I don’t know about you guys, but I had no idea what a Brazilian blowout was until I actually got one! I’ve heard many things about it through social media, but never knew what it entailed until recently. The common misconception that people have about Brazilian blowouts is that it restores and repairs damaged hair. I learned that this is NOT true; it won’t repair any damages from previous hair treatments. What it does instead is make the hair smooth and shiny, while minimizing frizz. Since I have naturally wavy and frizzy hair, I was ecstatic to hear all the good outcomes and couldn’t wait to get one myself.
I went to The Gates Salon in San Marino where the owner Michel, gave me a consultation about the treatment. He explained what he was doing every step of the Brazilian blowout while he was giving me the treatment, and was very informative about the entire process. After asking him several questions, I’ve learned that the Brazilian Blowout isn’t for everyone. For those with damaged hair, it’s recommended that you don’t get it. Because a large amount of heat is applied to the hair, it is difficult for the hair to withstand it. The blowouts are for people with normal to thick hair who have trouble taming their locks down and don’t necessarily like too much volume. My hair is the perfect candidate for the blowout since it’s wavy and frizzy!
This is how it went down for me: first, he washed my hair with a shampoo specifically for the treatment. It’s an anti-residue shampoo which helps with the smoothing process for the hair; he did two washes with this shampoo. Then, he parted my hair in sections to apply the treatment solution. He combed it through my entire head, and once finished, he blow dried my hair while using paddle brush.
There’s been a lot of discussion about if the smell is bad for you. The smell occurs when heat is applied to the hair, but the blow dry and flat-ironing is necessary to seal in the shine factor for the hair. If you want to be cautious, you can ask for a towel to cover your mouth and nose so you don’t inhale any fumes. I recommend choosing a salon that’s fairly large that has ventilation, and have them provide an air purifier; this salon was nice enough to provide one for me. 
After the straightening process, my hair was rinsed with just water to further lock in the treatment. Finally, my hair was blow dried and ta-dah! The Brazilian blowout was finished and my locks were luscious and shiny.
The entire process took about two hours; of course, the time varies depending on the salon and stylist. It’s recommended to stay away from chlorine and salt water, because that may shortened the lifespan of the blowout. I have to use shampoo that’s sulfate-free, as well as a smoothing serum to keep everything in check. In addition, you can’t color your hair for about 4 weeks after the blowout; however you can color your hair prior to the blowout. Overall, I’m very happy with my hair–I feel a huge difference in terms of texture and appearance. The price varies from salon to salon, but the Gates offer their services for $250 and up (depending on hair length).
If you guys decide to get one at the Gates, tell Michel that I say ‘hi’!
Has anyone gotten the Brazilian Blowout? If so, let me know your experiences and what you do to keep your hair looking great.
21 Comments
Have you washed and dried your hair yet after salon blowout? I recently got the BB done at Tangles in Pasadena. My stylist warned me that it won’t make my hair stick straight out of the shower but that drying time will be SO much quicker but I don’t find that to be true. She said it will make your curly frizzy hair wavy with no frizz. Although I don’t have frizz, I still consider my hair curly and it takes just about the same time to blow it out. I feel shy about calling the salon and sharing this :/. I hope you’re happier with yours than I am with mine I felt like I wasted $250.
Sorry to hear that. If I were you, I would call the salon and tell them how you feel. I did wash and dry my hair and it takes me half the time to style and my hair feels much softer with no frizz. I personally love it and would get it again.
Hi I had my B.B. in Nj at a good salon I have been going to a while,so when my colorist suggested a B.B. I did it.Now almost 3 weeks to the day I had it done my hair is puffy when blow dry,feels dry,and is frizzy when air dried.i Don’t want to say anything to the salon because I love my colorist she does a wonderful job. But I do feel like I wasted over 270. On this treatment .
Ok I’m not the only one feeling this way. I just washed it over 24 hours since my treatment and I am really disappointed. I thought it was going to make it straighter. I still have all these wavy baby hairs by my face and some frizziness. Really sad.
I have been waiting for this post since you mentioned it in your previous video! I’m so interested in getting a BB and I have wavy frizzy hair like you, my question is has your wave been taken out? I want to keep by waves, just get rid of the frizz. My hair is a little past my shoulders and I’d live to just air dry for the summer!
Hi Sona, i’m brazilian and for some years i did this blowout in my hair, here we hava many options, and many names, but isthe same thing. My opnion is, after same weeks my hair looks unhealthy, and with much more frizz, but it’s my hair, i hope it’s be good for your! XO
How long is a BB suppose to last? And if your hair grows, will it have that awkward bump on your hair like it would if you were to get a relaxing treatment?
Thanks for explaining this process! I’ve always been really curious about how it works but never actually researched anything about it. I have that same wavy and frizzy hair, so this could be a good option to try out some time!
I also have a naturally thick and wavy hair. It gets frizzy especially on a hot and humid summer here in the East Coast. And it takes me a long time to blow dry and iron straight my hair, when I need to.
