LAHH Salon Blog

Brazilian Blowouts start at $350 at LAHH Salon and allow same-day washing. Traditional keratin treatments start at $300 but require 48 to 72 hours before the first wash. Both eliminate frizz for 10 to 12 weeks. Here is how they compare and which one works better for your hair type in Miami. What Is a Brazilian Blowout? A Brazilian Blowout is a liquid keratin formula that is applied to the hair, then sealed in with a flat iron at high heat. The treatment smooths the cuticle layer, eliminates frizz, and adds shine. The key advantage: you can wash your hair the same day. No waiting period, no sleeping with flat hair, no avoiding clips or ponytails. What Is a Traditional Keratin Treatment? A traditional keratin treatment (sometimes called a keratin smoothing treatment) uses a thicker keratin-based formula that coats the hair shaft and is also sealed with heat. The formula takes longer to bond, which is why you cannot wash, wet, or tie back your hair for 48 to 72 hours after the appointment. The tradeoff: many clients report that traditional keratin provides a slightly smoother, more dramatic result. Side-by-Side Comparison Factor Brazilian Blowout Traditional Keratin Starting price at LAHH $350+ $300+ Appointment time 1.5 to 2.5 hours 2 to 3 hours Wait before washing Same day 48 to 72 hours Results last 10 to 12 weeks 10 to 12 weeks Frizz elimination 80 to 90% 90 to 100% Straightening effect Smooths, reduces volume, does not fully straighten Can fully straighten depending on formula Works on color-treated hair Yes (safe on all color) Yes (but may slightly shift color) Best for Busy schedule, wants frizz reduction without lifestyle disruption Maximum smoothing, willing to wait 48-72 hours Which Works Better in Miami Humidity? Both work well against Miami humidity. The difference is degree. If your hair is moderately frizzy and you want smoother, faster styling with no downtime, the Brazilian Blowout is the better fit. If your hair is extremely coarse, thick, or curly and you want the maximum possible smoothing, a traditional keratin may deliver a more dramatic result. Most of our Miami clients choose the Brazilian Blowout because the same-day wash convenience fits their lifestyle. You walk out of LAHH, go to the beach, swim, and wash your hair that night with zero restrictions. What About ProAddiction? ProAddiction is a third option we offer at LAHH Salon starting at $450. It combines the benefits of both: a keratin-based formula with Brazilian Blowout-style convenience (same-day washing). It tends to provide more intense smoothing than a standard Brazilian Blowout with longer-lasting results. It is the premium option for clients who want the best of both worlds. Will Either Treatment Damage My Hair? Neither treatment is damaging when done professionally. Both actually improve the condition of the hair by sealing the cuticle and adding keratin protein back into the shaft. At LAHH Salon, we include Olaplex bond-building in every smoothing service for added protection. The concern with at-home or discount smoothing treatments is formaldehyde exposure. All products used at LAHH are formaldehyde-free and meet FDA safety standards. How to Decide Choose Brazilian Blowout if: You cannot go 48 to 72 hours without washing your hair You want frizz reduction without full straightening You want to keep some of your natural texture and volume You have a busy schedule and need zero downtime Choose traditional keratin if: You want maximum smoothing and straightening You have very thick, coarse, or extremely curly hair You can commit to the 48 to 72 hour waiting period You want the lowest starting price ($300 vs $350) Book Your Smoothing Treatment Our stylists will recommend the right treatment during your appointment based on your hair type, texture, and goals. Walk-ins accepted when availability allows. Book online | Call (305) 877-7706 Read our full keratin treatment guide

Tape-in extensions start at $400 and last 6 to 8 weeks between moves. Hand-tied (IBE) extensions start at $600 and also need maintenance every 6 to 8 weeks. Tape-ins are faster to install (1 to 2 hours) while hand-tied takes 2 to 3 hours. Here is a full comparison from the extension specialists at LAHH Salon in Bay Harbor Islands. How Each Method Works Tape-In Extensions Tape-in extensions use pre-taped wefts that sandwich a thin section of your natural hair between two adhesive strips. They lay flat against the head and blend seamlessly. Installation takes 1 to 2 hours for a full head. Removal and reinstallation (move-up) takes about the same. Hand-Tied Extensions (IBE Method) Hand-tied extensions use a beaded row system. Small silicone-lined beads are threaded onto a thin horizontal row of your natural hair, creating a secure anchor point. Hand-sewn wefts are then tied to the beaded row. The result sits flat, moves naturally, and distributes weight evenly across the scalp. Side-by-Side Comparison Factor Tape-In Hand-Tied (IBE) Starting price at LAHH $400+ $600+ Install time 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours Maintenance frequency Every 6 to 8 weeks Every 6 to 8 weeks Hair lifespan 3 to 6 months 6 to 12 months (with reuse) Damage risk Low (adhesive can slip in humidity) Very low (no adhesive, no heat) Humidity resistance Moderate (adhesive can weaken) High (beaded rows unaffected) Best for First-time extensions, thinner hair, budget-conscious Long-term wear, active lifestyle, Miami humidity Can you style up? Limited (tape tabs may show) Yes (rows sit very flat) Which Holds Up Better in Miami? Hand-tied wins in Miami. The beaded row attachment is completely unaffected by heat, humidity, salt water, and chlorine. Tape-in adhesive can weaken in extreme humidity and after swimming, causing tabs to slip or need replacement sooner. That said, many of our Miami clients wear tape-ins successfully. It requires more careful maintenance: drying the tape area thoroughly after swimming, avoiding heavy conditioner near the bonds, and using the right sulfate-free products. Which Is Better for Fine or Thin Hair? Tape-ins are often better for very fine hair because they distribute weight across a wider surface area (the flat tape tab). Hand-tied wefts concentrate weight along a single row, which can strain very thin hair if not placed correctly. However, Despina Triantafilidis, our Extensions Specialist, customizes hand-tied placements for fine hair by using lighter wefts and adding more rows with less hair per row. The consultation determines which method protects your natural hair best. Which Costs Less Over a Year? Tape-ins have a lower entry cost ($400 vs $600) but the hair typically needs full replacement every 3 to 6 months. Hand-tied hair lasts 6 to 12 months with proper care, and the wefts can be reused during move-up appointments. Over 12 months, total cost is often similar: $1,600 to $2,400 for tape-ins vs $1,800 to $2,400 for hand-tied. How to Decide Choose tape-ins if: This is your first time trying extensions You want a lower upfront investment You have fine hair that needs gentle, distributed weight You want a faster installation appointment Choose hand-tied (IBE) if: You live in Miami and deal with humidity, pool, and ocean regularly You want to wear your hair up without extensions showing You want longer-lasting hair that can be reused You plan to wear extensions long-term (6+ months) Book a Free Extension Consultation Despina does a full consultation before every extension installation to assess your natural hair, discuss your goals, and recommend the right method. The consultation is free. Book online | Call (305) 877-7706 Read our complete guide to extensions in Miami

