Really, you’ve come across Kerastase and Olaplex during your visits to beauty stores or hair salons. The question arises: which one is the better choice for you? Earlier, we’ve compared high-end skincare giants like Lancome and Clarins.
Today’s focus, however, will be comparing Olaplex vs Kerastase – two titans in the realm of haircare. Our aim is to guide you in determining which brand aligns best with your needs.
Kerastase vs Olaplex Shampoo
If you are in search of an exceptional shampoo that not only purifies your hair strands but also maintains the natural pH level of your hair, it’s impossible to overlook the likes of Kerastase and Olaplex. These brands are universally acclaimed for their superior quality.
You’re likely reading this comparison because you’re intrigued by the reparative, nourishing, and fortifying attributes these shampoos claim to possess. For lustrous, clean, and soft hair, few can compete with Kerastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte Reconstructing Shampoo and Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo.
Yet, what sets them special? Which one is more suitable for you? Let our professional comparison between Kerastase Resistance and Olaplex guide you in making an informed choice.
In essence, all shampoos share a common purpose but vary in their formulation. This may seem like an oversimplified observation, yet it begs further examination. Consider Kerastase’s Resistance shampoo, for instance, which features their unique ‘Vita-Ciment complex’. This blend is rich in ceramides that nourish and repair your hair. On the other hand, Olaplex No4 shampoo boasts a patented ingredient known as Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (a challenging term indeed!). Both aim to rejuvenate and fortify your hair strands from within to achieve the same desired outcome.
However, during our investigation for this piece, we stumbled upon an unexpected complexity. For many users, Olaplex products are considered the ultimate solution for transforming parched and frizzy locks into lustrous and silky tresses. Yet for a small group of users, these products are associated with severe hair damage and even hair loss! We have been tracking several online conversations on Reddit and Sephora forums which reveal no definitive agreement on what triggers such divergent results.
Nevertheless, we have arrived at a possible explanation: protein sensitivity. Some individuals possess protein sensitive hair, meaning they cannot tolerate the strengthening effects of keratin, protein or bonding ingredients (found abundantly in Olaplex products), leading to potential hair loss.
To ascertain if your hair is sensitive to protein, we suggest applying a minimal quantity of product on a brief, moist strand of hair. Once it has dried, the stiffness or breakage in that particular section will immediately indicate if you have protein sensitivity. We haven’t encountered any significant grievances concerning the Kerastase Resistance Shampoo, which we personally *adore*.
Hence, we wholeheartedly endorse it as a starting point regardless of your protein sensitivity status. However, if you suspect severe intolerance to protein in your hair, our advice centers around hydration – abundant and repeated hydration. For this purpose, we direct you towards our best French shampoo article.
Resistance Bain Force Architecte Shampoo by Kerastase
A hair strengthening shampoo.
What makes it special? It uses a unique Vita-Ciment Complex to not only cleanse the hair of dirt and impurities but also enhance its strength, specifically targeting brittle hair prone to breakage and split ends. This is backed by a multitude of glowing reviews. The result? Hair that feels softer, sleeker, and more protected against damage.
Which hair types? It’s ideal for those with brittle, damaged hair with split ends, but it can also provide protective benefits for normal hair types.
No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo by Olaplex
A highly moisturizing, reparative shampoo.
What makes it special? Its ability to mend broken bonds caused by daily strains such as hair damage, split ends, and frizz. With each application, it enhances manageability, boosts shine and improves the overall health of your hair. It’s also safe for colored hair and has been scientifically validated to lessen hair breakage while fortifying all kinds of hair textures.
Who can use it? Anyone with any type of hair, unless you have a sensitivity to protein!
Kerastase vs Olaplex Conditioner
Just as it’s essential to cleanse your skin, it’s equally important to wash your hair. However, this process can deplete the moisture from your hair, which needs to be replenished using a conditioner – similar to how you’d moisturize your skin after cleansing. Among the plethora of conditioners available in the market, Olaplex and Kerastase stand out for their superior quality.
The most acclaimed comparison for top-notch conditioners is between Kerastase Resistance Ciment Anti-usure and Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner. For a comprehensive review, we suggest revisiting the Shampoos section. To summarize briefly, although Olaplex’s revolutionary bond-repairing molecule works wonders for many, it can cause protein sensitivities in some individuals leading to hair damage or even hair loss in extreme cases.
Really, only a small percentage of instances exhibit this phenomenon. However, it would be a significant oversight on our part not to caution our readers. Before purchasing any Olaplex product, it’s crucial to conduct a protein sensitivity test on yourself.
This can be done by applying a tiny quantity of the product (or any protein-rich substance like raw egg) to a short, damp strand of your hair. Allow your hair to dry naturally and then examine the treated section. If you notice extreme stiffness or breakage in that area, it’s an immediate indication of protein sensitivity.
Alternatively, consider using Kerastase Resistance Ciment Anti-usure conditioner! This cult-favourite product will not only save you from dealing with intolerances and sensitivities but is also one of the most superior conditioners currently available.
