(This post is written for The Glosse Posse.)

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I first heard about Kérastase from What Would Kate Do when Amanda tested the hair products that the Duchess of Cambridge uses. According to most beauty and Kate-fan sources, the Duchess of Cambridge uses Bain Satin from the Nutritive collection for dry fine/thick hair. Fans of the Duchess envy her well-tamed glossy hair, and naturally, I wanted the same for mine. However, the price tag on all the products kept me from purchasing or trying any for a while. That is, until I found a new hair salon that happened to use Kérastase products on its clients. I had been looking for a good hairspray that would not leave any white residue (like dust) nor make my hair rock hard. I wanted a no-hairspray look. I found that Laque Dentelle gave me the flexible hold that I needed. Conveniently, a few months later, Kérastase.ca had a promotion: free shipping on any product, along with 5 samples. It is on the pricier side, at US$35 or C$36 for 300ml but I have been using it for months and it hasn’t failed me. It keeps my stray hair tamed, gives a nice shine, and holds for a full day. I don’t need to use a lot: just a light circular spray around the top of my head is enough for me to pat down my Tweety Bird stray hair. The Laque Dentelle  also has the following benefits (though I can’t prove it):

• UV filter & heat protection (Always a good benefit to have for our poor damaged hair.)
• Anti-frizz and humidity protection (Keeps hair from look like Medusa’s. I don’t have frizzy hair though nor am I in a humid city.)
• Color protection (I’m sure this is a great thing to have but does not apply to my hair.

For the 10ml samples, I selected the following:

• Fondant Nutri-Thermique (Conditioner) – Nutritive collection. I’m not sure if this is the one that the Duchess uses. Generally, most conditioners seem to be the same but this one doesn’t leave an unrinsed over-conditioned feel.
• Bain Cristal For Fine Hair (Shampoo) – Cristalliste collection. This is meant for fine hair, which mine is not, to give it a lightweight feel. For a silicone-free shampoo, this lathered pretty well and I used this in conjunction with the Lait Cristal. Otherwise, I don’t think this did much for my hair because it’s normal/thick.
• Lait Cristal (Conditioner) – Cristalliste collection. Meant to make hair look shiny. I always wonder whether it’s the shampoo or conditioner that’s making the hair shiny. Can they work just as well without the other? I tried the Fondant Nutri-Thermique one night with the Bain Cristal and my hair looked just as shiny.
• Chroma Thermique (Leave-in) – Réflection collection. As I don’t have coloured-hair, I really can’t comment on how well it protects coloured-hair. Like most leave-in conditioners, it does its job: detangles and makes hair smooth.
• Elixir Ultime Imperial Tea (Hair oil) – Elixir Ultime collection. Also for coloured-hair to nourish, protect, and give gloss and softness. I really liked this hair oil and was disappointed when my 3ml sample was used up. Unfortunately, I cannot justify spending C$54 on 125ml hair oil. Even C$43 for 100ml of Moroccanoil Treatment is too much. However, if money is not an issue, the best part of these Elixir Ultime oils (I assume the original has a similar consistency) is how lightweight it feels. Not sticky or greasy.

kerastase

If you can’t splurge on or find any samples of Kérastase products, here are some excellent alternatives:

• Hairspray: When I’m out of my Laque Dentelle, I’ll be going back to Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray for $9 or $22. (Unless you have a recommendation for a drugstore dupe that does the same thing.)
• Shampoo: According to Amanda of WWKD, L’Oréal’s EverSleek is the drugstore dupe for Kérastase’s Bain Satin. Maybe L’Oreal’s Nutri-Shimmer or Nutri-Shimmer Crystal shampoos are the alternatives for Bain Cristal. I have yet to try either but I’d like to recommend Lush’s Godiva shampoo bar as my favourite for princess hair.
• Conditioner: Flat beer (room-temperature, unrefrigerated) or Apple Cider Vinegar both work as natural conditioners. They both take 10-15 minutes to soak in and both give shine and softness. It’s the ACV, however, that leaves a strong unpleasant smell, so perhaps stick to the flat beer. I’ll be reviewing on these two later this year.
• Hair oils: I’ve tried hair oils from Garnier, L’Oréal, Meknes, etc. and most of these are very similar. Some are stickier than others, some have more oil, but they’re generally sweet-smelling, shine-enhancing hair-detanglers. Just don’t put on too much and make sure it’s only applied on the hair ends. For something lightweight, the ‘closest’ to the Elixir Ultime is L’Oréal’s Precious Oils that can be applied before or after showering.
• Princess hair: Eating healthy and drinking plenty of water will keep your scalp and hair healthy. Your hair will naturally be shinier. 🙂