Kérastase Blond Absolu NZ: The Range, Prices and Which to Use

Updated November 2026. Prices are our live online prices.

Blond Absolu is the Kérastase range our blonde clients go home with more than any other, because bleached hair needs two things at once: moisture and strength for the lengths, and tone control so it doesn't go brassy. Every product in the range uses hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower. Here's the whole range, what each step is for, and which ones you can skip.

The Kérastase Blond Absolu range: products and NZ prices

Why does blonde hair go brassy?

When hair is lightened, the bleach strips the darker pigment first and leaves the warmer, yellow-orange pigment underneath. Your stylist tones that out with a gloss. Over the following weeks, washing, sun, hard water and chlorine wear the toner away, and the warmth shows through again. That's why blonde maintenance is two jobs: slowing the fade, and putting a little cool tone back now and then. Blond Absolu does both. If yours has gone properly orange rather than slightly yellow, a purple shampoo won't be strong enough; read how to fix brassy, orange hair.

Bain Lumière or Bain Ultra-Violet: which Blond Absolu shampoo?

Most blondes need both, used differently. Bain Lumière is the everyday wash: gentle and brightening, made to be used every time. Bain Ultra-Violet is the stronger purple shampoo. Use it once a week, or every third wash, when you see yellow creeping in. Used every day, it can leave very light or porous blonde looking dull or slightly lilac.

We've written a full Bain Ultra-Violet review, which also covers how often to use it.

Cicaflash, Masque Ultra-Violet or Masque Extrême?

• Every wash: Cicaflash. It's light and rinses fast, so it suits fine blonde hair that tangles. We tested it for a month on freshly bleached hair: here's what four weeks of Cicaflash did.
• Weekly, for tone: Masque Ultra-Violet. The most concentrated toner in the range, and it conditions at the same time.
• Weekly, for damage: Masque Extrême ($91.56). For blonde that feels dry, rough or brittle after a lot of lightening.

Don't use both masks in the same wash. Alternate them week to week if you need both. On fine blonde, leave masks on the lengths only and rinse well, or the roots can look flat by the next morning. Thick, coarse blonde can take a mask twice a week in winter when it's driest.

Blond Absolu leave-ins: which one do you need?

There are four, and you rarely need more than one or two.

• You blow-dry or straighten: Cicaplasme, heat protection up to 230°C.
• You're outdoors, swimming or at the beach: Blonde Guard ($77.28). It protects blonde from UV, chlorine and salt water, which matters in a Central Otago summer. More in our sun and chlorine guide.
• Frizz and dry ends: L'Huile Cicaextrême, or the refill pouch ($73.08) if you already have the bottle.
• No time in the morning: Cicanuit goes on dry ends before bed.

A Blond Absolu routine for highlights and balayage

1. Wash with Bain Lumière. Swap in Bain Ultra-Violet once a week.
2. Condition with Cicaflash for one to two minutes.
3. Once a week, use a mask in place of Cicaflash: Ultra-Violet for tone, Extrême for damage.
4. Before heat, Cicaplasme. Before sun or a swim, Blonde Guard.

The three core steps come together in the Blond Absolu Trio Gift Set ($158.76), full size. For the whole lot, the Blond Absolu Routine Bundle ($268.32). Freshly bleached? Read how to care for bleached hair first.

Blond Absolu for grey and silver hair

Grey and white hair yellows too, from sun, pollution and hard water. The two Ultra-Violet products work on it the same way they work on blonde. Use Bain Ultra-Violet once a week, and if your grey is coarse or dry, Cicaflash or the Masque Extrême on the other washes.

How soon will you see a difference?

Tone changes on the first wash with Bain Ultra-Violet or the Ultra-Violet mask. Softness and detangling usually improve within the first week of Cicaflash. The bigger change, hair that feels stronger and snaps less, takes a month or so of using the routine consistently, along with gentler heat. If you've just had a heavy lightening session, start the routine the day after your appointment, not when the brass appears.

Kérastase Blond Absolu or a lower-priced option: choose by budget

Sebastian doesn't make a dedicated blonde range, so the honest lower-priced comparisons are from Wella and evo.

Blond Absolu does more for the condition of bleached hair; the cheaper options are mostly about colour. Still not sure which shampoo? Our best shampoo for blonde hair guide has every option side by side.

Where to buy Kérastase Blond Absolu in NZ

We buy Kérastase direct from L'Oréal New Zealand, and we're blonde specialists in the salon at 28 Helwick Street, Wānaka. Free NZ shipping over $75. We'd always rather see your hair before recommending a full routine, so if you're in Wānaka, bring your questions to your next colour appointment. For the rest of the brand, see our guide to every Kérastase range.

Questions we get asked

What is Kérastase Blond Absolu for?

Lightened, highlighted and blonde hair. It cares for the condition of bleached hair and helps control yellow and brassy tones.

Is Kérastase Blond Absolu a purple shampoo?

Bain Ultra-Violet is the purple shampoo in the range. Bain Lumière is the everyday shampoo, used on the washes in between.

How often should I use Bain Ultra-Violet?

Once a week, or every third wash. Use Bain Lumière the rest of the time so very light blonde doesn't turn dull or lilac.

Which Blond Absolu conditioner should I use?

Cicaflash for every wash. Once a week, use Masque Ultra-Violet for tone or Masque Extrême for very damaged hair.

Is Cicaplasme a heat protectant?

Yes. Cicaplasme protects lightened hair up to 230°C during blow-drying and styling.

Can I use Blond Absolu on grey hair?

Yes. Bain Ultra-Violet and Masque Ultra-Violet neutralise yellow tones in grey and silver hair as well as blonde.

Is there a Kérastase Blond Absolu gift set?

Yes, the Blond Absolu Trio Gift Set has full-size Bain Lumière, Cicaflash and Cicaplasme.

Everything we sell is genuine salon stock, bought direct from the brands' New Zealand distributors and shipped from our salon on Helwick Street in Wānaka. Free NZ shipping over $75.