Backstage at Roland Mouret Spring 2017 Ready-to-Wear.
Photo: James Cochrane
In an effort to tame my unruly North African mane without losing my natural curls, I decided to pay a visit to cult-favorite Pastels salon at Mercato in Jumeirah to try the KeraStraight treatment, also known as the “Four Month Blow-Dry.” KeraStraight is a frizz-reducing alternative to the the rival, harsher hair keratin and botox treatments.
“The wash-and-go procedure is a gentle hair-restoring treatment that aims to eradicate frizz, smooth split ends, and fortify the strands for up to four months without the use of harsh chemicals,” explains Shakira Adams, head hairstylist at Pastels, listing carbocysteine, keratin and hydrolyzed wheat protein as the key ingredients. “Unlike regular keratin and hair botox treatments, KeraStraight is completely formaldehyde and aldehyde free,” she adds. “This makes it the more attractive option, as formaldehyde is a highly-aggressive chemical that poses health risks and strips color from your hair.” The effects of the hair-boosting treatment fade evenly over time, so you don’t have to worry about awkward frizzy roots teamed with poker-straight ends.
The gentle treatment, which was introduced to the market in 2009 after the founder experienced a terrible Brazilian keratin treatment, is not to be confused with a straightening method. Straightening is not a natural procedure, so if a product promises miraculous smoothing benefits without the use of chemicals, it is more often than not just a marketing gimmick.
The Treatment
To begin the 3-hour treatment, my hair was cleansed thoroughly to ensure that strands were as clean as possible for the formula to effectively penetrate my hair shaft. The hairstylist went on to lather my hair with the mask, leaving it to sink into my strands for 45 minutes. To my surprise, the product didn’t cause scalp irritation or tears, and even had a pleasant scent.
After rinsing my locks, the stylist lightly blow-dried and flat-ironed my hair to seal the treatment. The result? Swingy, smooth strands that instantly appeared healthier. The hairstylist advised me not to wash my hair for 24 hours, and to reach for the KeraStraight shampoo and conditioner for longer-lasting results. Two weeks later, my hair still boasts its curl but is significantly more manageable, cutting my morning mirror time in half.
Alternative Treatments
For similar results without damaging your locks, try the Discipline treatment at the Sister’s Beauty Lounge. Offered at its five Dubai branches, the frizz-eradicating treatment is a three-step process that promises to tame unruly strands for up to ten days. Alternatively, the Hydre Hair Mask Treatment at the Ritz Carlton’s Y-12 salon is a wash-and-go method that uses a combination of chemical-free products to achieve swingy hair.
The hair-boosting treatment starts at AED/SAR 1000 (US $272) at Pastel’s three branches in Mercato Mall, Jumeirah and the Ritz Carlton.
