Whenever I think about Ouidad's Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask, two words come to mind:
a lot.
A lot of words.
A lot of money.
A lot of ingredients.
A lot of feelings.
I won''t leave you hanging, so let's jump right in to this requested review.
Availability: Like all Ouidad products, the Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask is available in Ouidad salons, on
Ouidad.com, at Ulta (and of course,
Ulta.com), and
Curl Mart.
Affordability: At $40 for 6oz, the price point is sure to be a turn off for many. I can honestly say it is the second most expensive product I've ever put in my hair. The most expensive is another Ouidad product, but we'll talk about that later. More full disclosure fun: I didn't pay for the Melt-Down Mask. If you read my
Whipped Curls Review, then you know that Ouidad has sent me
tons of stuff (showing the most major of loves) -- and it included the Melt-Down Mask. I'm glad they did, because every time I've walked into Ulta, I toyed with the idea of purchasing it. This definitely gave me the opportunity to try it out and help you all (and me) answer that tough question --
is it really worth it?
Ingredient List: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearamidopropyl
Dimethylamine, Propanediol, Glycerin, Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy
Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride,
Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Methyl Hydroxycellulose, Cetyl Esters,
Cetyl Alcohol, Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter, Citrullus Lanatus
(Watermelon) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer,
Passiflora Edulis (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Pulp
Oil, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oriza
Sativa (Rice Bran) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Limnanthes Alba
(Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Quaternium-91, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed
Oil, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil,
Ethylhexylglycerin, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate,
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Guar
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butyene Glycol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether,
Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.
Water/Aqua/Eau,
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl
Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy
Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl
Esters, Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl
Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam)
Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Raphanus Sativus (Radish)
Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus
(Watermelon) Seed Oil, Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter, Lactic Acid,
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Passiflora
Edulis Seed Oil, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin
E), Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol,
Quaternium-91, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, C10-40
Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Guar
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin,
Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Butylene Glycol,
Isopropyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl
Methylpropional, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate,
Fragrance/Parfum. - See more at:
https://www.ouidad.com/shop/by-concern/dehydration-damage/curl-recovery-mask.html#sthash.UF7QSUhH.dpuf
Water/Aqua/Eau,
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl
Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy
Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl
Esters, Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl
Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam)
Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Raphanus Sativus (Radish)
Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus
(Watermelon) Seed Oil, Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter, Lactic Acid,
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Passiflora
Edulis Seed Oil, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin
E), Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol,
Quaternium-91, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, C10-40
Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Guar
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin,
Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Butylene Glycol,
Isopropyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl
Methylpropional, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate,
Fragrance/Parfum. - See more at:
https://www.ouidad.com/shop/by-concern/dehydration-damage/curl-recovery-mask.html#sthash.UF7QSUhH.dpuf
Water/Aqua/Eau,
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl
Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy
Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl
Esters, Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl
Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam)
Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Raphanus Sativus (Radish)
Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus
(Watermelon) Seed Oil, Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter, Lactic Acid,
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Passiflora
Edulis Seed Oil, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin
E), Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol,
Quaternium-91, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, C10-40
Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Guar
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin,
Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Butylene Glycol,
Isopropyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl
Methylpropional, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate,
Fragrance/Parfum. - See more at:
https://www.ouidad.com/shop/by-concern/dehydration-damage/curl-recovery-mask.html#sthash.UF7QSUhH.dpuf
Water/Aqua/Eau,
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl
Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy
Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl
Esters, Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl
Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam)
Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Raphanus Sativus (Radish)
Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus
(Watermelon) Seed Oil, Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter, Lactic Acid,
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Passiflora
Edulis Seed Oil, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin
E), Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol,
Quaternium-91, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, C10-40
Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Guar
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin,
Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Butylene Glycol,
Isopropyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl
Methylpropional, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate,
Fragrance/Parfum. - See more at:
https://www.ouidad.com/shop/by-concern/dehydration-damage/curl-recovery-mask.html#sthash.UF7QSUhH.dpuf
Top Ingredients 411:
- Cetearyl Alcohol: Considered "fatty alcohol" -- NOT to be confused with drying
alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient.
Also give conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Is
additionally used to keep product ingredients from separating.
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate: Ester and emollient that is used to enhance spreadability, reduce the greasiness of other oils, and create a silky soft feeling in mixtures.
- Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine: A
derivative of stearic fatty acid that is used to keep ingredients from
separating, as well as provide "slip" (useful for easy detangling).
- Propanediol: Plant-based, ECOCERT-approved emollient, solubilizer, and viscosity
improving agent. As a natural alternative/replacement for propylene
glycol, it improves moisture binding activity which results in silky
smooth hair.
- Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air.
Product Claim/Description: Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask is a luxurious treatment with our proprietary CR-4 Repair Complex -- including nutrient-rich Mafura Butter and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil -- that envelopes the hair with a cushion-like coating of concentrated fatty acids vital to rebuilding, nourishing, and protecting hair. A blend of three clinically-proven actives instantly recreates hair's depleted lipid barrier, restoring the protective layer to promote health and prevent future damage. Unique melt-down technology pampers hair with a subtle warming sensation as it replenishes moisture.
