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When one of my all-time favorite hair care lines, K18, offered me a color appointment with Tauni Dawson (aka Sofia Richie Grainge's go-to colorist), I jumped at the opportunity. Not only was it perfectly timed (as I was due for some fresh face-framing highlights), but it was also an excuse to try K18’s Pro Molecular Repair Mist, which debuted last September. Also, there is hydrolyzed wheat protein in the formula, which has a low percentage of gluten. "This may not pose an issue, but it's something anyone with [a wheat or gluten] sensitivity should know so they can decide whether they want to try it out themselves," says Ford.
full-size leave-in molecular repair hair mask
In the shower, I’d apply the clarifying shampoo and then towel dry my hair—no conditioner—and then apply the K18 Mask directly after the shower. I left the mask on for four minutes, as instructed, to ensure that it was fully absorbed. I could not believe that I actually had no trouble brushing through my hair after that four minutes was up. No conditioner, yet here I was brushing through my usually-tangly strands without trouble. You shampoo your hair, forgo traditional conditioner, then use a pump (or more, depending on hair length and density) of K18 on towel-dried hair, prior to styling.
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"And they paved the way for this conversation. However, they're limited. I think of Olaplex as a BlackBerry. K18 is the new iPhone. It just does more — better, faster, easier." TikTok has been buzzing over the #K18HairFlip, a hashtag created by hair-care brand K18, which has accumulated 10.6 billion views on the platform as of this publication. Influencers like Mikayla Nogueira (11.3 million followers) and Brad Mondo (8.7 million followers) have partnered up with the brand, and there is a treasure trove of videos reviewing its insanely popular Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask. It's been compared to Olaplex, featured in stunning before and afters, and been given the 60-second review treatment.
why skip conditioner?
Yusef notes that great hair starts with healthy hair and recommends the treatment to anyone, particularly those looking to reverse damage from heat, chemical services, and bleach. Celebrity colorist and co-owner of New York’s Mark Ryan Salon, Mark DeBolt—who is not affiliated with the brand—is also a fan of the mask as well as K18’s salon-only mist. He says he loves the mask in particular for his clients who are trying to grow out their hair, or who lighten with highlights. The K18 hair treatment is meant to work from the very first use, so it was time for me to give it a go. After using a detox shampoo to remove any product buildup throughout the week, I followed the instructions on the back of the bottle and skipped my usual conditioner in favour of the mask. The bottle says to towel dry your hair after showering, then apply the mask and wait for four minutes before styling.
The K18 Hair Mask Is as Good as Everyone Says
Ford further explains that K18's bond builder is based on short chains of amino acids (peptides) that are already present in the hair, so it's a different mechanism. "No studies have been done comparing the two, so the best approach is to try both out and see if your hair likes it and whether or not you notice a difference versus using a nice hair mask," he notes. As any blonde knows, the coloring process is anything but short, but I was surprised at how quick the mist application was. "It sprays easily onto the hair and works in just four minutes, with no extra rinse required," Bell explains. "[The mist] is delivered at a higher pH than the [at-home Molecular Repair Mask] to ensure optimal delivery at the molecular level." I’m pretty skeptical when it comes to viral products—it’s practically my job to wade through what actually works and what’s B.S., but trust me when I say K18 is very much worth the hype.
When she's not typing away at her laptop, Grace can be found shopping her favourite vintage markets IRL, or catching up on her never-ending list of books to read. You are now being redirected to an official partner website for this region where you can shop K18 Hair.
To finish the service, you'll be treated to an application of the Professional Molecular Repair Mask. Though it feels somewhat unnatural to skip conditioner and apply a mask fresh out of the shower, after doing it a few times I can’t really imagine going back to traditional masks. There’s no killing time in the shower while it does its thing or getting out to let the mask sit and then back in to rinse.