Resistance Ciment Anti-usure Conditioner by Kerastase
A strengthening conditioner to restore hair.
What makes it special? It revives exhausted hair lengths and ends. Our unique formula, Ciment Anti-Usure, is fortified with Vita Ciment Advance and selectively restores and strengthens the hair from within based on the level of damage. Simultaneously, it recreates the external protective layer, shielding your hair from external harm. A combination of natural Protein and Vita-Topseal synergizes with your hair to leave it feeling softer, healthier, and more naturally tactile.
Who can use it? Suitable for all hair types but particularly beneficial for those struggling with damaged tresses.
No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner by Olaplex
A highly-moisturizing, reparative conditioner for all hair types.
What makes it special? Its uniqueness lies in its ability to make hair more manageable, radiant, and healthy with every application. It safeguards and mends damaged strands, split ends, and frizz by reconnecting broken bonds. This conditioner is safe for color-treated hair, fortifying it to be stronger than before.
Who can use it? It is appropriate for all hair types.
Kerastase Fusio Dose vs Olaplex Treatment
It can be argued that every product from Kerastase and Olaplex falls under the category of treatments. However, adhering to a more rigid definition, treatments are the optimal solution for rapid hair transformation due to their high concentration of powerful, nourishing components. Both Olaplex and Kerastase offer remarkable ranges of treatments designed to reveal your natural, smooth and luxurious hair.
The Kerastase Fusio Dose and Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3 Repairing Treatment are two must-have products in hair care, although choosing between them may pose a challenge. Ignoring the tolerance issue for this comparison (refer back to the Shampoo section for additional details), this is likely going to be a challenging comparison akin to comparing apples with oranges, with the final decision resting solely on personal preference.
One notable difference is that the Olaplex treatment is available in a single bottle and can be applied just like a conditioner or hair mask. On the other hand, using Kerastase Fusio-Dose involves some preparation: initially, half a vial of Fusio-Dose concentrate is provided which needs an additional purchase of a separate fusio-dose booster that should be mixed into the vial before usage. Once prepared, it’s applied on towel-dried hair via spraying.
Both Kerastase Fusio-Dose and Olaplex are highly sought-after treatments commonly offered in top-tier hair salons, indicating their equal popularity. However, one might observe that the Fusio-Dose requires a certain level of customization and preparation, which may position it more as a professional salon treatment rather than something you’d do at home.
Truly, the Olaplex treatment appears to be more conducive to a DIY approach. In essence, the choice between these two boils down to personalization versus convenience. We particularly appreciate the ability to tailor-make a treatment that precisely addresses your hair’s unique requirements with the Kerastase Fusio-Dose, making it our preferred choice.
Fusio Dose by Kerastase
A potent, customizable hair treatment consisting of a concentre and a booster.
What makes it special? It stands out due to its ability to be personalized to meet your specific hair requirements. Depending on your individual needs, you can create a bespoke blend from 20 potential combinations, which will instantly revamp your hair. The concentr addresses your primary concern, while the booster targets your secondary issue.
Who can use it? This treatment is suitable for all types of hair.
Hair Perfector No 3 Repairing Treatment by Olaplex
The #1 product in prestige haircare according to NPD.
What makes it special? It’s a weekly home-based treatment, not just a conditioner. It minimizes hair breakage and noticeably fortifies your hair, enhancing its appearance and texture. In one application, this product visibly restores your hair’s health and structure. It has been scientifically verified to produce hair that’s three times stronger, allowing you to flaunt a glossy, healthy head of hair.
Who can use it? All types of hair but particularly beneficial for visibly damaged ones.
Kerastase vs Olaplex Hair Oil
The health of your hair and scalp greatly depends on the use of oils. Although hair treatments and conditioners are infused with these beneficial oils, the results achieved by dedicated hair oils like Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil or Kerastase Elixir Ultime are unparalleled in terms of delivering a polished, smooth, glossy look.
It’s crucial to understand that unlike some other hair oils in the market, both Olaplex and Kerastase provide a concoction of various oils. The significance of this lies in the fact that different oils possess distinct vitamins which consequently provide unique benefits to your hair. The mixture found in Olaplex Bonding Oil includes Corn, Sunflower Seed, Moringa Seed, and Pomegranate Seed oils.
Together they work to significantly enhance shine, softness, and color vibrancy while reducing frizz. On the other hand, Kerastase Elixir Ultime contains Corn, Argan, Camellia Kissi, and Pentaclethra Macroloba oils which offer similar benefits as Olaplex such as damage protection, heat protection, color protection along with shine enhancement and frizz reduction but with an added focus on scent profile.
While Olaplex presents a standard citrusy aroma; Kerastase stands out with its extraordinary fusion of floral notes from Violet leaf & Freesia & Mandarin along with woody notes extracted from Musc.
