Haircare snobs hail K18 as the “it” brand, even overthrowing Olaplex, but is their Hair Mask the solution to all your hair problems? My strands can attest to its efficacy.
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask – Viral Sensation or Just Another Glorified Leave-In Conditioner?
I have very long hair, and oftentimes, it’s hard to keep it looking great simply because of the wear-and-tear of owning lengthy locks. I’ve tried a number of products to help with split ends and damage, from JVN to Moroccan Oil to Living Proof, and nothing has stood out to me. When I had the opportunity to try K18’s hair mask, I was intrigued.
Not Your Everyday Conditioner
K18’s mask is a little different from most other products of its ilk because of how you use it, and the level of the hair shaft that it works on. First off, according to K18’s website, you shouldn’t condition your hair when you use the mask, as conditioner will prevent the Molecular Repair Mask from penetrating to the proper layer of hair, namely the cortical cells and cortex, deeper than the cuticle, where traditional conditioners work. I was a bit put off by this, initially, as I have very fine hair that is impossible to comb through when I don’t condition, but I figure I’d give this a whirl regardless. Say a prayer for my scalp!
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask
My Experience
I was really concerned about the detangling process after not using conditioner, and just two measly pumps of the hair mask, but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t an issue. The brush glided through my hair with ease, no snags whatsoever, so far so good. When I wash my hair later in the day and have nothing going on in my life, I typically am kind to my hair and let it air dry, which was what I did after using the hair mask. My hair didn’t look terribly different from normal, but I expected that from a first try. The next day at work, however, my coworker told me that my hair looked fuller at the ends. When I told her I used K18 hair mask, she says she’s been using it for two years and swears by it. I was thrilled to hear this, and she also gave me an anecdotal tip – it works best with heat. I resolved that next time I apply, I’ll blow-dry it straight and see about the results.
I’d say the results were great. My hair was smooth and shiny, and with or without conditioner, using K18 definitely made my flyaways less obvious and the overall texture of my hair silky and shiny.
Pros
- It’s leave-in, so you don’t have to rinse it out.
- Works deeper in the hair shaft than traditional hair masks and conditioners.
- Effective against flyaways and split ends.
Cons
- Price is much more than most leave-in conditioners.
- According to the label, it works in 4 minutes. Not sure how that works, since it’s leave-in, but I found it odd.
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask comes in three sizes – Mini Size (15 ml) for $29, Full Size (50 ml) for $75 and Jumbo (100 ml) for $120.
The Verdict
I think I’m going to skip my Olaplex purchase next time it runs out, and grab the K18. I’ve received numerous compliments during this trial, so it’s not just me who noticed!
