KeraStraight

Long-lasting straight hair without being chained to the hair dryer. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

When I was young, spending a few hours blow-drying and straightening my locks to perfection was the norm; nowadays, I tend to just scrape it back into a ponytail, as time is tight in the mornings. What I really want, though, is a quick, glossy, sleek blow-dry, a la Kate Middleton, that won't turn into a frizzy mess as soon as I hit the fresh air. What can I do?

Is KeraStraight the treatment I need to cut down my styling time? According to the bumf handed to me by my frustrated hairdresser (she hates blow-drying my hair), it is. The treatment injects the hair with pure keratin (something your body produces naturally to give you healthy nails, skin and hair). And, although I'm warned I won't be left with poker-straight locks, I will, I'm reassured, have beautifully-conditioned hair that's smooth and frizz-free for up to four months. With that sort of promise, I booked myself in.

Set aside a few hours for the treatment with the first stage involving washing my hair twice with a KeraStraight Pre-Treatment Cleanser; the second application being left on for 10 minutes to soak in. Next, the main KeraStraight product — a low-pH protein that's formaldehyde-free and made with 22-carat gold nano-particles — is applied to my hair in sections with a brush and then combed through, helping to put the keratin back into my hair. It's then left for 30 minutes before my first blow dry.

Now dry and feeling heavy and thick, my tresses are divided into sections and straightened at least five times, leaving it shiny and straight. Instantly, I'm aware of how gentle the product seems: there's no nasty chemical smell like some other brands and my eyes aren't feeling itchy. As the straightening irons glide over my new locks, there's little steam coming off — another sign the process isn't hurting my hair.

My hair is then given time to cool off before once again being washed, which helps lock in the treatment. Finally, I have one last blow-dry (no straightening irons), and to my amazement, my hair is silky soft, smooth, straight and totally flick-worthy.

Two days later, my hair is still lovely and straight, even after wearing it up and washing it as normal. It feels incredibly smooth and shiny. Four months later, and although I still have a slight kink in my hair, my styling time has been halved and I've had countless comments on how healthy it looks.

Since the treatment, I always use KeraStraight Straight Maintain Shampoo and Conditioner. It doesn't contain sodium chloride — which can strip away keratin — smells lovely and keeps my hair healthy and frizz-free. Without a hair toggle in sight, getting ready for a night out is far less stressful these days. I'm already booked in for my next treatment. There's no way I can go back to unruly hair!

The details
From £150 per treatment, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. For essential aftercare and maintenance, it's advisable to use KeraStraight Straight Maintain Shampoo and Conditioner, £17.50 each. Available from salons nationwide. To find your nearest salon, visit www.kerastraight.com.

The Alternatives

At home: Charles Worthington's Salon at Home Straight & Smooth kit promises sleeker hair for up to 40 days. Products contain cysteamine, a straightening chemical that works by ‘reprogramming' your hair so it doesn't frizz or curl, even in warm, humid conditions. £19.99.
www.boots.com

Styler: The Mother Styler comes with both wide and narrow plates, making it perfect for straightening your locks in a hurry. The in-built titanium plates heat up quickly and are nice and smooth, so they won't pull or break your hair. From £140.
www.motherhair.com

Yuko: Originating in Japan, the Yuko system straightens hair by helping to break down the bonds holding the curl shape. It uses collagen, keratin and silk proteins to penetrate the hair follicle. The only problem is you can't touch your hair for 48 hours after the treatment. That's no washing or putting it up into a ponytail, which isn't an option for some. Price dependent on length and texture.
www.vanclarke.com