Salon Bravissimo offers three smoothing and straightening services: SB Custom Smooth, Keratin Complex smoothing and Yuko Japanese straightening. All three make hair easier to manage, but they work differently, finish differently and are priced differently. Here is how to tell them apart.
At a glance
- SB Custom Smooth: a smoothing treatment customized to your hair, from $350
- Keratin Complex smoothing: a keratin-based smoothing therapy, from $350
- Yuko Japanese straightening: straightening that changes the structure of the hair, $550 for the first three hours
- Before every service: a consultation with your stylist (Yuko also needs a deposit)
- Where: all three Salon Bravissimo locations, in Sacramento and Folsom
What is the difference between SB Custom Smooth, Keratin and Yuko?
SB Custom Smooth is Salon Bravissimo’s customized professional smoothing treatment. It is not a one-size-fits-all service: your stylist customizes it to your hair texture, your hair condition and the result you want. It is designed to turn frizzy, unruly or hard-to-manage hair into hair that feels smoother, softer, shinier and easier to style, and it can keep your natural movement or create a straighter, sleeker finish.
Keratin Complex smoothing is a keratin-based smoothing therapy, done with Keratin Complex by Coppola methods. It infuses keratin into the hair cuticle to reduce frizz and curl and leave hair soft, shiny and easier to maintain. It is gentle enough for all hair types, and it is not a relaxer.
Yuko Japanese straightening is a patented chemical straightening method that permanently straightens hair by physically changing its internal structure, with heat from a flat iron. New hair grows in with its natural texture, so touch-ups are done on new growth.
How do they compare side by side?
| SB Custom Smooth | Keratin Complex smoothing | Yuko straightening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Smooths and softens, customized to your hair | Infuses keratin to reduce frizz and curl | Permanently straightens |
| The look | Smooth, shiny and polished, with natural movement or a sleeker finish, your choice | Softer, shinier and straighter, with less frizz and curl | Straight and shiny |
| Starting price | From $350 | From $350 | $550 for the first three hours |
| Before you book | Consultation before every treatment | Your stylist confirms your price at your consultation | Consultation and deposit required |
| Washing afterward | Your stylist explains home care | Wait 3 days (72 hours) | Wait 2 days, and blow dry after every shampoo |
| Color | Your stylist plans around your hair history | Color first, then the treatment; wait 2 weeks to color after | Color at least 2 weeks before or after, never at the same time |
Which smoothing treatment is right for me?
SB Custom Smooth may be a great fit if you:
- Struggle with frizz, puffiness, humidity or unwanted volume
- Are not sure how straight you want to go
- Want your natural movement kept, or a sleek glass-hair finish, built around you
Keratin Complex smoothing may be a great fit if you:
- Want hair that is softer, shinier and faster to blow-dry
- Have curly hair and want it enhanced and defined: KCTexture is a curly keratin treatment, from $225
- Want a quicker option: the KCExpress Blowout takes 15 minutes added to a color service or 1 hour on its own, from $175
Yuko Japanese straightening may be a great fit if you:
- Want permanently straight hair, however curly or unruly it is
- Have healthy virgin hair, or hair colored by a stylist with a single-process color, which is the best starting point
- Can set aside 3 to 4 hours for the appointment
Still unsure? That is exactly what the consultation is for. Your stylist looks at your hair history, texture, condition and goals, then recommends the service that suits you.
How much does each one cost?
These are starting prices from our menu. Your stylist confirms your price at your consultation.
| Service | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SB Custom Smooth | From $350 | Final price depends on hair length, density, condition and the product and time needed |
| Keratin Complex smoothing | From $350 | Natural keratin smoothing treatment |
| Keratin Complex KCTexture | From $225 | For curly, kinky and coily hair types |
| Keratin Complex KCExpress Blowout | From $175 | 15 minutes added to a color service, or 1 hour on its own |
| Yuko Japanese straightening | $550 for the first three hours | Consultation and deposit required |
Can I color my hair and have a smoothing treatment?
Yes, but the order matters. For Keratin, we recommend coloring first, which also seals the color in, and then waiting 2 weeks after the treatment to color again. For Yuko, color at least 2 weeks before or after the straightening, because doing both at once can damage the hair. For SB Custom Smooth, tell your stylist about your color history at your consultation.
What does an SB Custom Smooth result look like?
These three frames come from a single SB Custom Smooth treatment: the natural texture before, the finished result and the hair after its first wash. For more on the finish, read our guide to glass hair.
Where can I get SB Custom Smooth, Keratin or Yuko?
All three are available at all three locations: Fair Oaks Blvd and Howe Ave in Sacramento, and Historic Folsom. Read more on the SB Custom Smooth, Keratin Complex smoothing and Yuko Japanese straightening pages, then book online or call (916) 972-7273 to schedule your consultation.
See it on Instagram
Watch more smoothing results on our Instagram: a before and after, the first-wash test and a glass hair reel.
