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ture is and whether it's damaged."
After observing Julie Rothstein's consul-
tation, I realize the importance of this pre-
liminary step. Rothstein's highlighted, extra-
curly hair was deemed too fragile for the
process. "I was concerned it might be too
straight and flat for my face, anyway," she
says.
The real beauty of this service is that
once the hair is relaxed, there's no need to
blow it dry with a brush. Just dry briefly
while applying slight tension to the hair
with your fingers.
"In the humidity, my hair frizzes and gets
really ugly," says Dorfman, whose long,
wavy hair would be the envy of most
women. "After this, I can finger-dry my hair
and save lots of time, time I can spend with
my two children."
Bonnie Solomon concurs. Her thick mane
of long, wavy hair takes forever to blow out
straight. "If I can cut my blow-dry time, my
life will be much easier."
Says Kitiyama, "I work hand-in-hand
with stylists to educate them on this
process. I don't say 'watch me;' rather we
work together and I answer questions."
Salon Sydney is the only salon in the area to
receive this exclusive, personalized training,
although the process is offered elsewhere.
Straightening costs begin at $500 and the
results last five or six months.
Once diagnosed, sectioned, treated,
rinsed, ironed, neutralized and dried, the
women weigh in on their new, silky-smooth
locks.
"I love it. Now I can blow and go," says
Shulman. "And I feel like somebody else."
"It's amazing," says Dorfman.

"I love it," says Melissa

Shulman of her newly

straight hair. "I feel like

somebody else."

1 2 • JUNE 2002 • STYLE AT "I'llE JN

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