Do you have this problem where your scalp is acting up as much as your face? Hair is the one tricky issue that is giving me never ending problem. Previously I shared with you my painful experience with sensitive scalp that was mistaken as dandruff scalp and I managed to tame the sensitivity down using Kérastase Specifique Dermo-Calm Range. However when I finished the whole range, my scalp then turned back into dry and sensitive all over again. Just when I was about to run out and grab another set of Kérastase Specifique Dermo-Calm Range, Kérastase Nutritive Irisome hair care range that is for dry and sensitised hair arrived my doorstep. Comparing with the other Kérastase hair care that I tried before, Nutritive Irisome only emphasis on their 2 must-have products instead of four to five products. It’s basically just shampoo and conditioner.

Beauty ideals or the perfect conditions for perfect hair has always been Kérastase exploration. Nutritive range was launched because Kérastase began educating women about the fact that their hair had to be nourished. That was back in 1979. At this generation and point of time, nutrition is no longer simply about a combination of lipids, glucids and amino acids that meet purely functional needs. Developments in the field of nutrition are now much more dynamic. The “yo-yo” effect has come under scrutiny. A new vision is necessary: prodigious nutritional qualities, immediate benefits and the dream of long-lastingness. That’s how this unprecedented new vision inspired new-generation Nutritive Irisome was launched. It’s exceptional nutrition extracted from the precious, perennial rhizome of the Iris.

Kérastase Nutritive Irisome Bain Satin 2 Exceptional Nutrition Shampoo (RM78 / 250ml)

It took me nearly two months to properly test out this range because I can’t get my heads around it. Kérastase never fail on me so I have high hopes on Nutritive Irisome range for my current sensitive, dry and flaky scalp problem. Perhaps I have hopes up in such way, I sillily expect this to work like in a few days. I know right. It’s silly but I was desperate to cure this scalp issue I have.

It turns out that just like the skin, hair can also over-exposed itself to major oxidative stress. Light rays provoke active molecules that oxidize the biological molecules which make up the hair such as lipids, proteins and keratin. The common sense is the dryer the skin is, the more vulnerable it is and the dryer the hair is, the more fragile it is. I have totally mislook this and added more stress to myself and my scalp. Added to this are the aggressions the hair undergoes every day for example pollution, brushing, combing, blow-drying, hair coloring and many more.

Hair Oxidization

Here’s one interesting story on how hair oxidization happen. The lipids on the surface of the hair and in the inter-cellular cement start to erode. At this stage we can see the scales alter and separate from the shaft. This is dry hair condition and it’s pretty much like a fish scale. Dry hair is when your hair becomes weaker, more lifeless and porous. Amino acids that make up the proteins in the hair including cystines and cysteins then become an easy targets. They tend to stretch, break, weaken and sometimes expose the cortex out. When dry hair is tired of fighting, the fiber begins to dry out. This is when the hair becomes duller and feels coarser, so it loses its ability to reflect light. Kérastase Nutritive Irisome act on the hair to create true immunity from the drying out process.

Kérastase Nutritive Irisome Bain Satin 2 Exceptional Nutrition Shampoo dispensed out in white milky texture. It lathers up pretty well and rinsing off every bit of the traces is hassle free. Kérastase said that their shampoo comes with delicate pearlescent textures with an imperceptible hint of gold but I couldn’t see it at all. On naked eyes it’s milky white 😀 . I should probably take a second look upclose with outdoor lighting 🙂 . My hair the next day was alright. It’s not too dry or too oily thereafter.

On a personal preference side, I’m not a fan of the scent. I find it to be a bit odd because I do love fragrant shampoo. The scent is actually Kérastase true signature scent of “an air of hespéridé-aldéhydé”. Now, that explains the scent. I couldn’t figure out what scent is that after using it for two months lol!

Kérastase Nutritive Irisome Lait Vital Incredibly Light – Exceptional Nutrition Care (RM90 / 200ml)

My Kérastase hair stylist once told me that it is not necessary to get matching hair conditioner but for dry and sensitive scalp I would recommend you to get the complete range or at least a matching hair conditioner. This is because sensitive and dry scalp is very tricky and takes a longer time to cure. I was pretty glad that Nutritive Irisome range recommend 2 must-have products and this Kérastase Nutritive Irisome Lait Vital Incredibly Light – Exceptional Nutrition Care is one of the two.

Unlike the shampoo which is for Dry and Sensitised Hair, this conditioner is for Normal to Slightly Dry Hair. The texture of the product is exactly as described – incredibly light. This is one perfectly balanced product as it contain just the right dose of Irisome to nourish and soften hair fibre without weighing it down.

Just like any other conditioner, this Kérastase Nutritive Irisome Lait Vital Incredibly Light – Exceptional Nutrition Care comes in a white milky texture as well. The scent is not the same as the shampoo because this is leaning more towards powdery floral scent. If I were to choose I would prefer the shampoo scent better 🙂 . It is recommended to apply the product onto freshly shampooed hair and leave it for at least five minutes before rinsing.

Now back to why I couldn’t get my heads around if I like this range or not. For the first few days my hair shows no obvious changes at all and I think my scalp is getting more drier after each wash and the scalp would be oily the morning after. That was pretty odd so I panic a bit, went to get a bottle of Kérastase Specifique Bain Vital Dermo-Calm Hypoallergenic Hydra-Soothing Shampoo and for some reason that too didn’t help either. So I went back to this Kérastase Nutritive Irisome duo and used it diligently for two weeks straight. Then my hair and scalp condition gets better and better and I’m glad to say my flaky scalp issue was reduced by half. Like I said dry and sensitive scalp issue is a very tricky problem to tackle and it will take time before my scalp condition gets better. The key here is to be patience and let the product work it’s magic. What I like about this shampoo is that it’s not too moisturizing for dry scalp. Usually shampoo targeted for dry scalp tend to be more oily and creamier. Not this one 😀

Many people told me that the price for Kérastase is a bit on the high side. Yes, if you are comparing with drugstore brand. Kérastase is professional salon hair care products. Although a bottle of shampoo cost RM78 for a bottle, you only need a small bit for each wash and one bottle would last your for four months. I wash my hair daily and my hair is quite long so it’s really not that bad 😀 . One trick to save shampoo is to lather up shampoo with both palm before massaging onto hair. This way you can distribute the shampoo evenly onto the whole head and you will also prevent hair loss too. This is because putting shampoo directly onto the head is too strong for the scalp to handle.

Here’s another trick that I shared a few weeks ago in Facebook to prevent itchy scalp. Most of us like to shower in hot / warm water right? You can wet your hair with hot / warm water and shampoo away but when you are ready to rinse, use cold water instead. Warm water tend to make the scalp oily faster and as a result, itchy scalp. Cold water rinsing is also better for those who prefer to let their hair air dry. This way your scalp is not too warm and moist. Germs do like to breed more in warm environment. So change your hair washing habit as it can make a total different 🙂

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.