FROM THE FRONT | The dirty secret of the Brazilian Blowout

 

IT SEEMS the business of straightening unruly follicles a la Brasileira is coming clean about its dirty little secret. The formaldehyde-free Brazilian Blowout? Possibly not as free from the cancer-causing chemical as you've been led to believe.

A month ago, while chatting with the creative director of Tela salons during Fashion's Night Out, Nadine Jolie, said creative director and I had a hushed discussion about the Brazilian Blowout's dirty little secret. Actually, it was more like Jolie and the creative director had a discussion about it and I listened intently, having been cursed with stick-straight hair (read: FLAT, FINE and THIN... grass is not always greener, ladies. Naturally straight hair is often lifeless too), I've never ever given straightening treatments a first thought, let alone a second. In fact, I generally give them a wide berth all together, fearing that even physical closeness to shelves of products like John Frieda's Frizz Ease will further flatten hair that seems to cling to my scalp for dear life.

Jolie wrote about the possible formaldehyde in the Brazilian Blowout a couple weeks ago (released into the air during the treatment, to be inhaled by customer and stylist alike) after an independent test in Oregon found – after a stylist administering the treatment complained of adverse reactions – that the formaldehyde-free treatments actually contained – gasp – upwards of 10% formaldehyde!

Jolie further points out that those claiming to be Keratin treatments are betting on the ignorance of the customer? Because, as she points out, “Keratin does not straighten hair; it’s a fortifying protein which can make the hair look shinier, but will in no way produce the dramatic, very long-lasting straightening and sleekifying results common to the Brazilian. Keratin, in fact, requires a reactive agent to bond to the hair…like formaldehyde.” Dr. Jessica Wu says the same thing with regards to Keratin's lack of straightening power in an article about the pros and cons of the treatment. Which brings me to yet another claim that needs debunking. Such blowouts cannot (contrary to what the company claims) restore your hair to health. By their very nature they're weakening the protein structure so that strands can be trained into a different shape (e.g. straight instead of curly). Last time I checked, making something weaker – other than my evening cocktail – was not health restoring.

Brazilian Blowout has issued two releases standing behind their products. But we wonder if, like Jolie touches on, it's a matter of verbiage? For example, their releases stand behind their products as being formaldehyde (in name) free but they don't claim that they are free from formaldehyde derivatives or formaldehyde in varying states (which take on different names). Sort of sounds like carefully crafted legalisse, doesn't it?

Why don't you want formaldehyde in your hair treatments? Let's make a list, shall we? It might be naturally occurring (and in everything from smog to facial tissues) but that still doesn't make this aldehyde something you want in your haircare:

• Known (key word here) carcinogen in humans as per the EPA and WHO

• Associated with sinus and throat cancers and possibly Leukemia

• Can make asthma worse

• Irritates eyes, skin, nose and throat

• Because there are few to to no regulations on ingredients in or claims for many cosmetic products

• Because OSHA suggests using goggles and even respirators if you deal with more than .1% Formaldehyde in the workplace

And, really, you won't believe it, but all of us naturally straight-haired girls would give anything -- particularly our limp locks -- to have your voluminous, sexy curls.



Image taken from Beauty Blitz.

Originally written by Jessica Teas for the Smarter Beauty Blog. Text has been altered.

HOW TO | Keep your skin in top form this winter

WITH EACH winter I plunge into a grumpy, hopeless state over what happens to my grown-up complexion, thus gifting me with my own special version of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I’m affected by the seasons, alright, but it’s because of my seasonal skin problems not the lack of sunlight. Winter plunges me into despair with rosacea in full ruddy bloom, spots that never heal, skin that’s dull and papery. Creams seem to be futile weapons against the onslaught of bone-dry air in my flat. I slather on a thick, butter-like layer before falling asleep and inevitably wake up to find that not only has my skin (and, yes, maybe my pillow case) drunk the entire lot, but it’s still the same dry mess it was the night before.

Over the years, I’ve been honing my artillery of skincare weapons and this winter I’m ready to go to war with the weather to save my skin. Here are the best tips I’ve gleaned from the experts and my own trial-and-error experience over recent rosacea-afflicted years.

1. Vitamin C

A notoriously useful brightener and anti-oxidant, Vitamin C can take your skin from dull to radiant in seconds. The trick is actually finding Vitamin C that’s in its active form – no easy feat (read more about that here). Most of the products touting Vitamin C have so little in such a degraded state that they’re just paying this wonder-vitamin lip service and not providing you with a useful amount in any sort of useful form. Vitamin C should be stored in powder form (or another un-activated form) until used (to contain its potency or it degrades with speed).

2. Exfoliate

Do this a few times a week to rid skin of dead skin and debris build-up. A scrub is fine, so is a gentle peel, mask or liquid exfoliator with gentle acids or Vitamin A derivatives. They’ll help keep your skin looking fresh even before you put on your skincare or makeup, which is the best sort of canvas to start with during any season. Plus – added bonus – Vitamin A creams and peels will help diminish fine lines.

3. Massage

While you’re applying your creams, serums or oils, really massage them into your skin. It’s a great way to get the blood to the surface of your complexion to create a healthy glow. And it feels good, relieves tension and means your really working in those products.

4. Highlighter

Many foundations and lotions now come filled with light-reflecting and brightening particles. Use these on well-moisturised skin instead of a tinted moisturiser or matte foundation. To make your own, add one part highlighting cream to two parts foundation (a non-drying formula), mix it in your palm and then apply it, starting at the center of your face and fanning outwards.

Product suggestion: La Prarie White Caviar Illuminating Cream

FIND OUT the other 5 winter skincare tips in my column at Looking Good No Matter What. Do you have any suggestions for keeping your skin in good form during winter months? Share them here!

HOW TO | The at-home facial

FACIALS ARE a necessity, not a luxury. Many American and British women don't think so, but the beautiful complexions of continental European and Asian women show otherwise. Respect your complexion and do more than just pat on cream and quickly cleanse at night. The secret to wonderful skin is constant maintenance, not a wonder-cream you find in a store.

Ideally, you should have a facial monthly. Make room in your budget for three to six professional facials a year — buy them in bulk to save money — and do the rest at home because it's easy...

Read more or print the steps to use yourself at home!

Originally written for Sears Inc. at managemylife.com. Image credit: flickr.com/photos/40929849@N08/3762846985/sizes/m/in/photostream/