I’ve never met a K18 product I didn’t like. The brand’s non-aerosol dry shampoo, which is effectively a hair wash in a bottle, has transformed my 'do from “could fry chips in it” status to just-washed level of freshness.
I’m also a huge fan of its Molecular Repair mask, which boosted my hair’s elasticity and helped repair my dry ends after just a couple of washes (read my Olaplex vs. K18 review for the full low-down).
So, when I heard whispers of a new launch, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Or rather, get it on my hair. Introducing the new K18 Astrolift Reparative Volume Spray, which styles hair, repairs it, and thickens it all at the same time. How, you ask? Let me explain.
K18 Astrolift at a glance
- Delivers buildable volume
- Reverses damage by repairing strands from within
- Holds style for up to two days
- Works on all hair types, but particularly fine, fragile or ageing tresses
What is it and how does it work?
Excessive heat styling, colouring and external aggressors like pollution can all damage our hair, making it more fragile and prone to breakage, which can also leave it dry and flat. On top of that, our hair naturally loses volume as we age – oh, the joys!
K18 decided to tackle all these issues in one product with its Astrolift Volume Spray. The lightweight mist adds oomph to the outer layers of the hair, while also strengthening and repairing bonds from within, thanks to its peptide blend. Oh, and you also get lasting hold without any stickiness.
In fact, the brand makes some pretty serious claims about this product, saying it volumises hair for up to two days, thickens by up to 25% and repairs and reverses damage. With such ambitious claims, it’s only right that it comes with an impressive ingredient list.
Key ingredients
- K18PEPTIDE: This patented peptide blend is the backbone of the entire K18 range. Peptides support the production of protein (which naturally decreases as we age) to help repair broken bonds and give hair its structure.
- Maltodextrin Copolymer: This is a naturally derived hair-fixative, which sounds complicated, but is essentially what provides the touchable, flexible hold.
- Palmaria Palmata Extract: A naturally derived seaweed enriched with key amino acid, Arginine, this helps increase the hair fibre diameter and is what gives a visible boost in volume.
How do I use it?
Unlike some other styling products, this isn’t heat-activated, which means it can be used on damp or dry hair. I use it after washing my hair – simply shake the bottle well, hold it around 4-6 inches away from the roots and spray generously. I then take my barrel brush and begin drying it from the root to the tip.
Our honest verdict on K18’s Astrolift spray
Madeleine Evans (hair type: naturally wavy and thick)
This spray really did add a lovely layer of volume to my hair, and more than the usual amount I’d see after blow drying. It claims to hold volume for up to two days and, fair play, I did think my hair had extra bounce for longer. Unlike some other styling sprays, there was no noticeable tackiness or sticky feel, which was a welcome bonus.
I particularly liked that even though it was long-lasting, it could also be brushed through without any resistance (not always the case with some hair sprays!)
It worked best for me when I applied it to damp hair (rather than dry) and styled it with heat. The difference in volume was noticed by my colleagues too. With lots of compliments around the office, I won’t be drying my hair without it from now on!
I did feel a noticeable increase in thickness too, but as I already have pretty thick hair (a blessing and a curse), I was keen to see how it worked on thinner strands, so I roped in my colleague, Evelina. As someone with fine hair, she was the perfect candidate to put the thickening Palmaria Palmata extract through its paces.
Evelina Koruch (hair type: thin and fine)
The K18 Astrolift Reparative Volume Spray worked brilliantly on my fine hair. I tend to use texturising spray as a finish to give it some more volume, but this added the same (if not better) fullness and bounce.
Plus, unlike the texturising spray, which can leave strands feeling crunchy, sometimes weighing down my finer hair, the Astrolift delivered lightweight volume. It left my hair looking plump and healthy, rather than crispy or flat.
What surprised me most was that it held my waves all day while maintaining a soft, touchable texture. It also didn’t sacrifice movement, which can sometimes happen with strong hold hairsprays.
I enjoyed the delicate scent too – subtle and refreshing, without being overpowering.
The final verdict
This multitasking spray ticks all the boxes, particularly for thinner, finer hair, leaving it fuller and bouncier. The effects were instant when used pre-blow dry (applying one of the best heat protection sprays first, of course) or to add a little zhuzh to dry hair.
Our volume also lasted for days, surviving hot commutes and a bad case of bedhead, all while staying touchably soft and brushable. Plus, it left our hair softer and shinier, which gave us confidence that the reparative ingredients were hard at work.
At £44, it’s not the cheapest, but we think it’s worth the investment, especially as it only needs a few spritzes to put some impressive bounce into your blow dry.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
