Straight Answers About Keratin Treatments

Washington's wilting humidity is about to descend on the area and that means our hair is about to develop a mind of it's own. Those with especially wavy or frizzy hair feel the pain year round. And that's one of the reasons the Brazillian keratin treatment, also known as the "Brazillian Blowout" has gained such a faithful and satisfied following. The treatment makes unmanageable hair behave by straightening and smoothing the strands for up to 4 months.

Some recent news reports have questioned the safety of keratin treatments because some of the hair-smoothing products contain formaldehyde - a chemical the Environmental Protection Agency considers a carcinogen. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, recommended stylists stop using products with formaldehyde, which goes by a number of different names. Because so many women love the treatments and don't want to have to give them up, BeautyInDC.com sought out an area expert who could provide some straight answers on what we need to know about the safety of Keratin.

Jacqui Rodriguez Davis is the the owner of PR Partners www.pratpartners.com at metro center and the energy source for the salon. Jacqui has been in the hair and beauty industry for over twenty years. She is the lead developer of Fresh Look ( a makeover package) as well as one of the creators of Pretty makeup. She has been Nominated five consecutive times by Washingtonian magazine for best in color and for best stylist by City Paper. Her services have long been sought out by Washington women with high expectations. When she is not "behind the chair" you can find her doing fashion shows, photo shoots and most recently on episodes of Ambush Makeovers.

When I asked her whether we should be alarmed or worried about these recent reports Jacqui addressed those concerns and told us what to specifically look for when seeking out keratin treatments:

"The controversy over the keratin treatments you've been hearing so much about in the media is about a specific brand not a specific treatment. As a salon owner, it is imperative that any services rendered are safe for both clients as well as staff. We did a lot of research and testing before we brought in a keratin treatment that was both safe and effective. At PR Partners we use the Marcia Teixeira Keratin Treatment www.brazilliankeratin.com. Our stylists must attend a seven hour class before they can test out and be certified to do these treatments.

Formaldehyde is a natural occurring substance found in everything from produce to cosmetics. The controversy is not the formaldehyde found in the products but the formaldehyde exhaust that occurs when heat is applied during the service. OSHA has set safety guidelines for this and Marcia falls well below these limits.

Treatments without formaldehyde do straighten and smooth but not to the extent that the others do. Also, the effects are not as long lasting.

I believe that the products in question are to date available in the U.S. but have been banned in Europe. Clients interested in having a keratin treatment should research and ask their salon for an MSDS sheet which lists all the ingredients and their levels. Being informed is the best way to achieve beautiful, silky and healthy hair."

PR at Partners
Metro Center
1001 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-737-0909

http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

Bottled Bronze Beauty

The message that we've been hearing for some time now about protecting our skin from the sun's UV rays seems to be getting through. Most of us are very careful to use a sunscreen and we're willing to fake a tan with one of the self tanning options out there.

This season a new crop of self tanners is on the market that address some of the complaints consumers have had in the past had regarding the strong smell and problems with streaking.

If you want to fake a glow here are some of the newest and best products BeautyInDC.com has found to offer you multiple options for benefits and price ranges:

You probably won't find it on the shelves till May 1st, but one of the most buzzed about products this season is Jane Iredale's Tantasia Self Tanner. Iredale is known mostly for it's mineral makeup line found in medspas and aesthetic doctor's offices. In keeping with their "good for your skin" reputation, this self tanner is moisturizing and formulated for sensitive skin. The fresh citrus scent is a plus as well as the streak free formulation. The color builds gradually over three days, giving you control over how much color you want. Tantasia will sell for $36 and be available after May 1st at Rockledge Medspa in Bethesda.


Also coming out in May super dermatologists Rodan + Fields add a self tanner to their line of anti-aging products with their Foaming Sunless Tanner and Reverse Environmental Shield. There's not a lot of info out there on the product yet except for the April Issue of Allure magazine which said the product takes a few days to turn you really bronze but lasts a good 5 days once you do. Apparently it prolongs color by reducing cell-turnover.


Designer Skin Just Say Yes! self tanner's claim to fame is that it is supposed to be the deepest bronze shade you can achieve with a self tanner. It's under $12 price and passion berry scent should also be a real plus if you're in the market for a glow without the damage of the sun's harmful rays. Available online through Amazon.com.



How do those Dancing With The Stars get their amazing, sun kissed skin? Not by laying at the pool for hours--who has time when you have to practice your routines 8 hours a day! Dancing pros Karina Smirnoff and Derek Hough endorse Adonai Bronzing Serum that also touts itself as a Greek organic tanning product. Adonia contains pure natural ingredients with no harmful chemicals. It offers instant color and says you can expect your tan to last for 5 days. The catch is that they offer one product for Face and Neck and another for the body so it's a bit pricey for both at $69. You can order at www.adoniabronzing.com.



It's always a bonus to find a multi-tasker and Sally Hansen's Smooth Glow Stubble Reducing Moisturizer is definitely in that category. It helps to remove hair so you don't have to shave as often, while it moisturizes and gives your legs some color within a week. It seems like a genius invented this product since we certainly want to avoid stubble when we're showing off our legs in the warmer months. And the under $3 price is amazing!






http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

Im Being Made into Art!

I found out the other day that a fantastic Australian jewelry designer called 'Hungry Designs' is turning an image of me into a brooch! I'm wearing the incredible pirate-ship inspired outfit by Rebecca Cobbing worn at Circa Nocturna this year. This is the brooch design, I love being illustrated!



And another photograph of me is being painted by the American painter Kelly X. Art for a gallery exhibition which is being held in Chicago in July. This is her incredible painting of 'Bitter Flower Bomb' (taken by Tina Nikolovski Photography). It looks so life like!



How cool!

New Pictures

Few new pictures from recent photoshoots :)