How To Whip Your Hair Into Tiptop Shape For Spring: René Furterer

I remember several years ago, I visited a favourite hair stylist who used a bunch of René Furterer haircare products on me to achieve soft and sexy waves. It was possibly the best my hair had ever looked other than my wedding day. I made a mental note to start using the line religiously.

Thanks to living in the world’s biggest small town, finding topnotch beauty products and haircare can be a bit of a problem. Couple that with the fact that I became a beauty blogger who receives many samples to test out, I never got the chance to get my mitts on some René Furterer products…until now. And dammmnnnn – my hair is thanking me.

I received a box full of products to test out and I can wholeheartedly say that I they have transformed my hair over the past 1.5 months. After a winter of harsh, dry conditions, my hair was in need of a little help. I was also using my curling irons a little too much thanks to the huge number of events that were happening. It was time for a little TLC for my hair.

A Little About René Furterer

René Furterer was a French stylist who opened the first spa for hair in 1957. The products he developed were plant and essential oil-based which made sense as he was fascinated by nature since childhood.

During the 50s with everyone obsessed with the “Marilyn Monroe look”, he noticed that many of his clients were suffering from damaged, over-processed hair from constant bleaching. He soon discovered that the best way to repair hair was to start with a healthy scalp. His products made with natural ingredients to promote scalp and hair health achieved immediate success and a stellar brand was born.

Here is a roundup of my favourite René Furterer products that I had the pleasure to sample. Read on!

Absolue Kératine Renewal Shampoo Sulfate-Free Surfactants

The first time I tried this shampoo, I was amazed. Let me start by saying that I have super thick, coarse hair. I relax my hair every two months as it’s easier to maintain. I wouldn’t say that my hair is damaged as I take pretty good care of it, but it does tend to dry out. This shampoo was incredible at keeping it moisturized.

This shampoo is THICK. Seriously thick – I would say the consistency of honey. I found it absolutely wonderful to use. It lathered up really nicely and my hair felt clean and hydrated after using and not stripped at all. If your hair is dry and damaged at all, this product is for you.

Sulfate and paraben-free, this formulation is loaded with plant-based keratin to repair damage strands. It also contains “Biocymentine” to reinforce the hair’s structure and camelina oil to deliver intense moisturization and protection.  This shampoo also smells wonderful. WOW.

René Furterer Complexe 5

Complexe 5 is an essential oil-based scalp treatment. This was a godsend as my poor scalp had become so dry during the winter months. Also, after a relaxer treatment, my scalp tend to dry out the week after, so I had been on the hunt for a really good treatment to alleviate this problem.

Well, this worked beautifully. This soothing formula really got rid of the dry scalp after using it weekly as directed. So basically, you use the pointed tip of the bottle to add the oil to your scalp. Rub the product in gently to your dry, unwashed scalp. Leave in for 5-10 minutes ONLY. WARNING: I tried to leave in for a little longer than this but thanks to its highly active ingredients which are meant to stimulate circulation, my scalp started to sting a little. I had to wash it out quickly!

This formula is comprise of over 50% pure orange and lavender essentials oils and it smells absolutely heavenly. When used as directed, it boosts the effectiveness of other René Furterer products immensely. Strengthening hair from the root, it deep cleans your scalp using all-natural ingredients and increasing circulation to your scalp thus increasing hair growth.

NOTE: Complexe 5 is sulfate, paraben and silicone free. Do not use if you have a sensitive scalp and do not use 3-4 days before heading to the salon for a chemical treatment (relaxers, bleaching processes, etc).  Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. This is a serious product!

Karité Intense Nourishing Mask

A stellar deep conditioner, I love this product because you get maximum results in little time. I deep condition my hair weekly and usually leave the product on my hair for hours. This mask is so intensely moisturizing that I get away with the same results by leaving on my hair for only 15-20 minutes or so (simply apply to damp/towel-dried hair). This is the product I reach for to deep condition my hair when I’m in a huge rush (which seems to be always).

My hair feels great and looks incredibly shiny after using this product with the Absolue Kératine Renewal Shampoo (see above). Thanks to its high amount of shea butter, my hair gets a real hit of moisture and the quince pectin in the formula smooths the hair follicle for maximum shininess. This nourishing mask smells incredible too – like a fancy orange creamsicle! With notes of orange, verbena and vanilla, it’s lovely to use.

