My biggest secret is that I have curly hair. Thanks to my trusty flat-iron, I’ve been frizz-free for as long as I can remember. However, like I’m sure my fellow curly girls out there know, straightening your hair is no easy feat. It’s a long and tedious process, and when humidity strikes, all of your hard work goes right out the window.

So naturally, I was thrilled when I received a Brazilian Blowout for my birthday last year. I instantly became obsessed with my silky new locks that required minimal flat-iron time, but I wasn’t so crazy about the dangerous levels of formaldehyde in the treatment or the $400+ price tag.

After three months of bliss, it was depressing to go back to my hour-long morning hair routine after my sleek tresses converted back to their unruly ways. Luckily, my frizzy-headed prayers were answered last week when I found out that Lasio Inc., a brand known for for their Brazilian hair straightening treatments, had come up with the Keratin Tropic, a treatment that claims to be 100% formaldehyde-free, and is priced at a modest $250.

Although slightly skeptical of this wonder product, I headed downtown to Lasio’s East Village salon to see how the treatment stacked up to the Brazilian.

Right off the bat, I asked my friendly hairdresser, Candy, the tough questions. She assured me that instead of formaldehyde, Lasio uses Euxol 702, a skin-friendly liquid cosmetic preservative. The only other minor differences between a Brazilian Blowout and the Tropic are lifespan (the Tropic will last 2-3 months as opposed to 3-4), and curl reduction (the Tropic cuts down 60% of curl while the BB knocks out 80%). Both reduce frizz by 100%.

After washing my hair, Candy applied the coconut scented formula with a spray bottle and brushed it through. The skin on my scalp felt tingly, but it didn’t irritate my skin or make my eyes bloodshot, like the Brazilian Blowout formula had done—a clear indication that perhaps the Tropic truly is formaldehyde-free.

With a quick blow dry and flat iron, my hair was transformed into an Herbal Essences-like mane–shiny, smooth, long, and voluminous. Candy didn’t even try to hawk me overpriced aftercare shampoo and conditioner. My only instructions were to wash my hair three times a week with sulfate-free products.

A week later, I can confidently say that I’m a Tropic convert. I’m able to go from curly to straight in less than ten minutes, and instead of being stick straight, my hair has body and movement that Willow Smith would definitely approve of.

To make an appointment at Lasio Salon, call 212.477.2088.