Hello my beautiful friends and welcome back to another Behind the Brand post! Those who’ve been with me for a while (a BIG thank you and virtual hugs) are already familiar with this series I started here on the blog not too long ago. These are interviews with IT brands of the moment, brands that are inspirational and that are changing the world as we know it.
One such memorable brand is Parisian line Christophe Robin Haircare, available at major retailers such as Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-a-Porter, Space NK and Bluemercury. I was first introduced to this haircare line a few months ago, you can read more about how I came across them here. What instantly drew me to this brand is the way they formulate their products. Haircare products in general are some of the most toxic we use in our daily lives, thus ingredients cannot be overlooked. The Christophe Robin line is made with all natural ingredients. The products are free of parabens, silicones, SLES, and oxidants. Spoiler alert, I have previously raved about some of their haircare here.
The Christophe Robin brand has been recently making headlines for releasing one of the most innovative hair products yet, the Cleansing Volumizing Paste with Pure Rassoul and Rose Extracts, available starting in June. Never have I seen a buzz around a haircare launch like I did this one! But as soon as this surprising product was in my possession, all other products claiming to do the same were quickly placed aside and the Cleansing Volumizing Paste was deemed a game-changer! A more detailed review will be coming to the blog soon.
The creator of this much buzzed-about brand is hair legend and famed French colorist, Christophe Robin, whose star-studded clientele include actress Catherine Deneuve and supermodel Linda Evangelista. His haircare line launched in 1999, and has been revolutionizing the haircare industry ever since. I had the immense honor to interview Christophe (in other words I’m now within 6 degrees of separation from Ms. Deneuve and Linda), and ask him some of the questions I thought would help us understand the success behind his natural yet effective line, as well as some tips and tricks worthy of celebrity status. So grab a cup of ___(insert here your favorite drink of choice) and let’s get the scoop on everything hair from none other than Christophe Robin …
Photo taken by Joy Jacobs at the Christophe Robin Pop-Up Salon in Tribeca, read more about that event here.
- What inspired you to create your own haircare line?
I was working with models at the time and changing their hair color up to 4 times a week. Imagine the damage! I needed something to protect the hair and cleanse it gently. So, my moisturizing hair oil with lavender and my cleansing mask with lemon were born! That was over 20 years ago!
- How do you source your ingredients and how do you decide which ones make the cut?
I’ve always been incredibly inspired by nature and my travels. Ingredients tell their own story and I love how you can create something based on that. For instance, during a trip to Morocco, I discovered prickly pears and how the oil extracted from the seeds of this fruit had wonderful benefits. Women in Morocco use it to heal and protect their skin from the sun; it’s a very powerful antioxidant. It became the star ingredient of my regenerating line!
Same for the rassoul. I loved the idea that this clay was a beauty secret passed from mother to daughter during generations and wanted to find a way to apply it to haircare.
Finally, my garden is one of my biggest sources of inspiration. It’s full of flowers and colors, it has a story of its own.
- What is the most challenging part of formulating your products?
We are an independent company, so we have the luxury in some sense to follow our own pace. We never launch something until we are 100% satisfied with it! We really strive to find the best ingredients and formulas and don’t take the easy way out. We stick to our commitments, even though it’s incredibly challenging.
- What was the motivation behind the creation of your latest release, the Cleansing Volumizing Paste with Pure Rassoul and Rose Extracts?
I’ve been working on movie sets quite a bit lately and realized there was a real need for long lasting volume. Many volumizing products will give you volume for some time and then fall like a soufflé later during the day. It’s fine for a photoshoot because you need this volume just for a photo. However, during film, lets imagine the amount of product one would have to use to maintain volume through the day. The idea was to build volume day after day to get a beautiful and natural consistency. My new Cleansing Volumizing Paste creates a nice lift to the roots and adds body to the lengths. The more you would use it, the better volume and texture you would have.
- What are your top-3 must-have hair products?
My moisturizing hair oil with lavender to use as a pre-shampoo treatment or at the beach this summer.
A boar-bristle hair brush: it’s incredibly gentle on the hair and really massages your scalp to boost micro circulation (healthy scalp = healthy hair!)
The cleansing mask with lemon to gently cleanse, deeply nourish, and boost shine and color!
- How often should we wash our hair and how often should we get it cut?
I usually recommend washing your up to hair 2-3 times a week. In France, we like low maintenance, so a good cut should grow out nicely. You would cut it perhaps once every 6 months – but then it also depends on your hairstyle and the length you want to keep.
