Brazilian Blowout has just launched a new treatment product, Brazilian Blowout ZERO, in answer to public concern over the ingredients in their original treatment. While testing by the manufacturer, an independent agency and OSHA has shown that the original product is well within safety guidelines, Brazilian Blowout has wisely manufactured an all-new solution that promises to still smooth, defrizz and condition hair, but without any trace of formaldehyde. But does it really stand up? There’s only one way to tell: try the Original and the Zero solutions, side-by-side!
I have done this type of experiment to compare products before, and Brazilian Blowout has always come out on top; but now that it’s Brazilian Blowout vs. Brazilian Blowout, what will happen?
Client Before Brazilian Blowout Zero/Brazilian Blowout Original keratin treatment
The model has naturally wavy/curly hair with moderate frizz, one-process color, and had a Brazilian Blowout about 3 months ago. She has previously had the Japanese Straightener, and another keratin treatment, so she is the perfect candidate to test and compare results of virtually any smoothing treatment!
I shampooed her hair with the Brazilian Blowout Anti-Residue Shampoo, towel-dried, and applied the Original Brazilian Blowout formula to one side of her hair and the Brazilian Blowout Zero to the other side. I blow-dried and flat ironed both sides using identical technique, rinsed the products out and applied the Brazilian Blowout Acai Deep Conditioning Masque as usual. We were both eager to see the results! I did a loose, simple blowdry first:
After blowdry
Then I took a round brush to it, for a more refined style (this literally took about 3 minutes):
After styling with round brush and blowdryer
What do you think? Can you tell the difference between sides?
It was raining on Saturday, which is awesome. I intentionally didn’t tell the model which side had which treatment, because I wanted the most accurate feedback possible. She went out that night, and tweeted this the next morning: “Got Brazilian Blowout yesterday from @jordanalorraine. Was fab and – even in the rain – hair looks perfect. Yay!” I agree, YAY!
After Brazilian Blowout ZERO/Brazilian Blowout Original treatment
I checked back in with the model today, and she says hat there is no frizz on either side, but that one side (the Zero side) retained more wave when air-dried, than the Original formula’s side. This could be a pro or a con, depending on one’s preference. Through my Tweeting and Facebooking, I have found someone else who has had the Zero done already, and she says she likes it even better than the original! She feels she has a little bit more body, which of course some people might prefer. That could also be due to stylist technique, which plays a big part in the results. See this post for help finding and choosing a stylist near you, but remember that this is a brand-new product (just released on February 11) so if you are looking specifically for Brazilian Blowout ZERO, you’ll need to speak with the stylist to confirm that s/he has it in stock.
UPDATE: The model has just reported that, after 5 weeks, she can’t tell a major difference between the sides. Her usual routine is a quick blowdry, or to pull it back while wet and let it down later.
UPDATE: After 3 months, the time frame that BB advertises is lasts for (both formulas,) the client reports that both have faded back towards natural, but not completely. The Zero side (she knows which is which now) has regained more of its natural curl than the Original side, but still not all the way to natural. Both sides are still softer and less frizzy than ever before, and very easy to blow straight when she wants to. She stated that when checking air-dried waves to compare, she can see the difference, but that it is mild enough that she chose not to come back to have it adjusted.
CONCLUSION: Brazilian Blowout Zero is a great product for defrizzing, smoothing and making her blowdry easier, for 3+ months in this case. It did reduce curl, but not as much as the Original.
NOTE FROM THE STYLIST: Results will vary based on many factors, such as natural texture and curl pattern, hair condition and aftercare routines. This is true for ANY treatment. if trying to decide between BB Original and BB Zero, the best thing to do is to seek out a Specialist who is experienced with both and book a consultation with them. For more advice on researching and choosing a stylist, see here.
If you are in Southern California, you can enter here to WIN A FREE BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT ZERO!
Contributed by:
Jordana Lorraine, Brazilian Blowout Specialist at Lorraine Colour Bar
www.jordanalorraine.com
310-922-2645
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I really want to try a bbz. I have long, thick hair with a small amount of wave in the back. I have been coloring my hair black for years, it’s a little frizzy in the back and semi coarse. I like the little bit of wave that I have and I Also want to maintain body. Basically I just want to eliminate frizz and have shiny smooth hair with less blow drying time of course…would bbz be good for me??
@Jess It sounds like Brazilian Blowout Zero sounds great for you! You won’t have to worry about losing body or your hair being flat, but the shine and defrizzing will be awesome. When looking for a stylist, ask some questions to try to find someone experienced with BBZ in particular, as it is a little different so you will get the best results from someone who has been working with it for a while (but remember it just came out in February.) You may also want to meet them for a consultation prior to booking an appointment, so they can advise after seeing and analyzing your hair. Good luck and please do report back!
