NYX Cosmetics Free 2-Piece Gift Set w/ $35+ SHOP NOW
Sulwhasoo Free Shipping + Samples All Orders SHOP NOW
e.l.f. cosmetics 25% OFF Orders $35+ SHOP NOW

Sulwhasoo is one of my favorite brands, and the title is well deserved.  Not only because using it makes me feel like a classy lady, but it ...

Sulwhasoo is one of my favorite brands, and the title is well deserved.  Not only because using it makes me feel like a classy lady, but it has also made a HUGE difference for my skin.  Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water is especially up there in my favorites list, and here is why...


SULWHASOO
Essential Balancing Water Review

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water Review


INFO SHEET


Brand:  Sulwhasoo
Product:  Essential Balancing Water 
PH:  5.5
Scent:  Herbal (Hanbang!)
Price:  $58.00
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Beautytap, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom

This review has been a long time coming as I have been using Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water for years now.  Sulwhasoo is a Korean brand under the Amore Pacific umbrella known for it's "Time-tested holistic skin wellness regimen drawn from Korean Herbal Medicine." 

I am usually very skeptical regarding brand claims - so let's see what the ingredients can tell us.


INGREDIENTS


Water/Aqua/Eau, Alcohol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Glyce-Ryl Polymethacrylate, Glycerin, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer, Glycereth-26, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Etherdimethyl Silane, Honey / Mel / Miel, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross-Polymer, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhi-Zome/Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diphenyl-Siloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Fragrance / Parfum, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Limonene, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Propanediol, Bht, Acetic Acid, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan.
Ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion. 

Notable Ingredients:

  • Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract - Whitening and anti-wrinkle cosmetic agent.  
  • Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract - AKA Solomon's Seal Extract.  Moisturizer and anti-inflammatory.
  • Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract - Herbal anti-inflammatory agent.  
  • Portulaca Oleracea Extract - A plant extract that acts as a powerful antioxidant, containing Vitamins A, C, and E.  
  • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract - AKA Green Tea Extract. Antioxidant and anti-irritant.
  • Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract - Anti-inflammatory that is said to aid in evening out skintone.
  • Natto Gum - Fermented soy which is said to also be a potent antioxidant.  
  • Sodium Hyaluronate - aka Hyaluronic Acid.  A very effective humectant that boosts the skin's moisture content, prevents dehydration, and preserves skin moisture.  

So you can see that Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.  In addition to these, there are also many other beneficial extracts in the ingredients; many of which are skin conditioners.  It also has a very pleasant herbal scent.  


COSDNA ALERTS


Out of the ingredients listed, only two were marked as a potential acne trigger / irritant according to COSDNA.  

  • Butylene Glycol - 1 of 5 (Acne)
  • Tocopherol - 2 of 5 (Acne), 2 of 5 (Irritant)

Fragrance was not flagged for Acne in COSDNA's analysis, but keep in mind that it is still listed in the ingredients.  As for the triggers, some people are sensitive to Butylene Glycol because they find it to be drying or irritating.  Remember to patch test first!

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water consistency


Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water has a watery gel like consistency.  As a hydrating toner, it absorbs into the skin very effectively and can provide an extra layer of hydration to those with dry skin.  As for me with combination / oily skin, Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water does not add any greasiness whatsoever.  

I'm not sure as to what originally turned me onto this product (probably the AsianBeauty subreddit), but I was searching for something gentle to just soothe my skin - and boy did it provide a lot of relief thanks it's anti-inflammatory properties.  The photos below show my skin's healing progression...

The height of my misery.

One month after using Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water.

(Sorry for quality, I did not expect to publish these photos.)

More progress shots of my healing moisture barrier. 


It's been a long time since I took the photos above, but I recall the progress took about eight months.  During, this period I didn't really introduce new items to my routine other than Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion (which is also excellent).  Keep in mind though, I still had some persistent pimples that wouldn't go away.  However, Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water laid the groundwork for healing my skin.  I went from a face full of dry, itchy acne, down to only about four pimples.  


FINAL THOUGHTS


Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water is very near and dear to my heart.  I've repurchased it again and again, and it really is the cornerstone of my skin care routine.  This product saved my moisture barrier and continues to provide my skin with valuable nourishment to this day.

