I desperately need to get my hair cut and coloured again, but it’s a process I both love and dread because of how far I have to drive to see my stylist and how much it costs to have done! Yes, I know I could go and do some research and try someone new for probably half the price (I pay around $650), but when you have a stylist who knows your hair and YOU for 4 years, it’s a formula you don’t want to mess with. I last got my hair balayaged and cut last November so I’m due for getting my hair done very soon! I try to go about every 8 months or so which makes the price tag seem not quite as bad when you divide it over the year, but I still have a small heart attack whenever I pay my bill! With that in mind, you can understand why I am constantly finding ways to protect my colour especially in the summer from the blazing sun which is why I was really looking forward to using the Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Collection! 
Press samples provided
Color Protecting Shampoo*
This was a solid shampoo in that my hair and scalp felt clean after rinsing it out and did not make my hair feel overly stripped or dry. It lathered nicely, had a classic «shampoo scent» and is formulated with African Manketti oil, historically used by many African tribes as a rich skin and hair conditioner, and argan oils for extra TLC. This shampoo claims to maintain 82% of hair’s vibrancy over 18 washes, which based on my hair-washing schedule works out to be about 9 weeks. I have been using the Color Therapy collection for about this time and haven’t noticed a change in hair colour, but whether that is the shampoo or just the age of my hair colour I cannot say for certain. Once I get my hair done again, I will definitely go back to this shampoo as I can feel how gentle it is.
Color Protecting Conditioner*
This conditioner is supposedly most effective when used in conjunction with its shampoo partner as it reduces «combing breakage» which I can actually say has seemed felt fairly true. I use a Tangle Teezer when I brush my wet hair which already is more gentle than conventional brushing, but sometimes I still get little bits of hair that start to break off when I brush. For the last two months, I have noticed that the hair that falls out while combing is from the root and is part of the normal shedding process as opposed to the little pieces I used to find everywhere on the floor and counter.
Luster Lock Multi-Perfector Daily Shine and Protect Spray*
Ah, this is my favourite product because this is a multi-purpose product that not only leaves my hair silky feeling, it also acts as a UV protectant, protects from heat styling, detangler and frizz tamer. I also generally prefer sprays as I don’t particularly like the sensation of a cold cream on my palms that I need to distribute throughout my hair. I use this spray right before I am about to blow dry as it works best on damp hair.
Luster Lock Glossing Oil*
This is the stuff I use the NEXT day to add some moisture to the ends of my hair and add some extra shine while also protecting hair from the elements. This glossing oil can be used on both damp and dry hair and on any type of hair. A little bit of oil goes a long way so I only need two drops to take care of my long hair. I don’t wash my hair every day so this is also a quick way to spruce it up on the «no-wash» days.
Final verdict: The only K-PAK product I had used until this point was the Reconstructing Treatment which is fantastic so it was useful to try the «supporting members» of the family. I was most interested in the glossing oil and luster lock spray, but was also pleasantly surprised with the shampoo and conditioner. All in all, a solid collection of products that I would trust to keep my balayage intact for a long time!
You can find the Joico K-PAK Color Therapy collection at select hair salons across Canada.
