A few years ago, I decided to go full-on blonde, inspired by a certain '90s babe known for running on the beach in her iconic red bathing suit. The look wasn’t too much of a stretch for me, as I had already been dyeing my hair pink (which I jokingly refer to as my “natural” hair color) for years, and it would gradually fade into blonde between scheduled salon appointments. My natural hair color is dark brown, so it’s been through a lot of processing. Over the years, the texture of my overprocessed hair has changed significantly, which is expected as we age. However, all the bleaching and dyeing have certainly contributed to the damage. Now that I’ve committed to being blonde, I've noticed more breakage, split ends, frizz, and dryness.
Maintaining my overprocessed hair requires a lot of patience, perseverance, and the right products. It’s crucial to know which ones work best for my hair in its current state and to be aware of environmental stressors. Not only is my hair vulnerable after stripping off its pigment, but it’s also prone to more damage caused by calcium buildup from showering. That’s where Kérastase Première comes in, as it specifically works to repair damage caused by this kind of buildup. So imagine my excitement when the brand booked me an appointment to try the system at the Cristophe Salon in Beverly Hills and sent me the complete range of products to continue the routine at home. Let’s just say my prayers to the hair gods have been answered!
Keep reading for my Kerastase Première review and to see how my bleach-blonde hair turned out after using the collection.
What Is Kérastase Première?
Nothing beats the feeling of stepping into the shower after a long day, especially when it’s time to wash your hair. However, water—yes, water—can also do some serious damage to your locks. This is due to calcium buildup from hard water running through the pipes in our homes. These mineral deposits can cling to hair, making your color look dull and faded, and causing issues like dry and brittle strands, breakage, and scalp irritation.
The Kérastase Première system is a comprehensive set of six haircare products designed to address the impact of calcium in shower water on hair damage. It starts with a pre-shampoo treatment formulated with a potent mix of glycine and citric acid to remove calcium buildup and bring hair back to life. The system includes a shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, anti-frizz serum, and repair oil. While these six products are for home use, an exclusive treatment is available at Kérastase-carrying salons called the Concentré Liquide Resurfaçant. This treatment is perfect for anyone needing intense decalcification, resulting in stronger, healthier, and shinier hair.
While the system is ideal for processed hair folks like me, anyone with fine to medium damaged hair can benefit from Kérastase Première and create a regimen that works best for their individual concerns. (If you need a little guidance figuring out if the system is for you, you can take this super short quiz!) Whether it’s using the Kérastase Première Masque Filler Réparateur a couple of times a week to target severe breakage or the Kérastase Première Sèrum Filler Fondamental for heat protection before styling, the system is versatile and easy to use.
What Are the Benefits of Kérastase Première?
Unfortunately, the saying "some bonds can’t be broken" doesn’t apply to your hair. When hair is repeatedly exposed to calcium buildup, the keratin bonds can snap or splinter, leading to split ends and breakage. The Kérastase Première system acts as the antidote to aid hair bond repair by descaling strands and getting rid of all that buildup. Not only does it clean everything out, but it also reinforces weak hair bonds and rebuilds the broken links between keratin chains. When the full system is used continuously, it can result in 93% less breakage*, 75% more shine**, and restore up to 99% of the hair’s original strength. Hair feels and looks like brand new—smooth and shiny, with vibrant color.
*vs. non-conditioning shampoo
**vs. unwashed hair
Kérastase Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur (Repairing Pre-Shampoo Treatment)
The Kérastase Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur is a pre-shampoo treatment designed for use in the shower. These products come in various formulations targeting specific hair issues, such as a purifying scalp scrub, a detangling treatment, or, in this case, a dual-action gel that removes mineral buildup and repairs broken links between keratin chains. This treatment contains a powerful blend of ingredients, including glycine and citric acid, which work together to clean out the calcium buildup from hard water.
To use, apply three to five pumps of the product to wet hair before shampooing. Massage the product throughout your hair and leave it on for five minutes. Do not rinse; instead, layer the next step, Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur.
Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur (Repairing Shampoo)
This sulfate-free shampoo formula gently cleanses the scalp and hair while reversing stiffness and resurfacing. It can also be used on all damaged hair types. And while you can use the shampoo on its own, it’s best to layer it right on top of the Kérastase Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur, work into your hair and rinse.
