If you have any sort of textured hair then you know that there is a delicate balance between a good hair day and the hot mess express. That balance is that of moisture and protein. A lot of curly hair products target the need for moisture; it makes sense, textured hair loves to soak up moisture like crazy. However, in order to keep your hair from swelling (what happens when you get too much moisture) we have to temper it with protein.

I have fine 3A/3B curls with high porosity and they looooove protein-rich products! I use 1-2 stylers each week that have protein in them which helps keep things balanced with my deep conditioning treatments. There are a few different treatments that I’ve used over the years, but I was excited to hear that one of my favorite brands was coming out with a protein based line of stylers and treatment.

This is 100% NOT a sponsored review. All thoughts, opinions and feelings are entirely my own.

Curlsmith Protein Line

Curlsmith came out with their STRENGTH Superfood Protein Kit which is comprised of 3 new products.

“This kit includes:

    • Bond Curl Rehab Salve (8.0 oz): Enriched with Superfoods and Chia Seeds, this intense pre-shampoo treatment targets all 3 hair bonds that make up the hair structure, to make your hair look stronger and more resilient.
    • Bouncy Strength Volume Foam (8.0 oz): Enriched with Rice Protein, Superfoods & Hemp Oil, this airy styling foam that will give you a protein boost while helping your hair achieve a weightless, voluminous style.
    • Feather-Light Protein Cream (8.0 oz): Enriched with Rice Protein, Superfoods & Hemp Oil, this lightweight styling cream is the perfect medium hold styler to for any curl type.”

Curlsmith is even kind enough to break down how to find out your hair’s protein needs.

“Generally speaking, the more damaged and higher porosity your hair is, the more protein-based products you should use. To discover your hair’s porosity, spray some water on a strand of dry, clean, product-free hair.

  • Low Porosity: The water will form droplets on the surface of the hair, without absorbing. Use a protein-rich product from Curlsmith Strength Recipes every 2-3 wash days.
  • Medium Porosity: The water will form droplets on the surface of the hair and then absorb inside. Use at least one protein-rich product from Curlsmith Strength Recipes every other wash day.
  • High Porosity: The water will instantly absorb inside the hair. Use several protein-rich products from Curlsmith Strength Recipes every wash day.”

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What We Love

BOND CURL REHAB SALVE – 

  • Smells great
  • Could see a difference right after washing

FEATHER-LIGHT PROTEIN CREAM – 

  • Very light, did not weigh my curls down
  • Good slip
  • Doubles as a leave-in conditioner

BOUNCY STRENGTH VOLUME FOAM-

  • Gave me a tonnnnn of volume
  • Very lightweight 
Curlsmith Protein Line

What We Didn't Love

BOND CURL REHAB SALVE – 

  • Left my hair with a slight residue feeling on it
    • I’m going to try it again in a few weeks with a stronger cleanser to see if this helps

FEATHER-LIGHT PROTEIN CREAM – 

  • If you are sensitive to protein then I would avoid this one out of the two stylers

BOUNCY STRENGTH VOLUME FOAM-

  • Little to no hold, lost a lot of my definition overnight 
Curlsmith Protein Line

Yay or Nay?

I’m going to try the bond salve with a stronger cleanser to see if I can get rid of the residue feeling and I definitely need a stronger hold gel to keep my definition throughout the week, but other than that, this is an obvious YAY for me! My hair already loves protein but knowing that I need to be mindful of the balance, I probably won’t use all 3 products at once again. Normally, if I do a protein treatment I’ll use 0-1 stylers with protein in them, but try to focus on more moisturizing products. If it’s after a regular deep conditioning treatment then I’m good to use 1-2 protein filled stylers. At the end of the day the rehab salve gave my curls bounce, the feather light cream have my curls shine, & the volumizing foam gave my curls lift! 

Update!

Curlsmith came out with all new protein stylers! Head to this page to see my thoughts on their new shampoo, multipurpose conditioner, and gel!

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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. This is at no extra cost to you and all products linked are ones I use personally and/or paid for myself 

Curlsmith Protein Line