Review (3/5): It only made my hair a little softer....
I bought this at Sally Beauty. I am caucasion, in my 50's with blonde/gray fine hair that is straight with some body & has never been colored or bleached; length is 2" below my shoulders.
My hair has been very dry for a long time despite lots of moisturizing, a salon keratin treatment (cha-ching!), argon oil, deep conditioning, etc... This Aphogee two-step protein treatment was recommended to me at the Sally Beauty store, and I figured it was worth a try. I followed the instructions to a T & also watched lots of youtube videos. I used this today exactly as directed & with high hopes. I shampooed & towel-dried my hair, then applied protein treatment, blow dried my hair for 12 minutes w/ the protein treatment in it, then rinsed in shower with warm water followed by the balancing moisturizer for at least 2 minutes, rinsed & used a moisturizing hair mask ("Mystic Divine" Coconut Complex Hydrating Masque), then rinsed again. My hair felt softer, at first, but my frizzies & curly gray hairs are still sticking out all over. I didn't get any more body in my hair either (my keratin treatment was last year 2017). So, all in all it is okay as a moisturizer, but no better than a regular deep moisture conditioner or mask. I'm not sure if I would use it again, maybe. I'm glad I just got the sampler size.
Here are my tips:
1) Use a spray mister bottle for the protein liquid & make sure you get out every last drop from the packet because most of it came out as beer colored water, then at the bottom of the packet was more of a thick cream, so I shook them together in the spray bottle & I'm so glad I used that! Don't just pour it on your head, at the very least pour a little into your hands at a time (after massaging the packet to mix contents) and smooth through your hair that way. There was just enough for my hair length.
2) Don't put a towel or anything around your shoulders, no clothing either because the protein treatment will dry your hair to it. Don't pull your stuck hairs off your skin, they'll come unattached in the shower, no worries. I kept my hair behind me to apply treatment & blow dry.
3) After drying the protein into your hair, don't touch your hair or bend it, (you can very gently touch lightly with your finger, if you hair wasn't already super brittle; it will feel like plastic sort of. 4) Be very careful blow-drying; I pointed the dryer downward alternating between medium & high heat & kept it farther from my hair so it wasn't blowing it around as it hardened. When hair is totally hard & dried through then gently let the shower water fall over all of your hair until you feel no more stiffness, then you can condition.
It's worth a try! The packets were just under $4 at Sally Beauty if you want to try it, or order here on Amazon.