This At-Home Keratin Treatment Worked A Treat On My Frizzy Mane
Francesca is the Beauty Editor at Adore Beauty. With a background in glossy mags and bylines in publications like Marie Claire, ELLE and BODY+SOUL, Francesca has turned her love of beauty into a career. Whether she's decoding buzzy ingredients or road testing lip glosses (so. many. glosses.), her approach to beauty is equal parts glamour and highly-considered.
ATTN: Frizz-prone girls.
If the endless cycle of smoothing, blow-drying and praying has worn you out - well, same.
Keratin treatments have always been the ultimate fix but until now, they’ve lived firmly in the salon-only, $400-plus bracket.
At home alternatives (like ANSWR's) have made frizz-fighting smoothness easier and more accessible than ever. Their new At-Home Keratin Treatment promises up to three months of smoothness from just one application. Bonus points for coming in at a cool $82.
Could a bottle and a straightener really give me that smooth, glossy finish without the price tag?
What is Keratin Treatment?
We have a great article on site (linked here), that breaks down everything you need to know about keratin and keratin treatments.
But the short; Keratin is a protein that helps to strengthen the hair strands and prevent damage. Introducing a boost of this protein into your locks can offer variety of benefits; smoother, stronger hair, added shine and the ability to reduce frizz.
Keratin treatments can also make the hair appear straighter for longer, appealing to those looking to tame unruly flyways.
What Hair Types Can Use ANSWR Keratin Treatment?
ANSWR say their hero treatment is suitable for all hair types, but won't repair damage caused by bleaching treatments.
In terms of results, I honestly think they depend on your hair and hair type. People with frizzy, heat-damaged hair are, of course, prime candidates.
Important disclaimer: When sealing hair with a straightener, colour fade on semi-permanent dye-treated hair can occur.
Does Keratin Treatment Damage Hair?
Risks of damage occur from the high heat and harsh chemicals like formaldehyde being used in the application process.
This can lead to dryness, breakage and altered hair texture over time, especially with frequent treatments or if not done properly.
Formaldehyde, which is the chemical that actively straightens strands, is can be dangerous if inhaled. Symptoms can span headaches and dizziness to eye issues and rashes.
Thankfully, ANSWR's Keratin Treatment is formaldehyde-free, instead utilising a patented VeratinTech™ complex to safely and effectively smooth hair while maintaining integrity.
ANSWR At Home Keratin Treatment Review
Fast Facts:
- Semi-permanent hair treatment for lasting smoothness and shine
- Tames frizz and improves hair manageability
- Formulated with soy and wheat derived vegan keratin
- Formaldehyde-free, sulphate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, alcohol-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
The formula itself here is impressive. For starters, it’s vegan. Keratin is typically derived from fibrous animal by-products, so a soy and wheat derived alternative earns big ticks. It's also dosed with gentle acids (to balance pH levels) and antioxidant action (that help retain moisture) to deliver that sleek, glossy finish.
On a technical level, this treatment differs from straightening treatments and perms because of how it works on the hair. Straightening treatments and perms use harsh chemicals that alter the disulfide bonds in the hair to restructure the strands.
ANSWR’s formula instead uses natural active ingredients that work on a different level, targeting the weaker, modified bonds in the hair. This allows you to achieve smooth, frizz-free locks without structural damage.
As for the actual, at-home application? It was surprisingly straightforward - dare I say, dummy-proof.
That said, it’s slightly tedious and a time-consuming. It took me 2.5 hours from start to finish. But the brand’s promise of three months of smoothness certainly justifies the effort. A small price to pay in my books.
Here were the instructions I followed (and as detailed on the box):
- Start with clean, dry hair. Spray the treatment onto hair until fully saturated then comb through.
- Let the treatment sit for one hour
- Rinse your hair thoroughly using only water, and ensuring no residue remains.
- Completely blow-dry hair, then take narrow (2cm) sections of hair and run over with a straightening iron set to 180°C to seal in the finish - ANSWR recommends passing over each section of hair 6 times.
- After treatment, avoid washing your hair for 24 hours, and use only sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner.
The 100ml bottle lasts one to two applications. My thick, lengthy strands used the whole treatment in one application, without a drop to spare.
Now for the testimonial part of the review...
As someone who loves having done hair but hates the act of doing it, this has been a genuine gamechanger.
I hate my frizz and this treatment that promised manageability, smoothness and shine absolutely delivered.
Immediately, my hair felt smoother, silkier and was visibly healthier. With the improved condition, saw some much needed help on the manageability and frizz-front too. My strands were much easier to deal with (less knots and friction) and, for what feels like the first time in forever, they did exactly what I needed them to.
My blow-dry time was cut in half. Does a greater joy than time-back exist? I think not.
I noticed the aforementioned well-behaved strands also stayed styled with minimal frizz or flyaways. This seemed to last for a few days. As someone whose volume used to increase in size by the hour, this alone feels seriously impressive.
While I was/am still thrilled, these impressive results did come with a few drawbacks...
As warned, the treatment did strip colour, and quite significantly. My once jet-black strands reverted to a brassy, red-brown tone that catches the light a little more warmly than I’d like.
Another observation: my hair does seem to get oilier more quickly. That one-week wash cycle I used to maintain? It doesn’t quite cut it anymore. I’d recommend investing in a good sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner to preserve results. ANSWR also offers a Keratin care range, which helps maintain the treatment’s longevity. My lovely colleague Emily has tested that range (her review is below).
It’s been two months since my treatment and honestly, I’m still pretty impressed.
My strands have retained that smooth, silky texture and the reduction in frizz has been nothing short of life-changing. I’m already planning to invest in another treatment before summer (and humidity) make their grand return.
ANSWR Shampoo & Conditioner
"As a naturally dry and frizzy haired girlie, I jumped at the opportunity to trial a routine that promised me smoother and shinier locks all from the comfort of my own home?!
The shampoo lathered nicely and left my hair feeling instantly smoother and softer. The Conditioner also worked wonders on my hair as it is thicker than regular conditioner so felt more nourishing, like a mask.
Their shampoo and conditioner duo are also ideal for coloured hair as they are sulphate free, meaning it wont strip and if anything, I feel added some shine back into my locks.
I didn't stop there though, I also added the at home Keratin Treatment to the routine, to help seal the cuticle which certainly added softness and shine but most importantly for me, tamed my frizz.
I was pleased that it was overall a simple routine, smelt like tropical pineapple and left me with more manageable hair for a few months " - Emily Nolan
Shop The Products Mentioned In This Article:
ANSWR Shampoo 300ml$46.00
ANSWR Conditioner 300ml$46.00
ANSWR At Home Keratin Treatment 100ml$82.00
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