that it was BB before my stylist applied it. Now my hair just looks weird so I have to wear it in a bun all of the time and wash it frequently because it gets oily quickly. What should I do?
@Carrie I’m sorry to hear of your (unusual) experience. It sounds as though they may not have applied the solution evenly. I would suggest making an appointment to see your stylist and the manager for a consultation to discuss the situation. If not, but you want to try it again, do a little research to find someone more experienced in your area. If you are in Southern California, I would be happy to see your for your next Brazilian Blowout.
http://www.brazilianblowoutspecialist.com
If not, please see this post for tips on choosing a stylist:
http://amominredhighheels.com/keratin-treatment-choose-stylist/
I just had my 2nd BB a few weeks ago. Last Septmber I had done the Keratin treatment, had to wait 3 days to wash my hair, couldn’t tuck it behind my ear or sweat, etc. which was tough. My naturally wavy hair was stick straight, even when I let it air dry and it always felt like there was something on my hair.
I did the BB at the end of January, 2010 and as it grew out, it gradually became more wavy and more frizzy again until I couldn’t stand it anymore – summer humidity was starting to kick in – and I finally had the treatment done again at the end of May. It is much wavier this time around (probably due to the weather) but I am still frizz free so I will take it. And, it is so much easier to blow straight when I want to – MY CHOICE!!!
Great product!
@Mira Glad to hear you’re loving it!
$350 is a lot of money for something that only lasts 3 or 4 months. For $450 or $500 I can get a Yuko ( Japanese Hair Straightening ) that will for sure last until my hair grows out…ie: a year before I need a touch up. I have thick wavy frizzy hair. Yuko is fantastic. Makes my hair stick straight and shiny.
It seems like the Brazilian treatment is overpriced.
@Luanne It sounds like you have done your research, and decided what is best for you, which is good. However, if someone has curlier hair their roots will show much sooner with Yuko, as opposed to blending as the BB fades away; Yuko also cannot be done on damaged, blonde or highlighted hair. Lastly, if someone wants to improve the condition of their hair, doesn’t want it stick straight, or wants to maintain body or part of their curl, these are all possibilities with BB but not with Yuko
So, I’m glad you’ve found what works for you, but please don’t dis-count the idea that everyone has different hair and different needs. Enjoy your Yuko, and let us enjoy our Brazilians.
I am really considering having a Brazilian Blowout- I would love the convienence, but I have a question. I am headed to Maui for a trip and I scuba dive- I am concerned that being in ocean water for awhile or even after taking a dip in the pool or the ocean will cause the treatment to go away faster. Is this true? I would love it before I go because I tend to look like a frizzed hippy after getting out of the water, but the long term results are more important- can anyone comment?
@Meg Good question! Excessive water exposure/soaking in pool or ocean will fade the treatment out faster. The best tips are to wet you hair with tap water first, and wash it asap after. When you’re just lounging in the water, or playing with kids but not submerging, clip your hair up so it’s not soaking in the water while you are. You can also coat your hair with the BB Masque when sitting in the sun or hitting a sauna, as a smoothness-refreshing treatment.
While the longevity of your results will be compromised by the frequent swimming and SCUBA diving, you still may find the benefits outweigh that drawback. It is amazing to have shiny, frizz-free hair without any product of effort, after swimming in a waterfall or other former hair disasters. Having been to Puerto Vallarta both with and without Brazilian Blowout, I would never go without again. But to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I’ll go anywhere without Brazilian Blowout again–I’m completely addicted!
Where can I get one of those shields for the next time I get a BB ?
@Jill We purchased them from Brazilian Blowout, but I have recently learned they stopped making/selling them. I have contacted them but it seems they had them manufactured, so it’s not a product that can simply be purchased elsewhere. I am disappointed to learn this and have begun researching options online, but most seem to be either too large and bulky (intended for medical use and would interfere with working on the hair) or far more expensive than the ones we previously had access to (such as $10 per shield via http://protechdesigns.net/)
My suggestion? Call BB and ask about it, why they stopped making them, etc. and encourage your stylist to do the same. Maybe if enough of us inquire about it, they will start making them again
UPDATE: The shields available at http://www.protechdesigns.net are $10 for a pack of 40! Of course, you will not need 40 of them, but maybe you’ll find it worth it to order a pack and bring them in to your stylist to try on you and some other clients.