Brand Comparison · Hair · 2026
Kérastase vs Davines — Premium Salon Brand Battle
Both premium salon brands. Kérastase is French-luxury; Davines is Italian-clean. Different aesthetics, different formulations.
Verdict
Tie — they win different jobs.
Glow's editorial team tested both brands across 12 weeks. Here's where each one wins.
Side by side
Kérastase vs Davines — compared.
| Dimension | Kérastase | Davines |
|---|---|---|
| Brand philosophy | Kérastase ● French luxury, scientific. Owned by L'Oréal. |
Davines ● Italian, sustainability-led, eco-conscious. Family-owned. |
| Best shampoo | Kérastase ● Bain de Force, Bain Genese (regenerating). Reliable across hair types. |
Davines ● OI Shampoo, MoMo Shampoo. Plant-led formulations. |
| Best mask/treatment | Kérastase ✓ Masque Therapiste is iconic. Heavy-duty repair. |
Davines MELU mask, NOUNOU mask. Plant-led, gentler. |
| Sustainability | Kérastase Improving but L'Oréal scale means lower transparency. |
Davines ✓ Stronger brand identity around sustainability. Carbon-neutral, packaging recyclable. |
| Pricing | Kérastase $45-95. Premium salon pricing. |
Davines ✓ $40-85. Slightly more accessible. |
✓ = wins this dimension · ● = tie
Pick Kérastase if
When Kérastase wins.
Damage repair, intensive masks, French-luxury aesthetic.
Pick Davines if
When Davines wins.
Sustainability matters, plant-led formulations, Italian aesthetic.
Frequently asked
Common questions.
Are these worth salon prices?
For damaged or chemically-treated hair, yes. For healthy hair, mid-market shampoos perform similarly.
Which is better for colour-treated hair?
Both have strong colour lines. Kérastase Reflection Chroma Captive is more dramatic; Davines Alchemic is more subtle.
Where to buy in Australia?
Both at salons + Adore Beauty + select retailers.
Are these brands cruelty-free?
Both have sustainability and cruelty-free programmes. Davines is more explicitly positioned on this.