Kérastase Curl Manifesto NZ: The Range, Prices and Routine

Updated November 2026. Prices are our live online prices.

Curl Manifesto is the curl range we reach for when a client's curls are dry as well as frizzy. It's richer than most curl lines, which is exactly what thicker curls and coils need, and it's gentle enough for waves if you're careful with the amounts. Here's every product in the range, who each one suits, and a wash-day routine that works.

The Curl Manifesto range: products and NZ prices

What makes Curl Manifesto different?

Curly hair dries out faster than straight hair, because the natural oil from your scalp struggles to travel down a curl. Curl Manifesto is built around that: a shampoo that barely foams, so it doesn't strip, and conditioners and creams with manuka honey for moisture and ceramides to reinforce the cuticle. The result is curls that clump and spring instead of puffing out. It won't change your curl pattern. Nothing in a bottle does that.

Which Curl Manifesto products do you need?

• Waves (2a to 2c): shampoo and Fondant. Use a small amount of Crème de Jour, or skip it and use a lighter styler. Waves can drop under a rich cream. Our wavy hair routine has the details.
• Curls (3a to 3c): shampoo, Fondant and Crème de Jour, with the mask once a week. This is who the range suits best.
• Coils (4a to 4c), or very thick, dry curls: all of it. Use the Masque Beurre ($91.56) weekly, and layer Crème de Jour over the conditioner left slightly in.

How to use Kérastase Curl Manifesto: a wash-day routine

1. Shampoo with Bain Hydratation Douceur, concentrating on the scalp. It's low-foam on purpose, so don't keep adding more looking for lather.
2. Condition with Fondant Hydratation Essentielle and detangle with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb while it's in. Once a week, use the mask instead.
3. Style on soaking-wet hair: rake Crème de Jour through, then scrunch.
4. Dry without touching: air-dry or diffuse. Our diffuser guide shows the technique.
5. Day two or three: mist Refresh Absolu onto dry curls and scrunch to bring them back.

Curl Manifesto Crème de Jour: how much to use

Crème de Jour is the product people most often overdo. Start with a 20-cent coin for shoulder-length curls and a 50-cent coin for long or thick hair. It's an airy cream with no crunch, so if curls feel sticky or heavy, you've used too much. If they frizz by afternoon, use a little more next time, or add a light gel over it. We compare it with other curl creams in our best curl cream NZ guide.

Why are my curls still frizzy with Curl Manifesto?

It's rarely the products. The usual causes are applying styler to hair that's already half dry, rubbing with a towel, touching curls while they dry, or brushing them dry. Try this for two wash days: style in the shower, squeeze water out with a T-shirt instead of a towel, diffuse on low, and don't touch until fully dry. If they're still frizzy, add the mask weekly; the frizz is usually thirst. A curl-specific cut helps too, because curls cut wet and straight often sit badly once they spring up. Book a curly cut with us at the salon if you'd like a second opinion.

How often should you wash curly hair?

Most curly hair is happiest washed two or three times a week, with Refresh Absolu in between. Coils can often go longer. If your scalp gets oily or itchy before your curls need washing, wash the scalp only with the shampoo and keep the conditioner on the lengths. The Curl Manifesto shampoo is gentle enough to use more often if you exercise a lot.

Curl Manifesto in a dry climate

Central Otago air is dry for much of the year, and dry air pulls moisture out of curls. That's when the richer end of the range earns its place: the Masque Beurre weekly, Crème de Jour layered over a little conditioner left in, and Refresh Absolu to put moisture back mid-week. In humid weather, such as a summer trip north, use less cream and finish with a light gel so curls hold their shape.

Kérastase Curl Manifesto or Sebastian Twisted: choose by budget

Same job, different weight and price. Plenty of clients mix them, with the Twisted shampoo and the Kérastase cream. Sebastian Twisted is lighter and lower priced; Curl Manifesto is richer. More on the lighter option in our Sebastian Twisted guide.

Kérastase Curl Manifesto routine bundle

The Curl Manifesto Routine Bundle ($269.10) has the shampoo, Fondant, Masque Beurre and Crème de Jour, all full size, and costs less than buying the four separately. If you're starting from scratch with curly hair, it's the simplest way in. For the bigger picture, read how to care for curly hair.

Where to buy Kérastase Curl Manifesto in NZ

We buy Kérastase direct from L'Oréal New Zealand and cut curly hair in the salon at 28 Helwick Street, Wānaka. Free NZ shipping over $75, or pick up in store. If you're new to curl care, come in for a curly cut and we'll show you how much product to use on your own hair.

Questions we get asked

What is Kérastase Curl Manifesto?

The Kérastase range for wavy, curly and coily hair, made with manuka honey and ceramides to hydrate curls and control frizz.

Is Kérastase Curl Manifesto sulphate-free?

The Curl Manifesto shampoo, Bain Hydratation Douceur, is a gentle, low-foam, sulphate-free formula.

Is Curl Manifesto good for wavy hair?

Yes, with lighter amounts. Use the shampoo and Fondant, and a small amount of Crème de Jour so waves don't drop.

How do you use Curl Manifesto Crème de Jour?

On soaking-wet hair after conditioning. Rake it through, scrunch, then air-dry or diffuse without touching.

What is Curl Manifesto Refresh Absolu?

A spray for second and third-day curls. Mist it onto dry hair and scrunch to bring definition back without re-washing.

Is Sebastian Twisted or Kérastase Curl Manifesto better?

They do the same job. Twisted is lighter and lower priced; Curl Manifesto is richer and suits dry, thick curls and coils.

Where can I buy Kérastase Curl Manifesto in NZ?

From Kérastase salons, including UKIYO in Wānaka. We ship NZ-wide, free over $75.

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.