Beauty Tips

Road Test: In-Salon vs. At-Home Treatments

Should you splurge on the salon treatment or go the do-it-yourself route? Find out which treatments should be done by a pro -- and which ones you should attempt at home

by Dawn Davis

5 of 7

Keratin straightening There are at least a half a dozen at-home keratin treatments that have launched in the last year, and many of them are available at the drugstore. With all the controversy about dangerous ingredients like formaldehyde in some of the salon versions, I decided to try a do-it-yourself kit instead. Even though I opted for the higher-end Keratin Perfect 30 Day Brazilian Hair Smoothing System, $90, I was underwhelmed by the results. My hair was noticeably smoother, but the effects only lasted for a few days -- not 30. Plus, some of the shorter strands around my face became brittle and started to break off at the ends.

"It's kind of scary -- anyone can buy a professional iron that goes up to 450 degrees," says Solano. "But not everyone's hair can take an iron that hot." Unfortunately, both at-home and in-salon keratin treatments generally require that you flat iron your hair at 450 degrees. "In this case, doing it at home is going to be more damaging to your hair," she explains.

Verdict: Go to the salon.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Waxing

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

products mentioned

Shu Uemura Essential Drops Purifying Blend

0.0

Clairol Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10

7.4

Sephora by OPI Gelshine At-Home Gel Colour System

10.0

KeratinPerfect 30-Day Brazilian Hair Smoothing...

0.0

Sally Hansen Simple Spa Wax Warmer Kit

3.0

leave a comment

Older comments

great advice - i wax myself (yes, where i can see, so i do visit the salon from time to time), i sometimes colour my own hair and I would love to try the DIY gel nails and face peel.

by AstridB Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 04:52AM Report as inappropriate

Keratin Perfect may not be any good--never tried it myself-- but don't assume all DIY keratins are bad. I've tried about eight--some were crap, but I actually think Uncurly is better than the Brazilian Blowouts I used to pay $400 for and I think it costs me around $25 per use. I would say Keratin Earth, Pravana, and whatever Sally's brand is called were a waste, but Uncurly and Global were successful for me. A few more whose names I don't recall were so-so--not great, but not as bad as you're describing Keratin Perfect to be. If your hair's like mine--thick, too curly/wavy, and a frizz disaster in humidity--keratin is NOT optional and money IS limited, so you need to be able to do it yourself.

by patriotwoman Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 07:26AM Report as inappropriate

Being so un-geeky this article definitely left me with the attitude that all is not lost. I will at least try one or two of the DIY's. Thanks Total Beauty!!!

by aussiegene Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 03:16PM Report as inappropriate