What do Nicole Richie, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and I have in common? It certainly isn’t the looks, figure and paycheck. It’s this new time saving beauty treatment called the Brazilian blowout.

During the rainy season women with natural curls freak out and send me frantic messages as their usual morning blowdry routine fails them by midday when the humidity triggers the frizz and bushiness.

In my case my last haircut was six months ago and long overdue. This manifests itself with scraggly strands, parched ends that fly away and stick out all over my head.

Louis Phillip Kee (LPK), the one man I totally entrust with my hair, takes one look at my drowned rat appearance and ushers me into his salon.

After my shampoo, LPK cuts about four inches off the ends and does his magic to add fullness to my thinning crown to camouflage my near bald spots.

He then explains to me the benefits of the Brazilian blowout. The well-known techniques from the US are currently embroiled in controversy since it contains formaldehyde to preserve that sleek tame look.

LPK’s Brazilian blowout is a professional smoothing treatment containing amino acids and protein. It is derived from natural ingredients rich in amino acid such as acai berry, camu camu and annatto seeds. The treatment is formaldehyde-free. It creates a protein layer around the hair shaft to protect and improve the health of hair.

After the 80-minute treatment (I have thin hair), my hair strands look thicker, more polished and a whole lot healthier. The shine is unbelievable with that saran-wrap effect. These results will ensure hair-dryer hibernation for at least two months. My straighter thin hair will probably enjoy the freedom for four months.

Keratin vs Brazilian

How is it different from Keratin permanent blow-dry treatments that give the same results?

My problem with the Keratin treatment was that I was not allowed to wash my hair, tie it back or even tuck it behind my ears for 48 hours, post-salon treatment. To do that would allegedly leave marks and negate the treatments effects entirely. But I have very oily hair that has to be washed twice a day or I will end up with scalp stench, and itching and greasy strands. It was torture.

By the time I washed my hair the shampoo would not bubble until the third round due to grease, sweat plus dirt that accumulated and the amount of falling (not breakage) hair was scary. There were also pimples all over my hairline from the pore clogging grease accumulation.

Brazilian blowout allows you to wash, tie or twist your hair right after the treatment. To prove it, LPK washed my hair right after and ponytailed it the next morning: there was no single mark or decrease in shine.

As for price considerations, Keratin treatment is cheaper by a couple of thousand pesos. The price range for Brazilian blowout is P4,000 to P13,000, depending on the length and thickness of hair. If you do not have greasy hair problems and your hair looks its best when you wash every other day as opposed to daily, the Keratin treatment would be okay for you.

Brazilian blowout turned out shinier on me. These pictures were not photoshopped at all.

Louis Philippe Kee salon has two branches: Fort Bonifacio (632)-856-4848 0918-842-8888 and Greenhills (632) 721-4848. It is usually easier to book an appointment at Greenhills as the Fort branch is usually packed. Check out the website: www.louisphillipkeesalon.com