The blueberry bliss left me a bit dry so it wasn't my favourite. I think I shouldn't use too much protein at the beginning of my routine and leave it for the stylers with a variation of proteins as opposed to one giant punch from one.
Yeah, my conclusion was that rice water rinses are more like a toner that resettles the pH of your hair (as the rice rinse is acidic after fermentation) and that's probably why it's a useful treatment just to reset things and keep the scalp healthy. Its main benefits seem to be for the scalp and its influence on hair growth. The extent of the protein effect is probably minor, thanks to some amino acids (as it won't be a very concentrated amount in comparison to a specially formulated protein treatment) that will probably strengthen fine hairs and therefore reduce breakage.
The inositol, I don't know, it's a sugar alcohol, so assuming just a humectant. I actually take it as a supplement for PCOS. It's big jar of powder so I have eyed it thinking to just add it to something but have never dared as no idea to dosage. Since it's a sugar alcohol I can't think of it doing anything beyond being a humectant/film former. I take inositol for hormonal reasons (per doctor's advice) but it is also supposed to help prevent hair loss as it inhibits DHT. Even though that's an internal thing, you can use topical ingredients to inhibit DHT on the scalp, so maybe 🤷
Rice rinses seem to be predominantly popular with women with afro textured hair to grow hair (which is more difficult for that hair type) strong and healthy. Similarly in Asia it's all about length and strength so there's probably more to it but the protein aspect is probably a smaller aspect of it. Black rice seems to be more potent which has a higher nutritional value so I think there's just an availability of nutrients/antioxidants in there too.
With the fermentation process I have wondered if galactomyces are at play but I don't think such a short fermentation would make that happen. I do think the fermentation is key, without it it's probably a starch treatment as you'll temporarily see a stiffening that could probably be assumed to be the result of protein and it'll act as a film former which will also mean added shine and gloss. That's my theory anyhow, there was no meaningful research to be found on rice rinses, unfortunately.
It does feel like it's a synergy of several potential things, ph balancing ie. good for scalp health which is the foundation of (future) good hair health, potentially DHT inhibiting ie. no disruption of growth, amino acids to strengthen fine hair ie. less breakage , potential active ingredients/antioxidants that also improve hair health and the starches acting as film formers for temporary hold and gloss.
Sorry that was long...