Skin Care

Dupe For Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair

April 28, 2025
ibeautyful


Do you know L’Oreal owns Kerastase? It issues. Right here’s why: massive corporations like to economize. Why make investments the sources to create two utterly completely different merchandise when you’ll be able to promote the identical factor twice underneath completely different manufacturers?

Working example: L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Injury Erasing Balm. The highest 4 substances (ie those who do ALL the work) are similar to these of Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair.

Sure, they’re DUPES.

L’Oreal creates the system as soon as after which tweaks it just a little so it will probably promote it underneath completely different model names. A unique packaging, a barely extra floral scent and voilá: that fancy masks seems to be a world other than its low cost drugstore counterpart (regardless that they’ve extra in frequent than they dare to confess).

Let’s examine the 2 to seek out out which one do you have to get, we could?

What Key Components Do These Hair Masks Have In Widespread?

CETEARYL ALCOHOL

Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol, ie a great kind of alcohol with hydrating properties. Sure, some varieties of alcohol are good for hair. This one is usually utilized in shampoos and conditioners, particularly these designed for broken hair. Why? It’s a multitasker. It lubricates hair, making it comfortable. Plus, it offers the masks their creamy and wealthy consistencies. And, as an emulsifier, it helps water and oil combine properly collectively so your masks doesn’t flip right into a gloopy mess. With out it, you’d mainly have a tragic separation state of affairs that no quantity of blending might save.

Associated: What Does Alcohol-Free In Skincare Imply?

BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE

Behentrimonium Chloride (BC) is a cationic surfactant typically in deep conditioning remedies. Let me say that once more in plain English. BC coats hair, making a protecting barrier that makes it easy, manageable, and fewer liable to breakage. Cationic surfactants like BC do that higher than silicones. Why?

I’m going to get just a little scientific on you now. Hair is negatively charged whereas cationic surfactants are positively charged. Opposites entice. On this case, it implies that BC adheres higher to hair than silicones. And for those who’re questioning: Sure, that is why some conditioners can really make your hair really feel stronger after only one use. It’s not magic, it’s chemistry.

AMODIMETHICONE

Amodimethicone is a great conditioning agent: it supplies selective conditioning to the areas most in want of it via electrostatic attraction. Mainly, “extremely broken areas of the hair cuticle possess increased unfavourable cost density, which reinforces the affinity of the cationic polymer to that particular space.” In different phrases, amodimethicone is aware of when it’s wanted essentially the most. Plus, it offers hair shine and protects it from warmth injury.

Enjoyable reality: Amodimethicone is usually misunderstood. Individuals hear “-cone” and panic about buildup, however this man is means lighter than heavy silicones like dimethicone. It received’t depart your hair feeling greasy or weighed down except you’re severely overdoing it (like…utilizing half the jar).


The Relaxation Of The Formulation & Components

NOTE: The colors point out the effectiveness of an ingredient. It’s ILLEGAL to place poisonous and dangerous substances in skincare merchandise.

  • Inexperienced: It’s efficient, confirmed to work, and helps the product do the absolute best job in your pores and skin.
  • Yellow: There’s not a lot proof it really works (a minimum of, but).
  • Pink: What is that this doing right here?!

