K18 Haircare: Hair Mask, Shampoo & Oil

K18 is a haircare brand that became known for a single product: the Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask. It's a leave-in treatment that repairs damaged hair in four minutes and stays in your hair afterward. Around that mask, the brand built a small line for cleansing, protecting and styling. At Olivida you'll find the full K18 range. That includes the hair mask in 5, 15 and 50 ml, the shampoos and conditioner, the dry shampoo and the hair oil.

Advice from our skin therapist

Getting the most out of K18 mostly comes down to using it the right way. What we hear most often is that people apply the mask like a conditioner and rinse it out, then barely notice a difference. Here's how it works: wash without conditioner and blot your hair dry with a towel. Apply one to three pumps, wait four minutes, and don't rinse it out. Repeat that for the first four to six washes, then use it as needed.

Not sure where to start? Try the 15 ml mask first; it lasts a few weeks. If you use a lot of styling products or live in a hard-water area, use the Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo first. That way the mask doesn't have to work through a layer of built-up residue.

And if your hair gets oily quickly, the AirWash Dry Shampoo is more pleasant between washes than washing more often. Questions about your hair? Ask us via chat or our contact page.

The K18 product range

The hair mask. The K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask (50 ml) is the heart of the brand. It's a leave-in treatment for hair damaged by coloring, bleaching, heat or chemical treatments, and it suits all hair types. The mask also comes in a 15 ml size to try or take with you, and in 5 ml for one to two treatments.

Cleansing. The Damage Shield Shampoo (250 ml) is the mild everyday shampoo with pH-optimized cleansing. The Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo (250 ml) is the weekly deep clean that removes built-up residue, oil and metals from tap water. The Damage Shield Protective Conditioner (250 ml) protects hair against UV and environmental damage for up to three days.

Styling and on the go. The AirWash Dry Shampoo (118 ml) is a powder-free dry shampoo without a white cast. It absorbs oil and neutralizes odor for up to three days. The Molecular Repair Hair Oil (30 ml) adds shine, reduces frizz and protects against heat up to 232°C. The AstroLift Volume Spray adds volume without a sticky feel (currently out of stock).

How to use the K18 hair mask

1. Wash your hair with shampoo, preferably the Damage Shield or Detox Shampoo. No conditioner.
2. Blot your hair dry with a towel.
3. Apply 1 to 3 pumps, depending on length and thickness. Start at the ends and work upward; you can skip the scalp.
4. Leave the mask in for 4 minutes before you continue styling.
5. Don't rinse it out. Blow-dry or air-dry as you normally would.

Use the mask every wash for the first four to six washes, then as needed to maintain the result. It's concentrated, so one to three pumps is enough.

Which K18 product suits me?

Frequently asked questions about K18

Is Olivida an official K18 retailer?
Yes. Olivida is an official K18 retailer in the Netherlands. You get original products.

Do I need to rinse out the K18 mask?
No. It's a leave-in treatment: apply it to towel-dried hair, wait four minutes, and don't rinse it out.

Can I use conditioner with the K18 mask?
Not in the same wash. The mask replaces the conditioner; conditioner applied beforehand blocks absorption.

How often do I use the K18 mask?
Every wash for the first four to six washes, then every three to four washes after that.

How do I use the AirWash dry shampoo?
Shake it for at least five seconds and hold the bottle 10 to 15 cm from your scalp (10 cm for curls). Divide your hair into sections and spray once per section.

Which size do I choose?
5 ml is one to two treatments, 15 ml is enough to try or take on a trip, and 50 ml is the regular size.

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• OLAPLEX: hair care numbered Nº. 0 to Nº. 10