First Impressions: Komaza Protein Hair Strengthener

Hello lovelies! I am back with a review of a product that has quickly earned its way back into my hair rotation. At the beginning of this year, I determined that I needed to incorporate more protein into my regimen. I have noticed that a lot of relaxed heads, myself included, have been taking care of their hair the same way that natural ladies do....meaning that their regimens are moisture heavy but lacking in protein. 2015 has been my year to right this issue in my regimen so weekly protein treatments (followed by a moisturizing DC) have been an absolute must for me. In my search for the perfect protein treatment, I saw that the Komaza Protein Hair Strengthener was being mentioned numerous times on LHCF. I figured that if it was getting praised that much, it must be a great product and decided to purchase it. I haven't looked back since.

Enough of my rambling, let's get down the the review!

Price: $15 for 8 oz+ shipping at www.komazahaircare.com

Ingredients: Distilled water, aloe vera, behentrimonium methosulfate, hydrolyzed keratin, hydrolyzed silk protein, hydrolyzed collagen, jojoba protein, wheat protein, gluconolactone and sodium benzoate (natural preservative).


Their Claims (per the website): Designed to mend split ends and control hair breakage by strengthening weak areas in the hair shaft. Protein is also vital to having and retaining great moisture.

This treatment should be followed with a deep conditioner. For damaged hair use once weekly. To stop breakage use once weekly. Once breakage has stopped use once every 2-4 weeks. Can be used on all hair textures.

I cannot sing enough praises for this product!! When I initially purchased the product (end of January/beginning of February), I used this product bi-weekly (alternating with the Aphogee 2-Minute Keratin Reconstructor on my off weeks) and I immediately noticed a difference. I used the protein strengthener immediately following my shampoo, right before my (moisturizing) DC for a period of 30 minutes. The bottle instructs the user to use this product without heat and without a plastic cap...which is what I do. I noticed that immediately my hair felt stronger and surprisingly softer. Well maybe the softness is not so surprising. This product contains behentrimonium methosulfate and aloe vera- which are ingredients which help with the whole moisturizing thing. Additionally, my hair responded very well to whatever moisture I gave it.

Eventually, I decided to use this product weekly. While my hair was stronger, I was still noticing some breakage. Using the product weekly, I'm noticing the same results I achieved before. However, I will say that my breakage has decreased significantly. As a result, I have been using the protein strengthener with every wash and will continue to do so until my breakage subsides.

Even though $15 seems like a lot for 8 oz of product, I have to say that this product is very thick and creamy and a little bit definitely goes a long way. It is the end of April and I still have enough product left to last for another 3, maybe 4 washes. The protein strengthener is white in color and has a very tropical, coconutty smell. So, if you find yourself sensitive to scents or just don't like the smell of coconut, you may want to steer clear of the product.

Bottom Line: Solid, solid product from Komaza!! A definite must for any relaxed girl's head!

Wash Day: June 14, 2013

Or "The Wash Day With the Protein Treatment"

Last wash day was probably one of the best wash days I have had in a long time. After realizing that my hair acts differently (in a good way!) following the use of products with protein in them, I decided to give my hair a long overdue protein treatment.

I started this wash with a pre-poo that consisted of Tresemme Naturals Moisturizing Conditioner (which I am not impressed by, btw) and Kemi Oyl. After pre-pooing with heat for 30 min, I then proceeded to wash my hair with Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo. After I rinsed my shampoo out, I applied GVP Hair Reconstructor (see my review here) to my hair and left it on for 5 minutes (the maximum amount of time the directions say to leave it on). You guys...when I rinsed that product out of my hair....my hair felt like HAY!! I know that the bottle of GVP Hair Reconstructor says 'conditioner' but there is nothing conditioning about it! That stuff is a a protein treatment through and through. I followed up the protein treatment with a deep conditioning session with ORS Hair Repair Nourishing Conditioner for about an hour (I got caught up watching the ID channel and got a bit lazy lol).

Once I washed that DC out...it felt like I had a new head of hair!! My hair felt so soft and supple...yet strong. I immediately noticed a decrease in breakage and in shedding-which left me amazed. I ended the wash day by detangling my hair, applying Darcy's Botanicals Transitioning Creme to my hair, and sealing with Kemi Oyl. I then proceeded to air dry. I noticed that my hair air dried straighter...my hair didn't dry and wind up looking like a cotton ball. I can only guess that the addition of protein is allowing my hair to hold onto moisture better and that is why my air drying is resulting in my air dried hair looking...well...sleeker.

I didn't really bother to style my hair over the weekend since I didn't go anywhere for real. When I did style my hair, I put my hair into a twist side bun..an idea that I got from this video. The style is quick, easy, and to the point....something that I'm all about these days.

