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As someone who visits Japan several times a year, I've accepted the fact I'll never leave with an empty suitcase.

While most people come home with snacks from Don Quijote and a suitcase full of Uniqlo, I somehow always find myself wandering into beauty stores and chemists to stock up on all my favourites. This time, that look turned into a rather expensive ReFa haul. 

WATCH: Is this the fastest hairdryer Kelly has ever used? Post continues below.

See, if you're into East Asian beauty, you already know the winning trifecta: Korean skincare, Chinese makeup and Japanese haircare. Every time I visit Japan, I'm reminded just how seriously they take hair. Entire department store floors are dedicated to it, and you can find shelves packed with hundreds of brands all promising every person's dream: shinier, healthier, silkier strands.

Then there's ReFa.

Spend five minutes in Tokyo, and you'll spot the brand everywhere. Its brushes look like jewellery, its hair treatments are almost too pretty to use, and as a result, its products have built a cult following both in Japan and now overseas. It's no surprise celebrities, beauty influencers, Japanese salons and luxury hotels have helped turn ReFa into one of the country's most coveted haircare brands.

And of course, I was (heavily) influenced. Like, look how pretty they are!!

Of course, you don't have to travel to Japan to snag ReFa — the products are available online in Australia through various distributors.

But before you take the leap and start adding things to your cart, here's everything I've tried, and my very (very) honest opinions.

ReFa Heart Comb, $40.

This was probably the product that first put ReFa on the map.

My FYP has been full of videos showing people gliding the tiny heart-shaped comb through their hair and somehow ending up with impossibly glossy, frizz-free lengths. 

But… I'll admit, this one was a little disappointing.

Considering the price, I expected something with a bit of weight to it. Instead, it's made from lightweight plastic and honestly feels a little, umm, fragile. It doesn't feel cheap exactly, but it doesn't feel nearly as premium as it looks online either. 

As for performance, I can't honestly say it transformed my hair. It combs nicely and doesn't snag, but I don't think it makes a noticeable difference compared to other combs I already own.

That said, it's undeniably cute. It's tiny enough to throw in your handbag and, yes, makes touching up your hair feel more glam. 

But would I recommend it? Well, probably not.

ReFa Ion Care Brush, $148.

This was one of the products the sales assistant insisted I take home.

Apparently, it's one of ReFa's biggest sellers, and after using it several times, I can understand why.

The idea is a little different. You use it in the shower after applying shampoo, brushing it through your scalp while you wash your hair. The long bristles and ion plate are designed to reach underneath your hair, lifting away oil and build-up while giving your scalp a really satisfying massage.

My scalp has actually been a bit flaky all Aussie winter, but since using this brush, it actually feels cleaner and less irritated after washing. Whether that's entirely because of the brush or partly because I'm taking more time to massage my scalp, I'm not sure, but either way, it gets my tick of approval. 

ReFa Premium Gold Paddle Brush, $272.

RIP to my bank account, but this was easily the biggest splurge. I think I paid well over $140 AUD for it, which feels slightly ridiculous for... a hairbrush.

But then again, this isn't just any hairbrush (or at least that's what I keep telling myself).

It comes beautifully packaged in a cloth dust bag with its own stand, so you can actually display it on your bathroom counter like this…

The gold-plated brass pins (yes, they're gold-plated) gently massage the scalp while lifting hair at the roots, giving your hair a bit more volume without feeling harsh.

Does it feel luxurious? Absolutely. Does it make brushing your hair feel enjoyable? Also, yes.

If I'm completely honest, part of the reason I've been using it every morning and night is because I spent so much money on it, so I kind of feel obligated to.

ReFa Lock Treatment, $32.

Out of everything I bought, this was probably the most practical purchase.

It's a heat-activated leave-in treatment that uses the heat from your blow-dryer to help seal the hair cuticle, lock in moisture and protect against heat damage. As someone who styles their hair almost every day, this immediately appealed to me.

I have to admit, I've noticed my hair feels softer, looks shinier and, more importantly, seems less frizzy after styling. It also helps my curls and blowouts last longer, which means fewer touch-ups (and less heat damage).

ReFa Honey Queen Hair Treatment, $38.

This ended up being my favourite product from the entire haul.

I normally avoid heavily fragranced hair products because they tend to give me a headache, but this is one exception. It's just divine! 

The texture is a lot thicker than any hair oil I've tried, so you only need the tiniest amount.

I've been using a little before washing my hair as a treatment, and then another tiny pump through my ends after towel drying, and my hair definitely feels softer and shinier afterwards. I actually rate it better than the iconic &Honey Deep Moist Hair Oil (IYKYK). 

If I could only buy one thing from ReFa again, it'd probably be this oil. 

ReFa Beauty Dryer Hairdryer, $474.

Okay, full disclosure: I didn't actually buy one of ReFa's famous hair dryers because my luggage was getting way too heavy by this point. But I've now used ReFa hair dryers at several hotels across Japan, and dare I say... I think I prefer them over my beloved Dyson!

They dry my hair incredibly quickly (and my hair is extremely thick), and I notice far less frizz afterwards.

Considering how much I love my Dyson, that's saying something.

Final verdict.

One thing ReFa absolutely nails is the experience. The packaging is stunning. The products look expensive sitting on your vanity. The aesthetics of every product are a solid 10/10. 

But do I honestly think they're worth all the hype? Not entirely.

There's nothing wrong with any of the products I tried. In fact, several of them are truly excellent. I just don't know whether they're that much better than the countless other Japanese haircare brands producing incredible products for a fraction of the price.

Look, if you've got the budget and appreciate beautiful design, I don't think you'll regret buying ReFa. But if you're simply chasing shinier hair, I'd say there are plenty of more affordable Japanese alternatives that can get you surprisingly close.

Then again... they probably won't look quite as pretty sitting on your bathroom shelf. And unfortunately for my bank account, I'm a complete sucker for pretty packaging.

Feature Image: Supplied.