Reactive Hair Editorial Team
This post was most recently updated on June 11th, 2023
Coloring, blow drying, and bleaching takes a toll on our hair. Fear not for protein treatments can restore your hair health without having to coat it in thick, creamy hair masks. This Briogeo Rice Water Protein review finds out whether or not this restorative treatment is worth trying.
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In this article, we will be by analyzing the ingredients and authentic reviews of Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Rice Water Protein. For a full review of the Don’t Despair, Repair Line, click here.
Is it for you?
Let’s start with the science. Hair is made up of amino acid chains that bind together to make protein (keratin especially). However, things like heat styling or UV exposure will break down the keratinized process, leaving your hair dry, frizzy, and fragile.
Brazilian blowout or at-home protein treatment like Briogeo Rice Water Protein can actually help reverse the damage. As salon-grade protein treatment contains formaldehyde, Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment can be one of the best options to renew your damaged strands.
While their 15x award-winning Deep Conditioning Mask deeply moisturizes your hair, this weekly/ biweekly treatment helps repair and restore your hair to its healthy state thanks to their proprietary rice-protein complex.
Next, let’s check out the formula.
The Formula, Scent, and Packaging of this Product
Designed to both repair and moisturize fragile hair, the Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Rice Water Protein comes out of a dual-chamber bottle, and it has a muted-pink creamy consistency and spreads easily on your hair. Plus, the floral scent is very pleasant without being overbearing.
The idea of a dual-pump design seems to embrace the dual benefits of this iteration, given that the formula could’ve been combined. Sometimes both sides may not always dispense evenly, but it’ll still leave your hair feeling soft and moisturized.
You’ll appreciate the ingredients, though. In the left chamber, it is loaded with plant-based proteins such as rice water, hydrolyzed rice protein, and rice oil which help repair and strengthen your hair. While the right one contains moisturizing and nourishing ingredients, such as panthenol, sodium PCA, and biotin.
Now, let’s find out how to use this protein treatment mask.
Pro Tips Using Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment
Basically, Briogeo Rice Water Protein is an intensive weekly treatment. After you shampoo and wring your hair with excess water, there’s room for the proteins to absorb. Then, apply the product to damp hair and run your fingers or a wide-tooth comb through your hair to ensure an even coating.
Always begin the application to the most damaged parts first: ends, mid-length, then roots. You can go back and gently massage from roots to ends. Then, leave it on for at least 10 minutes or overnight (especially if your hair is dehydrated or extremely porous).
Remember: Always rinse it out with lukewarm or cold water to help seal in your hair cuticles and retain moisture. For ultimate repair, use together with Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo or the Deep Conditioning Mask, then rinse your hair again. Repeat weekly or biweekly to get the best results.
If you’ve been curious about adding Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment into your routine, let’s check out the price before buying.
Where to Buy Briogeo Rice Water Treatment?
At $44 for 5 fl oz, it might be pricier than some options available on drugstore shelves. However, with so many science-backed ingredients packed into the formula, it’s absolutely worth trying. Plus, you’ll only need to use it 2-4 times a month. Depending on your hair length and density, it may last for around 2-3 months or even longer.
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If you want to revive your extremely damaged hair, take a chance on the Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask and Strengthening Treatment Oil afterwards. This trio will help repair and strengthen each strand while also protecting it from future damage.
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Next, let’s find out how Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment works by taking a look at the ingredients.
What’s Inside Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Rice Water Protein Treatment?
Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment is formulated with many science-backed ingredients and is safe from harsh chemicals, such as harsh sulfate, silicone, drying alcohol, and paraben. It is also vegan and Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free.
The key ingredients are rice protein complex, B vitamins, algae extract, and rosehip oil. The below picture shows the full ingredients of Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment.
| Solvent | Water, Pentylene Glycol |
| Emollients | Brassica Alcohol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Diheptyl Succinate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil |
| Skin-identical Ingredients | Squalane, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Arginine |
| Viscosity Controls | Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride |
| Soothing, Moisturizer | Panthenol |
| Surfactants | Behentrimonium Methosulfate |
| Buffering | Citric Acid |
| Perfuming | Fragrance |
| Preservative | Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate |
| Colorant | Iron Oxides CI 77491 |
| Antioxidant | Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Water, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil |
| Unclassified | Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate, Biotin, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein |
Let’s check out the benefits of the key ingredients and other standout ingredients.
