Kerastese or Redken?

Minky2Slice

Hi there,
I've been trying lots of different shampoos,(currently using Tresemme) but would like to try something better to try and improve my hair's condition...
Every month I try a different shampoo and conditioner brand, but none of them seem to really make a difference to my hair...

I am thinking of trying Kerastase or Redken, but can't decide which one to go for? Basically I colour my hair +- every 6 weeks... also my hair is very fine/thin and frizzy and I have to blowdry and straighten every other day - therefore my hair is somewhat weak and damaged...
Also, do I get something for coloured hair, or do i go for something to improve fine/thin hair??

ginchyqueendangle

Hi there,

Personally i use, Redken products. I think they are fab, even if they can be a bit pricey. I myself have very fine hair and before i started using redken it could be quite brittle. Then i discovered Redken All soft Addictive hair transformer. Its an amazing spray conditioner/treatment found in the gold bottles. You just leave it in for a few minutes then rinse out and it leaves your hair silky soft.

Personally i would suggest using the shampoo and normal condition for coloured hair, then once a month/depending how often you need it use the hair transformer as a good treatment.

Ginch

Alltheloginsaretakenappar

Hello :hello:

I'd recommend Kerastase, but to be honest I've never tried Redken. As I've mentioned a few times on here before, I used to work as a technician and manager at Toni & Guy, so aside from knowing about hair I've also known a lot of hairdressers and most recommend Kerastase as the best shampoos/conditioners on the market (even though we didn't use it at T&G).

Kerastase's Resistance range would probably be best for your hair, particularly the Ciment conditioner and the Forcintense treatments. The treatments are pricey but an essential part of a good haircare routine. A quick conditioner application after shampooing isn't enough you should do a treatment weekly, or more often if you're hair is in a really bad state just until it improves. You'll get the best from the treatments if you towel-dry your hair before applying it (otherwise the water just dilutes it, same goes for when you use conditioner, if you have the time). I usually just leave a treatment on overnight and wash it out in the morning.

lookfantastic is good for cheap hair products.

Another treatment I often recommend is this one by L'Oreal Power Dose It's meant to be for salon use only and some salons charge £15 for a single treatment. (Have a look at my earlier posts about this)

If you don't want to spend too much, then cut back on the cost of shampoo but never on the conditioner/treatments. Use any gentle shampoo (never anything harsh like Head & Shoulders or Wash & Go, even baby shampoo is actually very harsh on the hair) and once in a while or as necessary use a good quality clarifying/deep cleansing shampoo, one bottle should last for ages. (I just use TIGI deep cleansing shampoo, but mainly because I've still got loads left from when I was working at T&G)

Also, don't use styling products that contain alcohol as they dry the hair. Mousse, gel and hairspray are the main culprits, although these days ingredients are improving but I personally don't chance it as there are so many other types of styling products to choose from.

And cut back on the blow drying and straightening irons! But you didn't want to hear that did you?

Alltheloginsaretakenappar

ginchyqueendangle wrote:

I myself have very fine hair and before i started using redken it could be quite brittle. Then i discovered Redken All soft Addictive hair transformer. Its an amazing spray conditioner/treatment found in the gold bottles. You just leave it in for a few minutes then rinse out and it leaves your hair silky soft.

I like the look of that. My hair is fine too so I don't like anything heavy/greasy but at the same time I need good conditioning because of all the blowdrying and straightening irons. It sounds very similar to the power doses I use so I'll try it when I fancy a change (and I'll click the Thanks button when it reappears)

Dee123_2

Allthelogins,

Great post and fab link (but I could spend a fortune) so thanks!

mrcow

Do you use a leave in conditioner afterwards too? I have very long hair which I straighten and colour regularly and I swear by it.

Tigi Ego Boost is fantastic. I've been using it for about two years now and am so impressed I wouldn't change.

Also, after you've finished straightening, Tigi After Party is the best hair smoother I've come across. I challenge anyone to still have frizz after applying it! It smells divine too.

Minky2Slice

Thanks for the advice, you guys are all great!!

Minky2Slice

Alltheloginsaretakenappar wrote:

And cut back on the blow drying and straightening irons! But you didn't want to hear that did you?

oh, i knew this was to come at some stage

does anyone have any experience on chemical hair straightening? I got my hair done about 18 months ago, lasted for about 3 or 4 months until my hair started growing out too much at the roots. When I had this done, i didnt really have to use my straighteners all the time, which i suppose is a good thing? I am hoping to do this again at some stage, do you get any sort of chemical treatment that doesnt damage your hair too much? or shall i just stick with the straighteners every day? (I have to use straighteners and blowdry, otherwise my hair is really flat and horribly wavy with no style - I have long hair)

Alltheloginsaretakenappar

I did the basic training in chemical straightening, but there wasn't much call for it in my salon's area so I'm no expert. It's basically the same chemicals as for a perm and there are different strengths depending on the hair type. They aren't as harsh nowadays as in the past and it should be done just on the regrowth and not over the previously straightened hair. It might be better for your hair if it limits the blowdrying and irons, but only you can really compare the drying effects of each.

Before I left T&G there was a relatively new type of chemical straightening where they also used special ceramic irons as part of the process. I forget why it was better but perhaps it was less damaging or got better results so it might be worth asking about this.

mrcow wrote:

Do you use a leave in conditioner afterwards too? I have very long hair which I straighten and colour regularly and I swear by it.

Tigi Ego Boost is fantastic. I've been using it for about two years now and am so impressed I wouldn't change.

Also, after you've finished straightening, Tigi After Party is the best hair smoother I've come across. I challenge anyone to still have frizz after applying it! It smells divine too.

I don't use leave-in conditioner as my hair is fine and oily it needs washing every day. I haven't found any that don't feel heavy or oily on my hair, but I don't think I really need a leave-in anyway.

I haven't tried ego boost. So many new products came out after I left, and I still have loads to use up from the days of the staff discount :T . I do love after party though, it makes my hair feel like silk, but I can't use it too often because it looks greasy after a while so I stick to shine junkie mostly. I think T&G have the best styling products, they all smell amazing and they come in so many different textures and types - we really have come a long way since the days of just gel mousse and hairspray. The bedhead stick was the start of it all and it was copied a lot. But I probably shouldn't go on too much about T&G products after working there, and there are a lot of other brands that I haven't even used so I can't really compare them.

Minky2Slice

Thanks Alltheloginsaretakenappar, you have been a great deal of help and insight, I really miss the Thanks button!!
thanks for all the replies everyone!

In_Search_Of_Me

My pennies worth!! I have used Kerastase (bain satin2) for my fine, frizzy, straight at the back, wavy in middle & cow licks on front hair for years/goes greasy if I dont wash every day & I condition 2 x a week unless I swim in which case I use the red shampoo/conditioner...my new hairdresser convinced me to try Redkin (in a greyish turquise bottle) but nowhere near as good at conditioning, keeping nice curl me thinks...have resorted to boots own shampoo & conditioner 2 save money but will have to go back for Kerastse as its dire & my hair has gone awful!! As for straightening, curls are in girl! Ditch those straightners! If you have a good cut & shampoo you can (or I can anyway!!) get away with leaving it dry on its own & no product! Hope that helps? Problem is our hair is all different!