The last few times I got my haircut, the stylist used Kérastase products and I walked out with awesomely soft, shiny, swingy “like I just stepped out of a salon!” Salon Selectives circa 1990s hair (but like mentally). I’m sure that has a lot to do with the expert blowout, but maybe it was partly to do with the Kérastase? To believe that is to be a beauty addict, right? To believe in the power of beauty products. Also, I’ve read a bunch of rave reviews on MakeupAlley about various Kérastase products, like Chronologiste Essential Restorative Concentrate, which by the way is $145 (!!) for only 10 applications per box. After reading a particularly gushing review that slightly made me wonder if she wasn’t a plant from the PR company, I thought I need this miracle restorative complex whatever cure! But um, I probably do not need it. Right? Right. Let’s all focus on a negative I read about the product. Someone called it a TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT. If you feel the urge to drop $150 on this, just repeat after me: TOTAL. DISAPPOINTMENT.
According to the site, Chronologiste Essential Restorative Concentrate is: Complete rejuvenating cure for hair and scalp. Hair is left incredibly soft, supple and shiny. Hair fiber is renewed, deeply nourished and strengthened. Hair integrity is preserved. Scalp is regenerated, soothed and hydrated. Approximately 10 applications per box. Is made from 100% unicorn tears. There may be one small aspect of the above PR statement that is slightly fabricated. Free HOTB swag to whoever guesses! And by free swag, I mean I won’t approve your comment for 3 months!
The only Kérastase product I’ve used regularly is Nutritive Nectar Thermique. I use it on my damp hair before I blow dry and straighten my wavy hair. It’s suppose to be a moisturizing heat protectant that adds shine and smoothness. For me, though, it doesn’t give much shine or smoothness and maybe even dries it out a bit. For $39, it should do better. I stuck with it for a while because I had that memory of my super smooth hair post-salon visit. Seriously what is the deal with post haircut hair. Do they have different water? So yeah, I’m on the search for a better leave-in/heat protector/straightener for blow drying.
Yesterday I tried Redken Real Control Crema Care with pretty great results. I’m still in the trial period, though, since good results on the first blowout is just the product trying to win me over. The real test is how it behaves down the line.
I’m open to other suggestions, even Kérastase products since I’m still weirdly fascinated by this line. Any recommendations? What do you use as your heat protector and for blow drying?
Giiirl!
Wen styling creme!!
Best applied after 1 pump of wen cleanser as a leave in, in wet hair.
Then apply 1 pump of Wen styling creme from the midshaft to ends first then rake through all over hair. Blowdry style. If wearing hair natural, leave 2-3 pumps (depending density and length of hair) from midshaft to ends then rake through all over.
He just came out with a mousse and it’s sooooo bomb! I love using it for my blow outs!
Hi Anna-Lee! I don’t think I’ve tried the styling cream! I do love Wen though, and when I’m CO-washing it’s a favorite. 🙂 I should check it out and the mousse. Thanks for the tip!
It’s not so much the products as the way stylists dry your hair — whether using the $150 product mentioned or a dab hand of organic coconut oil, the stylists stand there above your seated head using a dryer nozzle at low temperature and drying DOWN the hair shaft — not across or up it, ruffling the shaft and blasting hair with high heat like we do! It’s little to do with product and more about the method. They also squeeze your hair dry with the towel and never rub it! BTW try the organic coconut oil!
Jane, interesting points. I always try to blow dry with the nozzle pointing down, although I’m sure I’m not 100%. Also, I definitely don’t wield a round brush nearly as well as a stylist, which I think is a major factor to the perfect blow out! Sometimes I wish I could take my hair off like a wig to style it and then pop it back on. Ha. I agree with you that it has a lot to do with styling methods. About organic coconut oil–I find it weighs my fine-ish hair down too much as an overall product but I know because with thicker hair types have great success with it so it is a great recommendation as both a styling treatment, leave-in and deep conditioner.
Pureology’s relaxing serum (med-thick hair) or smoothing cream (thick unruly hair) are both great stylers that control frizz, have heat protection, and protect your hair color.
Hi Elena, Thanks for the rec! I like Pureology shampoo, so I should try out the relaxing serum!
Hey Valerie!
