Joico K-PAK Reconstruct Review

Hello hello! Review time! Today I'm reviewing Joico K-PAK Reconstruct Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor. This is a sort of "mirrored" review. My friend Recessionista over at Nouveau Cheap reviewed the Generic Value Product equivalent, and I'm doing the real thing. I just love her! ♥

K-PAK Reconstruct's label says: "Joico's original intensive protein reconstructor for dry and damabged hair rebuilds and improves the structure of hair. pH 4.5 to 5.5. Contains OUADRAMINE COMPLEX, an exclusive blend of low moleucluar weight and size proteins. This balance of 19 essential amino acids (the building blocks of hair) adheres quickly and effectively to ensure maximum protection and reconstruction from the cuticle to the cortex. Color-Safe." Hmm... promises, promises. Let's see if K-PAK keeps them.

Now, since Recessionista found out the hard way, I feel the need to say this: K-PAK is NOT a deep conditioner it is a protein treatment. Much like Redken CAT--although the two are very different, they work similarly. So make sure you use it sparingly, once or twice a week depending on how damaged your hair is, and follow up with your normal conditioner!

Check out the ingredients: Water, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Mineral Oil, Glycol Stearate, PEG-8 Distearate, etc. Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine is a very mild detergent, probably used to help K-PAK grab onto your hair. Mineral Oil is a petroleum by-product. In cosmetics it's used as an emollient and in K-PAK it's the base of the whole product (I can tell by the texture). Glycol Stearate is a humectant and an emollient, and it makes a product easier to spread. PEG-8 Distearate is an emulsifier. Here's what CosmeticsInfo.org has to say about it:

The PEG Stearates are produced from stearic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid. The numerical value of each PEG Stearate corresponds to the average number of ethylene oxide monomers in the polyethylene chain. Polyethylene glycol ingredients may also be named with a number that indicates molecular weight, for example polyethylene glycol (400) stearate is another name for PEG-8 Stearate.

Interesting, eh? Overall it's a pretty decent product, thought I think you're paying more for the Joico name than the product. Although I always say if a product works, it's worth the cost.

What you wanna do with K-PAK is:

• Shampoo your hair (I suggest using a clarifying shampoo).
• Rinse and apply K-PAK through the middle of your hair to the ends.
• Leave in for 5 minutes only! Too much protein is bad for your hair.
• Rinse and follow with conditioner.
• For normal/mechanically damaged hair I suggest using this once a week.
• For dry/chemically damaged hair I suggest using it twice a week.

Bottom line: I love it, and I'll definitely buy it again. If you've got the money I do suggest using the real product, but if you're on a budget try the GVP version. I highly recommend this to all of you who can't help but damage your hair. I know I can't. ;-)

Joico K-PAK Reconstruct comes in 5 oz., 11 oz. (the one I have), and 33 oz. sizes. Depending on what size you want K-PAK retails for around $15-$40 Don't forget to check out Recessionista's review at Nouveau Cheap and take care of your hair!