How to Make Your Brazilian Blowout Last (From a Chino Stylist)
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Hi, I'm Danielle, a lead stylist here at Rock Paper Scissors Hair Studio. One of my absolute favorite services to perform is the Brazilian Blowout. Seeing a client's face light up when they feel that silky, frizz-free hair for the first time is why I do what I do.
Last week, my client Maria came in for her first Brazilian Blowout. She has really curly, frizzy hair and had been dealing with it her entire life. When I finished and she ran her fingers through her hair, she actually teared up. She said, "I didn't know my hair could feel like this."
But then, right as she was floating out the door, she stopped and said, "Okay, wait. How do I keep it looking this amazing?"
That's the question I get every single time. You just made an investment in your hair, and my goal is to help you protect it. Think of me as your partner in keeping that smoothness going for as long as possible.
The truth is, great maintenance isn't complicated, but it does start the second you leave my chair. Let me walk you through it.
The First 72 Hours: Your Golden Rules
I can't stress this enough: the first three days are the most important for locking in your results. The treatment is still setting. It's using plant-based amino acids to create a protective protein layer around each hair strand, and you want to give it every chance to cure perfectly.
Follow these rules religiously for the best outcome.
Do not wash your hair. Not even a rinse. Let the treatment do its thing.
Keep it down and straight. Avoid ponytails, clips, buns, braids, or even tucking your hair behind your ears. Anything that creates a dent or a kink can become semi-permanent while the treatment sets.
Avoid sweat and water. This might mean skipping that intense workout or being extra careful in the shower. If you accidentally get a section wet, don't panic. Just grab a blow dryer and a flat iron on low heat and smooth it out immediately.
I know it sounds strict, but after 72 hours, you're free. These few days of being careful are what guarantee you weeks and weeks of easy, beautiful hair.
I learned this lesson the hard way years ago. I had a client named Jennifer who got a Brazilian Blowout on a Friday. I gave her all the instructions. But she had a pool party on Sunday and forgot. She put her hair in a ponytail and went swimming.
When she came back the following week, her hair had a weird kink right where the ponytail holder had been, and the treatment had washed out from the chlorine. I felt terrible because I should have emphasized it more clearly. Now I make sure every client understands exactly why those 72 hours matter.
Maria texted me on day two saying, "This is so hard! I want to work out!" I told her to hold strong for one more day. When she came back for a trim six weeks later, her hair still looked perfect. She said the sacrifice was absolutely worth it.
Building Your Aftercare Routine
Once you've passed that 72-hour mark, you can relax and start enjoying your ridiculously low-maintenance hair. Your new routine is all about gentle care and using the right products to support the treatment, not strip it away.
Washing and conditioning the right way
The number one enemy of a Brazilian Blowout is sulfates. Specifically, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. These are harsh detergents found in many drugstore shampoos that will strip your treatment right off, and you'll be back to fighting frizz in no time.
You must switch to a sulfate-free and sodium chloride-free shampoo and conditioner. Here at the salon, we've found that Amika's Normcore Signature Conditioner is a fantastic option for maintaining moisture without weighing hair down.
Try to wash your hair just 2 to 3 times a week. The less you wash, the longer your results will last. A good dry shampoo can be your best friend between washes.
Always blow dry after washing. This might sound strange, but heat actually reactivates the smoothing properties of the treatment. After you wash, a quick blow-dry helps reseal the cuticle and brings back that sleek finish. You don't need to do a full, professional blowout. Just get it dry.
My client Sarah didn't believe me about the blow drying at first. She's always air-dried her hair. After her first wash, she skipped the blow dryer. When she came in two weeks later, she said her hair didn't feel as smooth anymore.
I asked if she'd been blow drying and she admitted she hadn't. We did a quick blow-dry right there in the salon and the smoothness came right back. She was shocked. Now she blow dries every time and her treatment lasts the full 12 weeks.
Must-have products for SoCal weather
Living in the Inland Empire means we deal with unique weather patterns. One day it's dry heat, the next the Santa Ana winds are blowing, and we always have that strong Southern California sun. Your products need to be able to handle that.
A deep conditioner is essential. The dry air here can zap moisture from your hair. Using a deep conditioning mask once a week restores hydration. I love sending clients home with Aluram's Deep Conditioner because it's packed with goodness like coconut water and marula oil that won't interfere with the treatment.
A heat protectant is non-negotiable, even if you're just doing a quick blow-dry. It creates a barrier that protects both your hair and the treatment itself.
A smoothing serum helps on days when the air is particularly dry or windy. A lightweight serum can tame any flyaways and add shine without feeling greasy.
Your Questions About Brazilian Blowouts
Over my years of doing Brazilian Blowouts here in Chino, I've heard every question in the book. Here are some of the most common ones.
Can I still swim in a pool or the ocean?
Yes, you can live your life! But you need to protect your hair. Chlorine and salt water are just like sulfates. They will diminish your results quickly.
Before you swim, get your hair wet with clean tap water and apply a leave-in conditioner. This fills up the hair shaft so it can't absorb as much of the chlorinated or salt water. After you swim, rinse your hair with clean water as soon as you can.
My client Lisa goes to the beach almost every weekend in the summer. She was worried the treatment wouldn't work for her lifestyle. I taught her this pre-soaking technique and sent her home with a good leave-in conditioner. She's been getting Brazilian Blowouts for two years now and has no problems. She just protects her hair before swimming and rinses after.
When should I color my hair?
This is a great question. For the best results, you should color your hair before your Brazilian Blowout. The treatment will actually seal the color in, making it last longer and look more vibrant.
I usually advise my clients to go a tiny bit darker than they normally would, as the treatment can sometimes lighten the color by about half a shade.
If you need to color your hair after the treatment, wait at least two weeks.
How do I know when it's time for another treatment?
Your hair will tell you! You'll start to notice your natural wave or curl pattern returning around your hairline first. Your styling time might increase, and you may see a bit more frizz, especially on humid days.
For most of my clients, this happens around the 3 to 4 month mark. The great thing is that the treatments are cumulative, so each one you get will last a little longer and work even better.
Maria, the client I mentioned at the beginning, just came in for her second treatment. She made it 14 weeks before she felt like she needed another one. She said, "The first time I made it about 12 weeks. This time it lasted even longer. This is amazing."
That's exactly how it's supposed to work.
Let's Keep Your Hair Looking Its Best
Your Brazilian Blowout is a team effort. We do the expert application here at the salon, and you provide the amazing at-home care. By following these simple steps, you can easily get 12 weeks or more of smooth, beautiful, and easy-to-manage hair.
If you ever have questions or need to pick up the right aftercare products, please stop by. We're located at Rock Paper Scissors Hair Studio, 5222 D St., Chino, CA 91710, right in the heart of the historic downtown area. You can see City Hall from our front window!
Give us a call at (909) 707-9553 or book your next appointment online. We can't wait to see you.