Road test: Latino Hair Straightener.
Aim: To rid frizzy, damaged, unhealthy, dull and mistreated hair by coating the hair with a protein treatment that's sealed in with a hot iron, trapping moisture, to hydrate and give a glossy finish. The manufacturer claims the iron will straighten the hair (to a degree) without damaging or changing its texture, ultimately cutting down on styling time over the next two to four months. It can be used on all hair types.
What happens: After the hair is washed with a deep-cleansing shampoo, it's completely dried before the protein treatment (which may contain formaldehyde, depending on the formulation) is applied section by section. The hair is then dried and straightened using a 220°C heat. It's important that over the next three days hair remains straight and dry for best results.
You can then wash, colour and style your hair as normal (however, it's recommended you wait at least 10 days before colouring), and the results will last for up to 16 weeks before your curls or waves gradually return. This is due to the chemical sitting on the cuticle not penetrating the cortex, which unlike some other straightening or relaxing treatments, won't break the bond of the hair. For best results, the treatment works better on hair that has been damaged or coloured, rather than virgin hair.
Cost: From $300-$500. The price depends on the thickness and length of the hair.
The bottom line: "I find that my hair is quite a lot straighter. It's not completely straight, but that's good because I didn't want it completely straight. That big bushy, frizzy quality that it had before that I used to hate so much is gone, and it looks much longer. It feels much softer; people have been noticing the difference. Basically, I'm pretty pleased with it." — Gemma, 35.
Price correct as at November 19, 2008. Image posed for by model.
