Dear Nicole Richie,

I’m glad you love the Brazilian Blowout. Really, I do. But not all of us have a Hollywood salary, so please… stop taunting me.

Sincerely,

Responsible Recessionista

Dear Responsible Recessionista:

Don’t worry; I get it.

You read Beauty Stat’s coverage of the Brazilian Blowout with bated breath. Frizz-free hair that shines? Silky tresses that air dry better than you can style them yourself? Never in my wildest dreams, you thought. And then you saw the price tag – $300 to $600, – and you realized you were dreaming. But that’s no reason to get mad at me!

Sure, cheap products usually mean cheap results – as in, your coworker’s self-applied highlights look more greenish-gray than blond. And sure, living in a recession usually means you have to buy cheap, no matter how tacky the results.

But not this fall. And not with the Brazilian Blowout you covet!

Beware of cost-effective hair care no longer. This fall, keratin protein and Brazilian Blowout products are hitting shelves and salons at prices the most frugal of value shoppers will like. Better yet, they’re brands even Hollywood already knows and loves: John Paul Mitchell Systems, Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy and more.

Need a power lunch? Skip the cocktails, and treat yourself to an Express Blow Out instead. It costs under $100, lasts four to six weeks and will have you back to work in no time. You know you can trust it because it’s made by the same people as Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy, just with a different, more cost-effective silicone. Says Dror Kraft, a stylist at Pierre Michel Salon, “For someone who wants to take the edge off , it works really nice. I think it shows people a lower price range for what their hair could possibly look like.”

John Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi Wild Ginger treatment is another in-salon option. It only takes 15 minutes, and costs between $25 and $75, depending on the salon. Like the Express Blow Out, Awapuhi lasts four to six weeks, increases shine, reduces breakage and prevents color fade. Just make sure you buy the Keratin Cream Rinse and Keratin Intensive Complex products to use at home afterwards! They are for sale at Sak’s Fifth Avenue salons nationwide with other shampoo and treatment products, starting at $17.95.

Still a do-it-at-home recessionista at heart? Not to worry – check with your salon for non-pricey keratin retail products like Rusk’s Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care line, or with your local pharmacy store for other solutions. For instance, Garnier Fructis’ Sleek & Shine Blow Dry Perfector will last up to seven shampoos for $11.99, and Sally Hershberger’s Super Keratin Spray will work de-frizzing magic on your hair as you style it ($12.49). Both available for purchase at Ulta stores nationwide.

See? No reason to hate! I promise you’ll be Brazilian blown away.

With love,

Nicole, the Richie

– By Caitlin Garthoffner

Plus for you that still prefer to get the results in a salon, check out another safe alterative called the Surface Smooth & Healthy Hair Salon Treatment -Formaldehyde Free

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