You likely don’t need me to tell you that K18 products have been having somewhat of a moment—and as a beauty editor, I’m ashamed to say it has taken me a little longer to jump on the bandwagon. You see, I’m fussy when it comes to hair products. I have very thick, naturally wavy hair and spent the better half of my teenage years bleaching my ends and using damaging hair straighteners more often than I care to admit, so you can imagine just how careful I am when choosing what to put on my hair these days. I favour hydrating products that actually work to help repair damage and keep hair breakage at bay. However, finding these products has been no mean feat.
I’ve spent years (and years) testing some of the most popular hair brands out there to find a haircare routine that works for me. I’ve been very open about this journey, telling everyone and anyone about my hair woes, and whenever I mention hair breakage there is one brand that people rush to recommend—K18.
You may have heard about K18’s famous hair mask, that claims to reverse damage from heat styling and bleach (amongst other things), but over the years K18 has brought out more and more products that have now become staples in my routine. In fact, ever since getting my hands on the products, I knew that they would be in my beauty stash for years to come. Why? Because I’m seeing noticeable results—ever since introducing K18 products into my routine, my dreams of growing healthier, longer hair have come true. So much so that everyone keeps asking me my secret. Below, I’ve reviewed every offering from K18, and shared my honest opinion about each one. If you’re ready to step up your hair game, then keep on scrolling…
K18 products have helped me on my hair health journey.
What Makes K18 Hair Products So Good?
Before I get into the products, you might be asking yourself, what makes this brand so good? Well, it’s all in the science. After a decade of research into the bioscience of hair, the brand created the K18Peptide™. This peptide travels into the inner-most layer of the hair to reconnect any of the broken core keratin chains. It features in both the hair mask and the hair oil and is the reason that these products are so popular today.
I’ve been testing K18’s older and newer launches.
The Best K18 Hair Products to Shop Now
1. K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
K18
Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Of course, I had to start with the hair mask. Now, this product can be a little confusing at first so I always recommend reading the instructions beforehand. Instead of using conditioner, all you do is shampoo you hair in the shower and then towel dry your hair when out. Then, begin with one pump of the hair mask and add more into your hair as needed, working from the ends to the roots. Leave it in for four minutes and then style as usual.
As mentioned above, this mask contains the K18Peptide™ that works to reverse damage. Whenever I use it, my hair feels silky soft and looks smooth and bouncy, and after testing it for months on end, I definitely feel like it’s made a big difference in my hair health journey. Yes, it’s expensive, but I would say it’s worth the investment if you’re also looking to up your hair health game.
For
- Easy to apply
- Works in just four minutes
- Contains the K18Peptide™ to help tackle hair damage
Against
- Can be a little confusing to get the hang of at first
- A little more expensive than your standard hair mask
2. K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo
K18
Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo
Anyone who knows me knows that I love a detox shampoo. I’ve raved about the Ouai detox shampoo for years, but this K18 one has also become a favourite of mine. These sorts of shampoos are great for those of you who suffer with product buildup or excess oil, and I tend to use them once a week to give my hair a really good wash.
What I love about this one is that the formula is colour-safe and non-stripping, so although it will leave your roots feeling squeaky clean, your scalp won’t feel dry or tight. In fact, it’s actually microdosed with the K18Peptide™ to nourish hair while cleaning. Plus, using this creates the perfect base for your K18 hair mask.
For
- Removes product buildup and excess oil without stripping the scalp or hair
- Creates the perfect base for the K18 hair mask
Against
- A little more expensive than your average shampoo
- Not a formula I would reach for every single day
3. K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
K18
Molecular Repair Hair Oil
Another product I love to use is a hair oil. I never used hair oils until I started on my hair health journey, and they have honestly made such a difference to the condition of my hair. Of course, I had to give the K18 one a go, and I was thoroughly impressed with the results.
What makes this stand amongst other hair oils on the market is that it feels almost weightless on the hair, so it won’t weigh your ends down. You can use it on damp or dry hair and let it work its magic. The formula has been designed to strengthen, add shine and repair damage, with ingredients such as the K18Peptide™, avocado oil, sunflower oil and squalane.
For
- Weightless formula
- Nourishing ingredients
Against
- Larger size is very expensive
4. K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo
This is the newest product from K18, and I won’t lie, it completely baffled me when I first got my hands on it. As an avid dry shampoo user, I expected the usual aerosol spray, but this feels like spraying water onto your hair. I know what you’re thinking, how can that be good? Well, the great thing is that the formula is actually made up of translucent microbeads that absorb excess oil without leaving that powdery, white residue that so many dry shampoos can leave. Not only that, but it also features patented odorBIND™ technology that works to eliminate odours and leave a subtle, fresh-smelling fragrance instead.
It’s definitely different to your everyday dry shampoo and can take a while to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, you won’t want to go back to an aerosol spray ever again.
For
- Absorbs excess oil and eliminates odours
- Doesn’t leave a white, powdery residue
Against
- Can take a while to get used to
- Is a little more complex to use in comparison to traditional dry shampoos
5. K18 Damage Shield Protective Conditioner
K18
Damage Shield Protective Conditioner
Last but by no means least, I had to talk about the conditioner. Now, I’ll be honest, I tend to skip conditioner all together and use a hair mask instead, but on those days when I want something a bit quicker, this is the conditioner I reach for. As the name suggests, this product works to protect your hair from damage and nourishes, softens and detangles your ends.
Don’t get me wrong, a conditioner is just a conditioner, and most formulas will leave your hair feeling silky-soft, but this one stands out to me as it actually strengthens the hair’s exterior lipid barriers to make your hair more resilient. See? Told you the brand was good.
For
- Protects hair from damage
- Leaves your ends feeling silky soft
Against
- Might not be as nourishing as a hair mask
Shop More Strengthening Hair Products
Living Proof
Triple Bond Complex
This leave-in hair care treatment contains a blend of peptides and lipids to condition your hair.
I love using this nourishing hair mask once a week.
Philip Kingsley
Elasticizer Intensive Treatment
This clever hair treatment restores elasticity to the hair.
Olaplex
No. 3 Hair Perfector
Editors rave about Olaplex’s pre-shampoo treatment.
Redken
Extreme Anti-Snap Leave-In Treatment
Opening image: @alllisonho
