As someone with very thick, type 4C hair, my entire hair care routine revolves around doing all I can to prevent and minimize hair breakage, which includes keeping my hair in protective styles like box braids or twists. Since I have my hair tucked away for months at a time, it’s important I properly prep my hair for my next protective style. That’s why I was so excited to try Cécred’s Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual, which promises softer, stronger hair with use. As one of Cécred’s two hair treatment options — the other being its Reconstructing Treatment Mask — this hair rinse treatment harnesses the power of rice, which contains a multitude of nutrients that aid in strengthening hair strands, repairing hair damage and increasing shine. The use of biotin in the formulation helps support the production of keratin, a protein that makes up your hair, skin and nails, while ingredients like rose powder boost hair vitality.
I’ve been eager to try the brand’s products for myself ever since Beyoncé debuted the line, so testing this hair-fortifying treatment seemed like the perfect intro to her brand. Alongside Underscored’s associate beauty editor, Sophie Shaw, who has long, type 1 hair, and home and gifts editor Amina Lake Abdelrahman, who has long, type 3 hair, we set out to see how much of a difference incorporating the ritual into our wash day routines had on our respective hair types.
Formulated to reduce hair breakage, this two-step hair treatment is suitable for all hair types and includes a fortifying rice and rose protein rinse and a moisturizing silk rinse. Free of silicones, phthalates and parabens, each box contains enough product for four treatments.
What I liked about it
Straightforward two-part process
View this interactive content on CNN.comDesigned to be used after shampooing and before conditioning, this hair treatment consists of just two simple steps, the first of which is a fortifying rice and rose protein rinse. Because the rinse comes in powder form, it needs to be dissolved in 24 ounces of water before it can be applied to the hair. For this part of the ritual, having the brand’s Shaking Vessel would have been helpful, but any container that can hold 24 ounces of water will work just as well. Once you pour the rice water solution over your hair, you’re supposed to wait five minutes before rinsing it out. This step leaves your hair feeling stiff, which, according to the brand, is a sign that it’s working and the protein is being infused.
The second part of the ritual involves using the Silk Rinse, which takes away that stiffness from the first step by conditioning your strands. For this part of the treatment, the product needs to be raked through the hair and then left on for five minutes before being rinsed out. You can then follow up with conditioner and complete the rest of your hair care routine. I found that I still needed to follow up with my normal amount of conditioner after rinsing the product out of my hair, but Shaw was able to use half of the amount of conditioner she normally would. Between applying the products, letting them sit in my hair and then rinsing them out, the entire process took around 20 minutes and was relatively fuss-free. As Shaw notes, “The ritual is great for an everything shower, when you have the time.”
The silk rinse smells amazing
After using the Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual, I completely understand why people always talk about how incredible the line smells. The silk rinse has a rich, woody scent that reminds me of men’s cologne and has notes of yuzu, jasmine and white peach petal. While Shaw and I enjoyed the smell of the silk rinse, it’s worth noting that the fragrance is strong, which can be overwhelming for some. Abdelrahman found “the scent of the silk rinse too overpowering” but says it would have been OK if it was subtler. If you’re sensitive to fragrance or if woody scents are something you dislike, you may want to skip this one.
What I didn’t like about it
It doesn’t come with a vessel to mix the powder
Unless you purchase the $20 Shaking Vessel or pay an additional $13 for the bundle, you’ll have to find your own container to mix the powder in. None of us had the Shaking Vessel, so we each had to rely on whatever containers we could find at home. Because it needs to be large enough to hold 24 ounces of water, I resorted to using an empty soda bottle, which wasn’t necessarily chic but still got the job done. Abdelrahman used her 24-ounce Hydro Flask water bottle, while Shaw found a Mason jar to use. After measuring the amount of water needed, I was able to pour it into my bottle before adding in the powder. While it was a bit awkward to hold the soda bottle over my head in the shower, Abdelrahman had a more challenging time using her water bottle. As she notes, “It was really difficult to pour the liquid all over my hair from the water bottle. I kept worrying about getting it in my eyes or it going directly down the drain, but ultimately, I just hoped for the best.” Abdelrahman also notes that even after washing the bottle she used, she can’t imagine drinking out of it again.
Mixed results
View this interactive content on CNN.comI was really hoping I’d notice a difference in my hair after using the ritual, but neither I nor Abdelrahman saw any noticeable difference. Even though the ritual didn’t leave my hair worse than before, my hair also didn’t look or feel any differently than it usually does once it was conditioned and my leave-in treatment was applied. Shaw shares that her hair looked “silky and shiny in the following two days after using the ritual” and adds that her wash day was able to be pushed back a little. She also notes that while her hair felt smooth and soft, the transformation wasn’t as dramatic as when she uses the K18 hair mask or Olaplex No. 3, though she acknowledges the former products are bond builders. Abdelrahman felt that while her hair “may have been slightly softer and smoother than before,” since her hair “didn’t look or feel out of the ordinary,” it’s possible that it was the result of her washing her “hair for the first time in three days.” Similarly to Shaw, Abdelrahman also acknowledges that while it’s not the same type of treatment as the Rice & Rose Protein Ritual, she’s seen better results using L’Oréal’s 8-Second Wonder Water.
View this interactive content on CNN.comBottom line
As someone whose typical wash day routine doesn’t include rice water or protein treatments, I really appreciated just how simple Cécred made getting those benefits. The ritual is supposed to be used every four to six weeks, but the product can also be used whenever your hair needs a little more TLC. Although I didn’t see a noticeable difference in my hair after using the ritual for the first time, the box includes enough product for four treatments, so I plan to give it another go.