The weather forecast for the coming months is looking like frequent rain showers and for a lot of women, the bad hair days that come with it can make an already gloomy month of August even more morose.

Humidity from the rain can be a nightmare when you have curly or wavy hair. Having to deal with frizzy hair can sometimes leave you in a complete twist.

Rain causes hair to frizz because the strands soak up the moisture and grow in size. As the hair strands get bigger, their shape becomes distorted, which causes the frizz. It usually starts small, but can build up to look like you’ve been struck by lightning by the end of the day.

Take heart, though, there is help out there. Like the recent typhoons we’ve been having, the Brazilian Blowout has hit the Philippine area of responsibility, and this storm could make frizzy hair a thing of the past.

For those who are hearing this for the first time, the Brazilian Blowout is a hair smoothening treatment. Hollywood is currently crazy over this protein-based hair treatment because unlike its predecessors, the Brazilian Blowout is chemical-free so it actually improves the health of the hair, instead of worsening it.

It doesn’t use formaldehyde solutions found in some rebonding treatments. Instead, the solution is formulated with a KeraSafe Bonding System that includes plant extracts of the Acai tree that can be found in Brazil. The result is hair that is left shiny, manageable, totally frizz-free, and with plenty of body and bounce.

The treatment is done in-salon; the duration is about 90 minutes; and the results last up to 12 weeks. The treatment is meant to deposit and seal amino acids into the hair. Because the treatment is protein-based, it strengthens hair and restores it back to health. Best of all, there is no down time. You can immediately wash your hair, tie and style up as soon as you leave the salon.

I asked hair specialist Jude Hipolito and color specialist Rose Velasco for some tips and advice on this Brazilian Invasion. Their answers guide us to smooth, shiny hair come rain or shine.

Who is the best candidate for the Brazilian Blowout treatment?

Jude & Rose: It has been our experience, that good candidates for the Brazilian Blowout treatment are anyone who has frizzy, damaged or chemically processed hair. We have performed the treatment on every hair type (fine/course/frizzy/curly), as well as hair that has been colored, bleached, permed, and straightened. In doing so, we have found everyone can benefit from the Brazilian Blowout smoothing treatment.

What kind of look will you get from the Brazilian Blowout treatment?

Jude: The hair will be left totally frizz-free, shiny, effortlessly manageable, soft and bouncy. There will still be the option to wear hair curly/wavy (depending on the hair type) and the freedom to blow dry hair smooth and straight in a fraction of the time invested prior to receiving the treatment.

Can you still receive a Brazilian Blowout treatment if you have highlights and/or color?

Rose: Yes, the Brazilian Blowout will actually improve the health of color-treated/highlighted hair by conditioning the hair while sealing the cuticle for enhanced color, reduced frizz and radiant shine.

Is the Brazilian Blowout treatment going to make your hair straight?

Rose: If your hair is wavy, the Brazilian Blowout treatment will make your hair appear naturally straight and healthy. If your hair is very curly, it will minimize frizz while enhancing the appearance of the natural wave/curl. If you have straight, frizzy hair, this treatment will eliminate frizz and promote radiant shine.

Try the Brazilian Blowout at Univers Phyto Salon by Kaizen, 5th Level Rustan’s Ayala Center, Makati City; tel. 893-5007 to 08. Price starts at Php 6,000 and goes up depending on the length of hair.

For another alternative to taming coarse and curly hair, try the Keratin treatment of Le Maquillage Salon. It is especially helpful in treating hair that looks dry and unruly after styling. A keratin treatment can leave unruly hair smooth and easy to style. It imparts shine to dull hair and makes it look healthier and shinier. The treatment starts at Php5,000. Le Maquillage Salon is located at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati Avenue cor. Paseo de Roxas, Makati City; tel. 8940487 loc 3002/03.