Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Reparative Magic Potion Review and GIVEAWAY

Before I start let me first say that I received this product with compliments from BeautyStat.com, but my review is as always my own objective opinion.  For more information on Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Reparative Magic Potion, please visit http://americanculturehair.com/

Now onto the good stuff!

Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Reparative Magic Potion comes in an 8.5 FL Oz bottle and retails for $25.  It is described as a botanically blended keratin infused potion that fixes everything.  Used as a leave-in conditioner this all-purpose weightless styling formula is designed for all hair types and is meant to extend the life of a keratin treatment.  It is applied to wet hair and helps repair elasticity and split ends. 

Product claims:

·        Help protect hair from thermal abuse

·         Lock in hair color

·         Control frizzing

·         Add incredible shine and volume

·         Hydrate

·         Smooth

·         Detangle

·         Leave hair silky and free of split ends

·         Sodium chloride free

·         Not tested on animals

·         Made in the USA

When I received this product I was extremely excited to try it.  With all of the hype that keratin treatments have received recently I have often wondered if they would be able to help my aging, thinning, already baby fine hair.  Unfortunately due to the concerns that come with Brazilian blowouts and their use of formaldehyde compounded with my immune system related skin sensitivities and the cost of keratin treatments, it just wasn’t something I was ever probably going to try.  You can imagine my delight to find that I was going to get to try a product that claims to provide many of the benefits that these costly salon treatments provide.  I did skim through the product information and the usage instructions and then I just went for it.  I prefer to just try a product and see what happens rather than cloud my expectations with product claims, so other than knowing that the product is supposed to help strengthen hair I really had no idea what to expect.  The very next morning I started using the product by shampooing and conditioning my hair as I do every single day.  After towel drying my hair I ran a comb through my damp strands and then the magic began.  I wasn’t sure how much product would be best for my thin strands.  Looking at it through the bottle it has a slightly thick consistency similar to a hand lotion and its murky brownish/gray color sent my brain to thoughts of mud masks.  While I was afraid that I might easily apply too much for my hair to handle I decided just to start spraying and see what happened.  I gave myself about five squirts to the back of the head trying to avoid my roots just in case it ended up too oily or heavy for my hair type.  Then I flipped my head upside down and gave myself two more squirts to the underside of those same strands in back.  I immediately noticed this product has an interesting consistency and no real discernible scent.  I hesitate to call it sticky because when I hear that word and imagine the thoughts it conjures in your head I can say it isn’t at all like that.  My next description is that it clings or adheres itself to the hair reminding me of liquid glue, but again this description sends your mind to all the wrong places.  I hesitate to make people think that your hair will then stick together the way glue would cause it to because that is also not the case.  So with no adequate way to describe it let’s just say that the product finds a way to adhere itself to your strands in a way that eliminates product waste without causing any kind of stickiness.  The instructions advise you to comb it through, so that is exactly what I did with a fine tooth comb from root to ends even though I avoid spraying the product near the scalp and roots.  Even though this product claims to help protect from thermal abuse I still followed its application with a normal application of my favorite heat protectant.  Finally I blow it dry as usual and here is what I found…

The first day I IMMEDIATELY noticed that my hair no longer tangles.  This single benefit was enough to sell me on this product.  I LOVE it!  My baby fine hair tangles SO easily and the first sign that I have waited entirely too long to get my hair trimmed are tangles that can only be described as “rats nests” that can only be combed out once my hair is washed, conditioned, and “after shower” wet again.  The day I used this product for the first time I was already weeks into the “rats nest” phase of my hair care (or lack thereof.)  The first day using this product I was able to run my fingers straight through those exact tangles and have them work themselves right out with no ripping or tearing or even pulling.  This alone is worth the $25 because in 37 years I have never had a product do this for me ESPECIALLY with its first use.  In fact, I can honestly say that I have not used a product that I have been able to tell has had any type of benefit to my hair in at least 15 years.  I was THRILLED!

After about 2 more uses I suddenly noticed another miraculous benefit.  As I looked at myself in the mirror I saw something that literally shocked me.  I had VOLUME AT MY ROOTS!!!  Something about the stickiness that isn’t really stickiness of this product was able to actually keep my roots right where I delusionally hold them every time I dry my hair just pretending that they will stay.  Well… THEY STAYED!  If you don’t have any other reason to try this product do it for the volume.  These two benefits are more than I have ever experienced with any other products ESPECIALLY together my whole life.

Here is what I don’t know:

 I don’t know if the product prevents split ends because amazingly enough this is one problem that I don’t suffer from.  I’m also not sure if it is saving my hair from thermal abuse but every little bit helps right?  My hair isn’t particularly frizzy, but I would guess that the same softness that helps untangle my ratty strands would also make frizzed out hair feel a bit less spastic.  My hair isn’t colored, so I can’t speak to the product’s ability to lock in color, but not having sodium chloride in it is half the battle.  I don’t really know if I agree that it adds shine to be honest.  My hair has felt dull to me for a few years now and that feeling has not gone away.  I’m also not sure if the product is hydrating or not especially since it seems to wash off easily in the shower and the process begins again, but I don’t feel it is drying either.

The GREAT news:

American Culture has offered to give an extra sample away to one of my lucky readers!!!!

Here are the rules:

1.        You must be a follower/subscribed to my blog.

2.       You must reside within the US.  (So sorry to my international readers.)

3.       You must be at least 18 years of age or else get permission from your parents to participate since I will have to forward the name and address of the winner to the company to ship your prize.

4.       You must comment below and tell me what your favorite hair care product is and why.

5.       You can only enter once.

The giveaway will run until midnight eastern time Friday November 25, 2011.  I will then select a winner using random.org and will contact said winner by direct message asking for their name and mailing address.  They will have 24 hours to contact me with that information or another winner will be chosen.

Good Luck!