The mousse is amazing! I use it to prep hair for all my blow outs!! Love the fullness and shine I get. Hair feels so plump and full!
I think of Nectar Thermique being more for people who have to use a lot of heat to do their hair, it’s a little heavy for someone who isn’t going to town on their hair to get it straight everyday. I mean, if you have fine hair with some wave that’s easy to smooth out I don’t think that’s a particularly good match for you. If you’re practically having a very hot (Temperature wise!) brawl with your hair to get it smooth and what you want it to be everyday than yes, Nectar Thermique is more for you. If you’re looking for a more shine finish you should still use a blow dry lotion (which is what Nectar Thermique is) since it has thermal protection and I feel is an essential blow drying product, but you can always finish with a light shine spray at the end if you’re not getting enough shine out of it.
You might want to switch to the Kerastase blow dry lotion in a pink bottle, Chroma Thermique, that’s for colored hair since it provides more shine than the Nectar Thermique. But, it if you have damaged hair that needs more TLC (like you have lightener in your hair or it’s just gotten fragile from heat tool abuse) you should try Ciment Thermique which smells AMAZING and really helps repair your hair and keep it nice. And then finish with a shine spray. I’m quite partial to the shine sprays by the brand Sebastian, my favorite is Trilliant, which has rock crystal particles in it and is also a thermal protector so it can be used on wet or dry hair, I like to spray it on hair before I flat iron it for the shine and extra heat protection. But they also have Halo Mist (which is a little heavier in feel and in shine factor and has UV protectants) and then their Shine Drops which is the heaviest one and should be used sparingly. Keratstase also makes some shine sprays, Chroma Crystal is the shine spray specifically for colored hair. They have one specifically for people out in the sun a lot as well, but I don’t use their shine sprays much as I use Sebastians.
Kerastase makes a great product called Elixir Ultime that I use on pretty much everyone, it can be used on wet or dry hair (I use it on wet hair to detangle and moisturize and on dry hair to smooth, add some shine and to make hair just look and feel more glossy). I would only apply it from midlengths to ends, if you feel a need to use any in your root area to smooth down fly aways or something use barely any (like just a light coating on your fingertips that you smooth the hairs down with) since it’s an oil and you don’t want your hair to suddenly become grease city. So you might enjoy that one as well.
Is your hair blonde? If so keep in mind blonde hair will never be *that* shiny, darker hair reflects more light and looks shinier. Also, try blasting your hair with cold air from your blowdryer at the end of blowdrying your hair, keeping the airflow pointing down the hair shaft still. You’ll get some extra shine from that since it helps set and seal down your hair cuticles (presuming you’ve been blowdrying with heat pointing down your hair shaft beforehand).
*Note* I work in a salon that carries Kerastase products thus my lengthy rambling on about their products, though we don’t carry the $150 treatment 🙁
I feel like i’ve tried every product…lately, I enjoy the Alterna Bamboo products. I happily used the entire bottle of Kendi Oil spray on my fine hair. The Caviar Blowout Creme is okay – a bit heavy, but has good hold. And thanks for reminding me not to spent $145 on ANYTHING for the hair. (Years ago, I was tempted to buy a $150 conditioner. Still am, some days.) I’ve tried every natural thing too…lately, coconut oil is my thing. A little on my ends at night smells so good, and I think (?) it helps. Works just as well as argan oil, which is insanely expensive. (Good stuff, but it’s not any more magical than coconut oil.)
I have really thin hair but I’ve been Keranique and am absolutely loving it! It took a while to kick in, but my hair is soo much thicker and volumized now!
i tried this conditioner the other week, after reading this post. but i cant help but noctice it doesnt give me the moisture i get from my usual hair mask. its called Seven Day Miracle by Original & Mineral. its an australian owned company and its seriously amazing. I guess this cosmetics from High-end cosmeics
Thank your post
Wen styling creme is the BEST! I was on the edge a little about trying the mousse, but now I have to give it a go.
In my opinion the majority of salon products are complete BS. It’s kinda like taking all the ingredients for an amazing meal and instead of having a 3 star Michelin chef make it for you, you have to fumble around and try to do it yourself!
Okay I little bit of an exaggeration, but you know what I mean 😉