Rice Bran Water and Oil
Anecdotal evidence shows that rice water is believed to help detangle hair, improve hair strength, and make hair softer. Using a historical approach, a 2010 paper suggests that rice water may increase hair elasticity and reduce surface roughness. However, more research is needed to support the benefits of rice water for hair.
Almost similar to rice water, rice bran oil is also beneficial to moisturize, strengthen, and soften your hair. However, rice oil offers superior moisturizing benefits compared to rice water thanks to its fatty acid contents, vitamin E, and phenolic compound.
B-Vitamins (Biotin and Panthenol)
Although research on the topical benefits of biotin is limited, anecdotal evidence reports that vitamin B7 (biotin) helps strengthen hair strands, promote fuller-looking hair, and reduce hair breakage.
Panthenol, otherwise known as vitamin B5, is beneficial to soothe skin/ scalp inflammation or redness thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps improve hair strength, softness, and hydration. One study suggests that panthenol-containing leave-in treatment may help slow down thinning hair and promote stronger hair.
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil (Rosehip Oil)
Rosehip oil is known for its moisturizing effects on the skin, which might also be beneficial for the scalp. However, more research is needed. One study suggests that rosehip oil is loaded with lycopene, an antioxidant that can help protect your hair from free radical damage.
Sargassum Filipendula Extract
Algae extract is produced from brown seaweed that has a high content of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. It may help strengthen your hair and reduce split ends while also protecting it from free radicals.
Other Hero Ingredients
Squalane: This helps to moisturize your hair and improve hair softness. Eventually, it may help prevent breakage and protect your hair from further damage.
Sodium PCA and Glycerin – Like hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA and glycerin act as a humectant to lock in moisture. They help hydrate your hair by attracting moisture from the air’s humidity and trapping them in your hair.
Arginine: It is a semi-essential amino acid that forms hair keratin and collagen. Arginine is beneficial to repair damaged hair and improve skin elasticity. It works by filling the gap in your hair structure caused by everyday damage.
Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate: Derived from fermented rapeseed oil, it is a conditioning agent that helps detangle and hydrate your hair.
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate: It is made by fermenting a yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Rice ferment filtrate is beneficial to improve your hair texture and strength while also reducing breakage.
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein: It is a skin-conditioning agent that is also rich in antioxidants and amino acids. Rice protein may help promote stronger hair and protect it from hair-damaging free radicals.
These are the standout ingredients of Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment that promote stronger, shinier, and more moisturized hair. Next, let’s check the customer reviews.
Real-life User Experiences of Using the Treatment
We cover the authentic reviews of Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment from various users with different hair types, textures, concerns, lengths, etc.
Results of a woman with wavy (2c type) hair. Briogeo Rice Water Treatment helps define her curls and leaves her hair looking shinier.
Results of a woman with dry and frizzy hair after leaving the mask for 10 minutes and following with the Don’t Despair Repair Mask. Her hair looks smooth and shiny after the first use, and it also helps reduce frizziness.
Results of a woman with dry, curly hair after using Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment 6 times. The curls are more defined even without a curling iron and feel so smooth.
Results of a woman with dry, processed, straight hair after leaving it on for 10 minutes and following with the Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Mask. She noticed that her hair was super shiny and remained shiny after four days.
Results of a woman with long, straight hair after just one use. Her hair instantly feels more moisturized, smooth, and less frizzy.
Results of a woman with colored, curly hair after leaving the mask on for 15 minutes. Her hair looks shinier and the curls are more defined.
To conclude, Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment not only delivers smoother and shinier hair but also helps define the curl patterns and reduce frizziness. Next, let’s take a look at the disadvantages and side effects.
