For Fall 2011, hair is going straight and sleek. At the Milly Fall 2011 show, models flaunted Guy Bourdin-inspired red lips and straight tresses, while at Marc Jacobs' Fall 2011 show, models donned low ponytails with pin-straight strands and, at Tadashi Shoji, they traipsed down the runway with straight hair parted at the side. Unfortunately, those of us with curly hair and/or color-treated strands know very well that attaining these sorts of straight looks can often mean marathon sessions with blow dryers and flat irons that can lead to damage and even breakage. Sure, you can invest in a Brazilian keratin treatment at a salon but, given that the products used often times contain formaldehyde (yes, the chemical used for embalming corpses), which can be toxic and even cancerous when inhaled, we're remiss to recommend this alternative.
So what do we recommend for ladies with wavy, curly, frizzy, and unruly strands who desire straight and sleek manes? Behold Living Proof Straight ($29 at Sephora), a styling product that's free of silicones, resins, oils, parabens, and potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, this spray relies on an aerosolized version of PolyfluoroEster, the humidity-blocking molecule that made the brand's No Frizz Straight Styling Creme so beloved. To use, you simply spray over damp hair, holding the canister upright about 6" away from your head, and then follow by blow drying your tresses as desired. If you're not particularly comfortable wielding a round brush and dryer, the Living Proof Straight will give you that much-needed assist so that you can score big, achieving the desired level of straightness and sleekness.
Another selling point: PolyfluoroEster not only blocks humidity, but it also repels dirt and debris, so that your hair won't be weighed down after a few hours and you can extend the lifespan of your pin-straight style. I've had a blowout last for almost four days after using this product — a record number considering that my hair tends to curl at the slightest hint of humidity (a bead of sweat along the hairline will unleash a chain reaction of frizz all along the area).