Performance/Delivery: Remember when I used the phrase "a lot" to describe this product? Let's get to that. By the ingredient list, you can obviously see where the phrase applies there. Because I'm not strictly a juices and berries natural, I don't get turned off by complex scientific names, so long as I can find some sort of way to understand what they mean. We've already covered the "a lot" of words and money part, so there's that. Let's get to the good part: my feelings, which this mask has me all in.
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Texture close-up. |
Before writing this review, I made sure to use the ENTIRE jar to develop an informed opinion. $40 is a lot of money, and I wanted to make sure my experience was consistent enough to answer the question of it being worth the money. At first sight and smell, the Mask appears thick and has a similar sweet perfumey fragrance along the same lines as Whipped Curls. I just knew that based upon consistency, I would get a good two uses out of this jar. That turned out to be wrong. I got at least 5 deep conditioning sessions out of the 6oz jar (it may very well be 6, but I could only solidly remember 5). That alone shocked me -- although the Mask is thick, it spreads really easily throughout the hair. A little scoop that you think will only cover a small section of hair turns out to cover like half. I also noticed while spreading it through my hair, it went from being thick to frothy. I didn't experience the warming sensation, but I must say the workability of the Mask through the hair is quite awesome.
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It really "melted" into my hair! |
The Mask works well, with or without heat. The directions say to leave it on for 10-15 minutes, and throughout the course of emptying the jar, I experimented with longer times, exact time, heat, and no heat. The mask works well any way, which makes it one of those deep conditioners you can count on in a crunch. Now let's get to what you really want to know -- my hair after rinsing. Shine bright like a diamond is an understatement. My hair was shiiiiiiny! Like, amazingly shiny. It felt stronger, heartier, and like my hair had taken up all the goodness that tiny jar had to offer.
I didn't get that buttery smooth feeling I love from the Melt-Down Mask, but I almost didn't notice because I was distracted by the high shine , improved strength, and de-frizzed hair. You know that "conquer the world" feeling you get after a good workout? That's how my hair felt. Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask gave my hair a good workout, and prepared it to conquer the world. Sure, I'm being a little dramatic here -- but my hair looked and felt great. That shine tho.....
Drawbacks: Without a second thought, the price to quantity ratio. As you all know, I can (and have in the past) be a little splurgy with deep conditioners and curl definers -- but this nearly takes the cake. $40 for 6oz is just really unappealing to me. Perhaps if the jar were 16oz instead of 6, I'd feel better about it.
Bonuses: I really do like the fact that it feels like the Mask literally melts down and absorbs into my hair. It's an elasticizing treatment that definitely delivers on the promises of curl elasticity, manageability, softness, shine, and healthy vibrancy. My color treated curls definitely appreciated it. I also enjoyed getting more than 2 uses out of the jar.
Bottom Line: Do I sound torn and confused in this review? Because that's exactly how I feel. You know me -- I am
always here for a good deep conditioner, and doubly here for a product that performs as it says it will (and triply here for exceeding expectations). Ouidad's Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask is alladat. But this price point? You're killing me, Larry. If this mask were half the price, I'd automatically file it under must-have in the blink of an eye. I really am having an emotional tug-of-war with this product. On one hand, the performance is almost flawless. On the other hand, the price tag equates to a full tank of gas (thanks, Obama). Normally, at this point I'd either be encouraging you to try it for yourself, or telling you to skip it. I can't confidently say one or the other. I think the only thing I can say with some assurance is that if you do decide to splurge on it, I'm pretty sure you'll love it. There isn't another deep conditioner (that I know of) like it. The closest comparison I can draw is
ApHogee's Texture Treatment -- and even that's a stretch.
You know what? Here we go --let's call it an occasional splurge. If you every-so-often like to treat your hair to something nice and new, make it the Ouidad Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask. Buy it for your curls at Christmas or something. Spending $40 every once in a blue moon won't hurt -- but adding a product like this to your weekly deep conditioning rotation most certainly will. There we have it -- if you're an occasional splurger, the Mask will work well in that regard.
Overall Product Rating: 3.5 stars. I want to give it 4.5, but there are a few things that pull Ouidad's Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask down. The obvious givens are the price point and amount of product. I am also a little bothered by the fact that all of these nutrient-dense oils that comprise the CR-4 complex and more are listed as ingredients 14 - 20, and 21 - 24. I would have liked to see a little bit more of those (especially the kalahari and mafura) in the top 5 - 7 ingredients. The product itself performs at a solid 4.5, but those other factors bring it down some.
Best Practices: Always apply the mask to wet hair. Scoop a little into your hand and rub your hands together to get the "melt-down" action started. This helps facilitate that ease of spreadability that allows you to not use 3/4 of the jar in one deep conditioning session.
Whew, this was a tough one.
Will you be splurging on Ouidad Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask anytime soon?