Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acid Chroma Gloss VS L'Oreal Elvive Wonder Water Colour Protect

L'Oreal Elvive Wonder Water Colour Protect was kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

I first discovered Kérastase K-Water in 2020, and was instantly hooked. I had never used a product like it before (review here), and loved how I could get a mirror-like shine on my hair from a product that worked quickly. That being said, it was hard to get hold of, and quite expensive, so I was delighted when L'Oreal Elvive brought out their own version (review here). It wasn't an absolute dupe, but for the price difference, it was definitely a product worth using. Fast forward to this year, and Kérastase have a new version: Chroma Absolu Soin Acid Chroma Gloss, and so do L'Oreal Elvive: Wonder Water Colour Protect*. I've been putting both to the test, to see if they live up to their claims, and if one justifies being more than triple the price of the other.....

When I was with my hairdresser recently, she used the leave in treatment from the Chroma Absolu range, after cutting, and before styling, and my hair felt divine, and it really refreshed my colour. Also, my waves held for longer than they ever had previously. I knew that it'd be a matter of time before I'd buy something from the range, and plan on eventually buying it all, but I really am focused on finishing some already open products first. #willpower! Look Fantastic always has great offers on Kérastase, so I checked out the range on there and when I saw the  Chroma Absolu Soin Acid Chroma Gloss, I couldn't resist buying, which I could justify, because I didn't have a similar. product in my stash......until L'Oreal Elvive Wonder Water Colour Protect arrived on the same day.

The Chroma Absolu range is part of the brand's colour protect range, but it's different from other colour-protecting products I've used, because it contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates the surface of the hair, thus revealing the shine, which can be hidden due to a build up of minerals (hard water, for example). It also contains centella asiatica,  which helps to strengthen, repair and seal the hair shaft. Given that I live in a hard water water, I intend on buying the entire line, and again, Look Fantastic have great bundle offers.

To use, you shampoo and rinse hair as normal (I always double shampoo), towel dry, then apply this through the lengths of the hair, massage in for 8 seconds (I then leave it in for a minute or two, but I have tried rinsing after the 8 seconds also - a minute or two works better for me, but if I was in a rush, the 8 second method does work. As a side note, the instructions on the bottle and those on the box are different!), rinse and continue to condition as usual. I do wish that it had a spray applicator, as I feel that I waste some product, however that is easily remedied at home.

I can 100% vouch for the fact that this lifts my colour, and helps it to look freshly done - not necessarily toned, but shinier overall, and when I wave my hair, the blend of my balayage looks better - basically like I've just had my hair refreshed. Yes, it's expensive, but depending on the length of your hair, it will last quite a while. I absolutely LOVE it and am itching to buy the rest of the range.

So, what about L'Oreal Elvive Wonder Water Colour Protect*? This is aimed at highlighted and colour-treated hair. It doesn't mention lactic acid, however it says that it uses lamellar water technology, which means that the product only targets damaged areas of the hair, to reduce frizz and add shine. It is used in the same way as the above product - in the lengths of shampooed hair, and massaged in for 8 seconds, before rinsing. I have used this on it's own, and also divided my hair into two parts, using each product on one half, to give a proper contrast test. I have to say that this product works brilliantly - it is so much easier to comb through my knotty hair after use, and my hair dries smoothly, with a glossy finish. It really is a fantastic budget alternative to the Kérastase product. 

If I had to choose between the two, the Chroma Gloss has a slight edge, as that side of my hair dried quicker, without a flyaway in sight, plus I live in a hard water area, so overall I think that my hair will benefit from the mineral removal. But I really do have to nit-pick between the two. Both leave my hair looking very glossy, so if you're in the market for this type of product, you can't go wrong with either. I am curious as to how my hair would look and feel if I used the entire Chroma Gloss line. I intend on buying the other products, so I will update you on that.

Have you tried either of these products? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading!

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All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been kindly gifted, without obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.

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Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acid Chroma Gloss VS L'Oreal Elvive Wonder Water Colour Protect