Balayage starts at $250 and takes 2 to 4 hours. Traditional highlights start at $375 and take 2 to 3 hours. Balayage grows out more naturally and needs touch-ups every 12 to 16 weeks. Highlights need touch-ups every 6 to 8 weeks. Here is a detailed comparison from the stylists at LAHH Salon in Bay Harbor Islands. What Is the Difference Between Balayage and Highlights? Balayage is a freehand painting technique. The colorist applies lightener directly to the hair surface without foils, creating a soft, blended, sun-kissed effect. No two balayage results look the same because the placement is customized to your face shape and natural hair pattern. Highlights use foils to isolate sections of hair and apply lightener from root to tip. The result is more uniform, consistent lightening with defined contrast between the highlighted and natural sections. Side-by-Side Comparison Factor Balayage Highlights Starting price at LAHH $250+ $375+ (full), $250+ (partial) Appointment time 2 to 4 hours 2 to 3 hours Touch-up frequency Every 12 to 16 weeks Every 6 to 8 weeks Grow-out look Soft, blended, no harsh lines Visible root line as hair grows Best for Natural, low-maintenance look Maximum brightness and contrast Technique Freehand painted, no foils Foils, sectioned placement Damage level Lower (less saturation) Moderate (root-to-tip lightening) Annual cost (est.) $750 to $1,200 $1,500 to $2,500 Which One Costs Less Over a Year? Balayage is significantly cheaper long-term. At 3 to 4 visits per year ($250+ each), you spend roughly $750 to $1,200 annually. Highlights need 6 to 8 visits per year ($375+ for full, $250+ for partial), running $1,500 to $2,500 annually. The maintenance gap is the biggest financial difference. Which Looks More Natural? Balayage wins here. The freehand technique creates variation in placement and intensity that mimics how the sun naturally lightens hair. Highlights create a more polished, uniform brightness that reads as "salon done" rather than "beach done." Neither is better or worse. It depends on what you want. If you want people to ask "did you do something different?" go with balayage. If you want people to say "your hair looks amazing," go with highlights. Which Works Better in Miami Humidity? Both hold up equally in humidity. The lightening process is the same (bleach breaks down melanin). The difference is maintenance. Balayage fades more gracefully because the color placement is already diffused. Highlights can show banding or brassiness more quickly because the contrast between lightened and natural sections is sharper. A toner or gloss ($50+ at LAHH) between full appointments keeps either technique looking fresh and fights brassiness from sun and salt exposure. Can You Combine Both? Yes. Many of our clients at LAHH Salon get a balayage base with face-framing highlights for extra brightness around the face. This gives you the natural, blended look of balayage with the pop and dimension of highlights where it matters most. Kye Dailey, our Colorist and Blonding Specialist, custom-blends techniques for most clients. How to Decide Choose balayage if: You want a low-maintenance color that grows out gracefully You prefer a natural, sun-kissed look over uniform brightness You want to minimize salon visits (3 to 4 per year) You have virgin or lightly colored hair Choose highlights if: You want maximum brightness and contrast You prefer a polished, uniform result You are OK with touch-ups every 6 to 8 weeks You want dramatic lightening (going 3+ levels lighter) Book a Color Consultation Not sure which is right for you? Book a free consultation at LAHH Salon. Our colorists will assess your hair, discuss your lifestyle and maintenance preferences, and recommend the best approach. Book online | Call (305) 877-7706 Read more about balayage at LAHH Salon

Most hair oils either leave your hair greasy or do nothing at all. Davines Oi Oil is different. It’s lightweight, smells incredible, and actually holds up against Florida humidity. My clients in Bay Harbor Islands swear by it because it keeps their hair soft, shiny, and healthy-without the buildup.