Beauty Fix: Kerasilk Keratin Hair Treatment

I've spent the past decade and a half in a (mostly losing) battle with my thick, coarse and slightly wavy hair.

I have tried everything including Japanese straightening and Brazilian blowouts, so when Goldwell launched its Kerasilk Keratin Hair Treatment, which promised to last up to five months (twice as long as a Brazilian blowout), I was intrigued.

They call the technology Kerashape and it is a concoction of glyoxylic acid, keratin and silk proteins. Unlike the Brazilian blowout, which coats the hair, Kerasilk penetrates the hair shaft to create new keratin bonds, I'm told. There's no formaldehyde in the product which is a big plus.

The process takes two to three hours so bring something to do. My hair is shampooed, lotion is applied to every hair and I'm left to sit for 15 minutes. My hair is carefully blow-dried, section by section. The lack of formaldehyde means there's no stinging eyes, but it has its own subtle sour smell. Then they take straightening irons to it.

I'm given yet another wash and blow-dry although they rush the last part — they are probably as tired as I am after three hours. The result is relaxed, natural-looking, smoother hair that can withstand humidity. I'll have to see if it lasts five months — this depends on whether I use Kerasilk shampoos or swim a lot — but the fact that I leave the salon without my hair smelling strongly means it already beats the Brazilian blowout. 

Treatment costs HK$2,000-HK$2,500 (depending on the length of your hair). Momo Salon, shop 118, 1/F Style House, The Park Lane, Causeway Bay, tel: 2890 9996