At-Home Keratin Treatment

I saw a two different Youtubers rave about this product and decided to try it out myself. Unfortunately, my results weren't as good as theirs. I have 3c/4a curls and very long thick hair, and this product did not work in keeping my hair straight. Once my head started sweating the curly roots were back to normal. When I got it wet in the shower, a large portion of my hair did stay straight (about two inches and downwards from my scalp) but when I washed it with the sulfate free shampoo the curls came back. The first time I used it, I washed my hair with the shampoo provided. However, this was an error, the shampoo provided is for after you've already processed your hair, not as the prepping shampoo. I saturated my hair with the product and let it sit for 40 minutes, however, I should've let it sit longer as I have thick hair. I rinsed the product out with water as instructed, let it air dry a bit, and went to the salon to have it professionally blown out and flat ironed. My hair looked great, but the straightness was only temporary at the roots - about 7 days. Perhaps the stylists should've used a higher heat setting on the styling tools. The second time I used it I styled my hair myself. However, this time I used a clarifying shampoo (not provided) to start from scratch. I let the product sit in my hair for over and hour. I rinsed it out with water, let it air dry a bit, and proceeded to blow dry and flat iron it myself. My hair looked pretty decent, but not as good as when it was professionally done. However, this time around my roots reverted even quicker. Maybe I will try this is a third time and go to a salon that specializes in blowing out and flat ironing hair. Perhaps the hair needs to be exceptionally pin straight for this to have the desired effect on my hair type. The instructions do say to pass over small sections of the hair at least 4 - 6 times with a flat iron. Although I think the product may have helped a tiny bit with curl definition and shrinkage. I don't think I would recommend this product for type 4 hair.

I actually thought this product worked exceptionally well without the traditional chemical effects of other at home keratin/Brazilian hair straightening treatments. I have 2B/2C hair, long, medium thick, not dyed. I never wear my hair wavy and I typically have it blown out or air dry and then flatiron it so occasionally doing a keratin treatment on it takes the time out of styling it (usually an hour from end to end). This formula is a little pricey, but if you buy just the treatment and not the starter kit, you’ll find that using any good quality sulfate free shampoo and conditioner works fine. I only used the starter kit shampoo & conditioner once and it left a rough/grimy texture on my hair after the first wash (a week or so after the first treatment and styling). It is activated by heat so after the first application and blow dry, I actually didn’t blow dry it again. I used my regular heat protectant products on my regularly washed & conditioned hair (Ouai frizz free cream, Olaplex bond strengthening cream and Kristen Ess working serum) and then let it air dry. Flatironed it using T3’s ceramic iron and my hair lasts that way 4-5 days, pin straight even with humidity and rain. Again, this is my personal experience with my hair texture. So I’d set your expectations based on your hair type and your first application and wash through experience with this product. You may also choose to change up the shampoo and conditioner that you use, like I said, I found I actually had better results with my own shampoo and conditioner and again, using my favorite heat protecting products. :) The photo below is second day hair, slept on as is.