Review: Keraplex Thermal Smoothing

WHAT IT IS:  A keratin strengthening complex  for frizzy, curly and or kinky-curly hair textures

 WHAT IT DOES:  After a 4 step treatment process it creates long-lasting straight, healthy hair without  lye, formaldehyde or toxic fumes

KEY INGREDIENTS:  Keratin proteins, keratin amino acids

HOW IT FEELS/SMELLS/LOOKS:  The liquid formula which pumps out as a foam has a mild chemical odor but it is not overpowering

WHY I LIKE IT:

It is a less damaging alternative to chemical relaxers for achieving long-lasting straight hair while still maintaining hair strength and pliability. Also you don’t have to wait 3 days before the treatment is fully cured.

The Breakdown:

I am very cautious about Keratin treatments because most companies proclaim how straight their treatment makes the hair without using formaldehyde. However, I don’t want permanently straight hair. I prefer my hair with texture so that I can have the best of both worlds.  I like to wear a wash and go curly ‘fro. But I also like having the option to wear a long-lasting blow dry straight style that’s easier to blow out and when I want to change things up a bit every so often.

 My main purpose is to reduce frizz, tangles and for my curls to stretch out a bit and be more defined.  So after researching what Keraplex does and what results to expect I decided to give Keraplex Fortify  a try since summer is getting under way and I want bouncier curls for my kinky-curly Afro.

Since I like the best of both worlds, that is being able to go from curly to a blow out and then back to curly my review of this treatment will have to be in  3 parts:

Part 1 

 Day 1 Applying the Keraplex treatment

The entire process takes no less than 4 hours (for me) because I have a head full of thick, coarse, kinky-curly hair that when straightened out falls below my shoulders.

What I Liked: 

• The foam application formula was much easier to work with than other solutions I’ve used.
• There were less steps in the process which means less time.
• I didn’t have to deal with a lot of fumes.
• The thermal sealing serum helps protect the hair and creates an amazing softness and shine as you flat iron the hair

What I Disliked:

• It still does get smokey and I set off the smoke alarms even with the vents on.
• The process lifted my color a few shades lighter. I use permanent hair color to darken and I have highlights.
• The last step  was to apply the thermal sealing serum throughout the my hair before flat ironing. Although it did wonders for the feel of my hair, the serum has a horribly annoying odor that made me want to gag. The serum needs a much more pleasant fragrance.

In The End

So far, I like the results because my straight blow dried and flat iron hair. It turned out shiny, straight and feeling soft. But that is not the end of the story.  

I have an event to attend over the weekend where I’ll be outside all day for 3 days in 80 degree temperatures so I’m eager to see if my hair stays straight, if it swells and poofs up at the first sign of humidity or what….stay tuned for Part 2.