Review: Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Magic Potion

I’m always looking for products that multi-task, if I can save time and streamline my routine, I’m all for it. I use my rinse out conditioner as a leave-in, I use my rich rinse out conditioners as deep treatments, and root lifters as hair spray. I don’t see the point in buying/using different products for everything, when so many products can be used for more than one thing. So, when I was given to opportunity to check out Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Magic Potion, I was happy to give it a go.  

Xtend Keratin Magic Potion makes a lot of claims:

• Smoothes & de-frizzes
• Instantly detangles & rejuvenates
• Repairs hair elasticity & split ends
• Creates brilliant reflective shine
• Enhanced with pure Keratin
• Extracts of sage,rosemary & nettle
• Sodium chloride free
• Incredible shine & volume
• Locks in hair colour
• Thermal protection
• Transforms hair…without adding weight
• Creates a humidity barrier

Ingredients: Water, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Amodimethicone, Quaternium 70, Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Ethoxydiglycol, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Inositol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance, Limonene, Linalool, Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Yellow 5, Red 33 (CI 17200)

It’s not exactly CG, it contains cyclopentasiloxane and amodimethicone. The Cyclo- cone isn’t water soluble but according to Naturally Curly’s resident CurlChemist it evaporates off of the hair. Amodimethicone has a bit more controversial reputation; I’ve read that it’s water soluble and that it isn’t. However, it resists build up, so you’re not just piling it on top of itself every time you use it.

 Extend Keratin Magic Potion contains my hairs absolute favorite thing; protein (obvious from the name). I love, love, love protein. My hair thrives on it. Keratin is basically the top of the line as far as protein goes. Keratin is what hair is made of, so for damaged hair, it does the best possible job of helping hide the damage. Using protein in your hair routine on a regular basis will help hide the damage and help keep your hair from getting more damaged. Proteins attach to the hair cuticle and fill in any gaps or holes so that your hair is temporarily “whole” again. Eventually, probably within a shampoo or two, they’re washed away and need to be replaced in order to continue seeing the results. Needless to say, I use protein in my hair routine every day.

Just to be clear, as sad as it may be to admit, you cannot “fix” damaged hair. Hair is dead and cannot be repaired; the damage can only be concealed. If you want to get rid of damage you have to cut it off. The notion of repairing damage is a marketing scam, as far as I’m concerned. Products/packaging/advertising that lead consumers to believe you can “fix” the damage you’ve done are misleading. Advertising is just one more reason to be a diligent consumer and do your research, before buying into an idea or product.

Back to the point, the product itself, I like it. It’s lightweight, so it never leaves my hair weighed down, greasy or gross feeling. It comes in a spray bottle, which is less than ideal, as the product isn’t exactly liquid, more of a cream, just not thick. I spray it in my hand and then apply it to my hair from ends upward. It definitely helps with detangling and leaves my hair feeling smooth. It also gives my hair a little extra body without extra frizz. I’m really not sure about shine; I use all sorts of products that add shine, so I can’t really gauge if this actually helped, or if it was something else I used. I noticed while doing my usual research, some ladies seem to hate the smell of it, honestly my bottle has such a faint smell I barely notice it at all, it smells faintly like cocoa butter.

All in all, Keratin Xtend Magic Potion is a useful, multi-tasking product that I think is worth trying if you have damaged hair. It isn’t however some “magic” cure or fix for damage.

Have you tried Kerating Xtend Magic Potion? Did you like it?

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post were sent to me for review consideration. The opinions are 100% my own.