This morning I had the pleasure of going down to the recently opened Capelli D’Oro 5th Avenue Salon in Manhattan’s Flatiron district to experience Global Keratin‘s new Functional Keratin Hair Taming System (stay tuned for our writeup of the service in the February issue). The salon’s owner, industry vet and hair straightening expert Leslie Correa did the treatment and talked me through the different steps. Once my hair was washed, Leslie started to apply the treatment to my wet hair, which differs from most Brazilian Keratin systems that require the hair to be dried 100% before application. Leslie explained that this saves him—and the client—about 20 minutes. More time was saved by the fact that the treatment doesn’t require any time to “rest” on the hair before it’s blow-dried and flat-ironed in.
The Functional Keratin Hair Taming System comes in three different strengths for different hair textures/issues and the client’s desired results. Since I have fine, highlighted hair with just a slight wave and my main objective was to eliminate frizz, Leslie used the formaldehyde-free formula on me. There are also options for color-treated and coarse hair.
All-in-all, the application process was easy (less than two hours for my shoulder-length hair), odorless (the formulas come with different scents, but I barely even noticed the acai berry smell Leslie chose) and my hair doesn’t feel goopy. I’ll check back in in 48 hours when I’m able to wash my hair and see the results! For now, some pictures:
Leslie Correa applying the treatment to my hair
The requisite "After" shot
Can’t wait to see the magazine article. This seems so much more inovative. Also the shorter application time allows more money to be made during the day. I wonder if every formula is formaldehyde free. Is the longevity the same? Same rules, such as sodium-chloride free shampoo only. Exciting nonetheless, and the outcome looks fabulous.
Great post! I’m glad you’re enjoying the treatment. I’m a keratin treatment specialist in Los Angeles and have been using Global Keratin Treatment as part of my repertoire for well over a year. I hope you have done/will do research on other treatments as well, to compare. I do a large volume of Brazilian Blowout and would be happy to provide this service for your research if you have someone in LA. I also use Coppola’s Keratin Complex. Brazilian Blowout boasts the benefit of not having to wait before washing your hair…a very big selling point that clients love. To answer some of your Global questions:
Only the gentlest Global Keratin formula is formaldehyde-free. Fine, mostly straight highlighted hair such as your own will get lovely results from it. For coarser, curlier hair or that which has a tighter cuticle, the stronger formulas are recommended.
Formaldehyde is a stronger bonding agent than the propylene glycol in the gentle version, and will therefore give more dramatic results and last longer. HOWEVER, as I’m sure you know, it also carries an unknown health risk when used in this way. For this reason, I choose to only use the formaldehyde-free version
Global Keratin makes aftercare shampoo and conditioners, which are the best way to care for your hair following the treatment. They are not only free of sulfates and sodium chloride (which many shampoos contain and which can strip out your treatment), but also contain some of the active ingredients of the treatment, so they help protect and prolong the results.
I hope that helps!
Jordana Lorraine
http://www.jordanalorraine.com
Hi Tomik
The Formaldehyde free formula is for Light wave and color treated hair. Then Global makes a formula for virgin, curly, color treated hair and the strongest of the 3 formulas is for coarse resistant hair. They’re not offensive to the eyes or sinuses. Global Keratin comes in chocolate, strawberry & Acai berry. They smell delicious. The sodium chloride free shampoo is still important. Sodium chloride (salt) will gradually strip off the keratin from the hair. So instead of lasting 3 months it might last 2.
Les
I love love love this product. It has more than paid for itself in one to two treatments. All the stylists at my salon use Global Keratin, and now word of mouth has taken over the advertising for us! We include the shampoo and condidtioner in the treatment price so the client is guarenteed great hair, and all our hard work remains looking phenomenal! Thanks Global Keratin for a great product that actually lives up to its promises!
All the Girls @ Studio 180 Salon