Cezanne Smoothing Treatment: Is It Right For Your Hair?

TL;DR: Cezanne is a formaldehyde-free keratin smoothing treatment that reduces frizz and adds softness for 3 to 5 months. Here's exactly who it works for, what to expect, and how it differs from a Brazilian Blowout.

The frizz-reduction service most Old Saybrook guests have never heard of

If you've been searching for keratin treatments in Connecticut, you've probably read about Brazilian Blowouts. Cezanne is a different category entirely, and it's the smoothing treatment I recommend most often at Maven Salon.

This article covers what Cezanne actually is, who it works best for, what to expect at your appointment, and how it compares to the alternatives.

Cezanne in plain language

Cezanne is a smoothing treatment. We apply it to clean, towel-dried hair, let it process for about 30 minutes, then blow it out and seal it with a flat iron. The result is smoother, glossier hair that takes less time to style and stays frizz-free for 3 to 5 months.

The key difference from traditional keratin treatments: Cezanne is formaldehyde-free. The formula uses glyoxyloyl carbocysteine as its active smoothing agent instead. This matters because formaldehyde-based treatments release fumes during the heat-sealing step, which is uncomfortable for guests and bad for stylists who work in the chemistry all day.

Who Cezanne works best for

• Frizzy hair that's been hard to manage in humidity
• Coarse or wiry hair that takes a long time to blow-dry
• Color-treated hair that's lost some smoothness from lightening
• Wavy hair that wants to look polished without going completely straight

It works less well for:

• Very fine hair (the smoothing can flatten it too much)
• Heavily damaged hair (we'd treat the damage first, then re-evaluate)
• Hair that hasn't been color-tested with us yet (we want to know how your hair behaves before we add a chemical service)

What the appointment looks like

A full Cezanne service at Maven Salon is about 2 to 3 hours, depending on your hair length and density. Here's the typical flow:

1. Clarifying wash (15 minutes). We remove buildup so the product penetrates evenly.
2. Application (20 minutes). We section your hair and apply the Cezanne solution from root to ends.
3. Processing (30 to 40 minutes). Your hair absorbs the smoothing actives.
4. Blow-out (20 minutes). We blow your hair smooth.
5. Flat iron sealing (30 minutes). Heat-sealing locks in the treatment.
6. Final styling (10 minutes). You leave with a styled, finished look.

You can wash your hair the same day. No 72-hour wait period.

Cezanne cost and quoting

Cezanne Smoothing Treatment pricing depends on your hair length and density. We confirm the quote at consultation or at the start of your appointment.

I often recommend pairing Cezanne with a color refresh in the same day, since the treatment helps lock in color and many guests come in for both. See our Hair Treatments page for all our smoothing and treatment options.

Aftercare that protects your investment

Cezanne treatments can fade faster if you ignore aftercare. The big four:

1. Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Sulfates strip the treatment.
2. Avoid heavy chlorine or saltwater for the first 4 weeks.
3. Heat protectant before any flat iron or curling iron use.
4. Get a touch-up at 90 days if you want to extend smoothness past the initial 3 to 5 month mark.

I'll send you home with a personalized aftercare guide and product recommendations based on what you already use.

How to book

Cezanne Smoothing Treatments can be booked online. If it's your first chemical service with us, I'd recommend starting with a Color Consultation or emailing hello@mavenct.com so we can pre-screen your hair.

Not sure who to book with? Take our matchmaking quiz to find the right Maven for you.

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About the author

Angela Cimino, Owner and Master Stylist

Owner of Maven Salon with over 20 years of experience. Specializes in custom blonding, lived-in color, and modern grey blending..

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