In comparing Kerastase and Olaplex, it’s important to consider your specific needs. If you’re looking for a luxurious experience with an aromatherapeutic touch, Kerastase’s Elixir Ultime is the way to go.
However, if you’re more focused on functionality and repairing severe damage beyond what a typical oil treatment can do, (unless you have sensitivity or allergies), Olaplex No 7 Bonding Oil is your best bet. This product, like all others in the Olaplex range, contains their unique patented bonding ingredient which provides noticeable repair results.
Elixir Ultime by Kerastase
Kerastase’s iconic hair oil.
What makes it special? This high-performing, leave-in hair oil is designed to rejuvenate lifeless hair while offering heat protection of up to 230 degrees. It aids in camouflaging split ends and streamlining the hair fibre for enduring control over frizz. The result is an immediate enhancement of your hair’s lustre and an intense, noticeable shine. Enriched with a unique combination of floral aromas like Violet leaf, Freesia and Mandarin, along with woody scents and Musc extract, this Oil offers a captivating sensory experience as it seamlessly integrates into your hair.
Who can use it? Hair that feels silky smooth and luxuriously soft. And the best part – it’s suitable for all types of hair!
No7 Bonding Oil by Olaplex
A highly-concentrated, weightless reparative styling oil.
What makes it special? The unique N°.7 formula significantly enhances luster, smoothness, and color intensity while reducing stray hairs and frizz. Main advantages include the ability to mend damaged and compromised hair, fortify and safeguard the hair structure, and rejuvenate the overall look and feel of your hair.
Who can use it? Every type of hair.
Kerastase vs Olaplex Hair Mask
In the context of hair care, the term ‘mask’ denotes a product designed to hide or camouflage damage, unlike a ‘treatment’ which is intended to resolve the root cause of the issue. Ideally, both should be incorporated into your hair care routine instead of choosing one over the other.
For an in-depth understanding of how hair masks differ from treatments, particularly in relation to Olaplex products, we recommend our Olaplex 3 vs 8 analysis. But for now, let’s plunge directly into our comparison between Kerastase Resistance Masque Therapiste and Olaplex No 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask. Central to both these products is a rich concoction of oils and botanical extracts that provide enduring hydration to your locks.
This unique emphasis on moisture retention distinguishes these products from other treatments on the market; their primary goal is to hydrate and replenish dry strands. You might question if this isn’t what a conditioner does? Indeed, you’re not far off as both categories share similar conditioning components. However, while conditioners offer quick surface-level results, a hair mask delves deeper into your strands offering more substantial long-term benefits from within.
The effectiveness of ‘penetration’ is enhanced by the presence of Amino Acids in Kerastase’s Resistance Masque Therapiste, and Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate in Olaplex No8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask. Both serve as treatments for damaged hair, reducing the likelihood of hair breakage.
The outcomes are self-evident, with Olaplex No8 delivering double the shine, quadruple the moisture, and six times smoother hair based on an independent clinical study. While Kerastase Resistance Masque Therapiste hasn’t undergone such extensive clinical trials, anecdotal evidence suggests it is equally effective and has a superior fragrance.
The Resistance Masque Therapiste has a rich texture which may weigh down hair if used excessively. Olaplex No8 also has a rich consistency but includes a pump for accurate application depending on your hair type (1 pump for fine or short hair, 2 pumps for medium or shoulder length hair, and 3 pumps for thick or long hair).
In conclusion, we favor Olaplex No 8 Mask. Choosing shampoo and conditioner based on sensory appeal makes sense to us; however, when it comes to treatments and masks for hair care, effectiveness should be the primary consideration.
Resistance Masque Therapiste by Kerastase
Restores strength and boosts elasticity.
What makes it special? This masque, with its buttery texture, delves deep into your hair strands to renew their strength and amplify their elasticity. It is particularly beneficial for severely damaged or excessively treated hair. The light formulation of the masque revitalizes your hair, locking in essential moisture to deliver a silky smooth and hydrated finish. Its unique FIBRA-KAP formula is fortified with six vital amino acids that replenish the protein content and foster robust, healthy hair.
Who can use it? It is suitable for all hair types.
No8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask by Olaplex
A multi-benefit, reparative hair mask.
What makes it special? It is enriched with the patented OLAPLEX Bond Building technology, a highly potent formula that enhances the shine, smoothness, and body of your hair while delivering deep hydration to repair damaged strands. The result? Hair so noticeably healthy that you won’t need any additional styling.
Who can use it? Suitable for all hair types.
Conclusion
Both Kerastase and Olaplex offer high-quality hair care solutions, each with its unique approach. Kerastase excels in providing personalized hair treatments tailored to different types of hair, while Olaplex stands out for its groundbreaking technology that repairs hair damage at a molecular level.
Both brands provide products that can transform the health and appearance of your hair when used correctly. Your choice between Kerastase and Olaplex should be based on your specific hair needs and condition. Consider consulting with a professional hairstylist or trichologist for advice tailored to your unique hair type and condition before making a decision.