KERASTASE REFLECTION MASQUE CHROMATIQUE THICK HAIR INGREDIENTS

  • Aqua / Water: The principle solvent within the product, it’s hydrating.
  • Cetyl Esters: It makes hair comfortable to the contact.
  • Isopropyl Alcohol: A sort of alcohol that helps dissolve different substances. It may be drying. Right here, its drying results are counteracted by the opposite emollients, so it will get q yellow score.
  • Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that extends the shelf lifetime of the product.
  • Trideceth-6: An emulsifier that stops unfriendly substances (reminiscent of oil and water) from separating.
  • Candelilla Cera / Candelilla Wax: A thickening agent and an emollient.
  • Oryza Sativa Bran Oil / Rice Bran Oil: A moisturising oil that makes hair softer and smoother.
  • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate: An UV filter used to soak up UV rays. It will get a yellow score simply cos it doesn’t do a lot in a hair product.
  • Glycine Soja Oil / Soybean Oil: It has hair-smoothing properties.
  • Tocopherol: A type of Vitamin E, it has antioxidant properties. It additionally helps the system last more.
  • Limonene: A standard perfume ingredient present in citrus fruits. It smells superb, nevertheless it should listed individually on the label as a result of it’s a standard allergen.
  • Chlorhexidine Digluconate: A preservative that protects from a variety of gram unfavourable and gram optimistic vegetative micro organism, yeasts, and fungi.
  • Linalool: One other frequent perfume ingredient that smells superb, nevertheless it’s irritating.
  • Cetrimonium Chloride: One other preservative that helps a product last more.
  • Hexyl Cinnamal: A standard perfume ingredient used to masks odor in beauty formulations. It could trigger irritations.
  • Citronellol: Yep, yet one more perfume ingredient that makes the masks odor good… and will irritate delicate pores and skin.
  • Butylene Glycol: It’s a solvent and texture-enhancer.
  • Benzyl Alcohol: A standard preservative. It’s thought-about one of many gentlest.
  • Geraniol: Yet one more perfume ingredient. Divine scent, irritating potential.
  • Zinc Gluconate: It could soothe an irritated scalp.
  • Sodium Citrate: It helps stability the pH of magnificence merchandise.
  • Bht: One other preservative that extends the shelf lifetime of the masks.
  • Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract: It supplies antioxidant properties. Hair is useless, so it’s ineffective right here – therefore the yellow score.
  • Citrus Junos Fruit Extract: It makes hair softer to the contact.
  • Parfum / Perfume: It makes the masks odor good, nevertheless it’s irritating.

L’OREAL PARIS TOTAL REPAIR 5 DAMAGE-ERASING BALM

  • Aqua / Water: The principle solvent within the product, it’s hydrating.
  • Candelilla Wax: A thickening agent and an emollient.
  • Cetyl Esters: It makes hair comfortable to the contact.
  • Glycerin: A humectant that deeply hydrates hair.
  • Isopropyl Alcohol: A sort of alcohol that helps dissolve different substances. It may be drying. Right here, its drying results are counteracted by the opposite emollients, so it will get q yellow score.
  • Parfum / Perfume: It makes the masks odor good, nevertheless it’s irritating.
  • Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that extends the shelf lifetime of the product.
  • Trideceth-6: An emulsifier that stops unfriendly substances (reminiscent of oil and water) from separating.
  • Hydroxypropyl Guar: It’s a thickening agent.
  • Arginine: An amino acid that moisturises pores and skin.
  • Glutamic Acid: One other amino acid with hydrating properties.
  • Linalool: A perfume element that should be listed individually on the label as a result of it’s a standard irritant.
  • Hexyl Cinnamal: A standard perfume ingredient used to masks odor in beauty formulations. It could trigger irritations.
  • Cetrimonium Chloride: One other preservative that helps a product last more.
  • Serine: One other amino acid that makes hair softer and smoother.
  • Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride: It reduces the variety of germs round – and that would doubtlessly get into your masks.
  • Benzyl Salicylate: A perfume ingredient with a candy floral odor. And sure, it will probably irritate pores and skin.
  • Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: It hydrates hair.
  • Benzyl Alcohol: A standard preservative. It’s thought-about one of many gentlest.
  • Limonene: A standard perfume ingredient present in citrus fruits. It smells superb, nevertheless it should listed individually on the label as a result of it’s a standard allergen.Limonene:
  • Amyl Cinnamal: One other perfume ingredient that smells good, however can irritate pores and skin.
  • Citronellol: Yep, yet one more perfume ingredient that makes the masks odor good… and will irritate delicate pores and skin.
  • 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol: It makes hair softer.
  • Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone: One other perfume ingredient with sensitising properties.
  • CI 19140 / Yellow 5: A yellow dye.
  • CI 15985 / Yellow 6: One other yellow dye.

