KeraCare UK.

A salon brand that works at home

KeraCare is Avlon's professional line and it has been in UK salons for decades. Most of the range was built for relaxed and heat styled hair, then Natural Textures and Curl Essence were added for people wearing their curls out. That history is worth knowing, because it explains why two products with the same brand on the bottle behave completely differently.

The ranges, and who each suits

Curl Essence is the curly line. Coconut curl activator, moisturising curling cream, curling jelly and coco water cover wash to style for loose curls through to tight coils, with the coconut co wash for weeks you skip lather. Natural Textures is the coilier sibling, and the butter cream and leave in conditioner are the standouts.

Humecto creme conditioner is the one that crosses over to everyone. It is a heavy deep conditioner for dry, brittle hair and it comes in sizes up to 2300g for anyone getting through it. Thermal Wonder pre poo conditioner goes on before you wash if the hair is fragile from heat or colour.

Wash day and wrap sets

First Lather is a clarifying shampoo, so use it monthly or when build up is obvious rather than every week. Hydrating detangling shampoo is the weekly wash. If you set your hair, the foam wrap set lotion is the reason a lot of people buy KeraCare in the first place. It comes in regular and extra hold, and it gives a smooth wrap or roller set that survives a damp walk home.

The dry and itchy scalp moisturising shampoo is the one to reach for when the scalp feels tight, since it cleanses without stripping and leaves more moisture behind than a standard clarifier.

Gels, edges and hold

Gel Essence comes in four versions and the naming is not obvious. Super hold is the firmest. Strengthening and moisturising sit in the middle. Anti shedding is the one people use on fragile hair when they still want a slick style. Curl Essence healthy edges is the smaller pot for the hairline. All four are light enough on alcohol to avoid the white flaking you get from cheap gels, provided you let each layer dry.

Hard water and litre sizes

Hard water across London and the south east leaves mineral deposits that make curls stiff and shampoo lather poorly. If your hair feels coated a few days after washing, the monthly First Lather wash matters more than any leave in you add afterwards.

The gallon and litre sizes are here because stylists and anyone with a house full of long hair get through small bottles quickly. Decant into a pump bottle rather than lifting a 3790ml jug in the shower.