Spa spy Straight talking

Taylor Ferguson’s Braliz vegan treatment smooths the way to tangle-free hair

The treatment

The Braliz smoothing treatment at Taylor Ferguson, Glasgow, the first and currently, the only, salon in Scotland to offer it. £195 (or £250 with a cut).

Why go?

If rain or humidity makes your hair puff up and frizz, or if your wild bushy mane needs to be tamed, this treatment is the newest alternative to the Brazilian Blow Dry. The difference is that this vegan version doesn’t involve formaldehyde. Instead, it contains extracts of guarana, cashew and Brazil nut oils – so you can’t have the treatment if you have a nut allergy.

Our spy says

Once Taylor has given me a trim, the first step, in this smoothing process, is for me to get my hair washed using some of Braliz’s special shampoo. I’m led to the sinks, where there is a wall covered in photographs of their glossy celebrity clientele, from Jenni Falconer to Emilia Fox, Elaine Paige and, em, Cherie Blair.

According to my stylist, their shampoo not only cleans thoroughly, it also opens the hair’s cuticle, so it’s prepped to absorb the product.

Post wash, I’m taken back to my seat, and my hair is blast dried from either side. With my locks now at full unadulterated volume, I resemble a mushroom cloud. It’s the perfect opportunity for the “before” picture.

Once I’m dried, my stylist spritzes small sections of my hair with the product and combs it through, then I’m left for an hour to marinade.

I’m quite happy hanging out with my pile of magazines, while quaffing an endless stream of hot drinks and chocolate Hobnobs (none of those wee Lotus biscuits, it’s fancy here).

The next bit involves straightening each section, using around ten strokes of the irons. The whole process has taken about three and a bit hours, though for less tricky hair it would be more like two and a half.

I touch my new locks, and my fingers ripple through, instead of getting caught in the knots. Also, the colour that I had done three weeks ago looks vibrant and refreshed.

They take the “after” picture and I’m nuts for my new style. I never want to see that stupid mushroom cloud again.

The results

I’ve had other straightening treatments – the Brazilian Blow Dry and a Kerasilk Control Keratin Treatment. This wins, mainly because you can wash your hair whenever, even straight after. They say the results should last for three months, and, for aftercare, you have to stick with the Braliz products – shampoo, conditioner and a leave-in spray – they give you to take away. n

Taylor Ferguson (106 Bath Street, Glasgow, 0141-332 0397, www. taylorferguson.com)