- What is your number 1 tip to help the hair regenerate and grow faster?
Take good care of your scalp! I always recommend brushing hair at night with a boar-bristle hairbrush to oxygenate the scalp and evenly distribute oils. An extra tip, do it with your hair flipped over!
- If someone is looking to change their hair color, what is the best way to find out what color suits them best?
I always say that nature does a good job. Always stay around your natural color, or keep a little bit of your natural color onto your roots for a more natural looking result. It’s also good to bring pictures of colors you like and dislike to show your colorist, sometimes we don’t have the right words to explain what we want, pictures are always easier to understand!
- Can you share with us some hair tricks that you feel everyone should know?
Never brush your hair when its soaking wet- always towel dry first and then gently start with the lengths. When they are wet, they are more heavy and prone to breakage!
When washing your hair, don’t rub your lengths. Instead, massage your scalp-the shampoo will do its work on your lengths!
Protect your hair from the sun! Apply an oil with an SPF like my moisturizing hair oil with lavender or my moisturizing hair cream. It will protect your color and keep your locks nourished and healthy!
So there you have it, the 411 on everything hair! I will attach the disclaimer that I have yet to try a Christophe Robin product that my hair didn’t enjoy. His products are high-end and sophisticated, placing a lot of thought and care on protecting, enhancing and strengthening the hair from root to tip. You are likely to notice differences in the condition of your hair over time, I most certainly have. Using these products is definitely an indulgence, but tasks such as washing, styling and taking care of the hair become a treat. And treating oneself after a hard day’s work is always a good idea!
This is NOT a sponsored post but it does contain referral links. Read my Disclaimer policy for more info.
What a fun and informative post … nothing short of a Cat blog post!! ?? Thank you for sharing it with us. I will definitely grab a few products and try them on my hair as your review/interview is making me lust over them.
Hi Anxhela, thank you so much for stopping by and for such kind words! Where do I start? I have tried several products from Christophe Robin Haircare (basically all of the products that you see in the photos) and loved them all. My current obsession is the Cleansing Volumizing Paste with Rassoul and Rose Extracts (such a mouthful) but such a surprising product! I’d love to see what you pick up and compare notes! ~ Cat L.
Amazing, nature does a great Job I couldn’t agree more with Mr Christopher Robin. I was taking notes as I was reading this blog post Cat. Very informative from the hair guru himself fantastic and I will be looking into their moisturising products.
Thank you for reading, Esnath! I too happen to agree with the hair legend himself! But of course, I had to learn the hard way! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the post! I find the Prickly Pear Mask and his Lavender Oil (which I use as a pre-shampoo mask) super moisturizing. Hope you get a chance to try them! ~ Cat L.
i thoroughly enjoyed reading this post Cat. Understanding the inspiration and and ethos of the brand always helps me make a more informed decision when purchasing a product. I am so glad you asked about the hair care tips! I will definitely remember to apply them when managing my hair!
Dom
http://www.calibeaute.com
Hi Dom, so so glad you enjoyed the post! I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by and not ask Mr. Robin about his hair tips and tricks! He was so helpful and I’ve already started putting some of his advice to use, ie focusing on my scalp (not the ends) when washing and brushing at night. His products are so beautiful, gentle yet effective, hope you get a chance to try them! ~ Cat L.
Absolutely love this interview Cat! So informative full of tips and tricks for the hair. I am a lover of natural products overall, and these ones sound so amazing. I didn’t know such thing as SPF for the hair existed, so I will need it in my life now! Will definitely check this brand out. Thank you for the amazing post! Loved loved it!!
Lily | https://lmastr0819.wordpress.com
Thank you for stopping by Lily! I cannot recommend this brand enough! They carry it at Sephora as well so I’d suggest getting a few samples and trying several different products from the Christophe Robin line. Some of my personal favorites are the purifying shampoo and rose volumizing conditioner (which I reviewed on the blog previously), the newly launched cleansing volumizing paste and their rose root lifter! Keep me posted, I’d love to see what you end up trying! ~ Cat L.
Very interesting interview sweet Cat ! Love the tips and the photos too ! And icing on the cake, as you said the formulas are great ! Thanks for sharing. xo
Kédidja ~ beautymoodboard.com
Oh Kédidja, this is such a beautiful Parisian haircare brand, you will fall in love with them! Hope you get a chance to try their products! ~ Cat L.