"This product has truly given me the freedom to push my limits as a stylist," she says. The pro is such a fan of the two-step system that she now makes it a part of every salon service she does "because [every client] wants healthier hair." While the mist is strictly reserved for salon professionals (you’ll have to ask your colorist if they can include it in your service), I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about the brand's professional-grade products. So, in the name of amping up my blonde hair, I was eager to let Dawson work her magic with the mist.
Javon Ford, a cosmetic chemist based in Los Angeles, mentions that the inclusion of ingredients like dicaprylyl ether (which is emollient) and fatty alcohols balance the hair so it isn't drying or stripping to any hair type. Ford was also interested to see dicaprylyl ether included on the ingredient list. "It's this superlight, silky emollient, and silicone alternative that's easily absorbed into the hair shaft without leaving a greasy feel. It definitely plays a role in how the product feels and performs," he explains. "Ethers aren't used enough in hair care." He says that ethers are lighter and generally have a lower molecular weight, which allows them to be absorbed by the hair cuticle versus sitting on top of it.
Professionals within the US will also be able to shop directly from K18hair.com starting early 2021! The texture was similar to the Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector, and I liked the fact that the bottle had a pump, making it a lot easier to get the product out. I have very thick, naturally curly hair, so I applied a good 3-4 pumps to the ends. Although the technology is seriously impressive, it's worth considering the difference in size and price. Look at it this way, you can get 100ml of the Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector for £28, whereas the K18 mask will set you back £55 for 50ml.
K18 claims to be for every type of hair that has been damaged due to chemical treatments, including curly and coily hair. Overall, I would recommend K18 to anyone with super damaged hair—I definitely don’t think this treatment is necessary for anyone with basic dry hair who is in need of a little pick-me-up. There are plenty of conditioners and masks out there that can do the job of hydrating dry hair. If, however, you’re looking for a product to actually repair the broken molecules that are causing this breakage and dryness, turn to K18.
When it comes to K18, the hair treatment itself is infused with the brand's unique patented K18Peptide, which works on a molecular level to repair damage. According to the brand's website, the peptide "mimics hair's structure to reverse damage by reconnecting polypeptide chains and disulfide bonds broken during bleaching, color, and chemical services." It essentially mimics the natural biochemical processes involved in hair’s natural growth structure and development, explains Cassondra Kaeding, Celebrity Stylist and K18 Ambassador. "Maleic acid is an organic acid (like alpha and beta hydroxy acids) that's been demonstrated to strengthen hair bonds and prevent future damage," says Ford. "I mention it because Olaplex's patents not only protect its maleic acid-derived bond builder (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate) but also prevent any copycat bond builders from using maleic acid." There are also polypeptide chains that are the sides of the ladder, connecting the rungs vertically.
I was so impressed with the K-18 hair care line and noticed improved results almost immediately. My hair was more brushable, it had more shine, it looked healthier and it moved more freely. I noticed after about three uses, my hair started completely changing—like the entire biology of my hair shifted to the point where I felt like I had reversed several year’s worth of damage. "It does have a good amount of ethanol, which curly hair types tend to avoid," says Ford, but as we mentioned earlier, it's balanced out with emollient ingredients, keeping the consistency lightweight but moisturizing. For curly or coily hair, Ford suggests using an additional leave-in conditioner after K18 to make sure the hair is properly moisturized.
I have to admit, when it first landed on my desk, I was pretty sceptical. Unlike other hair masks, this is a leave-in formula that you don't rinse out. The idea of leaving a bond-repairing treatment in my hair had me feeling uneasy.
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Yeah, people love it — but at $75, it's significantly more expensive than its competition. Start fresh like Alix Earle with an instant, weightless, long-lasting clean—powered by new K18-patented odorBIND™ biotech. Grace Lindsay is currently Junior Beauty Editor at Who What Wear UK and previously was Marie Claire UK's E-Commerce Writer. With over three years of experience in the fashion and beauty industry, she covers everything from the best make-up and skincare deals to how to shop the stand out trends of the season.
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