Overall, I am happy with the results my hair has gotten. In fact from here on out (at least until I've made up for this protein deficit), I will be doing a protein treatment 2x a month (every 2 weeks). My hair has shown me that protein is something that it craves.

First Impressions: GVP Hair Reconstructor

As of late, my hair has shown me that it ADORES protein. Simply adores it! So, in keeping with my hair's demands, I decided to give it a good protein treatment. In the early days of the journey, I used the Joico K-Pak Reconstructor-which my hair loved. Initially, I was going to purchase Joico but since funds are limited, I decided to go with the next best thing: GVP Hair Reconstructor. The GVP (Generic Value Product) lines of products are exclusive to Sally's Beauty Supply and are basically copies of name brand salon products--they have the same ingredients but lack the 'name.' A great thing about this line is that you are able to get salon quality products for a fraction of the price. It is a great line to try if you are looking for good hair products but funds are limited.


Price: $5.79+ tax for 8 oz/ $5.19+tax for 8 oz (purchased from Sally's Beauty Supply. You can get this product for the lower price if you're a Sally's Beauty Club Member.)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua) Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Glycol Stearate Ceteth-2 Mineral Oil PEG-8 Distearate Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin (Triamine Complex), Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin (Cationic Triamine Complex), Sodium Chloride, Myristyl Myristate, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum), Sorbic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

Their Claims: "GVP Hair Reconstructor is formulated to repair dry and damaged hair. If soft, shiny, sexy hair that is easy to manage and feels great is what you are craving, look no further than this reconstructor. Rich in Cationic Triamine Complex Formula compare to: Joico K-Pak.
This moisture-rich product will bathe your tresses and nourish the scalp, leaving you with silk for hair. No other product can ressurrect your hair from the grave of damage and dry brittleness and give it new life free from frizz and breakage."


Following a good pre-poo and shampoo session, I applied GVP Hair Reconstructor to my hair--section by section. I noticed immediately that this product is a tad bit on the thick side, so I definitely had to make an effort to apply enough of this product to my hair. Once the product was applied, I placed a plastic cap on my head and let the product sit for 5 minutes (the instructions say to let the product sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Since this is a protein treatment, I take no chances. I follow the instructions to the letter. I don't want any accidental protein overload over here!). Once the 5 minutes were up, I proceeded to wash the treatment out of my hair.


Now, I know that on the Internet, there is some debate on if this product is a true protein treatment like the K-Pak Reconstructor or if it is a conditioner since it says 'conditioner' on the bottle. I say--eff that conditioner nonsense! After I rinsed this product out of my hair, my hair felt like hair typically does after a protein treatment--like hay. There was no slip or conditioning of any kind! I immediately had to follow up with a moisturizing condish (ORS Hair Repair Nourishing Conditioner). I mean yall can take your chances and not follow up w/ a moisturizing conditioner but I wouldn't recommend it. I think this product is a protein treatment and should be treated as such.



Following the treatment, I DCed with a moisturizing conditioner for about an hour. When I rinsed that DC out....bay-BAY!! My hair felt like a whole new head of hair! My hair felt so SOFT! Yet, it also had a some strength to it--which was amazing! Another thing I noticed was that any breakage I had stopped for the most part (I had 1 or 2 broken hairs...but even those came from pulling my hair too hard). I was floored. I also noticed that this product slowed my shedding down tremendously. My hair typically sheds like a dog. No joke. Every time I touch my hair, long shed hairs come out...and a lot of them at that. On wash day, I typically have massive hair balls of shed hair. It's pretty gross. However, I noticed that from the moment that treatment went on my hair, my shedding decreased. Now, before some of yall get into an uproar...I am NOT saying that a protein treatment stopped my shedding (b/c that would be ridiculous!). I'm just saying...something that is in that treatment told my hair to chill out on that shedding a bit. :) I also found that my hair is holding on to whatever moisture I give it a heck of a lot better!

The shed hair pulled out of my comb after rinsing out the reconstructor and after detangling my hair post DC.


Appearance and scent-wise, this product is white in color and not entirely thin but not super thick either. I found that it has a coconut scent (and not a generic coconut scent...it smelled like coconut milk to me) and it was a pleasant scent. However, if you are scent sensitive or just flat out don't like the smell of coconuts, then this may be a problem. The ingredients of this products are essentially the same as Joico K-Pak Reconstructor but this product does contain mineral oil and parabens. So, if you are avoiding these ingredients, you may want to pass on this product.

Product fresh out of the bottle.


Bottom Line: Overall, I absolutely love this product and will begin to include it in my rotation. Although the instructions say to use it weekly, I feel like that may be protein overkill for my hair so for now, I will use it once every 2 weeks (2x/month). If you aren't avoiding parabens or mineral oil and don't dislike the smell of coconut, I say this product is for you! Additionally, this product is a great value since it costs less than $6!