Kevin Murphy vs Kerastase (The Definitive Guide)

Today, we're diving back into the world of shampoo, and it's a clash of the titans: Kevin Murphy's REPAIR-ME.WASH against Kerastase's Resistance Bain Force Architecte Shampoo.

Both are legendary in the hair care sphere, particularly for rejuvenating and repairing damaged hair. But how do they truly measure up when put side by side? Let's find out!

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Kevin Murphy REPAIR-ME.WASH vs Kerastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte

Kevin Murphy and Kerastase both offer loads of different ranges catering to every conceivable hair type and concern. For the sake of brevity, we've narrowed the comparison down to their reparative shampoos.

If it's not quite the match-up you were hoping for, sorry! That said, there'll be quite a few takeaways from this comparison that you'll be able to apply to *any* Kevin Murphy vs Kerastase match-up, and we'll also leave a summarized list of our favorites from each brand towards the end of the article (basically, this post is worth the read regardless!).

Anyway, let's dive into it.

About the shampoos

Kevin Murphy's REPAIR-ME.WASH is a reconstructing shampoo crafted to cleanse away impurities while replenishing fine, dry, and brittle hair types. Rich in proteins including bamboo and silk amino acids, it fortifies each strand, making your hair look fuller, healthier, and stronger.

Key players in the ingredient list are pineapple and papaya enzymes, amino acids, green pea protein, shea butter, and bamboo extract. These components work together to boost moisture, soften your hair, and restore damaged strands. Plus, it's free from parabens, sulfates, and cruelty, which is always a win.

On the other hand, we have Kerastase's Resistance Bain Force Architecte, a strengthening shampoo formulated to cleanse and fortify damaged hair at erosion levels 1-2 (that's Kerastase's damage scale, with 1-2 representing some damage). This shampoo promises to leave your hair soft, sleek, and well-protected. Its unique Vita-Ciment® Complex works to cleanse away dirt and impurities while reinforcing brittle hair, reducing breakage and split ends.

Among the ingredients of this shampoo, notable mentions include salicylic acid, which exfoliates and cleanses, and 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, a ceramide-like ingredient that can help strengthen the hair shaft.

Both products are designed to repair and fortify damaged hair, but their approach is slightly different. Kevin Murphy's shampoo relies on a rich blend of natural proteins and enzymes to nourish and rebuild the hair. Meanwhile, Kerastase uses a patented complex and a blend of powerful chemical ingredients to restore and protect the hair.

When it comes to environmental sustainability, Kevin Murphy might take the edge with its paraben-, sulfate- and cruelty-free formula. Kerastase's formulation is certainly not paraben- or sulfate-free, but very few haricare products are these days (since there's not enough evidence to support the claims regarding the supposed harm they cause to humans or the environment).

Let's not forget, shampoo isn't just about repair and protection - it's about the entire washing experience. How does it smell? How does it feel? And how long will a bottle last you?

Kevin Murphy's REPAIR-ME.WASH has a unique, appealing scent that many users love. It's a bit fruity and fresh, likely due to the pineapple and papaya enzymes. As for texture, it's rich and creamy, allowing for a luxurious lather that doesn't strip the hair of its natural oils. The quantity needed per wash isn't much, meaning a bottle can last you a good while, making it worth the price.

Kerastase's Resistance Bain Force Architecte, on the other hand, carries a scent that's classically Kerastase - elegant and refined, but not overpowering. Its texture is creamy and pearlescent, and it lathers well. You don't need a large amount per wash, so a bottle should last a comparable length of time to Kevin Murphy.

Both brands are available in a variety of sizes, so you can choose based on how frequently you plan to use the shampoo and your budget constraints.

It's worth noting that both Kevin Murphy and Kerastase put a lot of effort into the packaging of their products. They're designed to look good in your bathroom and they're functional, with sturdy lids and easy-to-use dispensers.

Price-wise, Kerastase tends to run a bit more expensive, but if it's ticking all your boxes, don't let it stop you from discovering your perfect match.

Conclusion

The final verdict? If you're after a natural and cruelty-free approach to repairing your hair, Kevin Murphy's REPAIR-ME.WASH could be your new go-to. However, if your hair damage is more severe and requires a specialized treatment, Kerastase's Resistance Bain Force Architecte might be more suitable.

As always, remember that your hair type and needs should dictate your choice. Have you tried either of these reconstructing shampoos? We'd love to hear your thoughts by email (calum@femmenordic.com). Keep those locks luscious, ladies!

Oh, and here's that list of our other favorites from each brand that we promised:

Our favorites by Kevin Murphy

For dry hair:
Try the Hydrate-Me Range

For fine hair:
Try the Plumping Range

For mature hair:
Try the Young Again Range

Our favorites by Kerastase

For frizzy hair:
Try the Discipline Range

For color-treated hair:
Try the Reflection Range

For blonde hair:
Try the Blond Absolu Range