Redken vs Kérastase — which actually repairs damaged hair?
Both brands sell repair. Both look good in adverts. Only one ends up in most professional salon kits.
We've used both lines on hundreds of heads in our Wānaka studio. Here's the honest comparison — what each does well, where each falls short, and which we reach for when a client walks in with bleach damage.
The Kérastase camp: Cicaflash Fondant
Kérastase positions Cicaflash as a "concentrated repair" conditioner for sensitised, post-bleach hair. Hyaluronic acid for moisture, ceramides for surface restructure.
What it does brilliantly: immediate softness. The first wash with Cicaflash on rough, post-balayage hair is the kind of moment that converts a client to a brand for life. Detangling alone is worth the price.
Where it doesn't quite reach: structural repair. Cicaflash is a finish — it makes damaged hair feel and look better. It doesn't rebuild bonds.
The Redken camp: Acidic Bonding Concentrate
Redken's Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC for short, not the song) is a citric acid system targeting actual broken bonds in over-processed hair. Same chemistry family as the Olaplex idea, less expensive at the till.
What it does brilliantly: structural repair over time. Use it 3-4 weeks consecutively and you'll see hair that snaps less when wet, has more elasticity at the mid-length, and holds colour longer.
Where it doesn't quite reach: sensory experience. ABC isn't as luxurious to use as Kérastase. Lighter conditioner feel, less perfumed. Some clients miss the spa-feel.
Side by side: when do we use each?
For genuinely damaged hair (bleach, heat, chemical history): Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate. Shampoo + conditioner together, used as the only system for a month. Re-evaluate at week 4. Most hair is meaningfully better at that point.
For sensitised but structurally fine hair (e.g. fresh balayage that needs babying for the first month): Kérastase Cicaflash Fondant. Pairs with Bain Ultra Violet if you're cool-blonde, Bain Satin Riche if you're warm.
For best of both: wash with Redken ABC shampoo, condition with Kérastase Cicaflash. Yes, you can mix brands. Yes, your stylist might internally roll their eyes, but the hair won't know.
The stylist's note
The honest answer is that both brands are good. Marketing aside, neither is a scam. Where you should spend depends on whether you have damage (broken bonds, breakage when wet, snapping) or sensitisation (rough texture, lacks shine, struggles to hold style).
Damage = Redken ABC. Sensitisation = Kérastase Cicaflash.
FAQ
Is Redken Acidic Bonding the same as Olaplex? Different chemistry — Olaplex uses bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, Redken uses a citric acid blend. Same goal (reform broken bonds), different mechanism. Redken's own breakdown of how ABC works.
Can I use both Redken ABC and Kérastase Cicaflash in the same routine? Yes. Wash with one, condition with the other. The molecules don't fight.
Which is better value for money? Per 100ml, Redken ABC is meaningfully cheaper. Per visible repair on real damage, also Redken. Per soft-hair sensory experience, Kérastase.
Where can I buy both in NZ? Authorised pro salon stockists like UKIYO ship NZ-wide. See our hand-picked edit →
11% off your first order with code WELCOME11. Free NZ shipping over $99. Free Kérastase samples for our first 20 orders.
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Five things we tell every balayage client before they leave the chair. Do these and you'll buy yourself two extra weeks before your next appointment.
Five things we tell every balayage client before they leave the chair. Do these and you'll buy yourself two extra weeks before your next appointment.