Whis Components Is Higher?

As you’ll be able to, these formulation are very comparable. The principle distinction between Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair and L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm?

Kerastase accommodates a few pure oils that coat your hair, serving to it to remain comfortable and supple. However they’re current in small quantities. Translation: they assist just a little, nevertheless it’s the artificial conditioning brokers talked about above (these you’ll discover within the L’Oreal masks, too) that do the majority of the moisturising work.

What’s The Texture Like?

Each Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair and L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm have wealthy, thick texture.

However Kerastase has a bit extra slip. It makes for a greater software, however the finish outcomes are the identical. It’s as much as if you wish to pay extra for it.

In case you like a elaborate second: The Kerastase one does make you are feeling such as you’re doing a self-care ritual as an alternative of simply slapping conditioner on in your pajamas. I imply, typically the vibes are value it.

Need extra dupes? Subscribe to the e-newsletter under and obtain the “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet with all my fave dupes:

What’s the Scent Like?

Let’s discuss concerning the elephant within the room: scent. It’s true scent might be irritating. It’s additionally true nobody desires to make use of one thing they don’t just like the scent of.

Kerastase smells just a little extra subtle: assume floral with a touch of salon freshness. L’Oreal’s scent is a little more candy and artificial, like your basic drugstore haircare aisle.

Heads up: In case you’re tremendous delicate to perfume, neither is totally fragrance-free. However actually? The scent doesn’t stick round after rinsing except you stick your nostril proper in your hair (and for those who’re doing that, no judgment).

What’s the Packaging Like?

Each Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair and L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm are available massive jars.

Kerastase is a vivid pink. You’ll be able to’t miss it on the shelf! It additionally feels a bit sturdier and fancier in your hand. L’Oreal is a extra subdued yellow. It doesn’t stand out as a lot, nevertheless it’ll final you a very long time. It’s additionally extra no-fuss, no-frills.

How To Use Them

Therapeutic massage the masks to shampooed and towel-dried hair, all the way in which to the guidelines. Go away on for 3-5 minutes. Rinse off effectively.

PRO TIP: In case you actually need to go professional, cowl your hair with a bathe cap whilst you wait. The warmth out of your scalp helps the conditioning brokers penetrate deeper. Science, child.

Which Of The Two Ought to You Go For?

I’m group L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm all the way in which. It does the identical factor for a fraction of the price.

I’d go for Kerastase provided that you don’t thoughts to pay just a little additional for a greater sensory expertise.

Availability

Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair (£36.30): Out there at Look Implausible

L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm ($7.99): Out there at Ulta and Walmart

Is L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm a dupe for Dupe For Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair?

Sure, L’Oreal Paris Whole Restore 5 Injury-Erasing Balm is a dupe for Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair. The scent and texture could also be barely completely different, however they ship the identical outcomes.

Kerastase Reflection Masque Chromatique Thick Hair Components

Aqua / Water – Cetearyl Alcohol – Behentrimonium Chloride – Amodimethicone – Cetyl Esters – Isopropyl Alcohol – Phenoxyethanol – Trideceth-6 – Candelilla Cera / Candelilla Wax – Oryza Sativa Bran Oil / Rice Bran Oil – Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate – Glycine Soja Oil / Soybean Oil – Tocopherol -Limonene – Chlorhexidine Digluconate – Linalool – Cetrimonium Chloride – Hexyl Cinnamal – Citronellol – Butylene Glycol – Benzyl Alcohol – Geraniol – Zinc Gluconate – Sodium Citrate – Bht –  Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract – Citrus Junos Fruit Extract – Parfum / Perfume

L’Oreal Elvive Whole Restore 5 Injury Erasing Balm Components

Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Candellila Wax, Cetyl Esters, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Perfume, Phenoxyethanol, Trideceth-6, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Cetrimonium Chloride, Serine, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Amyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, CI 19140 / Yellow 5, CI 15985 / Yellow 6


About Gio


Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – each day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that will help you work out what’s well worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that will help you create one of the best skincare routine in your distinctive wants.