Alterna • Alterna Bamboo Smooth - Kendi Oil • Styling Products

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*TOP REVIEWER* Abbieness on 3/27/2013 11:06:00 AM more reviews by Abbieness

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I tried samples of this 3 times before purchase. Have used about 1/3 of the bottle at this point. At this point I would rather spend a little more for the Kerastase oleo that I like better because it was a little bit lighter weight. I will keep using it though because I do need something for my flyaways and it is a decent product. I like the scent, it is pretty neutral, no one ever notices it. I spray a couple times once on each side and then brush. It does make my hair shiny and soft. It is certainly way better than drugstore products I've tried. I would repurchase if it wasn't that I have found something better before w Kerastase.

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fina125 on 3/27/2013 10:48:00 AM more reviews by fina125

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best oil I have used on my hair. It reminds me of Biosilk without actually weighing my hair down. Its best to use it on wet hair. I sometimes use just 1 drop on my ends if my hair is dry and that is all you really need. When i apply it, i feel my hair softer. Love it for frizz control and to make my hair shine and behave. I have wavy frizzy hair and this helps.

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annalynn77 on 2/25/2013 6:36:00 PM more reviews by annalynn77

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Leaves your hair smooth and shiny and all most frizz free.. Love this

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trishz on 2/20/2013 1:48:00 AM more reviews by trishz

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I am so in love with this oil. I have tried a ton of oils (ojon, moroccanoil, orofluido, etc.) and this is THE BEST ONE. My hair gets weighed down so easily because I'm allergic to sulfates and sulfate-free shampoos are not so great for deep cleaning hair. But this oil is wonderful. I also love the dispenser since so many oils pour out. Anyways, I haven't tried this as a deep treatment yet only as an oil before I style my hair and its perfect!

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*TOP REVIEWER* MissJacqui85 on 1/6/2013 9:12:00 AM more reviews by MissJacqui85

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

The reviews on here are so mixed I almost didn't purchase this oil, but they had a tester in the salon I purchased it in. So I applied a small amount to dry hair, as did the over zealous sales girl to her own hair (who claimed she uses it daily and it doesn't weigh hers down.) I loved the way it smoothed my hair and didn't make it look limp and unwashed. It's almost like it refreshes your hair? Can't put my finger on it, but I am impressed. My hair has never been coloured,bleached streaked rinsed you name it, Virgin hair ...and I do not straighten it, and I curl it maybe once every 5months:) so it is very healthy, with no damage, very shiny etc
No, this is not a brag-a-thon about my hair; what I am trying to illustrate is it is very difficult to improve the condition of my hair, or to impress me.... But also because my hair is so naturally hydrated and oily, I need products that won't weigh it down. So many hair oils are too rich for my hair... This one I apply when my hair is damp and it makes it incredibly light and soft...I use it on the bottom half only though. The smell is divine ...a little in love:) it's not a synthetic smell though so you don't smell producty and salon ish... It smells exotic.
I think too much of any product, specifically an oil based one, is overwhelming to skin or hair ....so I don't go crazy with this....but I can use a lot more than other oils in the past. It gives a stunning shine. Will last a long time....so in that way I don't feel it's expensive. Yes I know it contains silicones but I find pure straight oils to my hair weigh it down with too much moisture which is not needed....so maybe the mixed reviews have something to do with this ....the really damaged hair will always respond better to pure oils? It makes sense... There are so many factors that make hair and skin different, and due to this people's experiences with products will always be different. So if your hair sounds like mind I suggest you try it. Very happy and will buy again :)
P.S my Mum has coloured red hair which is in great condition (she uses wen) but always needs an added boost on the ends...she tried this on damp hair before drying it lightly at the end....and absolutely loved the results ...it really sealed the ends,smoothing them beautifully.

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WhackyAki on 12/28/2012 4:50:00 PM more reviews by WhackyAki

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I'm a hairdresser, so I've tried ALL the serums! This one was just okay. I have light blonde fine thick hair with dry, split ends and have had a hard time growing my hair out because of my ends. I bought this at my distributors as soon as it was released. At first I really did love this stuff, it made my hair really soft and manageable and protected it. After about half a bottle it was just kind of "meh" for me... I didn't notice any improvement in the length or condition of my hair. Of course, hair can't be miraculously repaired and rejuvenated, but the point of a serum is to protect the ends from heat, tangling together, brushing, etc. My main problem with this is that it was not weightless and after prolonged use it actually made my hair dull and weak. I have found a much better serum and do not recommend this.

