Care, Share & Win for Your Hair! Review and GIVEAWAY: Keranique for Breast Cancer Awareness

As I'm sure most of you know, October is breast cancer awareness month. What you may not know is that every year, 200,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, and almost 40,000 will die.

This October, Keranique is helping to spread the word, and unlike so many Facebook campaigns (how exactly does secretly posting your bra color to your status help to cure cancer?) they're putting some money where their mouth is. For every new "like" they receive on their Facebook page, they'll donate one dollar. The goal is $10,000, so here's one case where the click of a button can really help!

To help get the word out, I'm giving away a full sized Keranique Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner duo to one lucky reader- just read on past my review to enter!

Keranique is a sulfate-free hair care system designed to volumize and treat thinning hair. It's important to note that the only product in the Keranique system that will treat hair loss head-on is the Keranique Hair Regrowth Treatment with 2% Minoxidil. Minoxidil (originally only sold under the brand name Rogaine) is the only over-the-counter ingredient that's FDA approved to help regrow hair.

The truth is, shampoos and conditioners for thin or fine hair just temporarily make the hair shaft look fuller, using ingredients like salts or clay to essentially rough up the cuticle and make hair...fluffier. While this approach may do the trick for some, it's got its downfalls. First, a rough hair shaft reflects less light, so you may be trading shine for volume. Second, ingredients like this may be damaging over time. Luckily, Keranique uses a polymer (polyquaternium-7) that coats the hair shaft, giving the hair a fuller appearance. This ingredient also functions as an anti-static and conditioning additive, so it's a triple treat!

While I can't say that I noticed any permanent change from using the Keranique shampoo and conditioner, I did like how my hair felt after using it. I do feel like I noticed some increase in volume, shine and softness, and my hair never felt weighed down. I was a bit concerned about the use of menthol and peppermint oils in the system, considering both are known skin irritants, but my normally dry, itchy scalp actually seemed soothed after using Keranique. This is probably due to the inclusion of several skin-friendly ingredients like soy protein, arginine, niacinamide, and burdock root. In fact, despite my concerns, I enjoyed the scent and cooling effect the peppermint and menthol had on my scalp.

I think the Keranique system is a good choice for anyone looking to combat the appearance of fine or thin hair, but like I mentioned, it's important to realize that unless you're also using the Minoxidil treatment, you shouldn't be looking for regrowth. Because of the addition of the aforementioned skin care ingredients, I also think Keranique is a good option for those who have irritated, dry scalps (though it would be even better without the peppermint & menthol oils).

If you'd like to give Keranique a try, enter using the widget below. You must be a follower of this site to win, so make sure you click the little button to your right! Also, if you didn't already know, Outinapout is now on Facebook with exclusive content, swatches, contests & more, so you can earn quite a few bonus entries by "liking" us there! Of course, I hope you'll also give a click to support Breast Cancer awareness by helping Keranique make their $10,000 goal, so you can earn a few extra entries that way too! Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The products featured in this review and contest were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for them. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

Contest winner will be contacted via the email submitted to Rafflecopter, and will have 48 hours to claim the prize offered. If no response is received within the specified time period, another winner will be chosen. Contest is open internationally, pursuant to the rules & regulations of your individual place of residence.