I had the Brazilian Blowout Original done 4 months ago and it made my hair frizz-free and really loosened my very curly hair. The product lasted a total of 3 months. The first month, my hair was a frizz-free, very loose curl. The second month, the curl returned but still no frizz. By the third month, my hair had a small amount of frizz. By the fourth month, my hair had returned to it’s natural, pre-Brazilian Blowout state.
Craving that frizz-free hair again, I decided to get another Brazilian Blowout. However, this time I wanted to try the Brazilian Blowout Zero since the company had claimed it works the same but without all the formaldehyde. This time, after the ZERO treatment, my hair was FRIZZIER than before the ZERO treatment. My hair was a little less cury, less than with the Original product. However, if I blowdried my hair staight, it was easy to do, but I normally like to wash and go. I was very disappointed with the ZERO solution. Please don’t waste your time with the Brazilian Blowout ZERO if you are looking for easy, wash and towel- dry hair. I’ll I was looking for was to de-frizz my hair and if that’s what you’re looking for too, use the Original solution, not the ZERO solution. Because trust me, your are going to get ZERO results.
Jess… I would have to say stick with the Brazilian Blowout Original formula. If your hair is semi coarse as you say, the Zero will do NOTHING for you!! I am a stylist experienced in Coppola Keratin for about 1 1/2 years, and have been doing the Original Brazilian Blowout for about 7 months. OUr salon in NYC ran a groupon on the Zero when it first came out, because everyone was excited about the new formaldehyde free formula. After doing several of those myself, the results of the ZERO have been found to be not even 1/4 of the results of the original. Clients were coming back to redo the ZERO for the Original almost every time. NOw if they have the groupon, we automatically suggest the original formula instead. The Zero really is a waste of $200 and 2 hours of your time, where the Original can be life changing. Think about, maybe do some more research, and good luck!
@Lainie I respectfully disagree. Jess said that she wants to keep her wave and body, and the Original formula may very well reduce both more than she wishes.
Jess, I do suggest you see a stylist for a consultation, so they can determine what might be best for you after seeing and analyzing your hair. Don’t go for the best deal, look for a Specialist who knows the products well; ideally, someone who uses and likes both, will give you the most accurate evaluation.
@Jennifer I am sorry to hear that you didn’t like the Zero treatment. It’s true that it is not for everyone, and hopefully as stylists become more experienced with it (it only came out 3 months ago) they will come to know who is a good candidate for Zero and who may not be. On the client shown in this post, the Zero worked almost exactly the same as the Original. The determining factors are natural texture, chemical history, and desired result. Since no hair product will do the same thing for everyone, all of these factors are important to discuss in a treatment consultation.
For example, as you said, it is easier to blow-dry straight, but that was not your goal or lifestyle. For someone else, that might be the goal. I would encourage anyone considering a treatment to be specific in discussing what they are looking for when looking for a stylist, and I would encourage stylists to guide clients through a detailed consultation before making a recommendation for them.
Jordana: I had 2 original BB’s, then had a Cadiveu. All were pretty much the same. My hair is very fine, thin and wavy, and it is highlighted, so I usually like the treatment better after about 2 or 3 weeks, when I can actually get height into the top of my hair again. Recently I went to someone new who uses the original BB formula. She told me she uses way more product than is recommended and likes to “saturate” the hair with it so the straightening lasts longer. UGH! for the first 3 weeks my hair was flat and full of static, then the static went away and it was just flat flat flat. Finally 8 weeks later, it is starting to look good. I just had it cut into a chin-length bob to make it look a little fuller. Any suggestions for next time? I was going to try the zero but she also had a bad experience with it and had to redo many clients. Seems stylists should be able to tailor each treatment to the client’s hair type.
I am a hair stylist in Texas, I have been doing the Brazilian Blowout for almost 2 years now, and I am curious-does the Zero solution have the fumes that the original solution has, or that little bit of sting to the eyes?
As a salon owner i wanted to try Brazilian Blowout Zero on my frizzy hair before trying on my clients. I feel its a complete waste of time and money, the product does not deliver what it promises,and I am contacting the company for a refund. I believe it wont be long before this product is pulled, as it just doesnt work.
I have fine hair that is quite curly. The original BB works amazingly well. So well that I often can just let my hair air dry and it looks great. I just tried the Zero last night- terrible. My hair actually looks curlier than it was before the treatment. It’s like it stripped the original BB that was left in my hair right out. So, not cool for all the time, money and effort. Hate it!
hey i have median long hair mostly short. its wicked curly and frizzy. i have been starightening it every day for the past year. Which Brazilian blow would be right for me the zero or original? Or which is more harmful straightening my hair everyday for the rest of my life or getting one of the brazilian blowouts? Also how long would it keep my hair striaght and not frizzy?
