How the Kérastase Chroma Absolu Line Took My Hair from Sad and Damaged to Strong and Silky

Learn how the Kérastase Chroma Absolue line transformed one beauty editor’s hair from dry and damaged, to soft and thriving.

By Elizabeth Denton & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division
Update Date: 04 May 2022

I’m not very nice to my hair. I never have been. When it wanted to be curly in the ‘90s, I straightened it with a real iron (the horror). As a teenager, I started bleaching my fine, frizzy dark brown hair in the hopes of having sunny blonde locks. I used every hot tool and chemical service imaginable to create my dream hair—totally opposite from what came naturally out of my head. All of these stressors resulted in some serious damage to my strands. But that didn’t stop me.

Years later, I took my blonde a step further and went platinum, stripping my strands of every bit of pigment. I felt cooler than ever and like I had found my signature look. But that meant my dark brown hair had to be bleached every three to four weeks. My hair finally just gave up. My strands became “gummy” (a pro term for what the damaged hair feels like) and snapped off at the slightest touch. At one point, I had a 2-inch broken section of hair at the nape of my neck.

Now, I’ve decided I can have fun, pops of blonde in my brown hair while still maintaining its integrity. These days, I get highlights three to four times a year and lowlights to help cover any grays that pop up. I’ve also made a pact to be much nicer to my hair and use products that strengthen and repair the damage, all while keeping my color fresh. The Kérastase Chroma Absolu line is just that and more.

What Is Kérastase Chroma Absolu?

Kérastase Chroma Absolu hydrates the hair, protects color, and prevents color fading all at the same time. It’s infused with restoring acids, including amino acid to rebuild the hair from the inside out, tartaric acid to reduce oxidative stress, and lactic acid to gently exfoliate and seal the hair surface. The addition of Centella Asiatica (a flowering plant) helps with soothing and recovery properties.

Bain Chroma Respect Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Sulfate-free shampoo with centella asiatica for shiny hair. Ideal for fine to medium, damaged, color-treated hair.
One size only for Bain Chroma Respect Sulfate-Free Shampoo
8.5 fl oz

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect Shampoo

Cleanse, hydrate and repair color-treated hair with this sulfate-free shampoo. It’s the best shampoo for color-treated hair that’s thin-to-medium.

Bain Riche Chroma Respect Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Rich sulfate-free shampoo with lactic acid for medium to thick damaged, color-treated hair.
One size only for Bain Riche Chroma Respect Sulfate-Free Shampoo
8.5 fl oz

Fondant Cica Chroma Conditioner

A strengthening conditioner with lactic acid for color-treated hair.
One size only for Fondant Cica Chroma Conditioner
6.8 fl oz

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Fondant Cica Chroma Conditioner

This lightweight, amino acid-infused conditioner smoothes and hydrates hair without weighing it down.

Masque Vert Chroma Neutralisant Color-Correcting Hair Mask

Dark brunette tone-perfecting hair mask for color-treated hair.
One size only for Masque Vert Chroma Neutralisant Color-Correcting Hair Mask
5.1 fl oz

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Masque Vert Chroma Neutralisant Hair Mask

This color-correcting hair mask neutralizes red undertones (any unwanted warmth) for a deep, cool brunette hair color. It also hydrates and strengthens the hair fiber to prevent future breakage.

Masque Chroma Filler Mask

Deep conditioning strengthening hair mask that gives color-treated hair a high-shine finish.
One size only for Masque Chroma Filler Mask
6.8 fl oz

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Chroma Filler Hair Mask

Those with medium-to-thick hair types—or thinner hair that’s especially dry—will find this luxe mask leaves strands softer, smoother, and with a high shine finish.

Soin Acide Chroma Hair Gloss

A high shine gloss treatment for color-treated hair.
One size only for Soin Acide Chroma Hair Gloss
7.1 fl oz

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acide Chroma Gloss Hair Gloss

Bring the salon home with this high shine hair gloss that strengthens and smooths at the same time.

Serum Chroma Thermique Blow Dry Primer

Frizz-reducing blow dry heat protectant for color-treated hair.
One size only for Serum Chroma Thermique Blow Dry Primer
5.1 fl oz

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Serum Chroma Thermique Blow Dry Primer

If you’re wondering how to use Kérastase Chroma Thermique, it’s actually pretty simple. Just apply to towel-dried hair for the ultimate frizz-reducing leave-in hair treatment.

Who Should Use Kérastase Chroma Absolu?

This collection, with its TikTok-friendly pink bottles, is for anyone looking for shiny, healthy hair that’s frizz-free and hydrated without the weight. It features our best shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair because it actually works to repair color-treated hair while it smooths and moisturizes.

How Often Should I Use Kérastase Chroma Absolu?

Kérastase Chroma Absolu shampoo and conditioner are safe to use every time you wash your hair, along with any leave-in treatments. Use a mask at least once a week or every other shampoo.

How I Use Kérastase Chroma Absolu In My Hair Routine

I’m always looking for the best shampoo and conditioner for my color-treated hair, and I’ve finally found it with Kérastase Chroma Absolu. Before beginning to use the line, my blonde hair looked dull, and my strands felt dry and frizzy. I knew that meant my hair was still pretty damaged, and my strands would need some extra TLC to look and feel their best. I liked Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect Shampoo right away. It cleaned my hair and scalp without making my fragile strands feel stripped, like many shampoos tend to do.

The first time I washed with Kérastase Chroma Absolu, I followed up the shampoo with Kérastase Chroma Absolu Fondant Cica Chroma Conditioner. I loved the way it hydrated each strand—so much so that I barely needed any Kérastase Chroma Absolu Serum Chroma Thermique Hair Serum. I still used about six sprays just to boost my hair’s shine and reduce frizz. It worked.

After blow drying my hair, I noticed how bright my blonde looked and how well my lowlights were holding up, as well. That might be due to the increased hydration and shine. I won’t be able to tell about my hair’s strength for a few months, but right now, I’m feeling a lot more confident. Overall, I was impressed with how well my hair looked after just a few weeks, and I’m excited to keep using the line to continue my healthy hair journey.