Absolue Kératine Sublime Renewal Leave-In Cream

Ok – this is a total favourite of mine! I use this as a leave-in conditioner after washing my hair. The results I’ve seen thanks to using this product have been amazing. There is a really noticeable difference after applying to hair. After towel drying my hair (after a complete wash), I apply a quarter-sized amount to my hair. It makes the detangling process a dream…not that there is too much to detangle after using the stellar shampoo and deep conditioner.

My hair feels like silk after applying and looks shiny and healthy. I love using this product and then whipping my hair up into a sleek, shiny bun.

This product is silicone-free too, and works to repair damaged ends daily with its formulation of plant-based keratin (protein), biocymentine (repairs hair’s structure), camelina oil (super moisturizing) and sesame oil for daily protection. True to form, it smells wonderful too.

Karité Leave-in Nourishing Cream

For the days that I don’t wash my hair (I wash weekly), I use a dime-sized amount of this ultra-hydrating Karité Leave-In Nourishing Cream. If you relax your hair, have dry or damaged hair, colour-treat or are a swimmer, you need this product NOW. Not greasy in the least, it makes hair instantly softer and more manageable.

I apply to my hair before bed and wake up with super shiny, soft strands. I LOVE THIS STUFF. Eventhough I use it daily, my hair never feels weighed down. I’ve noticed a marked improvement in my hair too, allowing me to stretch my relaxers (wait a little longer before having a relaxer) since using this product. Such a bonus as the relaxer process is a tough one.

This keeps my ends super smooth and new regrowth soft and manageable.

Karité Intense Overnight Nourishing Treatment Leave-In

I started using this treatment right when I received it and was blown away by the results. My hair felt so soft and manageable before washing it out that I actually considered leaving it in there for the rest of the day!

I applied this product the night before my big wash day. I wrapped my hair in a silk scarf and got some Zzzzs. This product, when used with the shampoo and deep conditioner, provided the best results I think I’ve had in my life. It washed out easily, my hair wsa a breeze to come through after the washing process, and my hair had never felt better.

This product promises to restructure your hair overnight, and I think it’s working! LOL! My hair feels thick, healthy and super soft.

Unlike most of René Furterer’s products, this treatment does contain silicone, which is too bad…but the results have been nothing short of stellar. This entire suite of products, including this one, contains, shea butter, phospholipids for deep nourishment and cimentrio to protect from external damage. In addition, this product contains “Elastifiber” – a new anti-breakage complex. It’s this ingreditent that adds silicone to the formulation. I have to admit, I’ve seen a huge improvement in breakage since I’ve added it to my hair regimen.

Absolue Kératine Ultimate Renewal Mask

And lastly, my darling of all of these products, the Absolue Kératine Ultimate Renewal Mask. After swimming in the ocean in Barbados and frying under the sun on the beach, my hair needed a little TLC. Once I returned home, I applied the Karité Intense Overnight Nourishing Treatment Leave-In to my hair, wrapped it up in a silk scarf and had a good night’s rest. Once I woke up, I applied this thick and rich hair mask and left it on for an hour. I proceeded to shampoo my hair with the Absolue Kératine Renewal Shampoo Sulcate-Free Surfactants to wash everything out and then followed up with a little more of the Karité Intense Nourishing Mask. After leaving that on for a couple of minutes, my hair felt like silk.

After rinsing out, my hair required zero detangling. It felt amazing and looked shiny and healthy. My hair truly felt restored right after using this ultra moisturizing Ultimate Renewal Mask.

I now use this mask weekly and my hair is better for it. Its formulation is perfect for my super thick and coarse hair. This rich formula is not for fine, limp hair though. It’s just too heavy. Those with normal hair suffering with a little dryness would definitely benefit from using this product on their ends to bring their hair back to life. It is – hands down – my favourite of this line.

Like the other products, this mask contains plant-based keratin, biocymentine and camelina oil.

Have you tried René Furterer? What did you think of the products? This entire line definitely makes my list Top Beauty Products for 2017 (and its only April). AMAZING.

*Thank you to René Furterer for the press samples in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks also for bring my hair back to life after one of the longest, marshes winters ever!