Brand New: The Brazilian Blowout is The New 12 Week Blowdry

I mentioned the Brazilian Blowout earlier and here's the gen. Available nationwide now (including Kazumi on Dublin's Molesworth street which has been trialling it to perfection), this is a new-gen variant on the 'permanent' blowdry idea.

The difference? They say it's "the only professional smoothing treatment that improves the health of the hair. No Damage! No harsh chemicals! No Formaldehyde!"

It takes just an hour-and-a-half, there's none of that can't-wash-hair-for-72-hours malarkey and from what I can make out from the press materials I've been sent, this doesn't break the keratin bonds in the hair, but rather surrounds the cuticle with a conditioning and smoothing complex. That apparently wears off over time (around 10-to-12 weeks), so your hair gradually goes back to its original condition and you're not left with frazzled frizzles and a hair condition that demands instant, expensive fixing.

At €200, it's no cheaper than other treatments, and you're recommended to use specific - and pricey - Acai aftercare products to wash and condition post-treatment too, but on paper at least, this sounds a lot more appealing to me than the 12 Week feller does.

There's a FAQ from the peeps behind the Brazilian Blowout after the cut which answers some common questions. A caveat - we didn't write this so while it's interesting and informative reading, it has been complied by the brand, so do read with that in mind, Beaut.ies.

Q. What is the active chemical in the Brazilian Blowout solution that makes it work so well?

A. The Brazilian Blowout smoothes the hair through the use of a proprietary polymer system that bonds amino acids to the surface of the hair.  This treatment is 100% salon safe. What makes the Brazilian Blowout treatment effective is our use of the Super Nutrient Complex in conjunction with a proprietary polymer system. This combination is what rounds the follicle, smoothes the cuticle and repairs any pre-existing damage.

Q. Who is the best candidate for the Brazilian Blowout?

A. It has been our experience, that good candidates for the Brazilian Blowout are anyone who has frizzy, damaged or processed hair. We have performed the treatment on every hair type (fine/course/frizzy, curly), as well as hair that has been permed, Japanese straightened and extensions.  In doing so, we have found that with proper communication and a well considered application, everyone can benefit from the Brazilian Blowout smoothing treatment.

Q. What kind of look will you get from the Brazilian Blowout?

A. The hair will be left totally frizz-free, shiny, effortlessly manageable and with plenty of body and bounce.  There will still be the option to wear hair curly/wavy (depending on the hair type) and the freedom to blow dry hair smooth and straight in a fraction of the time invested prior to receiving the treatment.

Q. Can I still receive a Brazilian Blowout if I have highlights and/or colour?

A. Yes, the Brazilian Blowout will actually improve the health of colour-treated/highlighted hair by conditioning the hair while sealing the cuticle for enhanced colour, reduced frizz and radiant shine.

Q. Is the Brazilian Blowout going to make my hair straight?

A. If your hair is wavy, the Brazilian Blowout will make your hair appear naturally straight and healthy. If your hair is very curly, it will minimize frizz while enhancing the appearance of the natural wave/curl. If you have straight, frizzy hair, this treatment will eliminate frizz and promote radiant shine.

Q. How long does the Brazilian Blowout last?

A. The Brazilian Blowout will last for 10-12 weeks if the Acai After-Care Maintenance product line is used. The Brazilian Blowout is a cumulative treatment, in that the more you receive it, the healthier the hair will be and the longer the result will last.

Q. Can you apply the Brazilian Blowout directly on top of other relaxers and strengtheners?

A. Yes. The Brazilian Blowout actually works best on chemically treated hair, and helps to improve the hairs condition by fortifying each strand with essential amino acids.

The Brazilian Blowout works great directly on top of a relaxer. Perform the relaxer first, Brazilian Blowout next, and then neutralize at the very end of both treatments.

The Brazilian Blowout is great to perform when someone is trying to move away from having relaxers or Japanese straighteners.  It puts movement back into the hair, allowing the hair to look its best.

