This week I am pleased to share my review of Kenra Haircare. I received some samples and then heard from a few friends and colleagues who swear by the line. Being my first introduction, I didn't know what to expect, developed some high hopes, and I'd say for the most part I was pleasantly surprised.

Moisturizing Shampoo ($9.50 for 10.1oz)
This creamy formula has a rich lather and soft floral scent. It glides through dry and tangled hair easily, making it a good first step and prep for their terrific Moisturizing Conditioner.

Moisturizing Conditioner ($12 for 10.1oz)
I LOVE this conditioner! It's rich with a consistency like buttery honey, and does it ever detangle! In an instant, dry hair starts transforming and you can say "so long" to any tangles or knots that so often come with dry or heat-styled hair. If I didn't know better, I'd think this was Kenra's deep conditioning treatment, but thankfully you are supposed to use this every day.

Color Maintenance Shampoo ($9.50 for 10.1oz)
I'm always skeptical about a separate shampoo and conditioner set for color-treated hair, basically because I see no difference in my color if I use products for color-treated hair or just regular products. I'm afraid the same goes for these. This shampoo is still nice, but not really anything special. I think I expected more of what the Moisturizing Shampoo delivers, since color-treated hair can also be dry and brittle. I will finish the bottle I have but I would repurchase the Moisturizing Shampoo instead.

Color Maintenance Conditioner ($12 for 10.1oz)
As conditioners go, I can't say this one helps keep my color looking any better or worse than any other conditioner. Again, the Moisturizing Conditioner is much better at making processed hair feel soft and silky. I would pass on this as well.

Daily Provision ($12 for 10.1oz spray)
If you don't like to weigh your hair down with regular conditioners, this lightweight leave-in spray is a nice choice. For very dry or processed hair, it also makes a nice additional conditioning step before you apply any styling products, particularly if you heat style. The spray mist is very fine, non-oily and makes the hair effortless to comb. I also recommend this for those of us with frizz problems - a little extra moisture can help start the smoothing process.

Intensive Emollient Treatment ($15 for 6oz tube)
If you occasionally have a problem with dry hair, this intensive conditioner with mango butter and jojoba oil is a nice weekly-or-so boost as an alternative to your regular daily conditioner. Strangely, the consistency is not as thick as the Moisturizing Conditioner, but it stills works well to make the hair soft and silky.

Straightening Serum ($14 for 10.1oz pump)
There are basically two main versions of straightening products: the ones that make the hair straighter and softer by seemingly relaxing it, and the ones that are more like a straightening gel with hold that forces the hair straighter by using a blowdryer and brush. This one from Kenra is somewhere in between. It first makes the hair immediately softer and a bit straighter (especially when you apply it to lightly toweled hair), and then you add the heat and tension of the blowdryer and brush, and it does a decent job of straightening. I'm not a fan of the slightly stiff/sticky feel on the hair when it's finished, but it does add an element of hold that makes all that work last longer. If you have stubborn hair that resists straightening or won't stay straight, you might like this gel because of its hold.

Reflect Shine ($14.50 for 2.2oz spray)
So many haircare lines have a spray shine product like this, and they all seem pretty much the same. The one thing I like about this one is that the mist is very fine, so you are less likely to spray on too much and get the "greasies". It's also nice for spot attention to frizz or dull hair, rather than running a pomade through all the hair.

Kenra has many other styling and finishing products including hair sprays, heat styling sprays and gels that I did not try (they are suited to other styles and textures of hair). For more information on the complete line, and to find a salon near you that carries Kenra, check out kenra.com.

I hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosmetic Report!