Every year there’s one hair product of the year which really stands out above the rest. It’s been so impressive, it doesn’t usually take much thinking about, because its’a hair product that I’ve used and gone back to all year long. Not only giving me consistent results, time and time again. But also giving my clients amazing results consistently too, from recommendations in hundreds of Curl Clinics throughout the year.

So before I do my annual Favourite Curly Girl Products of the Year post. Here’s my single Hair Product of the Year 2021. Why it’s so amazing, how to determine if it will suit your hair and how to incorporate it into your hair routine. Along with a 20% discount code, available worldwide, and lots of tips and tricks. 

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Hair Product of the Year 2021

It will come as no surprise to a lot of you who follow me on Instagram @curlmaven or regularly read my blog. But my Hair Product of the Year 2021 is the Joico K-PAK Deep Penetrating Reconstructor. Available worldwide from Look Fantastic, and you can get 20% off using code CURLMAVEN. I wrote about the full Joico K-PAK 4 Step Rejuvenating System in How to Maintain Healthy Hair when Colouring. But this post is just about the Step 3: Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor. Because you don’t have to have coloured, bleached or highlighted hair to get the benefits of this hair product of the year 2021!

What is it?

Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor is Step 3 of the K-PAK 4 Step Rejuvenating System. It’s a light weight, repairing and reconstructing, protein-rich treatment. Full of amino acids and protein, essential and beneficial to the hair structure. Protein not only defines a wave and a curl, but also holds it. The Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor improves the health and porosity of the hair, reduces breakage and strengthens weakened, limp and lifeless hair – especially hair that won’t hold a wave or a curl a few hours past washday.

Why I like it

• Cruelty free
• Quick and easy to use
• Suitable for all hair types
• Lightweight, protein-rich treatment
• Quick fix for over-moisturized hair
• You don’t need to deep condition after use (but you still need to condition)
• Salon quality formula made using high quality ingredients
• Supersize makes the cost per use really affordable
• Supersize bottle lasts just over a year with regular use
• Allows you to have bleached/highlighted hair and still maintain healthy hair. Thus making both colour and curls possible without having to sacrifice one for the other. The DREAM!

Who is it for?

The Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor is suitable for all hair types, including straight, wavy and curly hair. But it’s especially beneficial if you have damaged, bleached and/or highlighted hair. Or if you have limp, lifeless waves and curls, with wet frizz or soft frizz when it’s dry. If your hair looks good on washday, but then the curls drop and go limp and lifeless within a few hours, or by the end of the day. Then this would be great for you!

It’s not curly girl friendly, as it contains water-soluble silicones. But if healthy hair is your priority, and you’re clarifying regularly with a proper chelating shampoo once a month, then it’s absolutely fine to use. One of the things I love most about this protein-rich treatment, and why it’s my Hair Product of the Year 2021. Is because it’s so light weight, so suitable for fine hair that gets easily weighed down. Perfect for looser wavy hair too.

How to use it?

Ever since I got my hair bleached and highlighted – two days in a row!! – back in September 2020. I’ve been using this a minimum of once a month, and sometimes once a week for a few weeks if my hair has been a little over-moisturized. To bring it back into a good protein moisture balance.

Apply the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor to damp hair after shampoo. Leave it in for 5-10 mins then rinse out fully then apply conditioner as normal. More is not more with this highly-concentrated, salon-quality product. In my experience, I’ve been able to leave it in my hair for longer when my hair has needed a stronger kick of protein. But I know my hair inside out and I did it very gradually over time and only do it when needed. What works for my hair, may not work for yours. And I highly recommend following the instructions on the back of the bottle if you’re not familiar with this product or know what you’re doing.

How to Fix & Maintain Your Protein Moisture Balance

Another one of the reasons I love this protein-rich treatment so much, is because it can quickly fix over moisturized hair. If you’re trying to fix an issue, you need to do weekly treatments. In that case, I recommend you use the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor once/week for at least 4-6 weeks – but some people may need to go longer. This depends on how over-moisturized your hair is, and what other products you’re using in your routine. If that’s something you’re struggling with, or not sure about, book in for a Curl Clinic. Or find more information here.

You can continue these weekly treatments for longer if you feel your hair is still soft and fluffy and not holding a wave or a curl past your washday. But I don’t recommend this as a weekly treatment long term. Once the ends start to feel dry, reduce this protein treatment to once every other week. Then gradually to once a month, after you clarify, to maintain a good protein moisture balance. Resume/repeat if the hair starts to feel soft, fluffy, limp and lifeless again. 

Does it replace my Modified Rice Water Treatment?