Hi Chessa, unfortunately, many of your questions can only be answered by a professional after analyzing your hair (in person,) however if your hair is very curly it is unlikely that Zero will make it straight. I would recommend you schedule a consultation or two with local stylists to get their opinions/suggestions. See this post for help choosing a stylist: http://amominredhighheels.com/keratin-treatment-choose-stylist/
For what it’s worth, here’s my two cents: I’ve had original and Zero treatments. I have fine, thin, porous, color-treated hair that frizzes. I loved the original BB, especially after the first couple of weeks when some body returned to my hair. The Zero produced a different result on me. Air drying was not an option but it did make blow-drying and styling easier. Styles hold for multiple days. It will not give you stick straight hair and found myself dealing with static, depending on the weather. But for me the Zero treatment is an improvement over no treatment. It calms my hair, gives it shine and helps my style hold so I don’t overwork it with heat styling. Without it my hair frizzes and does it’s own thing, regardless of how much work I do to it.
@Elizabeth Thank you for your feedback!
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My hair is fine, but I have a lot of hair – it is short, a bob, and I want to avoid frizz, but still have volumne and lift. Especially on top. I just had the Aveda Smooth Infusion, and although it is silky, it is too flat. I do not want stick straight. Is this right for Me? thanks
Great question, Phyllis. It sounds like this would be a great option for you. Brazilian Blowout Zero has been improved since this post. See the new information at http://amominredhighheels.com/brazilian-blowout-frizzfree-formaldehydehyde-free-hour/
I have had four Brazilian blowouts and the first two left my hair straighter than the last two. Each time I’ve had the same stylist. The most recent was less than two weeks ago and my hair is already looking less smooth. Very disappointed with the new formula. My hair has more body than before, but the tradeoff of curl and frizz beginning to emerge isn’t worth the expense. My hair is not super curly so I wonder how this new formula works on strong curls and frizz.
@Sandy I am sorry to hear you have not been happy with your last two treatments. Did the stylist not tell you that you were receiving a different treatment? Zero was introduced in February 2011 as an additional product, not as a replacement for the Original formula, so you still have the option of receiving the treatment you preferred. If you were switched without being informed (or offered the choice,) I think you should speak with the salon manager about that. Even if you chose the gentler formula, but are not happy with it, they may be able to offer you a discount on going back to the Original now, though I’m not sure of their policies, especially as you have chosen the gentler treatment twice now.
Since the publishing of this post (February 2011) Brazilian Blowout has inproved on th Zero formula and now offers Zero Plus in place of Zero. This formula performs better than the first Zero (shown here) and also has no methylene glycol, however it is still gentler than the Original Brazilian Blowout. You can read about Zero Plus here: http://amominredhighheels.com/brazilian-blowout-frizzfree-formaldehydehyde-free-hour/
I hope that you can work something out and get back on track with the treatment you liked best, the original Brazilian Blowout–the most popular treatment in my studio!
I’m particularly fond of Cocoa Keratin System, it’s a Brazilian keratin treatment that comes with the pre-treatment shampoo, smoothing treatment and daily shampoo and conditioner. I like it because the treatment lasts up to 5 months and its very safe on my hair, giving it nutrients, moisture and smoothing it down. The protein and argan oil help immensely and strengthen my hair while making ir super shiny. I recommend it
I tried all sorts of Keratin treatments, at least 6 different kinds including BB Zero which I just got as recent as two weeks ago and I should say it was the worste out of all those previous ones I tried. The only one that really worked is the original BB and with its Fermaldohide content, I don’t consider that much of an option. It’s too bad really! I would have spend more money if I could only find a safe and quality alternative. I spent a lot of money on the treatments that I’ve received to date and my hairdresser, whom I’ve been going to for years and she is great, has gone to all sorts of extends to accommodate my keratin treatment requests and we both couldn’t be more disappointed.
@Tara I’m sorry you have been disappointed with Brazilian Blowout Zero and other formaldehyde-free options. Please see this post comparing several of them, and maybe you’ll find one you’d like to try: http://amominredhighheels.com/comprehensive-guide-formaldehydefree-brazilian-blowout-keratin-treatment-alternatives/
I just had a BB zero. Not really happy with the results. How soon after can I try the original BB?
Great question, Tamara. I’m sorry you’re feeling underwhelmed and would suggest you call BB for the official answer: 877-779-7706. Best of luck!