What Is a Brazilian Blowout? A Complete Guide

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- A Brazilian blowout is a professional salon treatment designed to smooth frizz, enhance shine, and make hair more manageable.

- The treatment works by coating the hair with a keratin-based formula that is sealed in with heat to create and preserve a smoother appearance.

- Results are temporary, typically lasting around three months.

Anyone with wavy or curly hair knows the struggle of trying to style their strands straight. A blowout is time-consuming and results can be unpredictable and short-lasting. Frizz is the enemy"”and a relentless one at that. And stubborn flyaways persist despite humidity-proof hairstyling. Fortunately, there are treatments worth exploring"”including the Brazilian blowout.

The popular hair smoothing solution originated in Brazil and uses ingredients indigenous to the country, such as camu camu, annatto seed, and açai berry. The solution, combined with heat to seal it in, offers moisturized, frizz-free results that are far more resilient to heat styling"”not to mention, an insanely glossy mirror-like shine. However, with such exalted benefits also come some less-than-desirable caveats. The application of such high heat (delivered via a flat iron heated at a whopping 450 degrees) and the presence of formaldehyde in the ingredient list may be cause for concern.

For a crash course on the hair-straightening treatment, we turned to hairstylists Jennifer Matos and Jennifer Lor.

Meet the expert

- Jennifer Matos is a stylist at Rita Hazan Salon in New York City.

- Jennifer Lord is a hairstylist, Natural Hair educator, and founder of Natural Hollywood.

Keep reading for our expert-approved guide to getting a Brazilian blowout.

How a Brazilian blowout works

The Brazilian blowout hair treatment is a liquid keratin formula that bonds to your hair to create a protective layer around each strand, effectively diminishing frizz, sealing the cuticle, and protecting against any external damage. After applying the treatment, Lord says the hair is blow-dried, straightened, rinsed out, and blow-dried again. The heat causes the chemicals to activate and bond to the shaft.

Who It's For

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Those with curly or wavy hair looking for a straighter style can benefit from a Brazilian blowout. Not only is the treatment designed to cut down how much you time you spend on your hair routine, but it also promises to provide frizz-free glossy strands.

While Matos says the treatment is safe on most hair types, Lord warns that people with textured hair should take precautions because the treatment could potentially be damaging. She suggests being mindful of the amount of heat you're applying to textured strands because of the different ways certain parts of your hair may react.

"The differences between hair strands on textured manes means that heat will hit one area more intensely than another causing damage and breakage," Lord says. "The impact of the first treatment may not be observed by the naked eye but it is very likely damage has been done by the formaldehyde in the [formula]."

What to Expect

Your stylist will begin by shampooing your hair three or four times to remove all the product and create a base for the treatment to adhere. Working section by section, the Brazilian blowout formula will be applied from root to tip, then blow-dried smooth. A flat iron heated to 450 degrees will seal it in, then it's back to the shampoo bowl to rinse out the treatment, followed by a deep conditioning mask. Finally, your hair will once again be blow-dried smooth.

"Overall, the process takes an hour to an hour and a half," says Matos. "The longest I've ever spent doing a Brazilian blowout was around two hours, so it all depends on how much hair you have and how thick it is."

Aftercare

Unlike the post-keratin treatment routine, there aren't any restrictions as to what you can and can't do in terms of activity. Additionally, since the Brazilian blowout treatment is rinsed out in the salon, you can wait as long or as little as you'd like to wash it.

Be sure to use a sulfate-free and chlorine-free formula after a Brazilian blowout to preserve the effects.

Results

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The goal of a Brazilian blowout is to cut down on styling time. According to Lord, results will vary depending on the client's request. "Your hair will be completely straight if you use the treatment for that purpose along with adding the proper amount of heat afterward," she adds. On the other hand, if you like to wear your hair curly but just want to eliminate frizz, a Brazilian blowout can work for that, too, adds Matos. "Just be sure to tell your stylist exactly what you want, and they can tailor the treatment to either preserve the texture of your hair or make it smoother," she explains.

How long a Brazilian blowout lasts

Provided that you don't use shampoos that contain sulfates and chlorine, your treatment should last anywhere from three to four months"”possibly longer if you don't need to wash your hair as regularly as some. Once it wears off, your hair will return to its natural curl pattern. "You'll start to see it around the hairline first," Matos says. "That's your indicator of when it's time to get it redone." Even if you don't get it touched up right away, there's no obvious line of demarcation between the previously treated hair and new growth, unlike with other relaxing or straightening methods.

Cost

A Brazilian blowout can run you anywhere between $100 to $400, depending on the salon, stylist, and your hair. Salons in major cities typically charge more than smaller locations. Expect to pay more for experience, too. A stylist with a proven track record and expert technique will charge more than a newer stylist.

Brazilian Blowout vs. Keratin Treatment

Compared to a keratin treatment, a Brazilian blowout can be completely customized to your hair type and your desired look, says Lord. It's also a little less delicate post-treatment. "After you get a keratin treatment, you don't have as many options," says Matos. "You can't tie it back in a ponytail or clip, you can't style it, and you can't wash it for the three or four days that follow. With the Brazilian blowout, you get it done, your stylist rinses it out, and that's it. You're back to your normal life again."

The Takeaway

A Brazilian blowout is a popular semi-permanent hair straightening treatment for those interested in smooth, frizz-free strands. And unlike a keratin treatment, it is customizable. However, before booking an appointment you should consult your stylist to find out if a Brazilian blowout is right for you. While it's safe for most hair types and textures, you'll want to ensure results align with your hair goals and lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Yes, Brazilian Blowouts and other hair straightening treatments typically use formaldehyde, notes the FDA.

Yes, Brazilian Blowouts and other hair straightening treatments typically use formaldehyde, notes the FDA.

- A Brazilian Blowout can run you anywhere between $100 to $400, depending on the salon, stylist, and your hair.

A Brazilian Blowout can run you anywhere between $100 to $400, depending on the salon, stylist, and your hair.

- It is typically safe on color-treated strands, says Matos. In fact, since it completely seals off the hair shaft, she says there's a chance your hair will stay vibrant for longer. "We've had clients who have gotten color done and followed it up with a Brazilian blowout in the same day, and that would be the perfect time to do it since the cuticle is already open from the color," Matos tells us. "If you're doing this, just be sure to let your colorist know since doing one treatment after the other can make the color a bit brighter."

It is typically safe on color-treated strands, says Matos. In fact, since it completely seals off the hair shaft, she says there's a chance your hair will stay vibrant for longer. "We've had clients who have gotten color done and followed it up with a Brazilian blowout in the same day, and that would be the perfect time to do it since the cuticle is already open from the color," Matos tells us. "If you're doing this, just be sure to let your colorist know since doing one treatment after the other can make the color a bit brighter."

- Natural hair straightening treatments will most likely not be as effective as a Brazilian blowout, however, there are alternatives. For example, the Crown Hair Treatment promises to straighten hair and doesn't use formaldehyde.

Natural hair straightening treatments will most likely not be as effective as a Brazilian blowout, however, there are alternatives. For example, the Crown Hair Treatment promises to straighten hair and doesn't use formaldehyde.