Remember that my moisture barrier was heavily damaged due to over exfoliation and created an environment for painful, itchy acne that would not go away.  I wrote about my experience here.  Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water restored balance back to my skin by soothing it, moisturizing it, and bringing it back from the brink.  I am not saying that it is a cure for acne, but it played a big role in healing my moisture barrier which resulted in a reduction of external irritants to my skin (bacteria, debris, etc.)

As far as the cost, one bottle lasts me over 12 months (used daily).  At $58.00 per bottle, this breaks down to about $4.83 per month.  I would say that Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water is well worth the price.  In addition to having fantastic ingredients, the packaging is also lovely.

STOREPRICEOFFERS
Amazon$40.99Free Shipping
Beautytap$54.35Free Shipping
Bloomingdales$58.0015% Off First Purchase; Free Shipping 
Nordstrom$58.00Free Shipping 
Sulwhasoo$58.0010% Off First Purchase; Free Shipping & Samples on all orders

I honestly have no complaints about Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water.  It has been very good to me and even after all of these years, I still look forward to using it every day.  Five stars!!!

Rating

This post may contain affiliate links to help support this blog.  
None of these reviews are sponsored, nor were any of the products provided for free (or even at a discount) by any affiliate.
Read full disclosure here.

Due to the situation going on in the world today, it is no longer viable to get my hair done at the salon.  Having not seen my stylist in a ...

Due to the situation going on in the world today, it is no longer viable to get my hair done at the salon.  Having not seen my stylist in a very long time, my hair was starting to get unruly.  Certainly there must be a DIY home keratin treatment, right?  RIGHT??


DIY Keratin Treatment
at Home

Keratin Research INVERTO ONE Review


INFO SHEET


Brand:  Keratin Research
Product:  INVERTO ONE
Scent:  Like a somewhat pleasant chemical...
Price:  $45 per 160ml bottle (discounts for 2+ bottles available)
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Keratin Research

UPDATE:  I have since reviewed Keratin Research Original Keratin Hair Treatment with Argan Oil.  You can read about it here!

I usually get a Brazilian Blowout at the start of every summer to help calm my 2c / 3a curls, but this time around I wanted to try a DIY home keratin treatment since I can't go to the salon.

This led me to this website Keratin Research.  The site looks a bit dated, but when I input the product link from Amazon on FakeSpot, the company got a B rating and the adjusted reviews got an A rating; plus there were some fleeting reviews on reddit.  In the end, I just decided to order directly from Keratin Research.  Luckily, they offered PayPal checkout so that's what helped decide to make the purchase.

I was specifically looking for a formaldehyde free formula for my DIY home keratin treatment which led me to the INVERTO 60 and INVERTO ONE options.  I selected INVERTO ONE because the small bottle size was 160ml, as opposed to INVERTO 60's 120ml for around the same price.  Having very long hair, I knew that I would need more.  INVERTO ONE came with a packet of Clarifying Shampoo, and I also threw in a Starter Tool Kit which included the applicator brush / comb, gloves, plastic cap, cape, and hair clips.  

The order shipped out the same day and arrived at my doorstep on the third day.  When I looked at the 160ml bottle size and then my foofy hair, I immediately ordered another bottle.  I realized one just wasn't going to cut it.  At least now I don't have to worry about running out.


INGREDIENTS 


The ingredients were not listed on the website, but here they are direct from the bottle:
Ingredients list

Aqua, Glyoxyloyl Carbocysteine, Glyoxyloyl Keratin Amino Acids, Polyquatemium-37, Hellanthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glycerin, Acid Violet 43 (CI 60730), Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoat, Citral, Geraniol, Evernia Furfuracea (Treemoss) Extract

What you need to look for in a Brazilian Keratin treatment is two things:  1) a Fusing Agent, and 2) Keratin.  In this case we have:

  • Glyoxyloyl Carbocysteine - Fusing agent in lieu of Formaldehyde.  Helps create a cross link between the keratin which naturally occurs in your hair and the new keratin from the treatment.  Since it is a derivative of formaldehyde; it may have the potential to generate a carcinogenic gas at very high temperatures (above 450° F), but nowhere near the levels of a Brazilian Blowout which does contain formaldehyde.  
  • Hydrolyzed Keratin - Often derived from sheep's wool, these protein molecules penetrate the hair shaft to help enhance the interior cortex and thus changing the hair's shape.  
The ingredients includes a violet tint to prevent brassiness.


