Do you know L’Oreal owns Kerastase? It issues. Right here’s why: huge corporations like to economize. Why make investments the sources to create two fully completely different merchandise when you’ll be able to promote the identical factor twice below completely different manufacturers?
Working example: L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Harm Erasing Balm. The highest 4 components (ie those who do ALL the work) are an identical to these of Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair.
Sure, they’re DUPES.
L’Oreal creates the method as soon as after which tweaks it a bit so it could actually promote it below completely different model names. A distinct packaging, a barely extra floral scent and voilá: that fancy masks seems a world aside from its low-cost drugstore counterpart (regardless that they’ve extra in frequent than they dare to confess).
Let’s examine the 2 to seek out out which one do you have to get, we could?
What Key Substances Do These Hair Masks Have In Widespread?
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol, ie a great sort of alcohol with hydrating properties. Sure, some forms of alcohol are good for hair. This one is commonly utilized in shampoos and conditioners, particularly these designed for broken hair. Why? It’s a multitasker. It lubricates hair, making it mushy. Plus, it provides the masks their creamy and wealthy consistencies. And, as an emulsifier, it helps water and oil combine properly collectively so your masks doesn’t flip right into a gloopy mess. With out it, you’d mainly have a tragic separation state of affairs that no quantity of blending may save.
Associated: What Does Alcohol-Free In Skincare Imply?
BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
Behentrimonium Chloride (BC) is a cationic surfactant typically in deep conditioning therapies. Let me say that once more in plain English. BC coats hair, making a protecting barrier that makes it easy, manageable, and fewer vulnerable to breakage. Cationic surfactants like BC do that higher than silicones. Why?
I’m going to get a bit scientific on you now. Hair is negatively charged whereas cationic surfactants are positively charged. Opposites entice. On this case, it signifies that BC adheres higher to hair than silicones. And if you happen to’re questioning: Sure, because of this some conditioners can really make your hair really feel stronger after only one use. It’s not magic, it’s chemistry.
AMODIMETHICONE
Amodimethicone is a brilliant conditioning agent: it supplies selective conditioning to the areas most in want of it by electrostatic attraction. Mainly, “extremely broken areas of the hair cuticle possess larger destructive cost density, which reinforces the affinity of the cationic polymer to that particular space.” In different phrases, amodimethicone is aware of when it’s wanted essentially the most. Plus, it provides hair shine and protects it from warmth harm.
Enjoyable reality: Amodimethicone is commonly misunderstood. Individuals hear “-cone” and panic about buildup, however this man is manner lighter than heavy silicones like dimethicone. It gained’t depart your hair feeling greasy or weighed down until you’re critically overdoing it (like…utilizing half the jar).
The Relaxation Of The Formulation & Substances
NOTE: The colors point out the effectiveness of an ingredient. It’s ILLEGAL to place poisonous and dangerous components in skincare merchandise.
- Inexperienced: It’s efficient, confirmed to work, and helps the product do the absolute best job in your pores and skin.
- Yellow: There’s not a lot proof it really works (not less than, but).
- Crimson: What is that this doing right here?!
KERASTASE REFLECTION MASQUE CHROMATIQUE THICK HAIR INGREDIENTS
- Aqua / Water: The primary solvent within the product, it’s hydrating.
- Cetyl Esters: It makes hair mushy to the contact.
- Isopropyl Alcohol: A sort of alcohol that helps dissolve different components. It may be drying. Right here, its drying results are counteracted by the opposite emollients, so it will get q yellow score.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that extends the shelf lifetime of the product.
- Trideceth-6: An emulsifier that stops unfriendly components (resembling oil and water) from separating.
- Candelilla Cera / Candelilla Wax: A thickening agent and an emollient.
- Oryza Sativa Bran Oil / Rice Bran Oil: A moisturising oil that makes hair softer and smoother.
- Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate: An UV filter used to soak up UV rays. It will get a yellow score simply cos it doesn’t do a lot in a hair product.
- Glycine Soja Oil / Soybean Oil: It has hair-smoothing properties.
- Tocopherol: A type of Vitamin E, it has antioxidant properties. It additionally helps the method last more.
- Limonene: A standard perfume ingredient present in citrus fruits. It smells superb, however it should listed individually on the label as a result of it’s a typical allergen.
- Chlorhexidine Digluconate: A preservative that protects from a variety of gram destructive and gram optimistic vegetative micro organism, yeasts, and fungi.
- Linalool: One other frequent perfume ingredient that smells superb, however it’s irritating.
- Cetrimonium Chloride: One other preservative that helps a product last more.
- Hexyl Cinnamal: A standard perfume ingredient used to masks odor in beauty formulations. It might trigger irritations.
- Citronellol: Yep, yet one more perfume ingredient that makes the masks odor good… and will irritate delicate pores and skin.
- Butylene Glycol: It’s a solvent and texture-enhancer.
- Benzyl Alcohol: A standard preservative. It’s thought-about one of many gentlest.
- Geraniol: Yet one more perfume ingredient. Divine scent, irritating potential.
- Zinc Gluconate: It might soothe an irritated scalp.
- Sodium Citrate: It helps stability the pH of magnificence merchandise.
- Bht: One other preservative that extends the shelf lifetime of the masks.
- Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract: It supplies antioxidant properties. Hair is lifeless, so it’s ineffective right here – therefore the yellow score.
- Citrus Junos Fruit Extract: It makes hair softer to the contact.
- Parfum / Perfume: It makes the masks odor good, however it’s irritating.
L’OREAL PARIS TOTAL REPAIR 5 DAMAGE-ERASING BALM
- Aqua / Water: The primary solvent within the product, it’s hydrating.
- Candelilla Wax: A thickening agent and an emollient.
- Cetyl Esters: It makes hair mushy to the contact.
