Kérastase Resistance

It's a three-step routine. Bain Force Architecte is the shampoo, made for damaged hair and gentle on lengths. Ciment Anti-Usure is the rinse-out conditioner that goes on after; comb it through the mid-lengths and ends, leave it a few minutes and rinse well.

Ciment Thermique is the leave-in, and the one we'd never skip. It's a heat protectant you apply to damp hair before blow-drying or straightening, so it protects and strengthens at the same time. If you use hot tools most days, start here. Our heat protectant guide compares Ciment Thermique with the other protectants we stock. 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 · Best treatment for damaged hair

Is Kérastase Résistance the green range?
Yes, if you've seen it called Kérastase green, that's Résistance. It's the range for hair weakened by heat tools, colour or general wear: lengths that feel stretchy when wet, snap when brushed or won't hold a style. In our Wānaka salon it's the range we reach for when hair feels damaged rather than just dry.

How do I use Ciment Thermique?
Apply it to damp, towel-dried hair before you blow-dry or straighten. A walnut-sized amount is enough for shoulder-length hair; work it through the mid-lengths and ends with your fingers or a comb, then style. Don't rinse it out. It's a heat protectant and strengthening leave-in in one, so if you use hot tools most days, it's the one product we'd tell you not to skip.

Résistance or Nutritive: which do I need?
Check how your hair behaves wet. If it stretches, snaps or feels gummy, that's damage, and Résistance is the better fit. If it's rough, dull and hard to brush but otherwise strong, that's dryness, and Nutritive suits it better. Many people end up with a bit of both, so it's fine to use the Résistance shampoo with a Nutritive mask.

How often should I use Ciment Anti-Usure?
Use it every time you wash, in place of your usual conditioner. Comb it through the mid-lengths and ends, leave it a few minutes and rinse well. If your hair is fine, keep it well away from the roots so it doesn't fall flat. Thick or very damaged hair can take a little more.

Is Résistance a good choice for bleached hair?
It helps, but for lightened hair we'd usually look at Blond Absolu first, since it's made for blonde and keeps tone in mind. Résistance works well alongside it, particularly Ciment Thermique if you heat style. For hair that's been heavily lightened more than once, a chat in the salon about bond treatments is worth it before you buy a whole routine.