In summary, the ingredients contain what is necessary for an effective keratin treatment, but also includes quite a few fragrances (Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol, and Evernia Furfuracea (Treemoss) Extract) that might be masking something that may smell quite unpleasant.  In addition to this, it includes a purple dye to counteract any potential yellowing effect on the hair, as well as a few minor nourishing agents such as sunflower seed oil and glycerin.


THE PROCESS


For reference, I have virgin 2c / 3a curly hair that is 26 inches (66 cm) from root to tip.  My last Brazilian Blowout was also well over a year ago.  Buckle up, buckaroos - this is going to be an all day affair...

Here are the instructions the DIY keratin treatment came with.


STEP 1:  Clarify & Dry
I made sure to brush out my hair while it was still dry since I knew that clarifying shampoo would make detangling difficult.  The treatment came with a 20ml packet of Clarifying Shampoo Deep Cleanser Pre-Wash which was enough for two washes on my very long hair.  It did a great job cleaning it and smelled like apples!  During the shampoo I was sure to be very gentle (yet thorough) in order to not add any more tangles.

After the wash, I put my hair in a turbie twist for 10 minutes to remove excess water, then blow dried with a Paul Mitchell ProTools Express Ion Dry hairdryer on high heat until 100% dry.  I did not use a brush, but I did comb through with my fingers to detangle and smooth it out.

After first blowdry.  My hair is tangled and frizzy.


STEP 2:  Application
I poured the INVERTO ONE Keratin Treatment in a bowl and parted my hair.  I took very small, half inch sections, and applied the product evenly using an applicator brush.  I was not conservative in my application because I wanted to make sure my hair was thoroughly saturated.  I ended up using both 160ml bottles completely. 

I tried to comb the solution into my hair during this step, but it was just became too tangled so I gave up - I didn't want to break it.  Some of the solution also got on my scalp and neck despite my best efforts.  It was a little irritating to the skin but didn't cause any redness.

It took about an hour and a half to do my entire head.  The violet dye in the Keratin Research INVERTO ONE formula did stain my countertop a bit, but was easy to remove with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (surface cleaner didn't work).

After application, I looped my hair around my head, put on the plastic cap that came with the Starter Tool Kit, and waited 90 minutes.

STEP 3:  Rinse & Dry
After 90 minutes, I took the cap off and gently squeezed out the excess product and rinsed it with warm water.  The instructions say to rinse hair "lightly" but what does that even mean?  Am I supposed to leave some product in?  In the end I just rinsed a good amount of it off under running water without massaging it out.  

At this point my hair seemed to be much more manageable than before and I was able to blow dry with a round brush and detangle with little effort.  I am normally terrible at blowdrying my hair, but it appeared to be much more tame than usual.

Post treatment rinse.

Second blow dry.  My hair is much more manageable and easy to detangle.


STEP 4:  Flat Iron
The instructions say to iron at 450 degrees fahrenheit, but if you have fragile or brittle hair then use a lower temperature such as 400 - 420.  I went with 430 degrees (Fahrenheit) using my 1" BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Digital Straightening Flat Iron because the Brazilian Blowout educator that worked on my hair prior had used 429 degrees; plus my flat iron goes from 410 to 430 so 420 wasn't even an option.  

I took very small sections of hair the same way John did for my previous Brazilian Blowout.  The instructions say to do 8 - 10 passes so I did about 8 per section.  This step is critical because the heat is essential in fusing the product's Hydrolyzed Keratin to the keratin in the hair's cuticle.  I took things slooowly.

I also want to note that the Keratin Research INVERTO ONE did not make fumes like Brazilian Blowout or Coppola does.  Normally, my eyes will be watery and my nose and throat will burn during keratin treatments, but this product did not bother my eyes or nose at all.  My throat had a bit of a tickle, but I couldn't smell anything harmful.  I had my safety glasses and face mask ready to go but ended up not needing them.  It kind of a subtle... hair spray.. or disinfectant scent?  I can't describe it, but it wasn't offensive.  

