Understanding Hair Layering: Tackling Hair Concerns at Every Level
If you've ever wished to address multiple hair concerns in one go, hair 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 hair fiber. 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 your hair. Each fiber consists of two fundamental layers:
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 colour, proteins, and, most notably, keratin. Keratin is responsible for your hair's strength and colour. 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 outer surface - the cuticle, it leads to dullness and roughness, making your hair appear lackluster. On the inside deep inside the cortex, it causes rigidity, stiffness, and an increased risk of breakage.
The brilliance of hair layering lies in its ability to address these concerns at the different levels, effectively combatting calcium's damaging effects.
Watch our video with Emily Ratajkowski to find you more about the power of layering and then keep reading to discover more.
Layer 1: Pre-Shampoo Concentrate
The first step in hair layering is to apply a pre-shampoo concentrate such as our new Kérastase Première Pre Shampoo. A good pre-shampoo doesn’t just protect the hair from harsh tap water, it helps repair it too.
When you apply our pre-shampoo Kérastase Première Concentré Decalcifying Pre Shampoo and massage it into the hair you’re adding a dose of actives - 3% citric acid and 5% glycerine. These help to decalify your hair - before you even reach for the shampoo - they work to reduce stiffness, increases shine, recreates 99%* of hair’s original strength and makes light work of reducing breakage by 93%**. It’s a game-changer for damaged hair. The key is to leave the concentrate on hair - no need to rinse before shampooing.
*Instrumental test after 5 applications of the Concentré + Bain +Fondant/ Masque
**Instrumental test after 1 application of the Concentré
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 Decalcifying Shampoo. 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:
Layer products to texturise 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 Repairing Sérum Filler does both.
After that, you can apply a hair oil to add shine, smoothness, and manageability to your hair. Try our new Première Repairing Gloss Hair Oil that seals spit ends and boosts shine. Or for any hair type that lacks shine, try our Elixir Huile Originale - a transparent oil 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 customised 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.
