What do the rice protein and keratin balm actually do for my hair during and after colouring?

During the oxidative process, the alkaline environment opens the hair cuticle so colour precursors can enter the cortex. This temporary swelling can leave the cuticle edges raised, making hair feel rough or porous after rinsing. The rice protein in the colour cream forms a light, breathable film on the hair surface while the dye develops. This film helps keep the cuticle scales lying flatter during processing, which reduces mechanical friction and improves light reflection — so the hair feels sleeker immediately after the first rinse. After shampooing, the fixing balm delivers hydrolysed keratin, a protein with a similar amino-acid profile to natural hair keratin. It temporarily fills microscopic gaps in the cuticle layer, restoring elasticity and reducing flyaway strands. The added vitamins (typically panthenol and vitamin E derivatives in such balms) support moisture retention and antioxidant protection. For best results, leave the balm on for the full 3–5 minutes before rinsing with cool water; this helps seal the cuticle and lock in the new pigment, extending colour vibrancy between washes.