Kérastase Première NZ: What to Use, and in What Order

Updated September 2026. Prices are our live online prices.

Short answer: Première is Kérastase's repair range for damaged hair, and it starts by getting calcium build-up out of the hair before it repairs. The order is Concentré (pre-shampoo, weekly), then Bain, then Fondant or Masque, then Sérum Filler on damp hair and the Huile Gloss to finish. Most people only need the Bain and one conditioner.

Première is the range we get asked about most by people who've already bought it and aren't sure what goes where. There are six full-size products and the names don't help much. Here's the routine as we'd set it out for a client, with what each step costs.

Why Première starts with calcium

Hard water leaves calcium on the hair, and damaged hair holds onto it. The result is hair that feels stiff and looks flat even when you're using good products, because the minerals are sitting between the hair and everything you put on it. Première's cleansing steps use citric acid to lift that calcium off, and the Bain adds glycine to repair the fibre. Get the build-up off first and the conditioner, mask and serum have something to work on.

That's why this range makes so much sense around Wānaka and wider Central Otago. If you're not sure whether your water is the problem, our hard-water guide covers the tell-tale signs.

The Première routine, in order

What you actually need

You don't need all six. This is how we'd build it up:

• Starting out: Bain and Fondant, $131.04 for the pair. This is where most people should begin, and it's enough for hair that's coloured but in reasonable shape.
• Properly damaged (bleached, lots of heat, rough and tangly): add the Masque Filler ($91.56) once a week and the Concentré before your weekly wash.
• Heat-styling most days: add the Sérum Filler on damp hair before the blow-dry. It's silicone-free and leaves the hair moving naturally.
• Just curious: the travel duo ($19.95) has the Bain at 80ml and the Fondant at 30ml, enough to find out how your hair takes to it.

Getting the most from it

Squeeze the water out of your hair before the Concentré goes on, otherwise you're diluting it. Don't use it every wash, once a week does the job. And if you're coming in for colour, a decalcifying wash a day or two beforehand helps the colour go on evenly. Mention you're on Première and we'll tell you the timing.

The Fondant is light, so fine hair can use it every wash without going flat. The Masque is richer. On fine hair, keep it to the ends. The Sérum goes on after towel-drying, before any heat, and a little goes a long way.

You can mix ranges, too. Plenty of our blonde clients wash with the Première Bain to get the build-up off, then use their Blond Absolu mask or oil on the lengths. Your hair doesn't care that the bottles don't match. What matters is that the cleansing step suits the water you're washing in and the conditioning step suits the damage you've got.

Première or another range?

Première is for hair that's damaged. If yours is dry but structurally fine, Nutritive is usually the better fit. Our guide to choosing a Kérastase range matches every range to a concern. If your main worry is hair fall due to breakage, look at Kérastase Genesis instead. And if you're comparing Première with Wellaplex, Redken ABC or other bond builders, we've compared them here.

Finishing with oil? The Première Huile Gloss sits alongside four other Kérastase oils. Here's which Kérastase oil suits which hair. If you'd rather we looked at your hair first, book in at UKIYO and we'll tell you honestly which steps you need.

Every bottle we sell is bought direct from L'Oréal New Zealand and shipped from our salon on Helwick Street in Wānaka. Free NZ shipping over $75, and 11% off your first online order with code WELCOME11.