We did the Brazilian Blowout! Do You Have a Story? [UPDATE]
UPDATE: We now have a LOT of responses to this and wanted to bump it up to share the comments with you guys. You can probably skip to the comments if you read this site with any frequency. It’s really all about you, the readers, with this puppy. So read! And add!
Hello! Let’s have a little fun, since we know we are not the only ones who have gone down the Brazilian blowout road. As the bad press continues, we want to hear your Brazilian blowout stories:
1. Did you do it at home or in a salon?
2. Did your eyes hurt/nose bleed/hair smell funny? Or did nothing bad happen?
3. What was it called: keratin styling, old standby “Brazilian” or something else?
4. Did you do it again? (Do you still do it?) Did your hair get dry and weird two months later, as ours did?
For those of you who have not read the book or listened to us talk about this ad nauseam, a recap: We wrote the book because we went for Brazilian blowouts, had a sort of scary experience—much coughing, protective goggles, and hair that smelled like toxic chocolate for way, way too long—and decided we should investigate what was in it. We also noticed that after a few weeks, our hair looked like garbage, and it was a long time before it went back to normal.
But right after we did it? Boy were we excited. The pic of me up top is from right after the treatment: I look grumpy, but not because of my hair. That’s what my hair looked like without a blowdryer for a while, in the August humidity. Swoon! Except not really. That’s Alexandra’s hair about a month or so in—and the magic of the blowout was already beginning to reverse itself (you should see the pictures she took at two months).
Anyway, we want to hear your experiences. Please answer our questions in the comments section (or tell us a different story about it) and if, like us weirdos, you saved your post-Brazilian pics send them to us at nomoredirtylooks (at) gmail (dot) com.
I have been reading all these comments about the “Brazilian Blowout,” thinking about getting one. I have to straighten my hair everyday because of its frizzyness. I have long, brown, naturally wavy hair and I am kind of nervous about some of these bad comments, but the positive comments are making me want to get this done really badly! I would like some recent (6-26-12) suggestions on whether or not I should get this done, so if anyone would be able to help me that would be greatly appreciated.
these are two pretty compelling stories about some salon workers who got really ill –
http://www.womensvoices.org/making-products-safe/brazilian-blowout/jennifers-story/
http://www.womensvoices.org/making-products-safe/brazilian-blowout/dawns-story/
and, yes, formaldehyde is on the known to cause cancer list…
I unfortunately spent a few hours in a classroom each week for half of a semester that had elevated levels of formaldehyde due to new carpet and poor ventilation. While not as severe as the stories above, this has forever changed my life. What began as chronic sinus infections, dizziness, migraines, short term memory loss and horrible coughing fits ended with mostly unnoticeable symptoms, except when I’m around certain chemicals. I have no idea what they are- but fragranced products and most stores (from Target to Best Buy to the Mall) make me ill with 15 minutes or so. It is so bad that I can’t really manage I conversation with someone wearing perfume or heavily scented laundry products because I know I’ll be ill, having difficultly breathing, for many hours afterwards. My head will be cloudy, I’ll feel agitated, and I’ll get acute sinus congestion and often wheezing or chest pains. I wouldn’t want any of these things to happen to you, so please don’t increase you risk by willingly taking on this exposure. And even if you end up being not so sensitive to this product, it is still linked to cancer.
I’ve had the Brazilian Blowout done on my hair twice and both times were great. I have lots of super thick, coarse, long hair and I live in a humid climate. It is expensive, so I only get it done in the summer to combat the humidity/poofy friz. It made my hair super soft both times and didn’t irritate my eyes, nose, or scalp. It has a smell, but I wouldn’t say it’s any worse or stronger then hair dye. And my hair is NOT limp or lifeless. It’s still got lots of movement and body when I style it. Honestly, if I could afford to do this every three months like they recommend I would. So if you’re thinking about doing it, I’d say do it. Get on yelp.com and find a salon in your area with good reviews. But deffinitely try it out.
I had the BB twice, from two different stylists at the same salon. The first experience was great. My hair looked beautiful and strong and grew super fast. I did get a runny nose and burning eyes ( mildly) during the process.I waited a full year before I had it done again. The second time it was a complete nightmare. The fumes were so strong even in front of the open door to allow ventilation. My hair looked like cotton candy when she was done and blamed it on my “dry hair”. She offered to cut it for free the next time I came in but took no ownership or responsibility for what she had done to my hair. I promptly changed stylists and we have been working on restoration for about a year now. I now use non- sulfate shampoos and get monthly trims of damaged hair. It seems whenever the frizz gets cut off, more frizz appears. I personally believe it has more to do with the stylist that gave me the BB and not the BB product. My current stylists thinks that the straightener was too hot. which makes sense. Lesson learned. I will never get a BB again.
DO NOT GET THIS! I got this treatment about three weeks ago at a salon. It was the official “Brazilian Blowout.” The first week my hair went from being frizzy curly to pretty much straight with a little wave and super shiny. I thought it was amazing – for that week. But two weeks in my hair started falling out in chunks and now I have loads of dandruff and I have never had dandruff in my whole life. I am horrified. I am going to a dermatologist to find help this week. I do not recommend this treatment for anyone! I’m going to try to wash it out with as much sulfated shampoo I can find. Screw you, Brazilian Blowout.
I love the BB…This is my 6 th time in the last 3 years ..My friend done it for me ..I just love it
I have a lot a thick, frezzy hair.and long hair !!..and Brazilian works for me perfect…and he charge me very low price.
I really recomend him….But I live ..San Diego Ca
No words I love it ..!!Thanks to the company who invented this
Thanks so much :)