Do you know L’Oreal owns Kerastase? It issues. Right here’s why: huge corporations like to save cash. Why make investments the assets to create two fully completely different merchandise when you may promote the identical factor twice below completely different manufacturers?
Living proof: L’Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm. The highest 4 substances (ie those who do ALL the work) are similar to these of Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair.
Sure, they’re DUPES.
L’Oreal creates the components as soon as after which tweaks it somewhat so it could actually promote it below completely different model names. A special packaging, a barely extra floral scent and voilá: that fancy masks appears to be like a world other than its low cost drugstore counterpart (though they’ve extra in frequent than they dare to confess).
Let’s evaluate the 2 to search out out which one do you have to get, lets?
What Key Components Do These Hair Masks Have In Frequent?
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol, ie sort of alcohol with hydrating properties. Sure, some kinds 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 gentle. 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 principally have a tragic separation scenario that no quantity of blending might save.
Associated: What Does Alcohol-Free In Skincare Mean?
BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
Behentrimonium Chloride (BC) is a cationic surfactant usually in deep conditioning remedies. Let me say that once more in plain English. BC coats hair, creating a protective barrier that makes it smooth, manageable, and less prone to breakage. Cationic surfactants like BC do that higher than silicones. Why?
I’m going to get somewhat 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 in the event you’re questioning: Sure, this is the reason 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, “highly damaged areas of the hair cuticle possess higher negative charge density, which enhances the affinity of the cationic polymer to that specific area.” In different phrases, amodimethicone is aware of when it’s wanted essentially the most. Plus, it provides hair shine and protects it from warmth injury.
Enjoyable reality: Amodimethicone is commonly misunderstood. Folks hear “-cone” and panic about buildup, however this man is manner lighter than heavy silicones like dimethicone. It gained’t go away your hair feeling greasy or weighed down except you’re significantly overdoing it (like…utilizing half the jar).
The Relaxation Of The Formulation & Components
NOTE: The colors point out the effectiveness of an ingredient. It’s ILLEGAL to place poisonous and dangerous substances 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 (at the very least, but).
- Purple: 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 gentle to the contact.
- Isopropyl Alcohol: A kind of alcohol that helps dissolve different substances. 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 forestalls unfriendly substances (similar to 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 components last more.
- Limonene: A standard perfume ingredient present in citrus fruits. It smells wonderful, but it surely 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 unfavorable and gram optimistic vegetative micro organism, yeasts, and fungi.
- Linalool: One other frequent perfume ingredient that smells wonderful, but it surely’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 may possibly trigger irritations.
- Citronellol: Yep, another perfume ingredient that makes the masks scent 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 of one of many gentlest.
- Geraniol: Yet another perfume ingredient. Divine scent, irritating potential.
- Zinc Gluconate: It may possibly 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 useless, 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 scent good, but it surely’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 gentle to the contact.
- Glycerin: A humectant that deeply hydrates hair.
- Isopropyl Alcohol: A kind of alcohol that helps dissolve different substances. 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 scent good, but it surely’s irritating.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that extends the shelf lifetime of the product.
- Trideceth-6: An emulsifier that forestalls unfriendly substances (similar to 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 may possibly 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 would probably get into your masks.
- Benzyl Salicylate: A perfume ingredient with a candy floral scent. And sure, it could actually irritate pores and skin.
- Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: It hydrates hair.
- Benzyl Alcohol: A standard preservative. It’s thought of one of many gentlest.
- Limonene: A standard perfume ingredient present in citrus fruits. It smells wonderful, but it surely 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, another perfume ingredient that makes the masks scent 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 may, these formulation are very related. The primary distinction between Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair and L’Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm?
Kerastase accommodates a few pure oils that coat your hair, serving to it to remain gentle and supple. However they’re current in small quantities. Translation: they assist somewhat, but it surely’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 Total Repair 5 Damage-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.
For those who like a flowery second: The Kerastase one does make you are feeling such as you’re doing a self-care ritual as a substitute of simply slapping conditioner on in your pajamas. I imply, generally the vibes are value it.
Need extra dupes? Subscribe to the e-newsletter under and obtain the “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet with all my fave dupes:
What’s the Scent Like?
Let’s speak in regards to the elephant within the room: scent. It’s true scent will be irritating. It’s additionally true nobody desires to make use of one thing they don’t just like the scent of.
Kerastase smells somewhat 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: For those who’re tremendous delicate to perfume, neither is totally fragrance-free. However actually? The scent doesn’t stick round after rinsing except you stick your nostril proper in your hair (and in the event you’re doing that, no judgment).
What’s the Packaging Like?
Each Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair and L’Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm are available in huge jars.
Kerastase is a brilliant pink. You possibly can’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, but it surely’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 way in which to the ideas. Go away on for 3-5 minutes. Rinse off effectively.
PRO TIP: For those who actually wish 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 crew L’Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm all the way in which. It does the identical factor for a fraction of the fee.
I’d go for Kerastase provided that you don’t thoughts to pay somewhat further for a greater sensory expertise.
Availability
Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair (£36.30): Accessible at Look Fantastic
L’Oreal Paris Complete Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm ($7.99): Accessible at Ulta and Walmart
Is L’Oreal Paris Complete Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm a dupe for Dupe For Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair?
Sure, L’Oreal Paris Complete Restore 5 Injury-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 Components
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 Complete Restore 5 Injury Erasing Balm Components
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 greatest pores and skin day ever – every single day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that can assist you work out what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create the very best skincare routine in your distinctive wants.
