6 minute read
Kérastase can feel intimidating at first glance, largely because everything is named in French and there are a dozen or more ranges to choose from. The logic underneath is actually straightforward: each range is built around one concern, and the word "Bain" simply means shampoo.
Below is a guide to the main ranges and who each one suits.
Kérastase For Hair Fall And Weakened Hair: Genesis
Genesis is designed for hair that feels weakened and is prone to falling due to breakage. Formulated with edelweiss native cells, ginger root and Aquaxyl, it aims to strengthen the fibre and reduce breakage at the root.
Choose Bain Hydra-Fortifiant for normal to oily hair, or Bain Nutri-Fortifiant if your hair is drier and needs more nourishment. There is also a men's version, Genesis Homme Bain de Masse Épaississant, which adds a thickening effect.
Kérastase For Thinning And Loss Of Density: Densifique
Where Genesis targets breakage, Densifique is aimed at hair that has lost density over time. Bain Densité works to strengthen the fibre and support the follicle, leaving hair feeling thicker in the hand.
There is a dedicated men's option in Bain Densité Homme. If density is your main concern, our article on whether Kérastase Densifique helps with hair loss is worth reading.
Kérastase For Coloured Hair: Chroma Absolu
Chroma Absolu is the colour-care range. Bain Chroma Respect is a gentle cleansing shampoo enriched with glycerin, amino acids and hyaluronic acid, formulated to cleanse colour-treated hair without stripping tone.
If your hair is medium to thick, the richer Bain Riche Chroma Respect is the better fit.
Kérastase For Blonde And Grey Hair: Blond Absolu
Blond Absolu splits into two jobs. Bain Lumière is a hyaluronic acid-infused lightweight shampoo for lightened, highlighted or grey hair, and is the one to use for most washes.
Bain Ultra-Violet is the purple shampoo, rich in neutralising agents to remove brassiness and yellow tones. It is a corrective product rather than an everyday one, so alternate it with Bain Lumière rather than using it every wash.
Kérastase For Frizz And Unruly Hair: Discipline
Discipline is built for manageability. Bain Fluidealiste suits fine to normal hair prone to humidity-induced frizz, while Bain Oléo-Relax is the choice for voluminous, unruly hair that needs more weight and control.
There is also an ultra-gentle version, Bain Fluidealiste Gentle, for very sensitised hair. For more background, see our guide on why hair gets frizzy and how to control it.
Kérastase For Curly And Coily Hair: Curl Manifesto
Curl Manifesto is the dedicated curl range. Bain Hydratation Douceur is a gentle, creamy shampoo infused with manuka honey and ceramide, formulated for curly, very curly and coily hair. It cleanses the scalp without stripping the definition out of the curl.
Kérastase For Dull Hair: Elixir Ultime And Gloss Absolu
If your hair is healthy but looks lacklustre, Elixir Ultime Bain is a marula oil-infused, shine-enhancing shampoo built specifically for that problem.
For thick, frizzy hair that also wants shine, Gloss Absolu Bain Crème Hydra-Glaze is a sulfate-free creamy shampoo enriched with hyaluronic acid that tackles both at once.
Kérastase For Ageing Hair: Chronologiste
Chronologiste is the premium range for hair weakened by the signs of ageing. Bain Régénérant is infused with hyaluronic acid, abyssine and vitamin E, and is aimed at hair that has become finer and drier over the years rather than damaged by processing.
Kérastase For Sun-Exposed Hair: Soleil
The Soleil range is seasonal but genuinely useful. Bain Après Soleil is an after-sun shampoo enriched with coconut water that removes chlorine, salt and sand residue gently. Worth keeping for the fortnight after a holiday.
Can You Mix Kérastase Ranges?
Yes, and often you should. A common and sensible combination is a shampoo chosen for your scalp and a conditioner or mask chosen for your lengths. For example, Genesis shampoo for a scalp prone to breakage paired with a Chroma Absolu conditioner if your ends are coloured.
The only combination worth being careful with is layering two corrective products, such as a purple shampoo and a strong clarifying wash in the same week, which can leave hair feeling dry.
Which Range Should You Start With?
Start with your most pressing concern rather than trying to solve everything at once. If your hair is coloured and also frizzy, treat the colour first with Chroma Absolu and add a smoothing styling product on top. If your hair is falling or thinning, Genesis or Densifique should come before anything cosmetic.
If you are still unsure, our guide to choosing the best shampoo and conditioner compares Kérastase against the other professional brands we stock.