BEFORE AND AFTER

Here is my hair without and with the diy keratin treatment.  Hair is now wavy and no longer curly.

I had to use an older photo of my pre-treatment straightened hair.  I forgot to take a recent one.


FINAL THOUGHTS


UPDATE:  I have since reviewed Keratin Research Original Keratin Hair Treatment with Argan Oil.  You can read about it here!

Okay, I have to say that I am VERY impressed with Keratin Research INVERTO ONE.  I got many compliments when I went to work the next day.  My coworkers were surprised that this was a home DIY keratin treatment as the results looked salon quality.  I also live in an area where the humidity is regularly around 70% and it had zero effect on my hair.  No frizz, nothing.  I honestly felt like I had someone else's hair.  It was shiny and healthy looking plus it had movement!  Like you know how on those salon commercials where people run their hands through their hair and it falls gracefully down again?  It does that now too!

Now for the cons.  There aren't many, but they are weird.  When I washed my hair after waiting 72 hours for the treatment to cure, it smelled really off while wet.  It was like... essence of sulfur.  Just stinky.  By the fifth wash, the smell was barely detectable though.  

The other con was that my hair would not detangle while conditioning.  I tried to comb it out with conditioner like I always do but the hair kept sticking to itself and matting up.  Then I rinsed it out and tried a thicker conditioner and it still wouldn't detangle!  My hair wasn't even knotted before I started because I was super gentle during the shampooing process.  Oddly enough, when I put my head under running water it became easy to detangle again.  So the solution was to put conditioner as normal and massage it in, then detangle it under running water?  I don't understand.  My hair became easier to detangle with every wash though.  

The instructions also say "Do not let your hair air dry." Now I know why because it is stinky when wet, and I guess the smell might linger if you don't apply heat.  I ended up having to blow dry my hair (not using a brush or trying to straighten it), and the smell went away completely.  Shame because the whole point of these treatments is to make hair more manageable, and for me that includes air drying.  Note that both Brazilian Blowout and Coppola will not make your hair stinky when wet, but also remember that these products are at VERY different price points.  I normally pay around $300 - $350 when I get a Brazilian Blowout and $225 for Coppola (not including tip).  

Will I continue to use a DIY home keratin treatment over Brazilian Blowout?  Only time will tell.  If I can get INVERTO ONE to last a few months then I will definitely repurchase; despite its strange quirks.  After all, it does make my hair shiny, beautiful, and frizz free.  To get these results at only $45 per 160ml bottle is excellent.  I also plan on reinforcing the treatment with Brazilian Blowout's Ionic Bonding spray every week or so since it has been helpful in making these types of treatments last.

STOREPRICEOFFERS
Amazon$38.00 (120ml)Free Shipping
Keratin Research$49.95 (120ml)Free Deep Conditioning Mask; Free Shipping Orders $25+

UPDATE:  It has been two months now and my Keratin Research INVERTO ONE treatment is still going strong!  My hair does not have that weird smell that it did immediately after the treatment.  I live in a very humid climate that rains a lot and my hair still looks great!  I'm no longer afraid of getting a 'fro from walking in light rain to my car without an umbrella.  Therefore, I have increased the rating from 4 Stars to 4.5 Stars.  

UPDATE 2:  So this treatment lasts about three months.  I've adjusted the rating again from 4.5 Stars down to 4 Stars.  The reason being that I have reviewed Keratin Research Original Keratin Treatment with Argan Oil and I like it better than INVERTO ONE; so I have that product 4.5 stars (Brazilian Blowout being 5 stars).  
Rating
This post may contain affiliate links to help support this blog.
None of these reviews sponsored, nor were any of the products provided for free (or even at a discount) by any affiliate.
Read full disclosure here.

Search This Blog
Powered by Blogger.

Skin Shade: MAC NC37
Skin Type: Combination / Oily
Skin Issues: Acne Prone / Sensitive / Aging / Texture

Currently Testing: The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%

Stay Connected

Instagram

Follow Me on Instagram @misakinobeautybeats
Qries

Popular Posts

YMMV!

This blog not intended to be a substitute for the professional advice of a doctor, dermatologist, or medical professional of any kind. It is strongly encouraged to seek the guidance of a professional before trying any skin care products, skin care routines, or any practice related to skincare or general health.​