Can you get salon-worthy keratin results at home?

The ultimate hair care 

It’s the hair-repair go-to that takes hours and costs a bomb. Now, a new breed of DIY options have arrived to help fight frizz and build strength. But are they worth the hype?

Love the idea of soothing frizz or heat-fried hair with a salon keratin treatment, but not keen on splashing $600? Unless you have the casual pocketmoney of, say, a Jennifer Aniston, Blake Lively, Kylie Jenner, or Rihanna (FYI, all salon keratin smoothing aficionados) it’s not easy to justify that kind of outlay several times a year.

Enter the new breed of at-home heroes from brands like Olaplex, Kerasilk and more, which claim to offer pro-like results at a fraction of the price.

Sure, it sounds too good to be true. But according to independent cosmetic developer, Shinta Huynh – who specialises in formulating skincare, haircare and TGA-regulated products – at-home keratin treatments are the real deal if used correctly.

“They help rebuild bonds within the hair, reducing frizz and making hair softer and shinier, with less breakage and improved elasticity and texture,” she says. “They also help colour vibrancy last longer and with consistent use provide cumulative benefits.”

It’s an effect award-winning hair stylist Belinda Jeffrey has witnessed firsthand. “I definitely notice a difference in a client’s hair, especially if their hair was weak or over-processed before.” 

But like any wonder product, this category comes with caveats. “They need to be used exactly as directed, not overused or left in the hair too long,” explains Jeffrey. “I always use a moisture treatment or conditioner afterwards to lock down the cuticle.” 

Nor, unfortunately, are they instant miracles, adds Huynh. “If your hair is severely damaged, it might take multiple uses over weeks or months to see significant improvements.” 

But which is best? The answer, says Huynh, depends on the state of your locks. “For example, if you're dealing with severe damage, Olaplex may deliver better bond repair, whereas Kerasilk excels in moisture and frizz control, making them slightly different but not worlds apart.” 

Body+Soul beauty editor, Rachel Sharp, put three to the test…

But like any wonder product, this category comes with caveats. Image: iStock

To repair damage

Olaplex Hair Perfector No3, $53 from adorebeauty.com.au

Olaplex Hair Perfector No3

Probably the best known in this category, Olaplex has a numbered range, each with unique purposes: 1 and 2 are in-salon products, 3 is for bond repair, while 4 and 5 are a shampoo and conditioner.

Beauty Ed verdict: “If your hair is in dire straits, you can leave this on overnight, but I stuck to an hour then washed and conditioned as normal. My hair was slightly less wild after air-drying but didn’t look different enough for hubby to notice. I needed to use it three times, each a week apart, to start seeing any visible results.”

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To reduce frizz

Kerasilk Liquid Cuticle Filler, $48 from adorebeauty.com.au

Kerasilk Liquid Cuticle Filler

This bonding range uses ingredients like keratin and hyaluronic acid to repair. The real magic happens when it’s heated – it smooths and fills the cuticles, helping protect strands against further damage.

Beauty Ed verdict: “I tried spraying it in as a leave-in treatment after using its sister shampoo and conditioner, but that left my hair feeling crispy. The next time – after reading the label properly – I blow-dried it in then did a once-over with a straightener on low heat. That did the trick – less frizz and more shine, which lasted several washes.”

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To restore strength

K18 Leave-In Molecular RepairHair Mask, $99.95 from adorebeauty.com.au

K18 Leave-In Molecular RepairHair Mask

The hair world’s hottest brand right now, this leave-in should be applied after every wash for four in a row, then every four to six ongoing. It’s best used after a clarifying shampoo, no conditioner, so that it penetrates properly. 

Beauty Ed verdict: “I wasn’t convinced after round one, but by the third my hair looked and felt improved, was less affected by humidity and the wiry flyaways around my hairline were less wild. Apparently, Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber both love this one – so who am I to argue?”

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Originally published as Can you get salon-worthy keratin results at home?