K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is a hair oil with two moments of use: on damp, towel-dried hair before styling, or on dry hair as a finisher. This is the 10 ml bottle. According to K18, the oil is weightless, silicone-free and suits all hair types, and it protects against heat up to 232 °C. It also comes in 30 ml.

What the ingredient list shows

Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate opens the list, followed by Squalane and two plant oils, avocado and sunflower. sh-Oligopeptide-78 sits eleventh, just before Fragrance (Parfum), and five named fragrance allergens run through the list. What the stylist controls is the amount: a few drops, lengths and ends only, more only if the hair asks for it.

Key ingredients

From the ingredient list

• Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate: entry 1
• Squalane: entry 2
• Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil: entry 3
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil: entry 4
• sh-Oligopeptide-78: entry 11, the peptide of the formula
• Tocopherol: entry 13

What to expect

The oil cares for damaged hair, leaving it shiny and less frizzy; the brand describes a light finish. On damp hair, what counts is the wait: the full 4 minutes before the dryer or the iron. On dry hair, what counts is restraint: the formula is highly concentrated, so the directions start at a few drops.

Who it is for

• Stylists prepping a blow-dry or a style on damp, towel-dried hair.
• Clients who want a finisher on dry hair.
• Fine hair as well: the brand calls the oil weightless and suitable for all hair types.
• Routines with the K18 Leave-In Mask: the directions put the mask first, then the oil.

Who it is not for

• Anyone sensitive to the fragrance allergens on the list: Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene and Linalool.
• Anyone looking for a scalp product: the oil goes through lengths and ends, not on your scalp.

How to use

The printed directions, translated from Dutch, in full.

Method A: the printed directions

1. Apply to damp, towel-dried hair before styling, or to dry hair as a finisher. Highly concentrated formula. Start with 1-3 drops and build up as needed.
2. On damp hair: for strengthening benefits and to reduce frizz while blow-drying or styling. Apply from the middle of the lengths to the ends and wait 4 minutes before styling.
3. On dry hair: to soften frizz and flyaways, as a finish to add shine. Tip - Do you also have the K18 molecular repair hair mask? Use the mask first on clean, damp hair and then wait 4 minutes. Apply the hair oil and wait another 4 minutes for maximum strengthening.

Where it fits in the K18 range

The directions' own tip puts the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask first, on clean, damp hair with its wait, and the oil after it. The range's conditioner is the K18 DAMAGE SHIELD Protective Conditioner.

Precautions for use

Care
Applies to: shampoo, conditioner, masks, treatments, leave-in, oils, serums, non-aerosol heat protectants and scalp care.

• For external use only, on hair and scalp, as directed.
• Avoid contact with eyes. Rinse immediately with water if contact occurs.
• Do not use on an irritated or damaged scalp, or in case of a known allergy to one of the ingredients.
• Stop and rinse out if redness, itching or irritation occurs.
• Salon sizes marked for professional use are applied by a hairdresser only.
• Keep out of reach of children. Do not swallow.
• Store closed, cool and dry, away from sunlight. After opening, use within the period shown on the pack.

Always read the label and the instructions of the product itself.