Category Archives: K18

The Splurge & The Save: My Hair Care Edit

I love experimenting with my hair—whether it’s new colors or different cuts. Changing it up every year feels like therapy for me. Sure, it can get a little pricey, but it’s always worth it if you go to a good colorist who really knows what they’re doing. Recently, I went for golden tones, and I’m absolutely loving the look!

I enjoy taking care of myself—hair care, skin care, makeup, you name it. I like investing in products that make me feel good. For example, I have four different shampoos and pick one depending on the scent or how I want my hair to feel that day. I also keep three hair masks and several serums because splurging on these things makes me happy. Honestly, as women, we need that extra aftercare—especially after bleaching or coloring our hair.

Shampoos:

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Riche Chroma Respect

This one feels super luxurious. It’s creamy, nourishing, and really helps keep my color looking fresh and shiny. Plus, it smells like a high-end salon—soft and a little floral.

L’Oréal Serie Expert Vitamino Color

Lightweight but does the job so well! It protects the color and gives my hair that glossy look. The scent is fruity and fresh, the scent instantly brightens my mood.

L’Oréal Serie Expert Metal Detox

A total game-changer after coloring. It gets rid of all the build-up from metals in water that can make hair dull. My hair feels cleaner and stronger with this one. The scent is clean, a bit citrusy, and refreshing.

OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo

This one is all about smoothing and shine. It leaves my hair soft and glossy, and the scent is warm, nutty, and a little tropical—honestly so addictive. Since it has sulfates, though, it can feel a bit more drying compared to the others, so I usually follow up with a good conditioner or mask.

Hair Masks

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask

This one’s more of a treatment than a mask—it works on a deeper level to repair damage from coloring or heat. My hair always feels stronger and healthier after using it. The scent is clean and minimal, nothing heavy, which I like since it doesn’t clash with other products. Definitely one of my top favorites—it never fails me. I feel hair lengths get healthier and my grows so well whenever I use this mask.

Shiseido Fino Hair Mask

Such an affordable gem! It makes my hair super soft, smooth, and easy to manage. The scent is sweet and floral, very “Japanese beauty aisle.” I usually leave it on for a good amount of time, and the results are even better—my hair feels silky and light.

Kérastase Résistance Masque

My go-to when my hair feels fragile or over-processed. It nourishes deeply, strengthens strands, and smells just like a high-end salon—fresh, slightly floral, and elegant. I also leave this one on longer than suggested, and it makes a huge difference in how healthy my hair feels.

Hair Serum

Label.m Age-Defying Hair Serum

A lightweight serum that targets signs of aging in hair, like thinning or dullness. It makes strands feel smoother, adds shine, and gives that “healthy bounce” back. The scent is light and fresh, and just grabs attention of anyone who blowdries my hair.

Kérastase Thermique (likely Ciment Thermique or Nutritive Thermique)

This is a heat protectant + leave-in treatment in one. I love it before blow-drying or styling because it protects while making my hair soft and frizz-free. It has that signature Kérastase salon scent—clean, slightly floral, and very luxe. I usually use this over my lable.m serum and after my k18 treatment for an extra layer of protection against heat damage.

Shiseido Fino Hair Serum

Affordable but really effective. It smooths down frizz and adds a silky finish without weighing hair down. The scent is subtle, a soft sweet-floral, which pairs well with the Fino mask. I usually use this when I don’t really have to style my hair and just air dry them.

K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

This is more than just a shine oil—it actually helps repair damage on a deeper level, just like the K18 mask. Super lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for both styling and long-term strengthening. The scent is clean and understated. I prefer using this in nighttime hair care routine, add in a few drops on my stands before brushing them.

The Hair Care Basic

I also like to keep it simple sometimes with a good oil massage. I use Munawar Haq Coconut Hair Oil, which is lightweight, transparent, and doesn’t have that strong smell some coconut oils do. The best part is that it doesn’t affect my hair color, so I can still enjoy the benefits of oiling without worrying about fading. It leaves my hair soft, nourished, and just overall healthier. I would add 10-15 drops of rosemary essential hair oil to 5-6 tablespoons of my coconut oil.

Final Thoughts 🌸

Taking care of my hair is honestly one of my favorite forms of self-care. I don’t mind splurging because every product feels like an experience—whether it’s the scent, the texture, or just the way my hair looks afterward. Out of everything I’ve tried, my absolute top favorites are the K18 molecular repair hair mask and the Kérastase Résistance Masque for repair, and the Kérastase Chroma absolu shampoo.

I have been using kerastase products since over 10 years now. And people back then didn’t even know this brand existed and only one salon in my city had signed up with kerastase for their treatments and selling their products. It’s become more common now, still I stock up some products which are not available here from Dubai or US.

Disclaimer: There are a lot of pages in Pakistan selling fake k18 products at a lesser price (AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS). Safer option is always getting it yourself or asking someone you buy it from US preferably. US and UK prices have a huge difference when it comes to K18 market. Thank me later.

*When it comes to my cut and color, I’m super particular. There are only three people in my city I trust to cut and color my hair, and about five who can style it exactly the way I like. I always go back to them—I just can’t let someone new touch my hair. Very few people truly understand what I like and how I want my hair to look, so once I find the right ones, I stick with them. It’s that final touch that ties everything together and makes me feel completely myself*

❤️

Must haves 2023 ✨

Hey gals! If you’re someone who loves investing on themselves then you should definitely read about these amazing products i’ve discovered and ultimately added to my daily routine! I was new to some products and even some brands but it was an unexpected pleasant experience.

