A few years back a rather exotic sounding treatment called the Brazilian blow dry touched down on our shores (not to be confused what that other Brazilian themed beauty procedure). It promised marble smooth hair the likes of which we’d only seen on a boxfresh Barbie, and it was forever. Okay not forever, but at least a couple of months. Hairdryers across the land fell silent. 

The problem was, the technique and execution in some salons was patchy at best and what was meant to be a Cinderella moment for some turned into, well, more cindered really. We were, quite literally, burned by the whole fiasco.

Fast forward five years and the smooth hair landscape has completely transformed. Keratin, the ingredient that was previously only available via professional salon treatments has now been included in a host of new DIY hair treatments that promise super-smooth results from the comfort of your own bathroom. Added to that, the in-salon experience has been refined and much improved too.

Keratin is a natural protein and part of the inherent structure of hair, but faced with a barrage of heat and colour, it's easily damaged. This is where keratin treatments come in. The new keratin delivered via shampoos, conditioners or serums, affixes onto the hair shaft and, with the introduction of heat, begins to bond with the hair's own damaged fibres, flattening down the cuticle and increasing smoothness. Et voila!

And, because smooth, frizz-free hair is every woman’s Holy Grail (aside maybe from attaining their perfect shade of Kate Moss blonde) we’ve made it our business to try them out, on your behalf of course.

Find out how the team got on below.

 

Sarah, advertising director, tried TREsemme Keratin Smooth 7-Day Shampoo, £5.99, Conditioner, £5.99, and Heat Activated Treatment, £6.99.

'I have lots of hair and it tends to have a mind of its own - a bit frizzy with a slight curl and a definite wildness to it.  On day one I used the shampoo and conditioner followed by the 7 day treatment that you leave in your hair then blow dry and straighten.  The shampoo was very creamy and lathered up easily, and the conditioner detangled my hair and made it feel softer while washing but neither felt heavy or like they were coating my hair.

Post-washing, my hair was silky smooth and shiny and remained that way all day (normally it’ll frizz up again half way through the day when straightened).  For the remainder of the week I used the shampoo and conditioner daily and left my hair to dry naturally, it detangled easily when combed through and with the curl back, was glossier and less flyaway than before.  I’m pleasantly surprised and people have been commenting on my hair looking shinier this week too.'

 

Harriet, fashion features director, tried Pantene Expert Collection Advanced Keratin Repair Shampoo, £5.99, Conditioner, £5.99 and Split End Fuser, £6.99.

'Even after one wash with Pantene’s Keratin range, my hair felt smoother and less wild, and began to behave as I’d always hoped it might. A week later, I’ve used the shampoo and conditioner four or five times, and my hair was really calmed down – it’s shinier, straighter and the ever-present halo of fuzz around the top has close to disappeared. I haven’t had a chance to use the deep conditioning masque that also comes in the range yet, but the smoothing split ends fuser serum is an extra helping hand after blow-drying that keeps things in check too. Two thumbs up for an effective, easy and budget-friendly at-home keratin fix.'

 

Elin, junior fashion editor, tried Phyto Phytokerataine Repairing Shampoo, £12.50 and Ultra Repairing Mask, £24.50.

'I’d spent a fair amount of time over the holiday weekend being rather astonished at my copious split ends.  I’ve got bleach in my hair and it’s been a while since my last hair cut so it kind of comes with the territory. I assumed that a hair cut was my only option but after one wash and condition they’d gone. Actually gone. I’m not sure where, but they’ve disappeared (apparently it’s due to the cuticles lying flatter). My hair feels slightly more coated than with my usual products – but not in a negative way. The packaging, although lovely is slightly annoying though - the bottle is solid, which means waiting for gravity to do its thing before the product comes out. But that’s all. For tackling split ends, it’s great.'

 

Laura, staff writer, tried the Goldwell Kerasilk Keratin Treatment, from £120, in salon and followed up at home with Goldwell Kerasilk Ultra Rich Keratin Care Shampoo, £34.99, Daily Mask, £35.99 and Care Oil, £25.99.

'Restoring my hair to its pre-bleach and straightener life has been my mission over the last year, but it’s not been easy #mystruggle. So, an in-salon keratin treatment seemed like a good option. The Kerasilk service is customisable which allows you to choose the intensity of curl-taming and smoothing, and best of all, it’s free of formaldehyde and other chemicals that have given the Brazilian blow-dry a bad rap. I went for the most intense on both shape and smooth counts, because if I’m honest, my hair is a mess. It’s a time-consuming treatment, three hours in total, where product is painted on like colour to freshly washed hair, before drying again and then being activated with temperature controlled irons. Hair is then washed again and blow-dried smooth. And man, does it come out smooth. I was dubious that it would still look as good the next morning, but it really was just as sleek and  iMessages to friends boasting ‘I woke up like this’ ensued. The real test was washing it, but I was genuinely astounded when my hair sat calmly and smoothly in place after rough drying it with my fingers. A month later, and having continued to use Kerasilk shampoo, conditioner and oil when washing, I’d say most of the natural curl is back but the frizz is still vastly reduced, even when drying naturally.'

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