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.