I’m a Beauty Editor Who Thought Purple Shampoo Was Pointless—After Trying 10+ Formulas, This Is the One I Regret Not Using Sooner

Yes, being a beauty editor can be glamorous, but it's by no means an easy job. The market is crowded with millions, maybe even billions, of products, many of which carry claims that seem too good to be true. So I can't really blame Who What Wear beauty editor Emma Walsh for approaching blonde haircare with a healthy dose of skepticism. That’s kind of her job, after all!

"I thought blonde haircare products such as purple shampoos, masks, and sprays were pointless,” Emma, a natural blonde with highlights, recently admitted to me. "How could they make a meaningful difference being on my hair for such a short amount of time?"

Even after being disappointed by so many blonde haircare formulas in the past, she gave the Kérastase Blond Absolu collection a try in the name of research—and she quickly realized that, when done right, the category isn’t just another beauty gimmick: "Each product helps me get one step closer to the blonde of my dreams." The only problem Emma has found with Kérastase is that she didn't discover it sooner.

Premium Salon-Quality Ingredients

Emma, a self-proclaimed ingredients nerd, got hyped about Blond Absolu before she even tried it. "One look at the label, and I instantly knew this line was special," she gushed. "The formulas include antioxidant-rich vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as hyaluronic acid—the same ingredients as skincare products, which was so impressive to me!" Each Kérastase product also contains ultraviolet pigments that banish brassy tones, making them especially suited for blondes, whether natural, bleached, or highlighted.

Effortless Maintenance

Her affinity for the entire Kérastase line grew once she realized how easy it was to incorporate into her beauty regimen both in and out of the shower. It's even simplified one of her biggest (and most expensive) haircare habits: going to the salon for touch-ups every eight or so weeks. "With my maintenance routine, I've gone up to five months in between coloring appointments," Emma shared. And it does more than liven up her color, she added. "Aside from neutralizing brassy tones and maintaining my brightest blonde, Blond Absolu helps to hydrate my hair and reduce frizz."

Superior Protection

As a California girl, Emma knows she has to take extra precautions with her blonde hair, so she takes full advantage of Kérastase Blond Absolu’s full range of products. "I'm begging you, don't stop at the purple shampoo!" she advised. "Kérastase also has an illuminating conditioner, a hydrating serum, and my favorite product: the Blonde Guard Hydrating Wonder Shield Leave-In Spray ($50). I love it because it offers protection not only from heat styling, but also from sun exposure, chlorine, and salt water, so my blonde looks bright and beachy all year long."