Kérastase Bain Chroma Captive Shampoo

I was thrilled to receive this product in my spring Luxe Box as that box showed up just days before I was due for my first highlights of 2013 and I was in need of a colour-protecting shampoo. But while the timing was ideal, the quantity was not. I only got four washes out my sample and while that was enough to give me a taste of this product, it’s not nearly enough to let me truly evaluate it.

According to Kérastase, using its three-step Bain Chroma Captive system will preserve, “…color depth and shine for up to 40 days.” Since I didn’t use this product for nearly that long, nor did I use it as part of the “system,” I can’t comment on that claim. Nor can I comment on whether or not this shampoo reduces, “color fading by 33% to 50%.”

Kérastase Elixir Ultime

About a month ago I posted a review about Kérastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquid. It didn’t impress me, especially given its $40+ price tag and because of my experience with it, I had low expectations for Kérastase’s Elixir Ultime (both products were received in different editions of my Luxe Box). But happily for me, unlike the first product, this second hair treatment actually works and at $25 for a 50 ml bottle, is appropriately priced.

Kérastase describe this product as, “A blend of four precious scented oils that works for all hair types” (one of which is, yes, argan oil) by “Deliver(ing) ultimate shine, deep conditioning and nourishment” and “Add(ing) softness, strength, and smoothness.

While the use of the word “ultimate” is a bit rich, the rest of this product’s claims are quite accurate as it did leave me with shiny, silky hair. Actually, the results of this product were pretty much identical to the ones I've gotten from Moroccanoil (a product that I haven't used since the end of January so no, the results are leftovers from it). I twice did a split test where half of my hair received the oil and the other half didn’t and both times I could tell just by looking which half hadn’t been oiled up (one side was just a little duller and frizzier than the other).

Kérastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquid

Over the next week or so my blog is going to be all about my recent vacation to the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao but before I start reliving my trip I figured I should post something beauty related.

I received my sample of Kérastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquid, a “shine perfecting serum for free flowing hair,” in one of my Luxe Boxes and in January, when I ran out of Moroccanoil, I decided to try it out.

This item actually reminds me a lot of the Dermalogica products that I reviewed last month:  It’s functional but doesn't bring the amazing results that a product this pricey should bring.

At $42 for 50 ml, this serum is only slightly more than what I pay for Moroccanoil but the results aren't quite as impressive. According to Kérastase, this “ultra-lightweight serum” “leaves hair weightless  and “provides intense cristal shine.” I completely agree that this product didn't way my hair down but I would have to describe the shine level as “moderate” (though maybe that’s what “cristal” means?).