Black Girl Tries Asian Hair Care: A Wash Day Experiment with K-Beauty & J-Beauty Products

Hey y'all, it's Sherea! Back with another blog post, and this time, we're diving headfirst into the fascinating world of Asian hair care! As a devoted K-Beauty and J-Beauty skincare enthusiast, I've always been curious about their hair care offerings. Korean and Japanese skincare? Obsessed. But their hair care? Totally uncharted territory… until now!

Today, we're tackling the burning questions: Does Asian hair care work on Type 4 hair? Does it work on black hair? Does it work on dry, thirsty hair like mine? Get ready, because we're about to find out!

I'm excited to share my first foray into Asian hair care with you. I'll be reviewing each product I used, from pre-poo to leave-in, and sharing my honest thoughts on how they performed on my Type 4 hair. If you've already explored the world of Asian hair care, I'd love to hear your recommendations in the comments! There's not a ton of information out there about this topic, so I'm happy to be the guinea pig and share my experience.

Before we jump in, let's address a fundamental truth: at a molecular level, hair is hair. There's no real difference between kinky hair and straight hair at that fundamental level. Of course, our surface textures differ, and that influences our product preferences. Those of us with tighter textures often prefer richer, more emollient products, while those with straighter hair might opt for lighter formulas. But the core building blocks? Identical.

Personally, I don't limit myself to products specifically marketed as "black hair care." I've explored other aisles and unearthed some amazing gems from brands like Olaplex, Living Proof, Eva NYC, and Not Your Mother's – brands that don't typically target black women (which is baffling, considering our significant spending power in the hair care industry!). I've used their products and loved many of them. This isn't to say we shouldn't support black-owned brands (we absolutely should!), but it is to say that we have options. Our choices extend beyond shea butter and coconut oil. There's a whole universe of hair care out there, just waiting to be discovered.

Okay, enough rambling. Let's get this wash day started!

I kicked off my wash day with a DIY pre-poo concoction: my Avocado and Pumpkin "Sweet Fruit Treatment." While I don't typically incorporate food into my hair care routine, I'm always open to experimentation. This mixture smelled divine and made detangling an absolute breeze. (Side note: I had run out of my usual pre-poo, so this was a fresh batch from the freezer. It's always a good idea to have backups!) The avocado provided rich emollients, while the pumpkin, packed with vitamins and enzymes, helped to soften and nourish my hair. This pre-poo truly set the stage for a successful wash day.

Next, I hopped in the shower with the Pyunkang Yul Low pH Scalp Shampoo. It arrived in a cute little box, which, while aesthetically pleasing, felt a bit wasteful. The shampoo itself is generously sized (over 16 ounces). I opted for two washes. The first wash left my hair surprisingly soft, not stripped at all, which is a huge plus for my dry hair. The second wash felt more thoroughly cleansing. It's a good, solid shampoo, perfect for maintenance washes, but not necessarily a holy grail product. It effectively cleanses the scalp and hair without leaving it feeling dry or brittle. However, it didn't offer any extraordinary benefits beyond basic cleansing.

After shampooing, I used the Elizavecca CR100 Collagen Coating Hair Treatment Rinse. I typically skip rinse-out conditioners and go straight to a deep conditioner, but I had this on hand, so I decided to give it a try. Honestly, it didn't make a huge difference, but it didn't hurt either. It provided a slight boost of slip, making detangling even easier, but the effects weren't particularly noticeable after rinsing.

Now, for the MVP of this wash day: the La'dor Hydro LPP Keratin Hair Treatment. This deep conditioner is amazing. If you try nothing else from this experiment, try this. From application to rinse-out, it was a luxurious experience. My hair felt incredibly soft, moisturized, and noticeably stronger. A good wash day sets the stage for a good styling session and long-lasting moisture, and this deep conditioner absolutely delivered. Plus, it's super affordable! This is a definite repurchase for me. The hydrolyzed keratin and LPP (Low Molecular Protein) in the formula seemed to penetrate my hair shaft, leaving it feeling repaired and revitalized.

After deep conditioning, I divided my hair into two sections to test two different leave-in products. On one side, I used the Missha Damaged Hair Therapy Mist. It felt like… strengthening water. Nothing special. It provided a light layer of hydration but didn't offer any significant benefits beyond that. On the other side, I used the Elizavecca CR100 Collagen Coating Hair A+ Muscle Spray. This one was more interesting. It foamed up on application, which aided in even distribution. It also felt more moisturizing than the Missha mist. The foaming action was unique and felt like it was really coating each strand of hair.

I followed up the leave-ins with my DIY buttercream pomade (recipe available to my email subscribers!) and some mousse. So, while I can't attribute all the positive results to the Asian hair care products alone, I can share my initial impressions. I definitely preferred the Elizavecca spray. The foaming action and added moisture were a plus. However, both sides of my hair felt pretty much the same after styling. No discernible difference in softness, strength, or moisture.

Fast forward two weeks, and my hair is still thriving! I've mostly been wearing twists, and my hair stayed moisturized for over a week. Over a week, y'all! I'm impressed. This speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the La'dor deep conditioner, which seemed to provide a lasting foundation of moisture. I definitely want to keep experimenting with these products and see how they perform in different scenarios.

My answer is a resounding YES. And honestly, I'm not surprised. I regularly use products designed for different hair types, and I often have great results. Some of these Asian hair care products worked better than others, but that's true for any hair care line, even those marketed specifically to black hair. I didn't dislike any of these products, and my wash day was a success. My hair looked and felt great for an extended period.

The takeaway? Don't be afraid to branch out and try new things. Marketing is just marketing. At the end of the day, hair is hair. And hair care should be fun! I hope this inspires you to explore different products and find what works best for your unique hair.

Thanks for joining me on this Asian hair care adventure! I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Until next time, peace out!