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RedLipsCatEyes on 8/29/2012 12:30:00 PM more reviews by RedLipsCatEyes

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

At first, I loved this product. When I put it in damp hair and blow dried, my hair was soft, silky, straight and frizz free. It smelled great and would stay that way for days. However after putting it in my hair everyday, it got frizzy and split ends were everywhere. Turns out the first ingredient is silicone and since I don't use sulfate shampoos, the build up was constant in my hair and ended up making it much worse rather than improving the health of it overall. That being said, it's claims to make your hair stronger is obviously false if not at the least temporary or superficial - the silicones give the illusion of healthier hair but if not properly clarified from the hair, can actually suffocate it preventing much needed moisture, sebum and nutrients from penetrating the strand. As sulfate shampoos are not an option for me - I have contact dermatitis when I use them (itchy scalp, red bumps) - I can't use this product. The initial result was great but I much prefer oils that actually improve your hair in the long run rather than cause damage.

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jsc0215 on 8/22/2012 1:57:00 AM more reviews by jsc0215

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have very coarse, thick kinky, but wavy hair. Oh, and I have a lot of it. A lot. My hair is up to the bottom of my chest- so it's about medium length. Also, I wash it every other day during the warmer months and every three days during the cooler months.


This is my HG hair treatment and the only one I use (other than shampoo and conditioner). Can I say that I completely IN LOVE with this product? I love the way my hair soaks it up. Yum, yum, yum!


After I've blow-dryed my hair, I immediately apply half a quarter's amount onto my palms and distribute the product to my ends. After my ends have soaked up the oil, I work my way up to the shaft of my hair being careful not to work it too close to my scalp (it would get oily).


The only thing my hair lacks is hydration. And that's exactly what I feel it receives with the Alterna oil. It gives my hair the most beautiful effect- like I have long, flowing, healthy hair. I love it!!


_____________
Pros:
- adds moisture and shine
Cons:
- none!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Angeldoll on 6/11/2012 10:51:00 AM more reviews by Angeldoll

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I have dry curly fine hair but lots of it that I flat iron regularly. I used this as a pre-shampoo treatment, on damp and on dry hair and didnt see much difference. Altho I definitely like the pre-shampoo results the best, I wont re-purchase. Too many cones for me and dont feel it really gets absorbed into my hair.

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midnightblue1536 on 4/16/2012 3:14:00 PM more reviews by midnightblue1536

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Black    

This is my absolute favorite product! It moisturizes the hair while adding a hint of natural shine to it. The best thing about this product is it does not make my hair greasy even if I use an excessive amount. Even though the price is a little pricey for the amount that it comes in, it lasts for a long while! I will definately repurchase again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ProductJunkey on 3/31/2012 1:50:00 AM more reviews by ProductJunkey

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I really love this oil. I especially love it after I color and my hair tends to be very dry, this makes the ends less crunchy and adds some nice shine. I like it better than any other type of oil I've used. I use it before blowdrying, when my hair is just slightly damp.

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cmyklamb on 3/29/2012 9:23:00 PM more reviews by cmyklamb

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This works really great to smooth down my hair and prevent any frizziness. I apply this when my hair is still damp, but not soaking wet like I just stepped out of the shower. I use one entire drop (about a quarter size) and rub it in between my hands and apply it starting from the middle of my hair down to the ends. This only works for me if I apply on damp hair, once my hair completely dries, this pretty much does nothing for me. I don't think it's a miracle product, and not really worth repurchasing. The smell is lovely though, but it doesn't last. The bottle could be better, the dropper is a little leaky.

I think a pure oil would work better, this has a silicone-type slip to it that does not feel very hydrating to the ends.

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CarrieNations on 2/17/2012 11:49:00 AM more reviews by CarrieNations

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I fell in love with this product at first sniff, but that love quickly faded. The scent in the bottle/when you first apply it is heavenly. Very woody and soft. But soon after I started using Kendi Oil regularly, I started noticing that my hair smelled disgusting by evening (I wash and style my hair in the morning)...stale, dirty, almost metallic. If I went two days without washing, as I often do, the smell was unbearable. Through process of elimination, I found it was the Kendi Oil. Bummer. I like the effect it has on my hair. Makes it nice and soft and shiny. But the smell is too gross, so I'm going to have to move on.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

angelvixen on 1/28/2012 5:27:00 AM more reviews by angelvixen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

This is more a review in comparison to MorrocanOil. I switched from MorroccanOil to Alterna Bamboo Oil as referred by a hair stylist. Usually, I apply a dime sized amount to damp hair and let it air dry. The first thing I noticed was the smell. It has sort of a sweet botanical fragrance that quickly fades after applying.

Although I prefer the MorrocanOil scent more than this, I felt that when running it through my hair (even after blow drying as well) I always had leftover oil on my hands. So it really needs to be worked in as much as you can. The consistency of the oil looks and feels a lot lighter than MorroccanOil. As the website recommends this for thick or coarse hair, which I have, I found that the oil immediately worked wonders. It de-frizzed and added extreme shine within the first week.

