In salon windows, "Brazilian blowout" and "keratin straightening" are used interchangeably. And in online shops, "keratin haircare" means something else again. The result: you no longer know what you are buying, at what price, or with what risks. Here is the map of the territory.
The Brazilian blowout: relaxing the curl for several months
This is a salon protocol: a straightening product is applied section by section, then sealed into the fibre with a hairdryer and heated plates (often above 200°C). The curl is relaxed, frizz disappears, blow-drying becomes almost unnecessary.
- Result: smooth or greatly softened hair, shiny and easy to manage.
- Duration: 3 to 6 months, as long as it takes for the product to wash out.
- Price: generally 150 to 400 € depending on length and salon.
- The point to watch: the composition. Formaldehyde, long used in these products to set the straightening, is banned in cosmetics in the European Union, but inspections have regularly found non-compliant products, and some recent substitutes such as glyoxylic acid are now the subject of health warnings in their turn. Before booking, always ask for the data sheet of the product used.
Keratin straightening: the same family, a different selling point
In the vast majority of salons, "keratin straightening" refers to the same type of protocol as a Brazilian blowout: straightening product + heat. Keratin plays a coating role and serves as a selling point, but it is not what does the straightening: that is down to the setting agent and the heat of the plates. The price brackets, the duration and the precautions are therefore the same as above.
Worth remembering: if someone sells you "chemical-free keratin straightening", the promise is physically doubtful. Straightening that holds for months changes the structure of the fibre, and that is never done with keratin alone.
Keratin haircare: repairing without straightening
A third category, and an entirely different one: a shampoo, mask or mist enriched with hydrolysed keratin. Here there are no plates, no setting agent and no transformation of the curl: keratin fragments settle in the damaged zones of the fibre to strengthen it, limit breakage and revive shine. Curls stay curly, straight hair stays straight, but in both cases the fibre is stronger and smoother on the surface.
This is the category the KERA NEXT range belongs to: a complete ritual from washing to styling, certified COSMOS NATURAL, designed for everyday upkeep rather than a one-off transformation.
The summary table
| Brazilian blowout | Keratin straightening | Keratin haircare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Salon | Salon | At home |
| Changes the curl | Yes | Yes | No |
| Duration | 3 to 6 months | 3 to 6 months | Ongoing upkeep |
| Price | 150 to 400 € | 150 to 400 € | The price of a standard product |
| High heat | Yes, plates | Yes, plates | No |
| Composition to check | Yes, without fail | Yes, without fail | INCI list published |
Upkeep: where everyone ends up
Whatever you choose, upkeep rests on the same pillars:
- a gentle cleansing base: after straightening, powerful detergents strip the result away within a few weeks. Our guide to sulfate-free shampoo explains which ones to avoid and why;
- a regular supply of protein: a weekly keratin mask makes up for what heat and washing take away;
- light daily protection: a leave-in mist closes the surface of the fibre back down and limits frizz between washes.
In summary
- Brazilian blowout and keratin straightening: two names for the same type of salon protocol, which transforms the curl for 3 to 6 months and requires you to check the composition of the products.
- Keratin haircare: a category of its own, repairing and strengthening day to day without changing the shape of the hair.
- Want lasting smoothness: a reputable salon, a verified product, gentle upkeep. Want stronger, shinier hair without transformation: keratin haircare is enough.