WTF is... K18 anyway?
Warning: this post may blow your haircare budget for the year. But it will be worth it 😊
So… WTF is it?
It’s a haircare range, established in 2020, that’s the main challenger to Olaplex’s supremacy in the hair repairing stakes.
What’s the point of it? I mean, what does it actually do?
It’s a hair treatment that strengthens hair by repairing keratin bonds.
Keratin is the main structural protein in hair, providing the physical structure and strength of the hair strands. K18 targets and repairs the keratin chains1.
How does it work?
After studying the molecular makeup of hair, scientists identified the specific peptide that could mimic natural keratin proteins, leading to the creation and trademarking of the K18 Peptide.
K18 rebuilds the hair's cortex at a molecular level, providing deep structural repair2.
And why would someone want it?
Because it Really Fucking Works.
How much is it?
It is Really Fucking Expensive.
You only need a tiny amount per application, but the RRP for the regular-sized (50ml, 1.7floz) bottle is around £70/$75).
You can buy it for much cheaper than this - only buy from reputable sellers - especially if you can find the 150ml/5floz ‘professional’ size3.
I’ve been able to get the regular size for around £45 and the professional size for around £65.
Does it hurt?
Only your wallet.
Have I had it?
Yes. My hairdresser suggested it in 2022 after I’d had it over-bleached by another hairdresser during the pandemic4. She had started recommending it to her clients instead of Olaplex as an at-home treatment.
Would I have it?
Hell to the yeah.
So, full disclosure5, I initially used this completely incorrectly (more on this below) and was relatively underwhelmed by the results vs cost.
Then, when I decided to get serious about treating the ruination of my hair, after nearly 3 years of sun, sea and profound mistreatment, I kept coming back to glowing K18 reviews, decided to give it another go and - having finally used it correctly - was dumbfounded by the results.
I didn’t realise I was going to end up writing this, so I don’t have a handy ‘bad hair day’ before photo6, BUT I honestly cannot stop looking at my hair post-treatment.
It leaves my hair frizz-free and devoid of annoying kinks for several days without any heat styling7 or any product other than some argan oil in the ends.
Genuinely mind-blowing. And it is incredibly easy to use AND smells great.
Should you have it?
If you can comfortably afford it, I think it is phenomenal.
Anything else I think you should know?
How I used it incorrectly
So I initially only half-read the instructions, because obviously I am The Queen Of Everything And Know Best8.
The instruction is to comb this through washed, but not conditioned hair. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO APPLY THE K18, THEN WAIT FOUR MINUTES BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO COMB IT THROUGH.
I ignored/didn’t read the four-minute rule, tried to comb this through immediately after applying (didn’t end well), applied WAY MORE than the recommended maximum of 3 pumps, still couldn’t comb through and from then on, applied it to washed and conditioned hair.
DO NOT DO THIS.
How to use it correctly, so you’re not wasting product
Comb your hair before washing9
Wash your hair with your shampoo of choice
Do whatever else you need to do in the shower and get out.
Towel dry hair gently but thoroughly. Your life will be easier if you don’t attack your scalp, creating knots.
Start with 2 pumps into your palms, then rub your palms together for about 15 seconds to emulsify the product
Starting from the mid-length (ignore the roots), distribute the product through your hair
LEAVE FOR FOUR MINUTES. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
Your hair will detangle through the miracle of science during those 4 minutes.
After four minutes have passed (and not before), comb your hair out
As long as four minutes have passed, you can now apply conditioner and rinse out. I don’t bother.
NB
When K18 first came out, they didn’t give very clear instructions on conditioner and it was widely believed that you couldn’t use conditioner after application.
K18 have now clarified on their website that as long as the four minutes have passed, you can condition and rinse the hair without consequences, or layer whatever products you want on top of K18.
I used it every wash for the first 6 washes and now use it every third wash. This is because I do want to use conditioner for some washes and don’t want the faff of wash/towel dry/apply/wait/get back in shower/condition/rinse. Your mileage may vary.
I also use 3 pumps and I have a stupid amount of hair (about 2 inches below bra strap and thick, even in its current depleted state).
Disclaimer:
I don’t write NBWI to try to flog product and I’m aware that this post is a bit of a rave, but I have been genuinely shocked at how well it works AND I wanted to prevent you from repeating my errors if you gave it a go.
And here we are 😊.
Until next time! x
Disclaimer: ‘WTF is…’ guides are intended to be a 3-5 minute introduction to a topic. They are, by their nature, not exhaustive.
If you have a concern that I’ve irresponsibly included/omitted information, don’t hesitate to get in touch to let me know and I’ll take a look.
Reminder that any cosmetic work undertaken should be in accordance with The 6 rules of cosmetic work. Here they are, in case you missed them the first time…
As opposed to Olaplex, that repairs the disulfide bonds that hold keratin chains together
It is very easy to find in Spanish and French cosmetics stores and online from the EU - although taxes will obviously apply if you’re getting shipped to the UK.
Google “buy k18 professional” to find stockists. Further stern reminder to only buy from reputable beauty sellers.
My hairdresser is in New York - because I am a High Maintenance Nightmare - and I was in London during the pandemic, cruelly at the mercy of the US’s closed borders.
Always
I don’t tend to document my Bad Hair Days 😊
Typically, I need a blow dry or straighteners - or both - to achieve smooth hair
I am insufferable at times. My apologies.
This may seem obvious, but I don’t always do this so I’m adding it for those of you who are as slovenly as I can be.