Home > Brand Comparisons > Redken vs. Kerastase

Redken vs Kérastase: Two different philosophies.
Both worth your consideration.

Redken and Kérastase share a parent company — but that's where the similarity ends. They occupy different price points, different philosophies, and address hair concerns with meaningfully different ingredient strategies. Knowing which to use (and when to use both) is the difference between a routine that maintains your hair and one that genuinely transforms it.

SHOP REDKEN

SHOP KERASTASE

SHOP REDKEN

SHOP Kérastase

best for professional results at value

REDKEN

Science-led professional care built on protein chemistry, accessible pricing, and targeted solutions for every hair concern.

AMERICAN

PROTEIN FOCUS

ACCESSIBLE

best for clinical treatment + luxury

KErastase

Pharmaceutical-grade formulations engineered by L'Oréal's Advanced Research division for deep, progressive hair transformation.

FRENCH

CLINICAL

LUXURY

COMPARISON

Title

REDKEN

Kérastase

ORIGIN

New York, USA (est. 1960)

Paris, France (est. 1964)

PHILOSOPHY

Protein science + targeted repair. Professional results at accessible price.

VALUE-LED

Clinical luxury. Pharmaceutical R&D. Deep personalization per concern

CLINICAL-LED

KEY ACTIVITIES

Hydrolyzed proteins, ceramides, citric acid, anionic actives

Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, patented peptides, botanical actives, Aminexil

PRICE RANGE

$$ More accessible professional pricing

BETTER VALUE/USE

$$$ Premium professional pricing

HIGHER INVESTMENT

RANGE BREADTH

Very broad — colour, repair, volume, frizz, moisture, scalp, styling

Deep and specialized — 12+ targeted collections per concern

BEST FOR

Colour maintenance, protein repair, accessible daily professional care

Targeted clinical treatment: damage, density, aging, bleached hair

COLOUR CARE

Color Extend Magnetics — anionic system locks colour molecules

STRONG

Chroma Absolu + Blond Absolu — clinical colour & fibre protection

EXCEPTIONAL

SUSTAINABILITY

L'Oréal Group commitments. Recyclable packaging initiatives.

L'Oréal Group commitments. Not B Corp certified.

WHO SHOULD YOU CHOOSE

Title

REACH FOR REDKEN IF YOU...

Want professional performance without the luxury price tag.

REACH FOR Kérastase IF YOU...

Have a specific problem your current routine hasn't solved.

✔ Colour your hair regularly and want reliable vibrancy protection

✔ Bleach or highlight frequently and need clinical fibre protection
Title

✔ Have damaged or chemically-treated hair and want protein-based repair

✔ Are experiencing noticeable density loss, thinning, or scalp concerns
Title

✔ Want a professional shampoo and conditioner for daily use within budget

✔ Notice your hair changing with age, hormones, or medication
Title

✔ Need volume, frizz control, or moisture without complex treatment steps

✔ Want the most targeted formulation available without visiting a salon
Title

✔ Want a broad range that covers every family member's hair type

✔ Have severe damage and want a progressive rebuilding protocol
Title

✔ Are new to professional hair care and want a strong, proven entry point

✔ Are willing to invest more for measurable, compound results over time
Title

THE ZENNKAI PERSPECTIVE

Same parent company. Completely different job to do.

redken built its reputation on accessible, protein-rich professional care that delivers real results for everyday hair. kérastase built its reputation on solving the hair problems that other brands couldn't. after 40 years carrying both, our take: start with redken if you're building a routine. reach for kérastase when the routine stops being enough.

Redken vs Kérastase for Metro Vancouver Hair

In Metro Vancouver, the Redken vs Kérastase decision often comes down to severity of concern and how Vancouver's specific environment is affecting hair. For colour-treated clients, Redken Color Extend Magnetics' EDDS chelating technology is one of the few daily shampoos specifically formulated to remove calcium, copper, and iron from Vancouver's tap water that accelerate fade — uniquely effective for Vancouver's water chemistry. Kérastase Première addresses the same mineral damage at a deeper structural level for hair where buildup has caused cumulative bond damage. For frizz in Vancouver's coastal humidity, Kérastase Discipline provides multi-day resistance on thicker hair; Redken Frizz Dismiss handles daily management across hair types.

6 METRO VANCOUVER LOCATIONS

A Note from our Founder

"I've sold both Redken and Kérastase since the early days of Zennkai, and the question I get most often from clients is whether the price difference is worth it. The honest professional answer: it depends on the concern. Redken built its reputation on accessible, science-backed professional care that delivers real results for everyday hair — the Acidic Bonding Concentrate range is genuinely excellent and works for most clients. Kérastase built its reputation by solving the hair problems that other brands cannot — Chronologiste for density loss, Première for severe damage, Genesis for hair-thinning concerns. My recommendation: start with Redken when you're building a daily routine. Reach for Kérastase when the routine stops being enough. The clients who get the strongest results often layer both — a Redken daily system with a Kérastase weekly mask for whatever advanced concern they're managing."

— Milajne Soligo, President & Founder, Zennkai (Professional Hair Care Since 1984)

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FAQ

Is Redken or Kérastase better?

Both brands are owned by L'Oréal and deliver professional-grade results, but they serve different priorities. Redken is protein-focused, widely accessible, and built for targeted concerns at a lower price. Kérastase is clinically precise, formulated with pharmaceutical-grade actives, and designed for deep progressive transformation. For everyday professional care, Redken is excellent value. For a persistent specific problem, Kérastase is the specialist.

Is Kérastase worth the extra cost over Redken?

If you have a specific hair concern — thinning, severe damage, colour longevity, or aging hair — Kérastase's targeted clinical formulations often justify the premium. Redken delivers strong results at a more accessible price and is the better choice for general maintenance, volume, or budget-conscious professional care. Many clients use both: Redken for daily washing and Kérastase for intensive weekly treatment.

Can I use Redken and Kérastase together?

Yes — and this is a common approach among professional clients. Pairing a Redken shampoo and conditioner with a Kérastase treatment masque gives you professional daily cleansing at a reasonable price point, with the benefit of clinical treatment on wash days. Both are L'Oréal professional lines formulated to compatible standards.

Which brand is better for colour-treated hair?

Both brands have strong colour-care lines. Redken Color Extend Magnetics uses an anionic active system to lock in colour molecules and extend vibrancy between services. Kérastase Chroma Absolu (lactic-tartaric-amino acids + Centella) and Blond Absolu (hyaluronic acid + edelweiss + ultra-violet ) for more intensive colour protection and fibre repair. For moderate colour maintenance, Redken is excellent. For heavily processed, frequently coloured, or bleached hair, Kérastase typically delivers more targeted results.

Where can I buy Redken and Kérastase in Canada?

Both Redken and Kérastase are available at Zennkai — Canada's professional hair care retailer since 1984. Shop online at zennkai.com with fast Canada-wide shipping or visit one of our six Metro Vancouver locations. Authenticated professional stock, sold as an authorized Canadian retailer.

SHOP REDKEN & Kérastase AT ZENNKAI

SHOP REDKEN

SHOP Kérastase