Product Review: ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer


Remember my horrific trip to Sally's? Turns out that adventure wasn't so tragic after all. It all ended with a fresh little find, that will definitely be making its way into my haircare repertoire. I was in search of a protein treatment that was strong enough to be effective, but without the potential to utterly devastate my hair. I am deathly afraid of ApHogee's Two Step Protein Treatment, so I immediately skipped that option. Sally's was all out of their Two Minute Reconstructor, and only carried the Generic brand of Joico's K-Pak Reconstructor. I'm all for the Generic brand (their quality tends to be on par with the salon formulas they emulate), but I was alarmed to find that both Joico and Generic's products contained mineral oil....a big no-no for my hair. While scanning the rows one final time before I gave up, I stumbled upon ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer spray. Hmmm, a protein treatment light enough to spray and go? I don't mind if I do!

 

Of course, no hair field trip is complete without a stop at Target. The hair blogosphere has been abuzz quite a while about Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner. At under 3 bucks, it wouldn't hurt to give it a go. Worst case scenario, I'd recession-proof my purchase by diluting it to a leave-in or combine it with my Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque.



Sunday night is my routine shampoo/deep conditioner or co-wash and detangle time, and I was super excited to try out my new finds. Here is my routine from this past Sunday:



1. Finger Detangle -- I finger detangled my hair using water (spray bottle), my recession-proof Aussie Moist Leave-In and Kinky Curly Knot Today, then braided each detangled section.

2. Section Wash -- I skipped my normal pre-game oil treatment, because I wanted to be able to honestly gauge the moisturizing qualities of the 3 Minute Miracle. I washed my hair in sections with Everyday Shea Vanilla Mint Shampoo.

3. Deep Condition -- I took down each section individually and sprayed on the ApHogee Restructurizer, worked it into my hair, then applied the 3 Minute Miracle and loosely twisted it back up. I donned a plastic cap and sat myself under the dryer for about 15 minutes. Although the dryer step wasn't necessary for the Aussie, ApHogee's product label states that it works best with heat. (Side note: I really can't wait to try this stuff out when I finally flat iron my hair!)

4. Rinse + Post Game -- I rinsed each loose twist individually, gently squeezing sections to release excess water. I applied more ApHogee then my recession proof Aussie and Shea Moisture sprays to each section, worked them into my hair, re-twisted loosely and pin curled, I slept on my satin pillowcase to allow my hair the chance to air dry.



Ready for the results? Heeeeere we go:



ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer



Ingredient List: Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, PG-Propyl silanetriol, trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, panthenol, phytanitrol, tocopheryl acetate, hydrolyzed silk, hydrolyzed keratin, glycine, alanine, PVP, glycerin, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, cetrimonium chloride, isoceteth-20, C11-15 pareth-7, C12-16 pareth-9, trideceth-12, citric acid, fragrance (parfum), limonene.



Ingredient Analysis:

  • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract -- Green tea extract. Green tea is a beneficial natural antioxidant that is a proven DHT blocker (one of the main causes of hair loss), antibiotic, and stimulates blood circulation to hair follicles, all which promote hair growth.
  • hydrolyzed vegetable protein -- Vegetable protein that absorbs more easily into the hair shaft [than animal protein] and does not create build-up, leaves the hair very shiny, radiant, luxuriant, and healthy.
  • PG-propyl silanetriol -- Latex polymer used as a hair conditioning agent. Has been proven to increase resistance against breakage.
  • trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone -- Hair conditioning polymer (silicone).
  • Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil -- Buriti oil, extracted from the pulp of Mauritia Flexuosa. It has oleic acid in its composition that can restore the natural oils to hair. Besides this fatty acid, Buriti is a fruit that contains a large amount of Vitamin A. As a natural protector, Buriti oil protects the hair from damage caused by UV rays.
  • pathenol -- Vitamin B5, known for quick absorption into hair and providing moisture control.
  • phytanitrol -- Fatty alcohol that acts as an anti-caking agent, humectant, and conditioning agent. Phytanitrol improves overall hair texture by increasing the deposition of certain materials on the hair shaft. Moreover, phytanitrol is an effective color preserving agent and heat protectant.
  • tocopheryl acetate -- Vitamin E, known as a conditioning agent and moisturizer.
  • hydrolyzed silk -- A conditioning ingredient that provides ease of combing and smoothness to feel of hair, provides control to the hair from application to completion of styling.
  • hydrolyzed keratin -- Protein that is responsible for keeping the hair strong and pliable. This is the strongest of the(hair product) proteins and is actually the one that hair is made from. Keratin restructures hair that has been damaged or broken down by chemicals. It helps to replace the amino acid cysteine (the main one lost during chemical processing).When Keratin or any protein is hydrolyzed, the molecules have been broken down and are small enough to go beyond the cuticle and penetrate the hair shaft. It will strengthen all 3 layers of the hair.
  • glycine and alanine -- Amino acids present in hair and skin (scalp), assists in nourishment to promote healthy hair growth.
  • PVP -- Polyvinylpyrrolidone, a faint yellow solid polymer that helps to keep oils and liquids from separating. PVP also acts as a sealant, forming a thin layer over hair to retain moisture.
  • glycerin -- A natural humectant absorbed by the hair follicle, softening and swelling it, making it water retentive. Adds body, shine and moisture.
  • cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine -- An inner salt derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is a gentle surfectant, and helps deliver moisturizing ingredients to hair contained within products.
  • cetrimonium chloride -- Ammonium molecule (emulsifying agent) used to bind with hydrophobic oil molecules to aid in dispersion in water. Commonly paired with trideceth-12 and silicones. Basically, it makes sure oil and water are able to mix evenly within the bottle.
  • isoceteth-20 -- Solubilizing agent, used to prevent oil and water from separating.
  • C11-15 pareth-7 -- Solubilizing agent, used to prevent oil and water from separating. Made from a mixture of synthetic C11-15 fatty alcohols. The 7 is in reference to it's molecular weight.
  • C12-16 pareth-9 -- Solubilizing agent, used to prevent oil and water from separating. Made from a mixture of synthetic C12-16 fatty alcohols. The 9 is in reference to it's molecular weight.
  • citric acid -- A natural extract derived from citrus fruits, it is a widely accepted organic acid used in the cosmetics and food industries as a preservative and a pH control agent. It has antioxidant properties and is used as a stabilizer.
  • limonene -- Scent ingredient and solvent that occurs naturally in the rind of citrus fruits.

Availability: Average at best. Not available at any major retailer like Target (at least to my knowledge), and I haven't seen it at my local beauty supply stores. It is at Sally's though! And I'm more than certain it can be acquired online.



Affordability: Thanks to my trusty Sally's club membership, the 8oz bottle only hit me for $6.29 (regular price $6.99). Not too bad, not bad at all.



Product Claim/Description: ApHogee keratin & Green Tea restructurizer is the ultimate one-step strengthening treatment. This alcohol-free formula combins the benefits of keratin protein with the anti-oxidant properties of green tea to protect and repair. ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer bonds into the hairshaft with heat from the body or styling. Regular use on porous, damaged hair adds body, helps prevent breakage, controls frizz, and helps preserve hair color and chemical services.



My bun, the morning after ApHogee
Performance/Delivery: I think I'm in loooooovvvvvvvvvvvve again....you are the prototype! I am way too excited about this stuff. The next morning, my hair was fluffy, light, body-licious, felt thicker, and even a little stronger. Playing around with a few shed strands, I noticed that my hair elasticity has also improved.



Bonuses: The pleasantly light scent was a nice surprise. Even more splendid, was the fact that my hair is not brittle AT ALL -- a common complaint with protein-based treatments for hair. Also, I have noticed that the stain from my henna (reddish-brown) has intensified a little. Talk about awesome. 

Drawbacks: The best results come with heat, so I guess I will have to wait until my birthday (May 17th) to see the full benefits of this stuff. If it works any better than it does now, I will be writing ApHogee a love letter.

Bottom Line: If you can't remember the last time you used protein in your hair, or you are afraid of animal-based protein treatments that work by hardening hair (and if you don't do it/get it done right, your hair can and will break off!), this is the one for you. Horray for a new staple in my regimen!

Stay tuned for part 2 of this Fresh Feature, on Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle....







7 Comments

  1. I purchased ApHogee two step protein treatment with balancing moisturizer and keratin 2 minute reconstructor, which one do I use first?

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  2. I have been using the pro naturals hair repair system products for a while now and I totally recommend them

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  3. Actually green tea is an wonderful remedy for making your health fit & perfect, if you have using ayurvedic its a added taste to drink so that green tea brand also increased in India, Thanks for this wonderful blog

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