Review (5/5): This WORKS
Ok - this is the real deal. It works, and you will get salon results. Unfortunately, things are getting crazy expensive in certain areas of the US leading us all to a strong DIY culture. You will get salon results for a minimal fraction of the cost.
The fumes are STRONG, and toxic, as we all know.
I started the blowout near a window inside my house with a N95 mask. Some of the fumes still made it to my nose. At that point I stopped and continued the rest of the process at my porch.
From now on, I will do the whole process at the porch, AND will always keep lab goggles on (some of the fumes made it to my eyes even at the porch, and it stung bad), AND gloves throughout the process. I got a BAD rash on my hands because I stopped using the gloves after I finished putting the product on. You need protection in your hands while blowing out the hair, and while straightening it, too.
All in all, I feel safer doing this process at home, in my porch, with a mask, gloves, and lab goggles on, than at a salon without any of these precautions. Salon’s “well ventilated” area is usually a joke. Plus the cost for the process at a salon is truly ridiculous. Note: I’ve tried the No-formaldehyde treatments and they don’t work much for me, but it could be worth it to try it first before this one. Also note that many products that say that do not contain the damaging chemical end up producing it when in contact with heat. So I think you can just do this one but with the proper caution.
TL;DR, this product is a dream. It’s life changing for those of us with a difficult hair. I usually just end up with a bun, and even then, my curly frizzy baby hairs come out. This product straightened my hair, and gave it a glow & shine that I have never naturally possessed, even when using the “curly girl method” religiously. This gives lasting results. BUT fumes are REAL, and I will be more prepared next time. I will do the process at my porch while using the proper PPE.