Joico K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Reconstuctor and Intense Hydrator

Whew. Say that ten times fast.

Anywhooo... I picked my Joico products up from my local Chatters salon. The K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor contains 250 ml (8.5 fl oz) of product, and the K-Pak Intense Hydrator contains 313 ml (10.6 fl oz) of product. Each cost me about $20 CDN, but sometimes you can find them on sale for a little more or a little less... it just depends, really.

I'd never tried Joico products before, and I'd never really had anyone recommend them to me either. But since my hair has decided to become permanently straight, I have to use heat on it every other day to maintain a somewhat delectable appearance. I wash my hair every other day(ish), and after washing I blow dry it, and touch up the ends with my flat iron. And after a few months of this, my hair was really hurting. I had some serious problems with frizz, breakage and split ends, as well as MAJOR hair loss. At the rate I was losing hair, it was a miracle I didn't have bald patches. Our bathroom floor and the sink and toilet (our bathroom is tres small) were coated in red hair clumps, and it was becoming a little disconcerting. So I did some Google-age, and discovered that many people recommended the Joico K-Pak line of treatment products for severely dry and/or damaged hair.

Joico K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor
I initially bought the Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor, which is a protein treatment strictly for dry and damaged hair. It claims to rebuild and improve the structure of hair using "an exclusive blend of low molecular weight and size proteins... to adhere quickly and effectively to ensure maximum protection and reconstruction from the cuticle to the cortex." This product also claims to be safe for color-treated hair.

Let me just say that I ADORE this product. I have noticed a significant improvement in the health of my hair since beginning my treatments several months ago. I feel that my hair is incredibly stronger and less prone to breakage and splitting. It is more manageable and is soft and elastic.

This treatment is meant to be used sparingly, perhaps once or twice a week, depending on the level of damage that your hair is suffering from. When I first started, I used this product twice a week, but now I've moved my treatments down to once a week, or once every two weeks. The product is applied to damp hair, and is left on for 5 minutes - no longer and no less. I typically apply the reconstructor in the shower after I shampoo my hair clean. I feel that the steam from the shower helps it absorb into my sad strands more effectively and efficiently too.

The smell of this treatment is to die for. It smells of coconut and bananas, and every time I apply it, I'm in heaven. I wish they made this scent in perfume form.... <3 font="font">

The consistency of the reconstructor is incredibly strange. It reminds me of overcooked rice that has been semi-mashed in a vat of water. It comes out in uneven globs, because of the texture, but is easily spread and worked through the hair. It rinses out easily and without fuss.

The most important thing to remember when using this product is that after application, you MUST follow up with an intensely hydrating and moisturizing conditioner. The protein treatment will dry your hair out severely and will make it unmanageable and unruly, unless you replace the lost moisture with a conditioning treatment. Additionally, using this product more frequently will not speed up the rejuvenation of your hair - keep your treatments to once or twice a week. If you happen to notice that you aren't benefiting from the treatments any longer, cease using the Reconstructor until such a time as you need to use it again.

Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator
I picked up Joico's K-Pak Intense Hydrator after a few uses of the Reconstructor. I found that my own deep conditioning masks just were not cutting it, and that my hair was struggling after each treatment instead of showing obvious improvement. 

The Intense Hydrator does not smell nearly as heavenly as its Reconstructor counterpart, but still smells clean and lush. While not being an particularly dense conditioner, it does have a more thick consistency, which spreads quickly and easily throughout hair - evenly coating every strand.

The bottle recommends that you leave the conditioner in for 3 to 5 minutes. When I am conditioning with this product after using the Joico K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor, I leave the Intense Hydrator on for at least 5 minutes, if not more. I find that this conditioner replenishes my hair more than adequately and leaves it touchably smooth and soft after drying.

One of the aspects I love most about this conditioner is the fact that I can use it from roots to ends without suffering from a greasy scalp after getting out of the shower. I can use this conditioner every time I wash my hair, and I don't experience build-up or unpleasant effects from using this product on a regular basis. It rinses clean with ease. I love how my hair feels hydrated and happy after a shower, without feeling weighed down and 'product-y.' It has quickly become my favorite conditioner to date.

Since starting this regimen, I've noticed significant and dramatic improvements in the condition and health of my hair. I have noticed that I lose little hair now, if any, during combing and/or styling. The elasticity of my strands has also seen dramatic improvement. Before, if my comb caught and tugged on a strand of my hair at all, it would break off mid-shaft or pull out of my scalp; now my hair is incredibly elastic - springing through the brush instead of snapping off. My hair is incredibly smooth and noticeably less frizzy. It doesn't tangle at all anymore, and maintains style longer (though it's nothing radical...).

These products (used separately or together) do leave a slight reminiscent scent in your hair when styling. It's not overpowering or overwhelming, but it's a beautiful clean smell that lingers slightly throughout the day. If you're not one to enjoy lingering scents in your hair, you may want to stay away from these products. The scent is more noticeable after using heat on your hair, especially during styling, but fades as the day wears on.

One thing I have noticed is that Joico is down-sizing the tubes/bottles of both of these products. My 'large' bottles don't seem to be readily available anymore - the tubes for sale at my local salons seem noticeably smaller with less product. So if you come across larger bottles, grab them! :)

Used together, these products are unbeatable. I will definitely be repurchasing both (and already have) as I have religiously used them from first purchase and am now running dangerously low on both. If you're looking for touchably smooth, silky, untangled, strong hair - look no further. My only complaint is the steep price, but it's definitely worth it, especially if your hair is suffering as much as mine was.

Have you tried out the Joico K-Pak line!? What do you think of it??
A whopping five out of five stars
* * * * *