I get asked this questions so many times! Especially in Curl Clinics, and the answer is yes – and no. I’ve tried incorporating both the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor AND my Modified Rice Water Treatment. And I’ve tried just using one treatment on it’s own for a few months, then switching to the other treatment for a few months. For me, I can always see a difference in my hair when I regularly use my Modified Rice Water Treatment that I just don’t see when I ONLY use the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor.

The Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor is a protein-rich treatment, that’s quick and easy to use with zero prep, mess or clean up. My Modified Rice Water Treatment is so much more than just a protein treatment! There are so many other benefits to my Modified Rice Water Treatment, especially if you have any kind of scalp issues or you’re trying to focus on hair growth, both in length, and density.

If you’re too busy or don’t have the time or patience to cook up my Modified Rice Water Treatment every week. And you need a good, quick and easy kick of protein in your routine. Then the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor is definitely for you. Don’t forget you can get 20% off at Look Fantastic using code CURLMAVEN.

Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor vs Curlsmith Bond Curl

Another question I get asked a lot is how does the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor compare to the Curlsmith Bond Curl. To me, these are two completely different products! The Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor is a light weight, protein-rich protein treatment. The Curlsmith Curl is a protein treatment – but not as protein-rich as the Joico. But it’s also a bond repairing treatment more similar to Olaplex No.3 than the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor. You can get 20% off Joico, Curlsmith and Olaplex at Look Fantastic using code CURLMAVEN.

The biggest difference I’ve found between the two products is how often I can use them, and how long I can leave them in for. I can use the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor weekly, for anywhere between 5 mins to 30 mins, and it doesn’t dry my hair out. I can’t do the same with the Curlsmith Bond Curl. If I leave it in my hair for any longer than 15-20 mins, it really dries my hair out after just once use. I can’t use it two weeks in a row.

Don’t get me wrong, the Curlsmith Bond Repair is an amazing product! But it’s not as user-friendly as the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor – in my experience and opinion.

Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor

You can get the 150ml tube of Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor for £20 at Look Fantastic. But I highly recommend the 1000ml supersize bottle which is worth £130, but you can get it at Look Fantastic for just under £55! That’s incredible value for money and cost per use. My supersize bottle lasted 14 months with regular use, and I’ve got a lot of long, high density hair!

There’s also the 300ml Joico K-PAK Liquid Reconstructor in a spray. I love this stuff! It’s a super light weight, liquid protein leave-in spray. Perfect for fine or low density hair that needs a small kick of protein without getting weighed down or over moisturized. Or if you are really stuck for time and can’t even manage the 5 mins between shampoo and conditioner using the Deep Penetrating Reconstructor.

The Joico Liquid Reconstuctor spray with give your hair strength, shine and elasticity, without adding weight, drying out the hair or making it crunchy or crisp. It’s also been clinically proven to show benefits equal to Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor! I personally don’t use it every washday, but you can. You can use it more often than the treatment. Just same rules apply, if your hair feels dry, brittle or just a bit angry looking – pull back on the protein. Get 20% off using CURLMAVEN at Look Fantastic.

Texture & Consistency

Well firstly, the Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor smells like bananas! Which I quite like. But I’ll be honest, the consistency is bizarre. I’ve had quite a few messages from people who’ve purchased it because of my recommendation, asking if it’s meant to look a little bitty and curdled. And yes, it does. I’ve checked with hair salons who regularly use, stock and sell it and yep – it’s totally normal for it to look like that! Just give the bottle a good shake before you use it.

Did you like this Hair Product of the Year post?

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this post and this new Hair Product of the Year format. I’ve had products of the year for the last few years, but I’ve never done a dedicated post to them before. So let me know if you’d like me to go back and do the same for previous Hair Products of the Year, which include the TréLuxe Hi! Definition Gel in 2020. The Silke London Hair Turban in 2019 – which you can also get 20% off at Look Fantastic using code CURLMAVEN. And I think the Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo was my Hair Product of the Year in 2018.

If you have any questions pop them in the comments below. You can follow me on Instagram @curlmaven for more daily curl chats and lifestyle content. I’ve also got lots of helpful info in my stories, highlights, reels and videos. Or Check out my YouTube channel for more tips & advice, washdays and tutorials. And follow me on Pinterest! Or check out my Facebook page here.

Feeling overwhelmed?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the tips, advice and product recommendations. Click here for more information on my Curl Clinics™. A completely bespoke curl consultation service tailored to suit you and your hair. Designed to help get your waves and curls back and achieve your healthy hair goals. Or book in here!

*This post may contain some gifted items and affiliate links. Which means I get paid (a very small) commission on any products you purchase through my links. This in no way affects you, the price you pay or the way in which I write about products featured on this site. My content and opinion is not influenced by advertisers, sponsorships, affiliate partnerships, brands or PRs.