Kérastase Première Fondant Fluidité Réparateur (Repairing Conditioner)
When it comes to conditioning, you have two options depending on your hair type. The first is the Première Fondant, a lightweight conditioner that works on fine to medium hair and incorporates the benefits of the citric acid and glycine complex while adding hydration and reducing hair rigidity. Simply apply to shampooed hair and leave on for three to five minutes before rinsing.
Kérastase Première Masque Filler Réparateur (Anti-Breakage Reparing Hair Mask)
The other conditioning option in Kérastase’s Première range is the Masque Filler Réparateur. Apply the leave-in mask after shampooing and rinse it off after two or three minutes. You can use this once or twice a week to add hydration and reduce the look of split ends. The rich consistency is ideal for those with thicker hair.
Kérastase Première Sèrum Filler Fondamental (Reparing Anti-Frizz Serum)
Using a heat protectant product is a must before blowing out your hair or using hot tools, and the Sérum Filler Fondamental Repairing Anti-Frizz Serum protects hair from heat damage up to 450°F. Apply the serum before blow-drying and styling. For best results, layer the Huile Gloss Réparatrice Intensive Shine Repair Oil with the Sérum Filler.
Kérastase Première Huile Gloss Réparatrice (Intensive Shine Repair Oil)
The Huile Gloss Réparatrice Intensive Shine Repair Oil is the ideal prodcuts for an added shine boost and extra heat protection. Apply one to two drops of the hair oil to damp or dry hair, then blow-dry and heat style. Your hair will be left stronger, shinier, and frizz-free.
My Kérastase Première Review
My first experience with the Kérastase Première system was with Josie Russo, an expert stylist at Cristophe Beverly Hills. We started with a consultation, during which Russo explained how my processed blonde hair made me the ideal customer for Kérastase Première. She also talked about the calcium buildup issue. Here in Los Angeles, we’re infamous for our hard water. Even though I have a shower filter installed at home, I could still use some extra help keeping my hair healthy.
Russo used the entire Kérastase Première system on me, including the aforementioned in-salon treatment: Concentré Liquide Resurfaçant. The Concentré Liquide Resurfaçant exposes the hair to the highest amount of citric acid and glycine to decalcify hair. It was the third step, applied between the shampoo (Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur) and conditioning mask (Masque Filler Réparateur). Josie shared that the Concentré Liquide Resurfaçant was especially beneficial for my high porosity, bleached hair since it absorbs three times the calcium of untreated hair. All that calcium damage can contribute to frizz, dullness, and breakage—all issues I do NOT need any more of!
I could not be happier with the results. After a killer blowout, my hair looked healthy, shiny, and felt so soft that if you had told me I was wearing a wig, I wouldn’t have questioned it! Josie also shared tips for using the products myself, including how to properly apply hair oil (like the Gloss Réparatrice Intensive Shine Repair Oil) by putting the product on both of my palms and “sandwiching” my strands. This helps ensure that the product is distributed evenly throughout my hair—it’s important that the ends of my hair get enough moisture since they can be very dry. I felt lucky to have this type of guidance before using the system at home.
The next week, I received the products and started to use Kérastase Première on my own. To be totally transparent, if a product requires me to step out of the shower for 30 minutes while it sits on my hair, I will probably not use it. But with the Kérastase Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur, all I had to do was apply it to my wet hair and leave it on for five minutes before following up with the shampoo, Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur, right on top. Easy-peasy.
While using a “system” with so many steps can feel intimidating, Kérastase Première couldn’t be easier. I use the pre-shampoo once a week and alternate between the conditioner and the mask after shampooing. And I can already see the Huile Gloss Réparatrice Intensive Shine Repair Oil becoming my go-to heat protectant. The difference in my hair is incredible. My strands feel softer and stronger, and the color looks fresh and brighter. Anyone with overprocessed and damaged hair needs to get with the system—the Kérastase Première system, that is. You won’t regret it.
Next Up: Kérastase Symbiose Relieved My Dry Patchy Scalp, Leaving Me With Shiny, Moisturized Strands
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