Reconstruction shampoo

I've only ever used K-Pak myself. One of my friends swears by Tigi, and won't use anything else. I know she uses the reconstructing shampoo and loves it, but everyone is different. All I can say is maybe give it a go, and see how you like it. Do they do small travel-sized bottles of it, so you can see if you like it before buying a bigger one? Much luck 🙂 xx

I've heard Tigi's Dumb Blonde Reconstructor is supposed to be a good substitute for K-Pak.

I really like the dumb blonde reconstructor - I have bum length bleached (too many times) hair and it makes it feel stronger. Plus it smells like pinapple! But it does leave it a little dry if I use it too often or by itself so I use a deep conditioner too.

Side note - I use the reconstructor as a diluter when I make pastel lilac / silver toner and it seems to make the colour stick better  - maybe becuase the ingredients are designed to cling to the hair more?

Will it matter in any way that my hair isn't blonde? lol

Nah, a reconstructor is a reconstructor 🙂  I think it's called "Dumb Blonde" because people who bleach their hair regularly tend to need reconstructing!

I've tried one called Richard Ward Keratin Luminiser Ultra-Clarifying Shampoo, and it always feel like, as it suds-up, it silkens and strengthens the hair.

Perhaps that's why the word "keratin" is in the name. 🙂

I don't think those shampoos are going to be anywhere near as beneficial as the Joico.

Joico Kpak DPR:
Deionized Water, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Mineral Oil, Glycol Stearate, PEG-8 Distearate, Disodium Chloride, Ceteth-2, Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin (Quadramine Complex), Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin, Droxypropyl Hydrolyzed Human air Keratin, Myristyl Myristate, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum), Sorbic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius(Safflower)Oil, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Keratin Amino Acids, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Ingredient Attributes: moisture

Tigi Pro Reconstructing Shampoo:
Aqua (Water), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Dimethiconol, Parfum (Fragrance), Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Carbomer, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Gluconolactone, Trehalose, Adipic Acid, Sodium Sulfate, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Amodimethicone, PPG-12, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, PEG-45M, Trideceth-12, TEA-Sulfate, Triethanolamine, Cetrimonium Chloride, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium Benzoate, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77019 (Mica), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).

Matrix Total Results Repair Shampoo:
Aqua/Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum/Fragrance, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Amodimethicone, Limonene, Linalool, 2-Oleamido-1, 3-Octadecanediol, Trideceth-6, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodum Hydroxide, Citric Acid.

Granted I don't know what a lot of the things are in those shampoos, but I know there's a lot more beneficial things in the Joico Kpak DPR. I think you would be better off using mayonnaise/eggs and oil than the shampoos in regards to protein.

The dumb blonde reconstructor does make the hair feel nice, but Dimethicone is pretty high up on the ingredients list and Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, and Silk Powder and further down. I do think it would be a lot better than those 2 shampoos, I still don't think it's as good as Joico.

It is pricey, but if you can get your hands on Aveda Damage Remedy Reconstructing Conditioner, I think it's even better than Joico. That stuff will make even the most fried hair more manageable. It does have a couple silicones in it, but it is just loaded with great ingredients and really makes the hair feel wonderful and helps it a lot. If it wasn't so expensive, I would use that exclusively! It is definitely the best conditioner I've ever used.

Another great conditioner is Matrix Biolage Ultra Hydrating Balm. It doesn't do much for reconstructing, but it moisturizes SO well. If you leave it in for 10+ minutes especially, your hair will feel so amazing, you'll love it. It's like the hair just drinks it right up and it feels so revitalized afterwards, especially if you leave it on for 10+ minutes