WELL! Much mayhem and controversy abounds about this product. Let me start of saying this:
DO IT BY THE LETTER FIRST.
Unless you are extremely fine-hair or protein sensitive (in which case you may not want to use this according to the directions -see the comment section below). If this describes you, read on for alternative ways to use this product.
This is an amazing product, beloved readers. It is one of the strongest protein you can buy, if not the strongest. This is perfect for your “One-Week-Later-Post-Relaxer-Protein-Treatment” for my lye-using-relaxed-lovelies or for keeping natural hair strong.
Then…shake things up as your hair prefers.
I have:
Slept in it overnight with a shower cap
Added it to Deep Conditioners (A great way to try this if fine-haired or protein sensitive)
Used it multiple days in a row -to save over-relaxed or bleached hair
Used it on a schedule -if your hair must be rebuilt
Used it before and after (As in RIGHT AFTER, IF YOU TEXLAX ONLY, though it will sting if you burned) a relaxer
Left it on for hours in a shower cap, then DCed
Used it 3x in a row
Without “dry it hard” with heat, just using it with a shower cap
…And enjoyed amazing results!
If you’ve damaged hair -this will save some inches. If you’re natural and thick-haired use as need for hair a strong as steel and defined (as much as it can be for your texture) hair. For the texlaxed, make up for relaxer run off and keep your texture more even.
This product has something good for EVERYONE. It’s all about HOW YOU USE IT!
It will hurt or heal your hair depending on its use!
Still, you have everything to gain in learning how and how much of it your hair likes.
I found I didn’t need the balancing moisturizer after wards and my own recipes were superior. Just make sure to use a pH balanced conditioner in your recipe or something to return your hair’s pH to normal…or just doctor up the ApHOGEE moisturizer with honey, oils, etc. No added protein though. That’s what the treatment was for! ^__^
This is an amazing product, beloved readers.
Natural ladies, I would suggest you add a tablespoon or two to your DCs and use such a DC bi-weekly at the most.
If you’re sensitive to protein BE SURE to use a moisturizing conditioner after wards. I mean a true, preferably salon quality deep conditioner. Not all salon brands are truly deep conditioning but, a co-wash with add-ins is not what you need here. In fact, for my fine-haired ladies and the protein sensitive, I would also suggest you add a tablespoon or two to your DCs bi-weekly, or monthly…RATHER THAN USING IT FULL STRENGTH AS INDICATED BY THE BOTTLE.
Texlaxed ladies, this will depend on your hair’s needs. Same for my relaxed darlings. When texlaxed and bone straight I did it bi-weekly. My hair loves protein natural or chemically enhanced; however, so it was not a detriment to me. Please be attentive to how your hair responds to this.
Please, beloved readers, don’t be afraid of this product and miss out on stronger, shinier, healthier hair. Just be wise in your approach. ^_^
This is runny -as in, like water. It’s yellow and smells like honey and egg yolks. It’s also just as sticky. It’s not pleasant when it runs down your neck and sticks to your skin. Some have reported irritation. Take care to have a damp (I said DAMP) wash cloth handy to wipe up any drippies! ^_^
Also, I do believe the bottle is lavender now. A nice change from the boring white background and plain font seen above. At least it has a push tab, beloved readers.
NOTE: The ingredients have changed. I HAVE used the new formulation and received the same results as mentioned above in this review. The only difference I noticed is that the new formulation is slightly (SLIGHTLY) less sticky, a little more watery, and less dark in color. ^_^ The Hydrolyzed Animal Protein was changed to Hydrolyzed Collagen.
Ingredients:
Deionized Water, Hydrolyzed Animal Protein, Magnesium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Ethylene Urea, Dimethylol Urea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Magnesium Carbonate, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance.
The Aphogee Two-Step Protein treatment did, indeed, leave my hair much stronger and fuller. Unfortunately, I don’t think my extra-fine, thinning hair needed quite so much protein. It feels weighted down (and less able to hold curl), straighter (which could be why they recommend using after straightening products), and less fluffy – almost like super glue was stuck to the hair shaft so that the cuticle cannot expand. While the bottle claims it should be re-applied every six weeks to maintain its affect, I wonder if the product isn’t somewhat permanent on the hair shaft – permanently altering it and requiring re-application to avoid hair breakage caused by slight chips in the bonding of the protein on the hair shaft. Any experience with whether this product really does totally wash out in about six weeks, returning the hair to its original state? I’ve had many washes, and the product does not show any evidence of washing out.
I responded to your comment with a post. It will be in the Q & A Category, with “ApHogee/Lily” in the title if you miss it on the homepage. I hope my response if useful to you! Thank you for sharing and stopping by my lil’ slice of the ‘net. ^_^
…[Edited by Little Golden Lamb]
Hi, dear! ^_^
I responded to your comment via e-mail. Please look for it in your Inbox or Junk Mail folder, with “littlegoldenlamb@live.com” as the sender and “Little Golden Lamb Responds: Baa. Baa. BAA!” as the title. Thanks for stopping by! ^_^
As an aside: You have a very interesting blog!!
This has nothing to do with the product, but I wanted to share that I had relaxed my hair because I needed a hairstyle to cover my huge forehead. My relaxed hair is THICK, dense, unhealthy and frizzy and now I am seriously regretting relaxing my hair. I had relaxed and grew out my hair before, so I am not worried about doing it again but I am wondering a few things:
1. Is there any thing i can do to help my relaxed hair now?
2. What hairstyles as a natural cover a large forehead?
I responded to your comment with a post. It will be in the Q & A Taglist, with your screen name in the title, if you miss it on the homepage. Thanks for stopping by! ^_^
I have relaxed, colour treated hair and the Shielo Hydrate Conditioner is fantastic to use after both of those processes. Nice smell. I use it with each shampoo. Love this product!
Can I follow this with JASON Sea Kelp Conditioner? I really love it but I don’t know if it’s ph balanced…?
You can read my response to your comment here. BAA! ^_^