- Glycerin: A humectant that deeply hydrates hair.
- Isopropyl Alcohol: A sort of alcohol that helps dissolve different components. It may be drying. Right here, its drying results are counteracted by the opposite emollients, so it will get q yellow score.
- Parfum / Perfume: It makes the masks odor good, however it’s irritating.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that extends the shelf lifetime of the product.
- Trideceth-6: An emulsifier that stops unfriendly components (resembling oil and water) from separating.
- Hydroxypropyl Guar: It’s a thickening agent.
- Arginine: An amino acid that moisturises pores and skin.
- Glutamic Acid: One other amino acid with hydrating properties.
- Linalool: A perfume part that have to be listed individually on the label as a result of it’s a typical irritant.
- Hexyl Cinnamal: A standard perfume ingredient used to masks odor in beauty formulations. It might trigger irritations.
- Cetrimonium Chloride: One other preservative that helps a product last more.
- Serine: One other amino acid that makes hair softer and smoother.
- Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride: It reduces the variety of germs round – and that might doubtlessly get into your masks.
- Benzyl Salicylate: A perfume ingredient with a candy floral odor. And sure, it could actually irritate pores and skin.
- Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: It hydrates hair.
- Benzyl Alcohol: A standard preservative. It’s thought-about one of many gentlest.
- Limonene: A standard perfume ingredient present in citrus fruits. It smells superb, however it should listed individually on the label as a result of it’s a typical allergen.Limonene:
- Amyl Cinnamal: One other perfume ingredient that smells good, however can irritate pores and skin.
- Citronellol: Yep, yet one more perfume ingredient that makes the masks odor good… and will irritate delicate pores and skin.
- 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol: It makes hair softer.
- Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone: One other perfume ingredient with sensitising properties.
- CI 19140 / Yellow 5: A yellow dye.
- CI 15985 / Yellow 6: One other yellow dye.
Whis Formulation Is Higher?
As you’ll be able to, these formulation are very comparable. The primary distinction between Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair and L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Harm-Erasing Balm?
Kerastase accommodates a few pure oils that coat your hair, serving to it to remain mushy and supple. However they’re current in small quantities. Translation: they assist a bit, however it’s the artificial conditioning brokers talked about above (these you’ll discover within the L’Oreal masks, too) that do the majority of the moisturising work.
What’s The Texture Like?
Each Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair and L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Harm-Erasing Balm have wealthy, thick texture.
However Kerastase has a bit extra slip. It makes for a greater utility, however the finish outcomes are the identical. It’s as much as if you wish to pay extra for it.
In case you like a flowery second: The Kerastase one does make you’re feeling such as you’re doing a self-care ritual as an alternative of simply slapping conditioner on in your pajamas. I imply, generally the vibes are price it.
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What’s the Scent Like?
Let’s discuss concerning the elephant within the room: scent. It’s true scent may be irritating. It’s additionally true nobody needs to make use of one thing they don’t just like the scent of.
Kerastase smells a bit extra refined: suppose floral with a touch of salon freshness. L’Oreal’s scent is a little more candy and artificial, like your traditional drugstore haircare aisle.
Heads up: In case you’re tremendous delicate to perfume, neither is totally fragrance-free. However actually? The scent doesn’t stick round after rinsing until you stick your nostril proper in your hair (and if you happen to’re doing that, no judgment).
What’s the Packaging Like?
Each Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair and L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Harm-Erasing Balm are available huge jars.
Kerastase is a shiny pink. You may’t miss it on the shelf! It additionally feels a bit sturdier and fancier in your hand. L’Oreal is a extra subdued yellow. It doesn’t stand out as a lot, however it’ll final you a very long time. It’s additionally extra no-fuss, no-frills.
How To Use Them
Therapeutic massage the masks to shampooed and towel-dried hair, all the best way to the ideas. Go away on for 3-5 minutes. Rinse off nicely.
PRO TIP: In case you actually need to go professional, cowl your hair with a bathe cap when you wait. The warmth out of your scalp helps the conditioning brokers penetrate deeper. Science, child.
Which Of The Two Ought to You Go For?
I’m staff L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Harm-Erasing Balm all the best way. It does the identical factor for a fraction of the price.
I’d go for Kerastase provided that you don’t thoughts to pay a bit additional for a greater sensory expertise.
Availability
Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair (£36.30): Out there at Look Unbelievable
L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Harm-Erasing Balm ($7.99): Out there at Ulta and Walmart
Is L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Harm-Erasing Balm a dupe for Dupe For Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair?
Sure, L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Harm-Erasing Balm is a dupe for Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair. The scent and texture could also be barely completely different, however they ship the identical outcomes.
Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair Substances
Aqua / Water – Cetearyl Alcohol – Behentrimonium Chloride – Amodimethicone – Cetyl Esters – Isopropyl Alcohol – Phenoxyethanol – Trideceth-6 – Candelilla Cera / Candelilla Wax – Oryza Sativa Bran Oil / Rice Bran Oil – Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate – Glycine Soja Oil / Soybean Oil – Tocopherol -Limonene – Chlorhexidine Digluconate – Linalool – Cetrimonium Chloride – Hexyl Cinnamal – Citronellol – Butylene Glycol – Benzyl Alcohol – Geraniol – Zinc Gluconate – Sodium Citrate – Bht – Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract – Citrus Junos Fruit Extract – Parfum / Perfume
L’Oreal Elvive Whole Restore 5 Harm Erasing Balm Substances
Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Candellila Wax, Cetyl Esters, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Perfume, Phenoxyethanol, Trideceth-6, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Cetrimonium Chloride, Serine, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Amyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, CI 19140 / Yellow 5, CI 15985 / Yellow 6
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – day-after-day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create the perfect skincare routine in your distinctive wants.
