I have very curly hair. Most people don’t know it by looking at me because I’ve always styled it, but I wasn’t called Curly Sue throughout my childhood for nothing. Most of the time I’m fine managing my curls, but sometimes, I’d really love to have the wash-and-wear lifestyle that I envy of straight-haired and wavy-haired girls (and I’m sure, conversely, they probably wish they had more curls to work with. Such is life). I was beyond keen to give the bhave Smoothe Keratin Therapy treatment a try. To give you some background, the treatment doesn’t set out to give you dead-straight hair. It’s more of a relaxer that softens curls and waves and makes hair a bit more manageable and less frizzy.It’s also free from formaldehyde, parabens, sulphates and sodium chloride, for those who are interested in a more chemical-free option.So here are my thoughts on the treatment…
Where was the treatment?
I went to Alan Coban Hairdressing in Sydney’s city, but there are heaps of salons that use the bhave treatment. You can head here to find a salon near you.
What did the treatment involve?
Well, it took a while, so make sure you’ve got a couple of hours up your sleeve!First, my hair was washed with a shampoo that would help remove any build-up and open up the cuticles. This is so the smoothing treatment could realllly get in there and work its magic.The treatment was then painted on small sections of hair, and was left to soak in for about 45 minutes (though, they may leave it on for up to an hour).Next, excess treatment is gently rinsed off, but you’re still left with whatever your hair has absorbed. It feels weird to have your hair blow-dried with so much product in it, but just roll with it. After blow-drying, hair is straightened. Heat activation is where the treatment really kicks in, and your hair will be stick-straight after this step – but this isn’t how it will dry after you wash it.I was told not to wash my hair for 48 hours (after the first day, my hair felt flat and looked a little greasy but I knew it was for a greater good), and I was instructed to blow-dry and straighten any bits that may get wet in that time.After my 48 hours was up, I used the bhave sulphate- and sodium chloride-free Rescue shampoo and conditioner. It’s really important to use these products when washing hair to maintain the results from the treatment.
What were the results like?
I was so excited to wash my hair after 48 hours – not only because it felt like it needed it, but also because I wanted to see what my hair looked like after I left it to dry on its own. Here is what my hair can look like drying on its own (please keep in mind this is a good curly hair day!):
And this is what it looked like after bhave:
Amazing, right??Not only did I now have relaxed curls, there was no frizz, and it was so much easier to manage. I found that I could give my hair a quick blow-dry and it would be straight enough for my liking, and there was volume, too. For the first month or so I didn’t even use a straightener.My hair also felt really soft and looked really shiny. My hairdresser even commented that my hair felt really good after the treatment and she said she’s never found it so easy to blow-dry my hair.It’s now been three months since the treatment, and while some of that curl has found its way back, my hair is still just as manageable and frizz-free. I might get a top-up for summer though, seeing as the last thing I want to do on a 35-degree day is stand under a hairdryer and straightener.
Who would you recommend this treatment for?
Anyone looking to relax their curls or waves and reduce the frizz! I really couldn’t recommend this enough.Are you interested in straightening or relaxing treatments? Have you tried this treatment?
