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I have to admit, I was a flat-iron queen up until a month ago... It was then that I was introduced to the Japanese Straight Perm. I heard about it and saw it on spa menus and was always tempted to get it. What held me back? Well, it gets really pricey. I have medium-thick hair and lots of it. Not exactly a resident of the bargain basement. What finally got me to cave? Well... I did a cost-ratio analysis of all the time it took me to do my hair in the morning (15 - 20 minutes - got it down to a science), every single morning, and the cost of shelling out the bucks and be able to just wash-and-go. It became all the more appealing to me. Why hadn't I invested sooner?

I went to the Aveda Lifestyle Spa on a Wednesday for a hair spa and a consultation. The hair-straightening expert went over the procedures with me and said I was a perfect candidate for it. Apparently, the ideal candidate is someone with virgin hair. Get your mind out of the gutter. Virgin hair in salon-speak means unprocessed hair, free of dyes, chemicals and impurities. I was excited. So excited that I scheduled an appointment for that Saturday. The ladies were nice enough to rearrange the Expert's appointments to fit me in. Aww. It was meant to be.

I woke up early that Saturday, went to the gym and got ready to get my hair done. I brought along with me water, my precious Blackberry Pearl and magazines. It was scheduled for four hours (and lasted that long). Nonetheless, I was excited to get my new hair.

The Expert prepped my for my perm. It had a strong odor, so she burnt candles (didn't really help much) on the vanity. She washed my hair and started applying the perm solution to my hair. While we waited for it to set, I got my hand massaged. Wonderful way to pass five minutes. She washed the solution out of my hair, blow-dried it and used a "special" flat iron to break the curling bonds. Afterward, one more coat of chemicals were applied to my hair to "seal" the straightness. For a third time, my hair was washed and blow-dried. Yes, my scalp was really clean that day!

A few caveats, though. At the end of the session, I was informed of the following.

1. Cannot wet hair for 48 hours

2. Cannot tie hair for 48 hours

3. Cannot clip hair for 48 hours

For all of the above will cause hair to adhere to whatever shape the tie or clip causes. Making the hair wet will also break the straightening bonds. Oh boy!However gruesome the first 48 hours were, it was worth it. It was even worth the $400 (+ tip and tax) I paid. I can now just wash-and-go. Something I hadn't done since I was twelve. The joys of not having to worry about friz is so wonderful. And it also gave my hair a little extra sheen. So thank you to whomever it was who invented the straight perm.

Learn more about this author, Frances Babauta.
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