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Friday, July 31, 2009

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!

11 comments:

G. said...

Excellent review of the real thing! I love it and it helped me understand my generic version so much better. Thank you so much!! xo

PS: I'm linking it to my review right away! :)

Unknown said...

Anthony, this is the stuff we use in my salon for every color service, and I love it! We have the entire line (which is a 4-step process) Shampoo, Cuticle Sealer, Reconstructor, and Intense Hydrator... and it is awesome. It smells good, and is a hot seller =D

HEARTSTARBOLT said...

You like the way it smells? To me it's.. okay. It's not bad, but... idk something's not right about it.

G. said...

Anthony--I really like the smell of the GVP version. It smells like fresh (not synthetic) coconut. Like real coconut milk. Love it! What does K-PAK smell like to you?

HEARTSTARBOLT said...

Yeah it's coconut-y, with maybe some banana in there but I don't know... it's just not the most appealing scent--but I don't hate it.

hair on the brain said...

Looooove Joico K-PAK Reconstruct! Used it yesterday. I have to check out the generic version though, because it is $$. By the way, I added you to my blog roll. love your blog. :)

HEARTSTARBOLT said...

You are too kind! Yeah check out the GVP version, Recessionista swears it works! :)

You're a doll! <3

Pamela said...

Wow, guys! I live in Brazil and bought the Joico Reconstruct in US last month. I bought it really cheap, it was U$9.99.

So when I tried it at home (already in Brazil), I though it was no good, just 'coz of the smell!!

Man, it's weird!! And the consistence too. Just like banana. But thank you for the post and for the comments so I'm ok with it now.

Thank again you, girls!!
Kisses from Brasil to you all!

Aicitel said...

Hi, i just broght this product yesterday, and I Think its not what ir really shoud be, My question if you could please let me know is if, the cream should be kind of thick? or is it a lose creamy liquid,because the one i got is very a lose liquid, The K-PAK Recontruct is the product i got and i got it in a salon were they sale this brand and other name brands, hope you can help me out, and let me know if its the original or it was alterated,

HEARTSTARBOLT said...

Aicitel: Yes, the product is kind of mushy. When it's in your hands, you can mix in a little deep conditioner to thicken it up a bit. I do that sometimes, and it works just fine. :)

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