As months have flown by, I am finding that this isn't as effective as I'd like it anymore. I'm currently trying to grow out my ombre hair color and I feel my hair is more frizzy and dull now when using this oil. I even feel my hair weighing down a bit.

I feel this works best during warmer temperatures as opposed to cold wintery or rainy-like weather. For the price, you're paying a lot for a small bottle, but it is still cheaper than MorroccanOil and in convenient packaging. It comes in a plastic bottle with a dropper that gives an adequate amount for application. I don't think I'll purchase again, but I may try another hair oil like the Nuxe Huile de Palme.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

aadalbel on 11/12/2011 10:44:00 AM more reviews by aadalbel

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

i really love this stuff and its heavenly scent, but for the price, small amount you get, and packaging, i'll stick with one n' only argan oil

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*TOP REVIEWER* 2000wattsmile on 11/5/2011 12:08:00 PM more reviews by 2000wattsmile

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brown, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I agree with the poster below. Although I love the smell, this product does absolutely nothing for my hair in terms of taming fizziness or imparting shine. Since it was Alterna, I expected much more. I got this as a GWP, but I would never purchase the full size.

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*TOP REVIEWER* cerulfox on 10/23/2011 12:52:00 PM more reviews by cerulfox

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Black    

Hate to break this product's perfect record here, but while it's not bad it's really not *that* good. I got a small bottle through a travel kit of Alterna's Bamboo Smooth line, and while I can't speak for the full-size dropper bottle I can speak for the oil itself. Contrary to Alterna's recommendation on the bottle this Kendi Oil is terrible for dry, thick hair. At least Alterna's is, it's chock-full of silicones! Meaning that while it gives a nice slip and absorbs quickly without greasiness, it dries out my already parched scalp pretty badly--in two days my scalp itches like crazy, and I wear no styling products so it isn't buildup from other stuff, it's the 'cones. It also absorbs a little *too* quickly; while on day 1 after shampooing my hair looks healthy and shiny, by the next morning it's right back to looking dry and frizzy. If I reapplied every day I'd probably go through a full-size bottle in two weeks! My hair may be thick, but it's only shoulder length, so necessitating that much usage is unacceptable. It may smell nice and spring-y, but fragrance is the very last thing I judge a product on. Will be going back to pure organic Argan oil for my hair and scalp and maybe Kendi oil if I can find a pure version of it, but I won't be repurchasing Alterna's for sure. This may be best for those of you with finer hair despite what it says on the bottle, but if your hair's thick and dry I'd stay away.

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san1275 on 10/16/2011 2:01:00 AM more reviews by san1275

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

This is absolutely the best styling oil out there! I have fine curly hair that is graying and which goes to frizz in any kind of weather. Kendi Oil complements my hair: it smoothes the hair shaft, eliminates frizz without oiliness, and creates shine but is light enough to allow my hair to retain super soft curls. This is best used on damp hair, but I have used it successfully on dry hair. This product is truly amazing and it performs! On the plus side - the more you use it, the better conditioned is your hair. Plus, the scent is pleasant and unobtrusive so it does not compete with your regular fragrance. Kendi Oil is the PERFECT curly hair product!

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powersuit on 9/30/2011 10:00:00 AM more reviews by powersuit

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I haven't been this excited about a product I've tried in a very long time! I've tried so many things that promise smooth silky hair and they either didn't work, or sort of worked, but now my faith is restored! i have dry, fine, streaked hair that has some damage, despite a very good shampoo and conditioner. A few drops of this smoothed into those dry, damaged areas after washing and towel drying.. and the results made me run to my computer to tell you people! IT WORRRRKS!!!!! My hair is so un-damaged feeling, that i have trouble keeping a ponytail from sliding off- it's THAT smooth! it also has a sheen to it that is youthful.. Cool! It is very pricey, alas, most great products are, but I will buy it for as long as they sell it, or until I'm dead, whichever comes first! It is unsurpassed at smoothing my hair shaft, and is the only oil serum I've tried that does NOT build up over time and dry my hair out!

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Sarahbear87 on 9/4/2011 1:55:00 PM more reviews by Sarahbear87

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

Well I use like a million different styling products usually to test which one is best. So I have gotten down to "it's a 10 leave in conditioner spray" and this kendo bamboo oil. It is sooo nice I remember I didn't really like it at first but then would use my other cra**y products and realized this one always made my hair look best. I guess I was just annoyed by the dropper. Anyways I love this product . Thank you Giuliana Rancic for recommending it!!

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