Possible Side Effects and Disadvantages
Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment also comes with some disadvantages that may cause unnecessary effects on your skin or hair. Below are the possible side effects of the products that may occur in some people:
- You may experience itching, rash, or redness due to the presence of Benzyl Alcohol. If dermatitis develops, discontinue using the product and use calamine lotion to reduce the effects.
- Briogeo Rice Water Protein is not fragrance-free. If you are sensitive to it, you can opt for Prose Custom Pre-Shampoo Hair Mask that can be customized into a fragrance-free option and is also packed with proteins and moisturizers.
- The product contains Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetrimonium Chloride which may cause eye irritation if it runs into your eyes. You may also notice skin irritation like itching or redness. A patch test is needed if you have sensitive skin.
- Since the product contains humectants, always check the weather condition to avoid hair dryness. It is best to avoid using it if you’re in a dry climate or low-humidity area as it may attract moisture from your hair to the environment.
Make sure to double-check the ingredients of Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment to avoid unwanted effects, especially if you have sensitive skin. Next, let’s find out the alternatives.
Alternatives to Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Rice Water Protein Treatment
All protein treatments are not created equal as they are diverse in ingredients (collagen, amino acids, or keratin) and product forms (hair mask or pre-shampoo treatment). Here we provide 3 protein-based hair products that may fit your needs.
Pattern Beauty Treatment Mask
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This rice water-infused hair mask is specially designed for curly, coily, and tight-textured hair that requires reparative treatment. Together with moringa seed extract, the Pattern Treatment Mask helps moisturize and nourish dry, damaged hair while also delivering curl and coil definitions.
You can get this silicone-free protein treatment for $25 (15 fl oz), which is more affordable than Briogeo.
Hi-Pro-Pac Extremely Intense Protein Treatment Mask
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If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly protein-based treatment to treat your extremely damaged hair, give Hi-Pro-Pac a try. It is formulated with collagen and wheat amino acids to improve your hair strength, treat split ends, and prevent breakage.
The Hi-Pro-Pac Extremely Intense Protein Treatment only costs $9.99 for 8 fl oz on Amazon.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
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When it comes to extremely damaged hair, Olaplex seems to become everyone’s favorite to replenish their lifeless hair. With its patented Bond Building Technology, this pre-wash repairs your damaged hair and reduces breakage by rebuilding the broken disulfide bonds.
When it comes to pricing, the No. 3 Hair Perfector costs you $30 for 3.3 fl oz, which is a bit pricier than Pattern and Hi-Pro-Pac.
Read our Olaplex review to learn more about the products.
Bottom Line: Extensively Replenish Damaged Locks for a Hydrated and Smooth Finish
Briogeo Rice Water Protein Treatment is definitely worth trying, especially if your hair is damaged, brittle, and very porous, and needs intensive treatment to revive your hair. Make sure to not overdo it as too much protein will seal in your cuticles making them difficult to absorb moisture.
Follow with the Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask to deeply moisturize and nourish your hair. If you want to learn more about the Briogeo Brand’s top products, click here. To rescue unhealthy scalp with a lot of build-up, click here to learn about their Scalp Revival line.
Hope this article was useful and helped you decide if this is the right product for you. Leave us with questions or thoughts in the comment section below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is rice water a good protein treatment for hair?
Yes, rice water has a high amount of proteins, lipids, antioxidants, and triglycerides which are beneficial to improve your hair strength and elasticity.
How do you use Briogeo Rice Water Protein?
After shampooing, apply through damp hair and let it sit for at least 10 minutes or longer before rinsing. You can also leave it overnight, especially if you have very porous hair. Follow with your favorite conditioner or the Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask. Repeat weekly for best results.
What is Rice Water Protein Strengthening Treatment?
It is a protein treatment that’s made of a blend of rice water, B vitamins, algae extract, and rosehip oil. This weekly treatment helps strengthen your hair and protect it from further damage, making it softer and more moisturized.
