Want to wake up with hair you don’t even need to brush? Over Easter I have a Permanent Blow Wave at Bettjemans salon, a 3 hour process that gives me super-sleek hair that lasts 4 months with a smoothing procedure known as KeraStraight…
Want to wake up with hair you don’t even need to brush? Like many women, I spend ages slaving over hot ghds or facing the frizz of Auckland humidity. Imagine being able to get up and go in the mornings with shiny straight hair, without a salon visit in sight…
This is now a reality, with a Permanent Blow Wave at Bettjemans salon.
At Easter I head in for the 3 hour process that gives super-sleek hair that lasts 4 to 6 months with a smoothing procedure known as KeraStraight. I go in the day before Good Friday and go back after Easter Monday for my final blow wave and my hair will be resurrected.
Grant Bettjeman has just been appointed the exclusive Auckland provider of the Permanent Blow Wave, a brand new service in New Zealand which has been available in Brazil for some time and has different incarnations under different trade names. Formulated in the UK, the KeraStraight Permanent Blow Wave is priced from $500 to $700 for shoulder length to long hair and can last up to half a year, depending on your hair.
Putting this in perspective, chemical straightening is $300 and a regular blow dry is $75 for 3/4 hour, more for senior stylists. So the not inconsiderable amount of women clients who get a blow wave each week would be getting the cost back in 7 weeks or so and saving a huge amount of time.
Unlike a chemical straightening process, it has no risk of damage and is suitable for highlighted blondes, who can’t do chemical straightening. The Permanent Blow Wave is a smoothing service that will relax curl, repair damaged hair and add incredible shine to dull and dry hair. The most attractive client group would be women with bulky, frizzy hair. It’s not suitable for straight, limp hair types, but they wouldn’t require this treatment anyhow.
So, what happens?
When you arrive at the salon you will be taken into the hair spa and slip into a waffle gown over your own clothes and a nice cuppa.
My hair was diagnosed by both Grant Bettjeman and stylist Steph Winter to make sure what is required. Grant recommended Steph leave a gap at the roots to add volume. Note: my mistake was coming to the consultation with straightened hair; it would be best to arrive with your natural hair so the stylist can properly appraise your type.
Next up is the electronic reclining wash chairs for a special shampoo which is left on for 10 minutes.
Behind the iron curtain: Once that is rinsed off you will be guided back to the treatment area where your hair will be completely dried.
Then KeraStraight – which contains hair protein Keratin – is painted on and ironed ten times over to lock in the Keratin, using FHI irons which heat up to 230 degrees (ghds only go to 220 degrees.) It slowly fades out of the hair over the 4 months so there is no regrowth unlike a chemical straightening where one ends up with frizzy regrowth.
Apparently doing less frequent shampooing over the next 4 – 6 months will help it last longer.
And now what? I can’t tuck it behind my ears, wear clips or a hat, or anything that will make a permanent kink in my hair as it ‘sets’ over the next three days. Bettjemans’ receptionist Jackie had it done, and instinctively tucked her hair behind her ears, to hear a chorus of "Don’t do that!" across the salon from all the stylists!
"Our salon receptionist Jackie had curly hair and struggles with her hair" says Steph Winter. "She had this done and now comes to work and it’s just straight- even with wet hair! It’s really incredible. It feels great now; her hair feels stronger. That’s what great about this treatment – the keratin – and that’s what your hair needs when it’s weak."
After 3 days, I can wash my newly-treated hair using the sulphate-free Straight Maintain shampoo and conditioner, and use any normal styling products and even curling tongs to add curls if I want a change from the sleekness.
Below: Steph Winter in the salon.
So, what do I like about it? The ease of getting ready in the mornings, the sleekness and the fact that the protein doesn’t damage my hair but improves it. My hair really does feel soft.
What isn’t so hot? You may tire of the super-straight look (luckily one can still curl the hair with tongs), you can’t do it if pregnant, and the high price will be the deciding factor for many.
Goodbye frizziness. For the next few months or so, my hair and I are on the straight and narrow.
Bettjemans
Coates Avenue, Kohimarama, Auckland.
Ph 522 8030
By Megan Robinson, 2 April, 2010.
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