Typically, my hair tends to be frizzy and dry, but every now and then, I have moments when my curly waves shine through. I was adamant about preserving my hair’s texture and avoiding chemical straightening treatments at all costs. This perspective, however, changed during a visit to Mèche Salon in Los Angeles, when color expert Matt Rez recommended a natural keratin treatment called Cezanne. During our chat, Rez assured me that this treatment would help me maintain my cherished natural waves while calming the frizz, so I decided to give it a try.

I also enlisted the help of two hair experts to help better explain the process. Keep scrolling to learn more abut the Cezanne keratin treatment and how it works.

What Is Cezanne Keratin Hair Treatment?

The Cezanne keratin treatment smooths and adds shine to frizzy hair. Mèche colorist Tania Whittier, who has embraced the Cezanne treatment as her specialty, says that she first learned about the natural keratin alternative the same way many of her clients do: while seeking out a formaldehyde-free substitute to traditional smoothing treatments. Cezanne treatments give you the benefits of typical keratin treatments without the drawbacks.

While safety should be the top priority, efficacy is important too. Whittier says that Cezanne is the first of its kind to deliver the five-star, frizz-free results her clients are seeking. “Formaldehyde treatments are done by pushing the keratin into the cuticle with heat, and the formaldehyde acts as its finishing product,” she says. “It gives the illusion of shine, but over time, the hair becomes dry because it’s too harsh on the hair, especially fragile hair. Cezanne uses lemon and crab apple extracts to gently open the hair’s cuticle, allowing the keratin to enter the cortex.” 

Benefits of Cezanne Keratin Hair Treatment

• Formaldehyde-free
• Non-drying
• Customizable depending on desired results
• Can wash hair immediately post-treatment
• Natural ingredients

Cezanne treatments “restore bonds that are broken from thermal services, but using a low pH, and is comprised of natural healing ingredients such as aloe vera, Vitamin C, E, B3, B5, and B6, and lemon, apple, and green tea extracts,” says hair and beauty expert Savannah St. Jean. The other thing that makes Cezanne unique, and the factor that ultimately convinced me to take the plunge, is that it’s truly customizable to a targeted texture.

How to Prepare for Cezanne Keratin Treatment

“The beauty of this treatment is that no preparation is needed,” says St. Jean. “Simply show up to your scheduled appointment with your trained Cezanne Hair Treatment Stylist, and be prepared to walk out with maintenance-free smooth hair.” You can choose to wash your hair beforehand, if you prefer, or wait until after the treatment.

What to Expect During a Cezanne Keratin Treatment

“Expect to be in your stylist’s chair for approximately three hours. It could be shorter or longer depending on your hair thickness, length, and texture,” says St. Jean. “During this time, the treatment will be applied to your hair, and then it will be left to process, rinsed, blow-dried, and flat ironed.”

After the treatment is applied and blow-dried, a flat iron is used to seal the keratin. If I wanted to go really straight and sleek, Whittier could pass over my strands several times with the flat iron and use more heat. But I love my waves, so I requested that we maintain as much of my natural bend as possible while eliminating all frizz and dryness.

My treatment took less than two hours from start to finish—barely a blip compared to the time I’m used to spending at the salon. I walked out with hair that was stick-straight but oh-so-smooth. Whittier promised that as soon as I washed my hair—which I was allowed to do immediately—it would air-dry to a softer, smoother version of my original texture. Impatient, I dunked my head in the sink when I got home. Shocked—and overjoyed—I marveled as my waves reappeared bouncier, softer, and shinier than ever before.

What’s the Difference Between Cezanne and a Regular Keratin Treatment?

These two types of treatments are extremely similar regarding results, with the Cezanne option being a bit healthier for you and your hair over time. “I have found amazing results from Cezanne. The quality of smoothing received has been extremely comparable to any other keratin smoothing treatment I’ve used, but has the benefit of a more natural ingredients list than others,” says St. Jean.

Potential Side Effects

Side effects of a Cezanne treatment are minimal to non-existent. You can wash your hair, swim, etc., right away, and the treatment won’t weaken the hair follicle over time the way similar options might. However, keep in mind that “if you seek a ton of volume, this may not be the service for you,” notes St. Jean. “With the smoothness it produces, your hair will inevitably lose volume. This service does need to be completed every two to three months to maintain the desired look, so there is a little bit of maintenance you need to prepare for.”

The Cost

At Mèche, smoothing treatments will run you $450. At Savannah Rae Beauty, they start at $250 and go up from there. Price will vary depending on your hair, location, and how high-end the salon you attend happens to be, but Cezanne treatments and regular keratin treatments should cost about the same.

The Final Takeaway

My main priority with the natural treatment was to repair my breakage from bleach and eliminate my frizz. To be transparent, my texture lost some of its bend, especially in the weeks following the treatment. My 2B waves fell into a more tousled 2A structure. But it still looked like my hair, and the wash-and-go ease of it all made the treatment completely worthwhile. After around two months (Cezanne can last up to four), my original texture slowly started to return, while the frizz that typically accompanies it stayed far away. The next time my new, soft, healthy hair and I were back in Rez’s chair, he said, “This was such a good decision for you.” I couldn’t agree more.