Q. Will my hair lose volume if I receive the Brazilian Blowout?

A. No, your hair will not lose volume as a result of receiving the Brazilian Blowout. Your hair will maintain its natural volume and you will still receive great bend and memory when blow-drying and/or using a curling iron.

Q. Will my hair return to its original state after the Brazilian Blowout treatment has completed its life cycle?

A. Yes, the hair will revert to its original state once the Brazilian Blowout treatment has completed its life cycle of 10-12 weeks, however, the condition of the hair will actually improve as a result of the fortifying and conditioning nature of the product.

Q. Can you colour your hair the same day you receive a Brazilian Blowout?

A. Yes, however, you must colour your hair prior to having the Brazilian Blowout smoothing treatment. If you are colouring hair dark brunette or red, you will want to colour the hair a shade darker than you otherwise would, as the hair colour will experience fading during the Brazilian Blowout treatment.

Q. Can you swim in the pool or ocean after you have the Brazilian Blowout treatment?

A. Yes, you can swim in either the pool or the ocean after you receive the Brazilian Blowout treatment, however, the treatment may be slightly compromised if you swim on a regular basis. We recommend that you apply the Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Serum on the hair prior to swimming in order to act as a protective barrier to maintain the smoothest possible result for the longest period of time.

Q. How soon can you touch up your colour after you receive the Brazilian Blowout Treatment?

A. You should wait at least two weeks to administer colour to the hair after you receive the Brazilian Blowout, as the colour will not deposit as effectively with the protein protective layer provided by the smoothing treatment.

If your clients need to touch up colour/roots in between treatments, this is ok, as the hair being touched up is new growth and does not have the treatment on it.  If you need to highlight or pull the full colour through the entire head of hair, make sure that the client is using the Brazilian Blowout masque at least once or twice a week to fortify the treatment back into the hair.

Q. How soon can I wash my hair after the Brazilian Blowout treatment?

A. You can wash your hair immediately after the Brazilian Blowout treatment, or as you would normally.

Q. Can I receive the Brazilian Blowout if I have over-processed blonde hair? What if my hair is platinum blonde?

A. It is important for every stylist to assess the condition of the client’s hair to make sure it is in a healthy enough state to apply extreme heat through the use of a flat iron. If it is felt that the hair is in questionable condition, the recommendation is to turn the flat iron down from 450 degrees to approx. 380-420. The stylist will have to determine the appropriate amount of heat to apply.

Q. Can you perform a Brazilian Blowout on extensions?

A. Yes, the Brazilian Blowout performs perfectly on hair extensions. It would be best for the stylist to perform the Brazilian Blowout separately on the extensions prior to putting them into the hair. If you wish to perform the treatment on extensions that are already in the hair, the stylist will need to be extremely careful when applying the solution to the bonded area. Brazilian Blowout solution acts as a conditioning agent, and may create slip resulting in the extensions separating from the hair. If the stylist is careful and works to first separate the extension hair from the client’s own hair, a great result can be achieved.

Q. Can I receive a Brazilian Blowout if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

A. There have been no clinical tests performed on the safety of performing the Brazilian Blowout on pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. As a result, we do advise against pregnant or breastfeeding women receiving the Brazilian Blowout treatment.

Q. How soon can I receive a Brazilian Blowout treatment after I receive my first treatment?

A. The Brazilian Blowout is just like a conditioning treatment, so you will not harm the hair by performing them too soon or too much, however, please remember that you can only fill the cuticle to its capacity.  If a client wants to come back for another treatment, or it did not take to the hair the way it should have, you can have the client come back in 10 days following the first treatment.

Q. How is the Brazilian Blowout different from the Japanese straightening method many people are familiar with?

A. Japanese hair straightening changes the actual structure of the hair.  In doing so, there is an obvious difference between the new hair growth and the hair that has been treated, resulting in a life-long commitment to continuing the straightener or cutting hair off (if client is unhappy with the result).  This service can also leave the hair flat, too straight and with little to no shine or lustre. The hair's integrity seems to be compromised, and after a few treatments, the hair appears to be in an unhealthy state.