Confession: My hair and I have been through a lot together. I started coloring it a full 13 years ago, and as a teenager, I tried everything from sun-activated hair-lightening sprays to actual lemon juice to make it appear brighter. Unsurprisingly, I have damaged hair. While I’ve seen several hair stylists over the years who’ve managed to help my hair appear healthier temporarily, the stress I’ve caused to my strands remains evident in the form of split ends, dryness, and untamable frizz. For years, I’ve been desperately searching for new products to give my bright blonde 2A waves the deep refresh they deserve, albeit to no avail.
So, when I was given the opportunity to try L'Oréal Professionnel’s Absolut Repair Molecular collection at Warren Tricomi Salon in NYC, my over-processed hair and I ran to the Upper East Side to see if this new treatment was really worth the hype. (Spoiler alert: It is!) Ahead, learn about the innovative repairing system and discover what it managed to do for my brittle, over-processed strands.
What is the L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular line?
The Absolut Repair Molecular collection is a four-step haircare system designed to help repair and restore brittle, damaged hair. The line’s pre-treatment, sulfate-free shampoo, rinse-off serum, and leave-in mask are all formulated with peptide bonders and five amino acids and to help reinforce the hair’s natural structure. It’s designed for brittle, weakened strands but can also be used to help strengthen less resilient hair before a major transformation (like bleaching). And as far as hair types, it’s suitable for all—from ultra-fine to coarse strands.
While the pre-treatment is a salon-exclusive, the other three products in the lineup are available for purchase. You can use them all together or mix and match the products to suit your hair’s needs. In terms of frequency, this isn’t an everyday system. The pre-treatment is designed for weekly use on damaged hair, while the rest of the products are suggested for use roughly once every two weeks
What are the benefits of the L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular line?
The Absolut Repair Molecular system has several benefits, but the biggest is undoubtedly how quickly it works. The collection visibly fights two years of damage in a single use when the complete system is used together. I know that sounds like a stretch, but hear me out: This stuff is borderline magical.
So, a quick science lesson: When your hair is damaged, the molecular bonds that keep your strands intact can weaken. This, in turn, can cause your hair to become ultra-brittle and vulnerable to excessive breakage. The Absolut Repair Molecular system is designed to help reinforce those weak bonds, strengthening your hair from the inside out. That being said, each product in the lineup has its own unique purpose and benefits. Keep scrolling to learn a bit more about the collection.
L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Pre-Treatment
First, let’s talk about the L'Oréal Absolut Repair Molecular Pre-Treatment. The salon-exclusive treatment contains the brand’s highest concentration of peptide bonders and amino acids to help restore your hair’s elasticity.
When you get the treatment, you can expect your stylist to spray your damp, towel-dried hair 15-20 times. They’ll work the product through the lengths and ends for one to two minutes, skipping the rinse and moving straight to shampooing.
L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Next up is the L'Oréal Absolut Repair Molecular Sulfate-Free Shampoo, which is designed to gently cleanse while helping to nourish and strengthen your hair fiber. The sulfate-free formula transforms from a dense gel into a rich foam for a luxurious shampooing experience.
L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Rinse-Off Serum
Normally, you'd follow shampoo with a conditioner, but in this case, we're using a rinse-off hair serum. The L'Oréal Absolut Repair Molecular Rinse-Off Serum contains lighter, more concentrated ingredients that penetrate deeper into the hair shaft as opposed to a traditional conditioner. It adds moisture, shine, and definition to your strands while protecting them from environmental aggressors, leaving your strands 3X stronger and full of body.
All you have to do is detangle and divide your wet hair into two sections. Then, use four to six pumps of product from mid-lengths to the ends to distribute it evenly throughout your locks. Finish with a rinse. If you have extremely dry hair, feel free to apply it all the way from your roots to your ends. You could even follow that with a hair mask (for added damage control try L’Oreal Professionnel’s Absolut Repair Resurfacing Golden Mask!) for additional softness, just be sure to rinse thoroughly before the next step.
L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Leave-In Mask
The final product in the collection is the Absolut Repair Molecular Leave-In Mask. The lightweight leave-in treatment helps strengthen the hair and combats frizz. It also provides heat protection (up to 450oF) to help shield your hair from further damage.
To apply it, towel dry your hair then work two pumps of the product throughout your lengths and ends. From there, you can blow dry or air dry and style your hair as usual.
My L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Review
Prior to my appointment at the Warren Tricomi Salon, I had mixed expectations. On the one hand, I knew I was in good hands, but on the other, I felt as if my stubborn locks were irreversibly damaged. Regardless, anticipation bubbled as I was draped in a cape and seated for a consultation with my stylist, Mehria Aziz. I delved into my hair concerns—dryness, split ends, frizz, overprocessing, and breakage—and discussed expectations with Aziz, who assured me that the L'Oréal Absolut Repair Molecular lineup could help restore the appearance of my strands.
After my consultation, we made our way to the shampoo station, which is where the magic happened. Aziz started with the salon-exclusive pre-treatment, then cleansed my hair and scalp with the collection’s strengthening shampoo (one of the most lightweight, delightfully foamy shampoos I’ve ever had grace my scalp).
Then, she applied the rinse-off serum and concluded with the leave-in mask. Right away, the transformative effects were evident. My hair, which is usually a tangled mess after washing, was more manageable than usual. The range also smelled divine—an unexpected bonus I found extremely pleasant.
Moving on to the blow-dry stage, Aziz proposed a trim to maximize the benefits of the treatment. With my split ends (finally) banished and the treatment in full swing, the smoothness, softness, and shine were unparalleled. Post-cut, Aziz worked her magic with a round brush, adding volume and life to my once-flat strands. She finished the look with curls and a touch of hairspray, and just like that, my locks cascaded in flawless waves.
The L'Oréal Absolut Repair Molecular line-up completely blew my expectations out of the water. It did what many other “repair” products don’t do, which is get to the root of the problem instead of just masking it (puns intended).
So, the big question: Would I use it again? Undoubtedly, yes. I’ve never been so impressed by a hair treatment in my life—and I’ve tried a lot of them. My hair and I are finally on good terms again—and I couldn’t be happier.
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