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Unlock the Secret to Luxurious Hair: The Art of Layering Haircare Products

It’s no longer enough to wash, condition and go. Want your best hair ever? It’s time to learn to layer (trust us, it’s a game-changer).

Understanding Hair Layering: Tackling Hair Concerns at Every Level

If you've ever wished to address multiple hair concerns in one go, haircare layering is your new best friend. The key to this technique lies in its ability to work on different layers of your hair, from the outermost shield to the core of each strand. It's like a well-orchestrated symphony, where each product plays its part in creating the perfect harmony for your hair.

Let's begin by understanding the basic structure of a hair strand. Each strand consists of two fundamental layers:

Kérastase effects of Hard Water on Hair cuticle and hair cortex

The Cuticle: The cuticle is like a protective shield, guarding your hair against external aggressors. It's the first line of defense and plays a vital role in maintaining the health and appearance of your hair.

The Cortex: This inner layer is the powerhouse of your hair. It's rich in melanin, responsible for your hair’s color, proteins, and, most notably, keratin. Keratin is responsible for your hair's strength and color. When the cortex is damaged, your hair requires some extra care and attention.

Now, you might wonder how layering can help? Well, it’s actually where the magic happens.


How Can Layering Your Haircare Products Help?

To appreciate the benefits of hair layering, let's consider a common adversary in the world of haircare – calcium. Calcium isn't just a hair damage amplifier; it can wreak havoc at different layers of your hair. On the outside, it leads to dullness and roughness. On the inside, it causes rigidity, stiffness, and an increased risk of breakage.

The brilliance of haircare layering lies in its ability to address these concerns at both levels, completely repairing your hair.

Layer 1: Pre-Shampoo Concentrate

The first step in hair layering is to apply a pre-shampoo concentrate. A good pre-shampoo doesn’t just protect the hair from harsh tap water, it repairs too.

When you apply the Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra Réparateur and massage it into the hair you’re adding a dose of 8% actives to decalify your hair - before you even reach for the shampoo. They work to reduce stiffness, increase shine and recreate 99%* of hair’s original strength. The key is to leave the concentrate on hair - no need to rinse before shampooing.

*Instrumental test after 6 applications of Première Concentré + Bain + Fondant/Masque

Kérastase Emily Ratajkowski and Première Pre-Shampoo treatment for damaged hair

Layer 2: Shampoo

Choose a shampoo tailored to your specific hair concerns, whether it's damage repair, hydration, or color protection. Gently massage it into your scalp and hair, focusing on cleansing the cuticle layer and removing impurities.

If you want to tackle the damaging effects of hard water, then look to our Première Bain Décalcifiant Rénovateur. By applying it on top of the concentrate, you cover your hair with an extra dose of actives to whisk away excess calcium, increase shine and reduce breakage.

The products you use after this layering routine is up to your hair and styling needs:

Kérastase Sydney Sweeney and Première Shampoo for damaged hair

Layer products to texturize your hair

Layering products can also help achieve the desired hairstyle.

For example, you can start with a heat protectant spray to protect when styling and to avoid unwanted frizz - our Première Sérum Filler Fondamental does both.

After that, you can apply a hair serum to add shine, smoothness, and manageability to your hair. Try our Elixir Huile Originale - a transparent oil in serum that deeply hydrates and smooths for extra shine.

Just make sure to use the products in the right order and follow the instructions on each product for best results. Explore all our hair treatments here.



With the rising awareness of haircare layering, you can now create a customized routine to address your unique hair concerns effectively and tackle multiple issues at the different layers of your hair.

So why not indulge in this luxurious experience and transform your hair into a masterpiece of luster, strength, and health? Begin layering with Kérastase and watch your hair shine like never before.

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