Kérastase's Gloss Absolu is a haircare range built entirely around one finish: high, glass-like shine on long, frizz-prone hair. It's fronted by global brand ambassador Sydney Sweeney alongside longtime Kérastase spokesmodel Emily Ratajkowski, and the range's hero product, the Glaze Drops hair oil, has become one of the brand's most talked-about launches. It lands at exactly the moment shine has overtaken almost every other hair trend for 2026.
How Did Sydney Sweeney and Emily Ratajkowski Both End Up Fronting Gloss Absolu?
Sydney Sweeney was named Kérastase's global brand ambassador in January 2024. Announcing the partnership, Kérastase Global Brand President Rosa Carriço said she was drawn to "Sydney's warmth and magnetism both on- and off-screen," describing her as "fearless with her hair, beauty, and style." Sweeney herself called it "so immense" to partner with "such an iconic brand," adding that she connects with beauty "about being creative, being myself and being a strong believer in my actions."
Emily Ratajkowski's relationship with the brand runs longer. Kérastase describes her as its "spokesmodel and face," and she's built her association with the brand around treating her hair, in her words, as "a tool of expression" given how often she changes cut, colour and texture. On her own philosophy, Ratajkowski has said, "I'm confident because I've learned to love myself and appreciate the things that make me unique," a line that fits neatly with a range built to enhance hair's natural shine rather than mask it under a different finish entirely.
Together, the two ambassadors front the "Gloss Absolu" push, aimed squarely at frizz-prone, dull-feeling lengths. The timing lines up with what's actually happening in colour and finish trends more broadly this year: stylists are moving away from ultra-matte, heavily processed looks and back toward glossy, "expensive-looking" hair, whatever the base colour. Pairing a newer ambassador with an established one, both fronting the same shine-first message, isn't a coincidence; it's a brand chasing a trend that's already showing up in salon chairs.
What Actually Causes Dull, Glass-Free Hair in an Australian Winter?
Dull, glass-free hair in an Australian winter almost always comes down to a rough, lifted cuticle that scatters light instead of reflecting it. It's not just a marketing angle, either — winter is genuinely tough on shine, even if it doesn't feel as dramatic as summer chlorine or salt damage. Indoor heating strips moisture from both the air and the hair shaft, hot showers (which most of us take more of in the cooler months) lift the cuticle, and static from dry air and wool layers roughens the hair's surface, all of which scatter light rather than reflect it. That's the actual mechanism behind "dull" hair: a rough, lifted cuticle doesn't bounce light back the way a smooth, sealed one does.
Expert Tip: Hairhouse stylists recommend swapping to lukewarm water for the final rinse in winter, even though a hot shower feels better in the cold. Cooler water helps the cuticle sit flatter, which is the single easiest habit change for noticeably glossier-looking hair without adding any new product.
What's in the Kérastase Gloss Absolu Range?
The range is built to work as a full routine rather than a single hero product, which matters if dull, frizz-prone hair is a recurring issue rather than a one-off bad hair day. The Gloss Absolu Bain Hydra-Glaze Shampoo is the cleansing step, formulated to hydrate while it cleans rather than stripping the hair back to zero, which is important given over-cleansing is one of the more common causes of dullness in the first place. It's followed by the Gloss Absolu Insta Glaze Conditioner, a rinse-out treatment aimed at closing the cuticle back down after washing.
For styling, the Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Hair Oil is the product most associated with the campaign itself. It is a lightweight oil rather than a heavy serum, designed for long, frizz-prone hair that needs shine without weight. The Gloss Absolu Anti-Frizz Glaze All-In-1 Spray rounds the routine out as a leave-in, multi-tasking as a detangler, frizz control and heat protectant in one step, which suits anyone who wants fewer products in their routine rather than more.
How to Get Glossier Hair at Home (Pro Tips)
Getting a genuinely glossy finish, rather than just a temporary shine spray on top of dull strands, comes down to a few consistent habits rather than one miracle product:
Wash with a hydrating, non-stripping shampoo rather than a heavy clarifying one for everyday use, and save clarifying washes for occasional buildup only.
Always follow with a rinse-out conditioner or gloss treatment, since this is the step that actually closes the cuticle rather than just coating the surface.
Apply a lightweight oil to damp, towel-dried lengths before styling, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends rather than the roots.
Finish with a cool water rinse where possible, and avoid brushing hair while it's fully saturated with water, since hair is at its most fragile and most prone to surface damage when wet.
Limit heat styling temperature where you can, since even mild, repeated heat damage roughens the cuticle over time and undoes the glossy finish faster than almost anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Sydney Sweeney actually the face of Kérastase?
A: Yes. Sydney Sweeney was named Kérastase's global brand ambassador in January 2024 and has since fronted campaigns for the brand, including the current Gloss Absolu range alongside fellow ambassador Emily Ratajkowski.
Q: Is Emily Ratajkowski also a Kérastase ambassador?
A: Yes. Emily Ratajkowski has a longer-standing relationship with the brand as its spokesmodel and face, predating Sweeney's appointment. The two now appear together fronting the Gloss Absolu range.
Q: What is Kérastase Gloss Absolu for?
A: Gloss Absolu is designed for long, frizz-prone hair that looks dull or lacks shine. The range combines a hydrating shampoo, gloss-enhancing conditioner, lightweight styling oil and an all-in-one leave-in spray to smooth the cuticle and reflect more light.
Q: Why does my hair look duller in winter?
A: Indoor heating, hotter showers and dry, static-prone air all roughen the hair's outer cuticle layer in winter. A rough cuticle scatters light instead of reflecting it, which is what makes hair look dull rather than glossy, even without any new damage.
Q: Can I use a hair oil on fine hair without it looking greasy?
A: Yes, provided it's a lightweight formula applied sparingly to mid-lengths and ends rather than roots. Heavier oils and root application are the usual causes of a greasy look, not oil use itself.
If your hair's been looking flatter and duller than usual this winter, the full Gloss Absolu routine is worth building into your wash days. Shop the range online or in-store at Hairhouse, where our team can match it to your specific hair type before you commit to a full routine.