Is Kerastase Shampoo Worth the Cost?

If you've read some of my other product reviews, you know that my brother is a former hairdresser and I spent many years being tested, prodded, and poked with various hair color and products. He worked in a Redken salon and had access to their complete line of products, which he often passed onto me at a discount. But after he quit the biz, I found myself having to pay full price for products like Kerastase. But is it worth the cost?

After using store brands like Suave and trying out less expensive salon brands like Redken Clear Moisture, I wanted to give Kerastase another shot. It's only sold in select salons, so I visited their website at www.Kerastase.com to find a retailer in my area. I tracked down the product at Fabio Scalia on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights, NY and headed out to purchase a bottle of Kerastase Bain Miroir shampoo. The bottle claims to promote shine revealing shampoo for sensitized, color-treated hair and retailed for about $32 for a 250ml bottle.

I washed my hair and enjoyed the silky, clean-smelling shampoo and washed it through only once. After rinsing and towel drying, my hair felt fresh and light. However, anyone who tries different shampoos knows you can achieve this feel by switching your shampoo to any product for a day or two, including low-cost store brands like Suave.

I continued using Kerastase Bain Miroir for several weeks and rarely used conditioner at all. My hair always felt clean, silky, and light weight and I noticed an increased visibility in shine and manageability. My hair color never looked faded and I never felt the need to switch up shampoos to get rid of residue and build-up. I also rarely felt compelled to use conditioner at all. Overall, my hair felt as silky and healthy as it does when I leave a salon, and I was very impressed with the results.

But is the cost worth it? If you're on a tight budget, no. You can find other shampoos that will keep your hair in good shape for half the cost and put the savings toward bills and groceries. However, I've never found any other product that improved the quality of my hair as much as Kerastase. I would definitely recommend the product if you're looking to get your hair in spectacular shape in time for a wedding or special event. And while $32 is steep for shampoo, I was able to go much longer in between color while using this product. If I continued to use the product and stretch out color appointments, I would actually save money.

If you are on a tight budget but are dying to try this product, consider finding a discounted bottle on eBay or look online for samples first. Everyone's hair is different and reacts differently to products, so do your hair homework before indulging in an expensive brand.