Brazilian Blowout on West 3rd Street: what to expect at MUA Salon
We do Brazilian Blowouts three days a week out of our salon at 8336 W 3rd Street in Beverly Grove. If you've searched "Brazilian Blowout near me" and landed at 15 different price points from $180 to $600, this is the honest breakdown from someone who actually mixes and applies the treatment.
By Burcin Goksu, Master Stylist & Founder · Published Sep 18, 2026 · 7 min read
What "Brazilian Blowout" actually is (and isn't)
Brazilian Blowout is a specific brand — the one launched in Beverly Hills in 2005. The company's US-formulated treatment uses an acai-derived amino acid complex sealed in with 450°F heat. It coats the hair shaft; it does not chemically restructure the internal bonds like a Japanese thermal reconditioning or a keratin straightener would.
What this means practically:
- It smooths frizz by 60–90% depending on hair porosity.
- It cuts your blow-dry time by roughly half.
- It does not permanently straighten. Your natural texture returns as the coating wears off (10–14 weeks in LA humidity).
- It lasts longer on fine hair than coarse hair — opposite of what most people expect.
What we charge on West 3rd Street
- Short (above shoulders): $350
- Medium (to collarbone): $400
- Long (mid-back): $450
- Very long / extra thick: $500 (we quote at consultation)
Session is 2 to 2.5 hours. Includes a professional wash-out with Brazilian Blowout's after-care shampoo (mandatory the first wash — it activates the seal).
If a Brazilian Blowout in Beverly Grove is priced at $180, one of three things is happening: it's a keratin treatment marketed as Brazilian Blowout, it's a diluted formula, or it's an untrained stylist. There's no way to make the math work below $250 with genuine product and a certified applicator.
The formaldehyde question (honest answer)
This deserves a direct answer because clients ask us weekly. The Brazilian Blowout US formula is officially "formaldehyde-free" — meaning it contains no free formaldehyde in the bottle. However, one of its ingredients (methylene glycol) can release trace formaldehyde vapor when heated to the 450°F blow-dry/flat-iron temperatures the process requires.
This is why we run the treatment near the front window at MUA (better airflow), wear masks during application, and refuse to book pregnant clients. The trace exposure per session is well below OSHA's ceiling limits — but for pregnant workers we err on the "no thanks" side.
If total formaldehyde-derivative avoidance matters to you, we recommend our keratin smoothing treatment instead — a gentler protein-based smoothing that lasts 8–10 weeks in LA and uses no formaldehyde precursors.
Who should NOT book Brazilian Blowout
- Pregnancy or actively breastfeeding. Firm no.
- Severely bleached hair (level 10+). The 450°F heat on already fragile hair breaks strands. Come back after a Nourish + Repair cycle.
- Extremely fine, limp hair. Brazilian Blowout adds weight — your hair will look flat. Try our smoothing gloss instead.
- Existing scalp irritation. Wait until it's clear.
- Active respiratory conditions (asthma, allergies to strong scents). The application phase is fume-heavy. Reschedule when you're feeling clear.
LA-specific aftercare (the reason it lasts longer here)
LA humidity swings dramatically between morning (60–70%) and afternoon (25–35%). Standard Brazilian Blowout aftercare pamphlets are written for Miami. What we tell clients on West 3rd:
- No wetting hair for 24 hours. This includes sweat from Runyon Canyon, Melrose Yoga, or a beach walk in Santa Monica.
- Use only sulfate-free shampoo. We retail Davines Melu — $32 — designed for post-smoothing hair. Please don't use grocery-store shampoo; it strips the coating in one wash.
- Skip pool + ocean for 2 weeks. Chlorine and salt destroy the seal.
- SPF hair mist matters here. LA UV degrades Brazilian Blowout 2× faster than East Coast. We recommend Davines Su Hair Milk daily — $30 per bottle.
- Silk pillowcase after 72 hours. Cotton friction pulls at the coating.
How long it lasts in LA (honest ranges)
Based on 400+ treatments at our salon:
- Fine hair, cool skin type: 12–14 weeks
- Medium hair, medium porosity: 10–12 weeks
- Thick / coarse hair: 8–10 weeks
- Highly porous (bleached, damaged): 6–8 weeks
Wash frequency matters. Every-day washers lose 30% of longevity vs. 2×/week washers.
Brazilian Blowout vs. keratin treatment (which we also offer)
Both smooth frizz. Different mechanisms:
- Brazilian Blowout: Coating. Lasts longer. Slightly softer feel after. Has the formaldehyde vapor issue during heat.
- Keratin treatment: Protein rebuild. Shorter longevity. No formaldehyde-precursor. Better for damaged hair.
Full breakdown: Brazilian Blowout vs Keratin →
Book Brazilian Blowout on West 3rd Street
Available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Deposit $100 (applied to session). Free 20-minute consult available Monday afternoons if you're not sure.
About the author: Burcin Goksu is Brazilian Blowout Professional Certified (2019) and has performed 400+ treatments at MUA Salon on West 3rd Street.