After my surgery last summer, I decided to get a lob and try the BB. It’s definitely a yay! Gone are the frizzy hair, shorter time for me to blow dry it, and I didn’t use the flat iron at all. I swear on the Pureology s&c ever since I started coloring my hair, but I did alternate it with the Pure Brazilian hair products to lengthen my bb. And it did! I still went to the pool and beach but not as much, I did immediately rinse my hair with water, that was my trick.
My hair is sorta frizzy again, so I’m definitely thinking of doing the bb this summer.
I did a similar brazilian blowout, but with natural products (no fumes, no terrible smell… My hairdresser Daniela Sulimay from the Sulimay’s Urban Salon in Philadelphia used CHI products for this… they smell amazing!!!). The treatment doesnt last as long as the super chemical BB, but my hair felt amazing (it lasts for about 4-5 months, BB usually lasts for 6). I really recommend… I used to have the most beautiful curls/waves and with age they start to fall a bit, and also I have done a lot of damage to my hair when I went from dark brunette to dark blonde and this treatment was a little miracle to me!
I’m got the Brazilian blowout a few times. For a black girl, I was in love with the results. I didn’t have a problem keeping it straight and I could wash and go like never before. My hair is–was–bra strap length and thick. I pamper my hair and do everything by the book including buying all of the premium BB product line. After three treatments I’ve lost 30 to 40% of my hair! As a recommendation, if you love your hair, DON’T get this done!!!!!!!! Find a way to deal best with what God gave you and avoid what seems like a quick fix. I didn’t pay attention to the thinning of my hair until I noticed how extreme it had gotten. Now I’m not sure what to do. My hair is still long, but it’s so thin you can see right through it. Don’t do this, ladies. My stylist is awesome and did everything by the book. I noticed hair thinning after my first treatment but thought it was just due to my hair being stick straight. Everything seemed the same with the second. My stylist said my hair looked the same and that there BB was protecting it. I got another. Three treatments later and like I said, I’ve lost so much org my beautiful hair!!! Shame. All we as women want to be is beautiful. My advice? Stay away from this product. It isn’t worth it.
I completely agree. African woman, with 3C hair. Loved my curls, just wanted less frizz and body, for easy wash days and nice wash and go’s. Instead hair now has no actual pattern, some wavy, some frizzy Ish, and ends reeeally thin. My hair is naturally fine, the BB has lasted for 6 months now, even after starting washes with sulphate and sodium included products for 2 months, my original hair pattern is still not back, and ends look heat damaged. If you love your hair, do not try this. I personally wish I just used a chemical texturise/softener instead of BB
I too have noticed severe thinning, see-through to the scalp hair. My last treatment was 3 months ago, I feel like since the product is washing out, my the strands are thinner themselves and breaking way easier. DNA wise I don’t know what kind of hair I have. I was born with thick, straight, black hair. Over time it grew lighter, thinner, wavier and frizzier. So I used to product as a way to go ‘back in time’. And I am now panicking because I feel this product messed me up in the long run. I am going to stop using, and start using some deep conditioners. I hope you ladies situations turns around! I hope my hair grows back, I don’t even care if its frizzy, I just want it back :(
My hair stylist recommend I try this. I’m really confused as to why I have very straight hair its extremely damaged from being bleached. Would this be good for it?
I do not straighten my hair as much as I used to, but I blow dry alot. So I was in need of a good quality heat protection spray. I had read some reviews of the Somaluxe Argan Oil that it left hair feeling not heavy or greasy. So I tried it
I just use the Somaluxe Argan Oil after I finish showering and it has totally protected by hair from the blowdryer. It has a lovely fresh smell and my hair just looks SO GOOD after using it
Thanks for taking the time to write such an informative piece! As the first salon to specialize in only smoothing treatments, https://www.thesmoothbar.com/carmel-mountain-ranch.html ,we are always looking for more information to help educate our clients! If your hair is damaged badly and you still would like a smoothing treatment we offer one of the deep conditioning rebonders to be applied with the treatment. This helps repair your hair and protect it from any further damage. Thanks again for sharing great information!
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am having difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
faux bague homme bulgari http://www.anellobvl.cn/fr/
My hair is wavy and frizzy. It was also damaged from coloring and heat styling. It was also falling out really bad. I got a BB 5 days ago. I love it. My hair has almost completely stopped falling out and it is soft and shinny. It dries so fast and I no longer have to use a straightner to control the curl and frizzy. I will definitely continue to get BB.
I live in a suburb of NYC and I had mine done yesterday for the 2nd time. I have Thin, curly and frizzy hair when it’s humid. My problem with the Brazilian is that for the 1st 2 weeks, I have absolutely no body to my hair. It’s too straight. I’m looking for a solution to that..
Thanks
Hi ladies! I’ve done two treatments so far. I work out and swim a lot so i noticed I have to get it re-done after 12 weeks. My hair feels great now but I’ve been reading concerning reviews about women suffering from hair loss after the treatment. What are your thoughts on this?
I have previously had keratin treatments and tried BB for the first time several months ago. At first is was too straight, then it was perfect after about 10 days. I had the hair I always wanted. THEN I went for my color touch up and about 7 weeks after the treatment my hair started to feel SO DRY, AND IT WAS BREAKING. I WILL GO BACK TO KERATIN.