Olaplex NÂş.7 Bonding Oil;

The Nº.7 Bond Building Oil, infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology, is a weightless, reparative styling oil that dramatically increases shine, softness and color vibrancy while providing heat protection of up to 450º F (232º C). I prefer using this particular oil before and after i’m done styling my hair with my Dyson Airwrap. I love how it smooths away each strand while not weighing down my hair. This is perfect for someone with colored hair too, I have been using this product since a month now and absolutely love it.

Kerastase Serum Extentioniste Scalp & Hair Serum;

This can be used on wet or dry hair. Just section your hair and add in a few drops on the scalp and just slightly rub it in. Make sure you massage it into your roots properly and then you comb out your hair. This wont leave your hair greasy or oily and it has a very mild scent added as well. This serum helps supporting healthy hair length with key ingredients of Creatine R (which amino acid that reinforces the internal structure of the hair fiber) and Ceramides (enhances shine, elasticity and retains moisture in those locks).

Rare beauty Lip Oil;

This has to be my top favourite and my first ever purchase from Selena Gomez’s brand, Rare Beauty. This is so beautifully pigmented and I love how it can stay on for hours and doesn’t require reapplying regardless of whatever you do. I got the shade Joy which is a peach or coral shade. I love how it has this cooling effect on my lips. You need to buy this in order to tell how amazing this is. It’s a lip oil plus a long wear tint for your lips too. And super low maintenance. It contains Jojoba Seed Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil hence it’s highly hydrating and protects your lips from harsh environments. It’s not sticky nor is it heavily scented. I’ve been using this amazing product since 3 weeks and I always go for this from my dresser.

Givenchy: ROSE PERFECTO PLUMPING LIP BALM 24H HYDRATION;

This is extremely hydrating and leaves a very natural tint even when it comes off. The shade I’m using is Pink Irresistible. It’s rich in Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter. Perfect for winters or when travelling. It’s just super natural and just enhances your own natural lip color. I love the leather packing of this lip balm as well. This is extremely worth it and not that hyped up like The Dior Backstage Balm. Currently I am trying to get my hands on their new “Black” Lip balm which helps bring out your own natural lip color. It’s sold out everywhere right now, so it might take a few weeks.

NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip Lip Gloss

I recently got this and I cannot stop putting this on my lips. I am a huge fan of lip balms and lip glosses (ever since I was a kid). The shade I got from this line is, “Missed call” and I plan on getting, “Follow back” next. This enhances your own natural lip color and doesn’t really have much of a tint, it’s just glossy and hydrating. If you’re a fan of Lipglosses you need to buy this.

Bioderma Atoderm Ultra Nourishing Cream;

This is an amazing moisturiser for your face or even skin specifically if you have a dry and sensitive skin. This is fragrance free and won’t clog your pores either. I apply this at least thrice in a day for a extremely plumped up and hydrated look. Bioderma is an infamous french skin care brand and I’ve previously used their micellar water (which is a total winner too).

Cetaphil Gentle Oil-Free Makeup Remover;

Perfect for someone who has a sensitive skin and wants to get rid off that stubborn mascara or makeup more gently. All you need it to mix or shake the bottle, put some product on a cotton pad and gently glide it over your makeup (voila you’re done). Just to do a double cleanse I wash my face with a good facial cleanser.

Soap & Glory Facewash;

I absolutely love this facewash and I’m on my 4th bottle already. This does not over-dry my face and is very gentle. Would definitely recommend this to everyone, regardless of how your skin may be this is perfect for everyone. If you’re living in Pakistan you should definitely get your stock for a year considering how imports are being made less available for customers.

Lastly the greatest investment i’ve made this year was on my Dyson Air wrap;

https://sehrreviews.blog/2023/05/24/dyson-airwrap/

Stay tuned for more! ✨

All about K18

So I recently got my hair coloured *again* went in for more golds. Which means more hair damage, but guess what? I take good care of my hair. Literally getting all the best products out in the market to make sure my hair does not get immensely damaged. What’s the point of having the perfect hair color if your hair looks pathetic at the end of the day? No offence. You need to have a good after care for your hair specially after getting your hair coloured or even if you use heat regularly (blowdrying or straightening).

I came across k18 leave in hair mask on my trip to LA these summers, and I thoroughly used it throughout my trip there and got a bigger bottle to bring back with me, in case I wanted to use it again. This is hands down the best hair leave in mask i’ve ever used. This does not have a strong fake scent to it. It literally defines my hair texture. Makes my ends a lot smoother. I would recommend it to anyone who has bleached or coloured their hair.

I got the k18 PH balancing shampoo, and to be very honest it didn’t suit me. The only reason I got this shampoo is because I don’t want the quality of the water to effect my hair color or wash off my colour quicker. So I live in the city but at times I travel to my ancestral village and the water quality over there does not go on well for my hair or hair color. My colorist told me to get the shampoo in order to make sure my hair colour and hair in general isn’t exposed to those bad chemicals present in the water there. I used it for 2 weeks. Smells just like Lable.m Orange blossom sulphate free shampoo but this shampoo overly dried my hair for some reason. I used my k18 hair mask after it too.

It had such huge claims! As seen above. But this particular product did not work for me. This is double the price of my Loreal Serie vitamino color expert shampoo, but I didn’t like it as much. I might use it when travelling away from the city but generally won’t be using it much. This was my honest opinion about k18. *And this was not sponsored*

Stay tuned for more!✨