In the cult 2001 film, The Princess Diaries, there is a scene where the protagonist, Mia—who has recently discovered she is the Princess of Genovia—arrives for her makeover. A man named Paolo swiftly enters the room and declares he will turn her into a princess. Paolo and his assistants, Gretchen and Helga, pluck and preen and prod and snap reading glasses to transform the woman before them into royalty. A hairbrush, which becomes stuck in Mia’s hair, is possibly snapped in the process.

I have thought about this scene often over the last decade. Most recently I thought about it while sitting in a black leather chair at The Mane Space in Manly. As I read three magazines from start to finish, a hairdresser—who did not go by the name of Paolo but was, in fact, my very own Paolo—conducted her own transformation on me. It involved a little something called keratin.

For as long as I can remember, I have had locks not dissimilar to Mia’s (pre-glow up). Long, brown, frizzy. There is a nice wave present, but it has always been hidden underneath a layer of frizz. This hair has forced me to become a high-maintenance girlie—someone who spends hours in the bathroom with a straightening iron or curling tong and someone who has dreamt of simply walking off the beach and to the bar. And that is, perhaps, what motivated me to try a keratin treatment.

Keratin is an essential natural protein found in hair, skin and nails. It is known for its powerful protective properties which help to strengthen and protect surfaces, making it the real mastermind behind smooth, frizz-free hair texture—an outcome we all want.

A keratin hair treatment is a long-lasting salon treatment where a keratin formula (in my case, KERASILK) is applied to the hair. Through absorption, new keratin bonds are formed transforming hair into its glossiest and smoothest self for months to come. Don’t be afraid of walking out with forever straight hair as this treatment smooths, rather than straightens.

Note: Through keratin absorption, the cuticle layer is closed which prevents moisture from entering. Moisture results in swollen strands, equalling frizz.

Step 1: We started with a cleansing hair wash (with the KERASILK smoothing range) and blow dry.

Step 2: Moving onto the magic maker, my hair was coated with the KERASILK keratin treatment. KERASILK’s treatment is full of shea oil which helps calm any frizz.

Step 3: My stylist blow dried my hair before bringing out the straightener to seal the treatment. She explained that she would straighten each section seven times to evenly apply heat across the hair cuticle from root to tip. 

Step 4: Back to the basin for another hair wash and blow dry to follow before the big reveal!

You can expect a Keratin appointment to take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. This all depends on your hair length and type.

Another great thing about KERASILK is that there is zero downtime. That’s right, you can walk out of the salon and straight into a gym session or sauna. However, I opted to wait two to three days before washing it to give the KERASILK treatment an extra chance to fully settle in.

For post-treatment care, I have been using the KERASILK Smoothing Trio which consists of the Smoothing Shampoo, Conditioner and Mask. These have helped prolong my post keratin treatment results.

One thing to note is that it is best to get a KERASILK treatment prior to any colour. Or at least wait a few weeks after the colour treatment before proceeding with a KERASILK treatment. This will ensure no colour interference.

This summer, Keratin has saved me time, and allowed me to move through my days with confidence and ease. I haven’t had to spend hours in the bathroom with a straightening iron and curling tong. I have been able to walk straight off the beach and into a bar. It has made my hair softer and smoother, removing the imperfections instead of changing the nature of my hair entirely. To quote the Queen of Genovia (Julie Andrews) in The Princess Diaries, the keratin treatment has made my hair “better, much better”.

To book a KERASILK treatment, find a salon near you here.