Blaze Hair salon team member standing in front of professional haircare products in Auckland, New Zealand

Kerastase Explained by a Hairdresser: How to Choose the Right Range (NZ Edition)

Kerastase is one of the most talked-about professional haircare brands in New Zealand — and, honestly, one of the most misunderstood.

We have this conversation in the salon all the time.

Clients come in using Kerastase at home.
Sometimes they love it.
Sometimes they don’t.
Often they can’t quite remember which one they tried — just that it “wasn’t quite what they expected”.

That’s usually not because Kerastase doesn’t work.

It’s because it wasn’t chosen properly in the first place.

And in New Zealand — whether you’re dealing with Wellington wind or that “Auckland is the centre of the universe” humidity — that makes a big difference.

Why Kerastase feels confusing (especially for Kiwis)

Kerastase isn’t designed to be picked off a shelf or guessed online.

It’s built around:

  • What your hair has been through

  • How it behaves day to day

  • What condition it’s actually in — not just how it looks

The problem is most Kerastase information online:

  • Is written for global markets

  • Assumes different water, weather, and lifestyles

  • Doesn’t really reflect what we see behind the chair here in NZ

So people do what anyone would do — they guess.

And when it doesn’t give them that “wow” feeling straight away, they assume the brand is the issue.

Most of the time, it’s not.

What makes NZ hair… very NZ

When we’re choosing Kerastase for clients here in New Zealand, there are a few things we always factor in.

  • Our water — which can leave hair drier or feeling a bit coated

  • Our weather — humidity, wind, sun, and everything in between

  • Our sun — strong enough that we all grew up with slip, slop, slap

  • Our lifestyle — lots of walking, gyms, beach days, ponytails, caps, and grabbing a flat white on the go

All of that affects how hair behaves — and how products perform.

Kerastase works beautifully in NZ.
It just needs to be chosen with NZ conditions in mind.

How we actually choose Kerastase in the salon

Behind the chair, we don’t start with:
“What shampoo do you want?”

It’s more like:

  • How does your hair feel day to day — does it get dry, or feel a bit fragile or tired?

  • Does it snap or shed more when you brush it?

  • Has it been coloured, lightened, or had a lot of heat styling over time?

  • How often are you washing it in a normal week?

Once we understand that, the right range becomes much clearer.

The three Kerastase ranges most relevant for life in NZ

These three ranges come up the most for Kiwi clients because they suit our lifestyle, our climate, and what we actually put our hair through here.

Nutritive — For dry, dehydrated hair

Nutritive is all about hydration and softness. It’s perfect for hair that:

  • Feels dry or rough, especially after too much sun or time outdoors

  • Lacks shine or just feels a bit thirsty from frequent washing

  • Gets parched from colouring, frequent heat styling, or everyday wear and tear

Hydration helps a lot, but if your hair’s been through a lot — colouring, heat styling, or just life — it may need more than moisture alone. Sometimes the hair needs a bit more TLC to feel healthy again.

Genesis — For weakened hair and breakage

Genesis is about strengthening hair that feels fragile. It’s great for hair that:

  • Breaks easily from ponytails, workouts, or daily styling

  • Sheds more when brushing or washing

  • Feels weaker after stress, pregnancy, menopause, or big lifestyle changes

This range is often misunderstood as purely a hair loss solution. In reality, it helps reduce hair fall that comes from many different causes — stress, hormonal shifts, lifestyle, and everyday wear and tear.

If your hair feels like it’s had a rough run, Genesis is about helping it feel stronger and more resilient again.

Première — For damaged, over-processed hair

Première is about proper repair and rebuilding. It’s best for hair that:

  • Has been blonded, balayaged, highlighted, or chemically lightened

  • Feels stretchy, gummy, rough, or brittle

  • Has had lots of heat styling, sun exposure, swimming, or bleaching

When we talk about hair structure, we’re talking about what gives hair shine, bounce, and movement. When that structure is damaged, hair can look dull, feel rough, and refuse to behave — no matter how much conditioner you use.

Première focuses on rebuilding that inner strength so hair can look shiny, move properly, and feel healthy again.

If your hair’s feeling worse for wear, think of Première as giving it a bit of a reset.

A final word

Choosing the right Kerastase range is really about understanding what your hair — and scalp — need to look and feel their best.

And remember, Kerastase isn’t just about beautiful hair.
Most importantly, it’s about a healthy scalp too.

If you’d ever like personalised advice, in-salon consultations are always an option. We can look at your hair properly, talk through your routine, and help you choose what actually makes sense for you.

Everyone’s hair journey is different — and sometimes a bit of expert guidance makes all the difference.



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