Lemondrop

I'm not a high-maintenance kind of girl. In fact, it had been a year -- a full year -- since I'd even stepped foot in a salon. This is me, in my frizz-frull "before" photo.

I'll be the first to admit, though, that recently my hair-readying routine had gotten slightly out of hand. In an effort to soften my curls and wear my hair more on the wavy side, my morning hair routine had morphed into a bizarre ritual that involved 45 minutes of time, a scathingly hot hair dryer, a dangerously high-temperatured large-barrel curling iron, and a knitted Peruvian hat, complete with a pom-pom and ear flaps.

Even after all this, I'd have to avoid high humidity at all costs (not possible, people!) and stay the hell out of the rain -- or wrap my hair up in something resembling a Russian babushka until I reached my destination. Not attractive.

So, when I finally got my hair cut last week and the stylist told me about something called the Brazilian Blowout, which he claimed would transform my unruly curls into some kind of no-frizz fantasy atop my head, I listened.

Then, I went home and researched. Contrary to your (or maybe just my) initial reaction, the Brazilian Blowout has nothing to do with a woman's nether-regions. Rather, it's a professional hair-smoothing treatment and a growing trend among the Hollywood set. Nicole Richie, Halle Berry, Lindsay Lohan and Stephanie Pratt are among its celebrity proselytizers. Unlike other hair-straightening treatments known to be chemically harsh and incredibly awkward to grow out, the Brazilian Blowout is essentially a coating that's applied to the hair and then put under heat. It drastically improves texture, softens curls, eliminates frizz and amplifies shine. The whole process takes about 90 minutes, and results last up to 12 weeks, as you wash the product out of your hair over time.

Cost of the treatment varies depending on where you have it done, but I'd suggest that prospective Brazilian Blowout–ers avoid the hair-damage horror stories I read about on various message boards and instead opt for a well-respected salon where you can be sure you're getting the best treatment. With this product, the application is everything. If you use more heat and more time to seal the product in, you end up with straighter hair, so it's critical that your stylist has been well trained in the application process. A Brazilian Blowout at a high-ranking salon will cost $250–$350. I know -- that's a lot. But there are cases when beauty treatments are worth the extra cash. This, I felt, was one of those cases.

When I got to the salon for my treatment, there was a girl about three chairs down who told me she'd recently had it done and that I'd soon be "in hair heaven." I legitimately thought she was a plant. She wasn't! Hair-heaven girl was speaking the truth. Since getting my Brazilian Blowout, I've put my hair through serious humidity tests. I've gone to the beach, I've stood on sweltering subway platforms, I've worked out in a sweaty gym with my trainer, I've shampooed numerous times and let my hair air dry in my non-air-conditioned bedroom ... and nothing. No frizz!

It's as though my unruly curls have melted into beautiful, dreamy, mermaid-like hair. Call Nicole Richie, I'm an official convert! Also, please then call a multitude of cute guys who'd like to run their hands through it, because it feels really, really good, thanks. So, the scoop on the Brazilian Blowout:

What Is It?
A professional "hair-smoothing treatment" that loosens curls and completely eliminates frizz.

Who Should Get It?
Consider a Brazilian Blowout if you:

-- spend an inordinate amount of time taming your unruly hair with products and styling tools
-- cower at the thought of rain, humidity and diving into a swimming pool for fear of frizz
-- are a curly girl who wants to give it a go as a straighty without making a scary and permanent commitment
-- are someone who just wants more shine, and more luscious, Hollywood-like locks

What It Costs
Ask your stylist ahead of time because treatments vary depending on salon, but expect to spend between $250–$350.

How Long It Lasts
Approximately 12 weeks. Note: the more you shampoo, the shorter it will last. Grimy girls win out here, you guys! (Actually, shampooing your hair only two or three times a week is recommended by most hair professionals. If you get the Brazilian Blowout, you should absolutely follow these guidelines to help elongate the pretty.)

Where to Go
If you're in the New York area, I highly recommend the brilliant Stacey at Butterfly Studio Salon in NYC. She's highly trained in Brazilian Blowout applications, and she listens carefully to clients to ensure she's transforming their locks into exactly what they've envisioned. If you're nowhere near New York, don't fret. This treatment is the latest craze in hair transformations, and you can find it in most big-name salons around the country.


Jocelyn is a freelance writer who now likes to walk backwards. She lives, works, writes and dates in New York City.