The Kérastase Elixir Ultime has become a bit of a cult beauty product among bloggers, celebrities and professionals worldwide. It constantly wins beauty awards and features in many a favourites list.

It helped perfect the Queen of Hearts shiny locks in our Beauty in Wonderland Christmas campaign, aka Chloe Lewis, so we wanted to delve into what makes this precious oil so very, very special...

The History of Kérastase Elixir Ultime

The original oil formula was first brought to light in 2010, when a never before seen product was launched into the haircare market. Traditional oil-based formulas tended to be heavy and leave the hair weighed down and quite greasy, but a unique cocktail of oils in the Elixir Ultime provided unbeatable softness without any heaviness.

This blend included Camellia, Argan, Corn Germ and Prackaxi, (an oil from a native Brazilian plant), that nourished each strand of hair and provided a gorgeous luminosity. They also contain a host of vitamins and minerals that feed the hair with the essential nutrition it needs to grow strong and healthy, and provide protection against environmental and heat damage.

In 2015, the oil was put into a luxurious glass bottle, which makes up the Elixir Ultime we know and love today.

How to use Elixir Ultime

Kérastase recommends that you use Elixir Ultime in a multitude of ways for fabulous hair...

1. As a touch-up: Use the oil throughout the day to keep your shine frizz-free and gorgeously shiny. Just as you would touch-up your makeup, your hair needs the same nourishment and attention, especially through the winter months.
2. To fragrance your hair: If you want a multitasking product that not only hydrates but fragrances your hair, this is the only oil you will need. It smells absolutely divine and last all night.
3. Pre blow-dry: The blend of vitamin-rich oils can help to protect your hair against heat damage to keep your locks gorgeous and luminous.
4. Post blow-dry: Use to smooth down any frizz from your hairdryer and to smooth fly-aways so your hair looks absolutely and irrevocably flawless.

This is a brilliant multitasking product, and one that is essential in any pre New Year party beauty routine.

A few pump fulls spread evenly though hair a few minutes before shampooing seemed to make [hair] smoother afterward, and make it require less of the product later, to smooth fly-aways and frizz - Vogue