I’ve previously used the Resistance range from Kerastase several times which did great things for my hair, and recently as I had run out of my favourite Korean shampoos (Dr.FORHAIR Bio-3 Folligen Shampoo / Labo-H Scalp Strengthening Shampoo Hair Loss Care), I thought I’d try some other Kerastase shampoos and conditioners that are easier to get in the UK. I got the shampoo and conditioner from both the Densifique and Nutritive lines but will focus this review solely on Densifique (stay tuned for my review of the Nutritive line next month).
The Densifique range is described as “A dedicated luxurious ritual to make devitalized hair thicker, fuller and healthier-looking. The Densifique range features products with densifying technologies including hyularonic acid and Intra-Cyclane. This range will plump, hydrate and strengthen the hair.”
This sounds like the exact range my hair needs and something my favourite Korean shampoos were tackling well, so I wanted to see how it compares and if its as good as it sounds for hair density and strength.
I’ll first share some general information about the shampoo and conditioner and then write about my experience with them.
Kerastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo
This daily shampoo is designed for hair fiber experiencing loss of density. Bain Densité strengthens the hair at the fiber and awakens dormant follicles to give more texture, substance and resilience to the hair. Body and bounce are restored for hair that appears visibly fuller and thicker-looking. Infused with hyaluronic acid and intra-cylane – helps to give instant long-lasting fullness and bounce.
Quantity: 250ml
How to use: Wet hair thoroughly and apply a coin-sized amount, Lather by adding a little water, emulsify and rinse.
*As per description on Kerastase website.
Ingredients: Aqua / Water – Sodium Laureth Sulfate – Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate – Glycol Distearate – Sodium Chloride – Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate – Hexylene Glycol – Sodium Benzoate – Magnesium Laureth-8 sulfate – Magnesium Laureth Sulfate – Sodium Oleth Sulfate – Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride – Alcohol denat . – Polyquaternium-30 – Salicylic Acid – Carbomer – Magnesium Oleth Sulfate – Hexyl Cinnamal – Arginine – Glutamic Acid – Linalool – Citronellol – Serine – Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone – Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein – Sodium Hyaluronate – 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol – Safflower Glucoside – Geraniol – Sodium Hydroxide – Citric Acid – Parfum / Fragrance
Kerastase Densifique Fondant Densité Conditioner
A thickening conditioner designed for hair that lacks density. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Inrtra-Cylane®, Fondant Densité gives the hair more texture, substance and resilience leaving hair visibly fuller with more with more body.
Quantity: 200ml
How to use: Apply a quarter size amount of Fondant Densité to wet hair after shampooing, distribute evenly throughout mid-lenghts and ends, leave on for 2-3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
*As per description on Kerastase website.
Ingredients: Aqua / Water – Cetearyl Alcohol – Behentrimonium Chloride – Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane – Starch Acetate – Cetyl Esters – Isopropyl Alcohol – Lactic Acid – Hydroxyethylcellulose – Hexyl Cinnamal – Linalool – Chlorhexidine Digluconate – Citronellol – Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone – 2-Oleamido-1 , 3-Octadecanediol – Safflower Glucoside – Ci 19140 / Yellow 5 – Ci 17200 / Red 33 – Sodium Hyaluronate – Tocopherol – Bht – Sodium Citrate – Parfum / Fragrance
My Experience
I had high hopes for the Kerastase Densifique Shampoo and Conditioner, but it quickly became apparent that they weren’t a match made in hair heaven for me. First off, the scent is a strong floral that I found overwhelming and not particularly pleasant, but more importantly, I don’t like this shampoo in conditioner because they didn’t deliver the moisture and density my hair craved.
The Kerastase Densifique Shampoo, lathers really well so a little goes a long way for cleaning the scalp. Texture-wise the shampoo was fine and did feel like my hair was a little plusher while washing it out, it also washes out really easily which is good.
Moving on to the Kerastase Densifique Conditioner, its consistency is thinner than conditioners I usually use and its texture is light and lotion-like which means it absorbs into my hair almost too quickly and washes out very easily too. For someone with long, dry hair, this also meant I had to use more than usual but still the end result was lacking so I can’t say it’s worth the price point.
After finishing my hair washing routine with the Kerastase Densifique Shampoo and Conditioner, at first my hair did feel fuller while brushing through with my Tangle Teezer as if it had been injected with hydration, yet this was a misleading sensation. Although the strands felt denser while wet, once I dried my hair, my parting looked empty and sparse, giving an overall flat appearance. It seemed like my hair had lost its natural oomph, leaving it dry and frizzy. My scalp also ended up with visible dry flakes immediately after washing and drying, along with a lot of frizz and flyaways. Instead of shiny, healthy-looking hair, I was left with dull, lifeless locks.
Despite the promise of increased density with continued use, the product did not deliver the smooth, silky, dense hair I desired. Instead, it dried out my hair further causing it to look and feel frazzled, damaged and lacking volume.
There was no noticeable improvement in density or smoothness, and using more conditioner on subsequent days made no difference either. I even tried pairing the conditioner with my trusted shampoos, but the result was the same: dry, frizzy, lifeless hair that looked and felt damaged.
Even my husband and dad, who both have nice hair, experienced the same hay-like strands and scalp flaking after using the shampoo. We all stopped using it after a couple of weeks due to these disappointing results. I even gave it another chance later but the outcome was just as horrendous.
Overall, I’m not impressed by the Kerastase Densifique range as it doesn’t provide the promised density or moisture. If you have a dry scalp and dry hair, stay clear of this shampoo and conditioner. I’m no hair expert so I can’t say exactly what ingredient is causing the dryness, but Looking again at the ingredients list, I see denatured alcohol which you might think could be playing a part in drying the scalp and hair however it’s not high in the ingredients list and is probably there for texture purposes, plus the Kerastase Resistance shampoo also contains it but doesn’t cause the same dryness, so my eyes then turn to the hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) which is meant to draw moisture from the environment into your hair and skin, but potentially wouldn’t work in haircare once you blow dry your hair.
I can only recommend the Densifique Shampoo and Conditioner if your hair and scalp are extremely oily, as it seems to work more as a deeply clarifying wash. For me, it resulted in very dry and frizzy hair, necessitating a haircut to recover from the damage, so keep that in mind when choosing which Kerastase products you want to try.
While the Densifique range was disappointing, Kerastase has so many amazing haircare products so it’s just about finding the right line for your particular hair type. They also have sets of minis to try out before committing to the full size so I’ll be buying those for the other lines I haven’t tried yet. For now, my favourite line is definitely the Resistance one in the aqua-coloured packaging, as it makes my hair feel stronger and look healthier.
Where to purchase Kerastase shampoos and conditioners? LOOK FANTASTIC / BOOTS
Have you used this shampoo and conditioner before? Please share your thoughts in the comments section and also let me know what your favourite haircare products are? 😀
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