The grass is always greener when it comes to hair type - or so we think. Those with miraculously straight yet voluminous hair are constantly coveting the luscious locks of curly haired girls, blissfully unaware of the sheer maintenance required to have just one decent hair day.
Likewise, us curly haired girls spend the majority of our teenage years frying our hair follicles in the hopes of achieving the silky smoothness that poker straight strands seem to rock so effortlessly. It’s a vicious cycle.
Hair confidence campaigns have taken social media by storm as of late. One trend in particular lies within the illustrious realm of #CurlTok. Started by wonderful women with varying curl patterns, the hashtag is filled with thousands of videos containing loving, instructional advice on how to best care for your curls and embrace your natural locks.
As someone that has struggled with maintaining the lion’s mane for as long as I can remember, I was incredibly comforted and inspired by the rise of women looking to regain their beautiful natural curl patterns after years of straightening irons. I was also incredibly daunted. The only time that I’m ever at peace with my natural hair is straight out of the sea, and we all know that no measure of sea salt spray can truly replicate the natural mermaid-style ‘do.
How many products do I need? What are all those brushes? What on earth is plopping? Curling each individual strand out with a Denman brush? It was all too much for my low-maintenance-loving brain to handle.
Enter: Act+Acre’s Cold Processed Soft Curl System. Founded by celebrity hairstylist Helen Reavey in 2017, Act+Acre is on a mission to restore confidence in your curls by delivering a range of high-quality, easy to use products which require little to no extra steps.
The first modern haircare brand to introduce Cold Processed products, Act+Acre prioritises scalp care above all else. This is because nourishing the scalp has proven to produce healthier, hydrated and more balanced curls. But what exactly is Cold Processing, and what are the benefits?
The science behind the Cold Processed Curl System is supported by studies conducted by two leading scientists from the Princeton Research Education Service – which is already impressive. Said study revealed that the regimen not only removed 95 per cent of build-up on the scalp and hair, but the Cold Processing method (which uses ice water and high pressure) results in 97 per cent more Vitamin E being delivered straight to your scalp for healthier, more nourished curls.
I tried the trichologist-approved and Ivy League scientist-backed curl system to see whether Reavey’s innovation could truly transform my hair from the scalp down. Let’s get into the curls of this review.
Buy the full set at Act+Acre for £112, or shop individual products via Cult Beauty starting at £32.
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Act+Acre Cold Processed Curl Cleanse
I’m going to start off with the first step in the Cold Processed system, which is coincidentally my least favourite. Though I found that – post-wash and conditioning mask – my curls did indeed reap the benefits of the oil-fighting ingredients, the shampoo product itself felt incredibly drying.
Not only that, but it took at least two washes to feel like I was getting a decent lather – no matter how clean or dirty my hair was before washing. Nevertheless, as promised, the product cleanses without any irritation. This was an incredibly important aspect for me and my absurdly sensitive skin.
Buy now £32.00, Cult Beauty
Act+Acre Restorative Hair Mask
When I first opened my Cold Processed system, I was baffled by the lack of conditioner. A Curl Cleanse with 2 per cent Amino Acids and nothing to temper that crucible for dirt and grime? It didn’t seem quite right.
After further investigation, it appears that the hair mask is supposed to be used as a kind of intense conditioner – certainly reshaping the way I see my tri-weekly haircare routine. Rather than applying conditioner as an automatic after-thought, marketing step two of the process as a dedicated hair mask forced me to really pay attention to the nourishing, conditioning step of my routine.
I found that the hair mask does exactly what it says on the tin, and wonderfully restored the moisture back to my freshly cleansed hair.
Buy now £34.00, Cult Beauty
Act+Acre Cold Processed Curl Spray
I’ll admit, I’ve been using the Curl Spray as the fourth and final step in my routine. Unbeknownst to me, you’re actually supposed to apply it before the Curl Cream. Nevertheless, my opinion remains clear: the Curl Spray does everything you wish a decent sea salt spray would do, without drying out your curls or leaving a sticky, unpleasant salt remnants in the folds of your curls. It’s truly a marvel.
Buy now £36.00, Cult Beauty
Act+Acre Cold Processed Curl Cream
My absolute favourite step in the four product-strong set, the Curl Cream is truly where the frizz-free magic happens. The milky yet firm formula makes it easy to evenly distribute the product across my entire head of hair with just one or two pumps. Where the Curl Spray adds some much-needed texture, the Cream truly defines and nourishes the curl while simultaneously removing any frizzy static.
Buy now £38.00, Cult Beauty
Verdict
Without a shadow of a doubt, I can safely say that the Act+Acre Cold Processed Soft Curl System has been an absolute game-changer for my curls. For the first time in a fair few years, I’ve been rocking my natural curls, and can literally feel my locks being infused with the magical, super ingredient-fuelled lifeforce of these miraculous haircare products. It’s only up from here.
