Kérastase Chroma Absolu

Chroma Absolu is the Kérastase range for coloured hair. It's gentle enough to wash with often and helps keep tone and shine between salon visits, whether you've had a full colour, a gloss or a balayage. We pair it with a lot of colour clients at UKIYO in Wānaka.

Which Chroma Absolu product, and how we use it +

Choose Bain Chroma Respect for fine to medium hair, or Bain Riche Chroma Respect if your hair is thicker or more sensitised from lightening. Fondant Cica Chroma is the everyday conditioner. Masque Chroma Filler is the weekly mask for colour-treated lengths that feel porous or rough.

Soin Acide Chroma Gloss is an acidic rinse-out treatment that brings back shine when colour starts to look flat; once a week is plenty. Sérum Chroma Thermique is the leave-in heat protectant before blow-drying. If you've gone lighter, look at Blond Absolu instead. Our coloured hair guide has more tips for making colour last. Everything here is genuine salon stock, the same bottles we use at our basins in Wānaka, posted NZ-wide with free shipping on orders over $75.

More reading: Where to buy genuine Kérastase in NZ

Questions we get asked +

How do I use Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acide Chroma Gloss?
Use it after shampooing, in place of your conditioner, on towel-dried lengths. Leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse. Kérastase describes it as an acidic rinse-out treatment for shine on coloured hair. Once a week is plenty; use it when your colour starts looking flat or a bit dull between appointments. It's lighter than a mask, so it suits fine hair too.

What does the Sérum Chroma Thermique do?
It's the leave-in heat protectant in the Chroma Absolu range. Spray or apply it to damp hair before blow-drying or straightening. Heat is one of the things that fades colour faster, so if you style with hot tools most days, it's worth having. It doesn't replace your conditioner; it goes on after.

Is Chroma Absolu good for blonde hair?
It's made for coloured hair in general, so it works on most colours, including warmer blondes. If you've been lightened and want to keep yellow or brassy tones in check, Blond Absolu is usually the better choice. Some of our clients with balayage use the Chroma Gloss on their lengths and a Blond Absolu shampoo once or twice a week.

Bain Chroma Respect or Bain Riche Chroma Respect?
Bain Chroma Respect is the lighter shampoo, for fine to medium hair. Bain Riche Chroma Respect is richer, for thicker hair or hair that's been sensitised by lightening. If your hair gets weighed down easily, go with the regular one. If your ends feel dry and porous by the time you've rinsed, try the Riche.

How can I make my salon colour last longer at home?
Wash with lukewarm water, not hot. Use a colour-care shampoo like Chroma Absolu and wash a little less often if your scalp allows it. Use heat protection before you style and cover up in strong sun. Our guide to making colour last covers the rest, including what to avoid in the first few days after an appointment.