Smooth 'N Shine - Not Impressed.

I was finally able to complete the treatment this afternoon. So far, I'm less than impressed with the experience. Even though I have done many treatments on my hair, I felt that following the instructions and doing the strand test was in my best interest. It turned out fine and I proceeded with a complete application. The initial step was acceptable. The odor wasn't as bad as the other products I have tried. However, my son still informed me that it smelled bad. I did have an issue with attempting to comb my hair while the product was in it. It ended up taking me a good 10 minutes just to get the comb through it with the product applied. The pulling and tugging eventually resulted in a headache. There was also the issue with the fact that the product irritated my back. I do not have sensitive skin, by any means so this surprised me greatly. I also found it difficult to wash off, as though it was adhering to my skin or something. It was easy enough to rinse the first application from my hair. However, I had an even harder time running the comb through it after rinsing it but before applying step two. After applying step two, my displeasure grew exponentially. I cannot believe how big of a mess this step resulted in. My hair was still difficult to comb (though it was a little easier once the product was applies) and this resulted in a lot of tugging and pulling. It also resulted in a considerably amount of the product being removed. I expected it to be pilled up on the comb. Instead, it ended up dripping all over myself, the floor, and being flung onto the wall and robes that were hanging on the closet door. It was a huge mess that I was not prepared for and I ended up having to shut the bathroom door to keep the mess in the easily cleaned (and non-carpeted) area. Rinsing this step was fine, but again I had difficulty removing it from my skin. This step continued to irritate my skin, even after it should have been completely removed. My hair was no easier to comb once the product was completely removed. This was extremely frustrating, as I am typically able to condition my hair, making combing it a breeze. Blowing my hair dry seemed to take longer than expected. Even after the product was completely removed, combing it was a nightmare. As a result, it did not dry consistently and resulted in random wet spots long after my entire head should have been dry. After blowing it dry, it did seem straighter than normal. However, it was clearly not rod straight like I had expected and hoped. I did break out the flat iron, though I had hoped I wouldn't need to. It seemed as though I had spent quite enough time on my hair considering that I wasn't even planning to go out this evening. Lastly, there is the odor. Previously used products also had an odor. However, it was clearly a chemical odor and was totally expected. This is completely different. Instead of the typical/expected odor of a hair treatment, my hair just smells plain dirty!

And please remember - I got this product 100% free in order to test it. I get lots of great test products this way by being a bzzagent.