Oh Cat you know my love for Christophe Robin’s products! This post is amazing! What a great idea to share this with us!
My mom can’t put down her new rose clay paste! And I swear by his scrub and lemon paste! Now I need to try that lavender oil!
Much love,
Lyna
http://Www.beautybylynmed.com
Hi Lyna, so so glad you enjoyed the post and found it helpful! The Rassoul and Rose volumizing paste is a must-have, such a game changer! I haven’t tried the lemon mask but it was one of the very first products Christophe created almost 20 years ago and still one of his best sellers! I need to try! ~ Cat L.
Such an interesting interview Cat, love each sentence!
XXX
C
Thank you Claudia! So glad you enjoyed the post and found it helpful! ~ Cat L.
This was an amazing read! I’ve always wanted to try Christophe Robin products, and I was super excited to get a deluxe sample recently in my Sephora subscription. I learned so many things in this post and I’ve taken notes for when I’m taking care of my hair! For instance, I had no idea about brushing your hair when it’s wet. All of your photos are so dreamy and beautiful. I think I definitely need the new cleansing paste, as well as everything else lol! Great interview and thank you so much for sharing with us! xoxo
Jenn │ Beauty by Jellybean
Hi Jenn, so so glad to hear! Thank you so much for such wonderful feedback. Same here, I had no idea about brushing when the hair is wet or about brushing with the hair flipped over for added volume. I adore his products in general, but the new Volumizing Paste with Rassoul has become Holy Grail for me. It has such a surprising texture and it instantly brings life to my fine, limp hair. Not only that, but what separates it from other products claiming to do the same is the fact that the volume stays, it doesn’t die down after a day! Keep me posted, I’d love to compare notes! ~ Cat L.
Noted, noted and noted again!! Some great tips in there Cat…you asked just the right questions!! I will be hunting for his volumising paste online tonight ?
Hi Nadia, thank you for stopping by! So glad you found the post helpful, mission accomplished then! The new Volumizing Paste with Rassoul has become Holy Grail for me. It instantly brings life to my fine, limp hair. Not only that, but what separates it from other products claiming to do the same is the fact that the volume stays, it doesn’t die down after a day! Hope you get a chance to try it! ~ Cat L.
Hi Cat! I just watched your instant stories and saw your amazing and voluminous hair! This interview was so interesting to read! Great hair tips! The hair oil sounds amazing and perfect for the summer! Thanks for sharing ❤
Hi Boriana, thank you for reading, watching, for commenting and for always being so incredibly supportive of my content! It means more than you know! So glad you enjoyed the interview and found the hair tips helpful. I love the lavender hair oil use it as a pre-shampoo hair mask once a week. Hope you get a chance to try some of these products! I’d love to compare notes! ~ Cat L.
Such an informative great post! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this and now I’m even more inclined than before to try out some of these lovely hair products xx
Thank you, Lisa! SO glad you enjoyed the interview! I adore every Christophe Robin product that I’ve tried thus far and their Cleansing Mask with Rassoul has become Holy Grail for me. Hope you get a chance to try this wonderful brand! ~ Cat L.
What an interesting interview. Your photos are so beautiful and romantic, I love the colours you chose. I haven’t heard of this brand before but I really love the packaging.
Yiota
PinkDaisyLoves
Wow what an incredible opportunity to interview Christophe Robin, and I loved the tips he shared! I’ve only tried his clarifying sea salt scrub before and it’s fantastic – the best deep cleansing shampoo I’ve tried and I can never be without it. The cleansing volumizing paste sounds amazing and I’ll have to add it to my wishlist 😀
Jenny // Geeky Posh
Such a great interview and what an honour indeed! I am so hair obsessed so I love to hear peoples tips and tricks. I had no idea it was such a clean brand … most definitely now on my radar!
Brilliant post Cat and thanks for the introduction as I am certainly intrigued to try. Kelly xx
http://www.KELLiLASH.com
What a delight! CR just joined our Sephora here in Dubai and I am so excited to try some of his amazing haircare products. Keeping my fingers crossed xx
Thanks for the article Cat!
Naya
Can you tell me how safe these product ingredients are? I really want to try the line but I am hesitant as I do not know or can find an ewg rating. you mention the product is free of parabans, sls, sulphate, do you know the toxicity of the rest of the ingredients? Thanks
Thank you for your question. I have reached out to the brand and will get back to you with their answer. ~ Cat L.