Hair repair for £10! This bond treatment dupe transforms damaged strands in just one week

Cosmopolitan

a day ago

After years of bleaching and heat styling, plus a round of isotretinoin, which literally had my strands falling out left, right, and centre, my hair has been in need of some TLC for some time. While I opted to chop it all off recently and 'start again', I'm now growing out my bob with the help of every hair product I can get my hands (see: strands) on.
I've used the likes of OLAPLEX and Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer for a while, and I'm a big fan of K18, too. There's no denying that all of the above have worked wonders on my damaged hair, but the same can't be said for the impact they have on my bank account. You'll understand my delight, then, when I heard about a K18 dupe going viral – with reviews claiming it's "better" than the original hair mask, that being: The Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask.
Hairification's H24 Complex Leave-in Repair Mask promises to "reverse damage and return stressed strands to former glory in just four minutes." It's clinically proven to strengthen hair by up to 312 per cent, and has been formulated with four proprietary ingredients for maximum impact. These include Fibrehance (to build new bonds within the hair), Procutigen Bond (to prevent damage, breakage, and moisture loss), Col-Frag (to hydrate and smooth), and Elaya Renova (to protect the hair).
It's this combination of ingredients – along with the familiar-looking branding – that has prompted customers to compare Hairification's H24 to the iconic K18 we all know and love. That being said, it's worth noting that K18 has a patented formula, so nothing can actually be a real dupe of it. Nevertheless, one person said in their review (via Boots) that H24 is a "fantastic dupe" of K18, while someone else points to how it's a fraction of the price (more on that in a moment). Over on TikTok, there's also plenty of rave reviews for the so-called dupe.
So, does it live up to the hype? I put it to the test.
Before I begin, let me start by saying how much of a K18 fan I am. Honestly, it's been a miracle treatment for my hair, and I've recommended it to plenty of friends. For me, however, cost is a big factor in my beauty routine, and a bottle of K18 isn't always within my budget, prompting me to seek out alternatives. As such, when I first opened my Hairification package, I was impressed with the size (and therefore value for money) of the Complex Leave-in Repair Mask. At 50ml, it's equal in size to the K18 equivalent, but is £60 cheaper depending on where you purchase it from.
I paired Hairification's H24 mask with the H24 Hair Repair Peptide Shampoo, which I used twice, then skipped on conditioner as directed. This felt strange at first, but I'm a trust the process girlie. After washing, I towel-dried my hair, then it was time for the main event. The mask's directions say to apply one to three pumps, and, given the value for money of the product, I wasn't afraid to actually go for those three pumps. I even added another one after that. In comparison, I often scrimp on my K18 mask, probably applying way less than my hair needs because I'm afraid of getting through the bottle too quickly.
Immediately after application, my hair felt smooth, and my hairbrush glided through it as I switched on the hairdryer. I spent the evening stroking my strands in disbelief at how silky they were after just one use. By morning, my usually unruly bed-head was much more manageable, and I didn't need to straighten my hair or add more products to make myself *presentable* for the day.
After a week of using both Hairification products, I have to say, my strands are noticeably sleeker, softer, and healthier-looking. Although I can't decide whether the results are better than the K18 OG mask, thanks to the affordable price point of Hairification, the H24 mask has definitely earned its place in my hair care routine going forward, which my strands will no doubt be very pleased about.
Happy hair masking!