Crème Lavante au Citron by Christophe Robin
One of the best things about living in Paris is having access to the seemingly limitless array of top-secret French beauty products and services. After reading about the lifelong partnership between the French actress Catherine Deneuve and the renowned Parisian hairdresser Christophe Robin, I decided to try one of her favorite products – the crème lavante au citron or in the language of mere mortals – the cleansing mask with lemon. The mask is a non-detergent shampoo, especially made for color-treated hair and is meant to fix the pigment in dyed hair, nourish, soothe and scrub the scalp all at the same time, and is marketed as the most gentle option for color-treated hair and especially good for blondes.
Robin’s hair care products have a reputation for being amazing, and usually come with how-to videos. Honestly, had I not watched him explain how to use this product, I would never have been able to figure it out just by reading the label. The mask is supposed to be used on wet hair. If you have very dry or damaged hair, you can put it directly onto dry hair. Whatever your starting position, apply it throughout, then lather by adding a bit of water. Repeat at least five times, or otherwise, in the words of Christophe Robin himself: "Vous allez la détester."
Unfortunately, in my case, Robin is right – je l’ai détestée. All three times that I tried the mask, I was left underwhelmed and slightly confused. How much water to add? How long do I need to rub it in for until it starts working? Am I supposed to concentrate on my scalp or the lengths?
The mask is frothy and gel-like and getting the stuff to lather is next to impossible, or, at the least, extremely hard unless you have a ton of patience. Using it in the shower is also super uncomfortable, since adding the tiny bits of water while constantly massaging your scalp to get the lather going means that you end up spending a good ten minutes with your arms above your head. And while my hair was soft and seemed nourished, it was soft in a gooey fluffy kind of way. It was also heavier and harder to dry than usual, and within half a day I wanted to wash my hair again (this time with regular shampoo and conditioner). I guess the mask could work as a nourishing treatment every now and then, especially on the day leading up to a hammam visit, but I definitely would not be able to use it on the regular.
Granted, according to most testimonials, the cleansing mask is a love-it-or-hate-it product, so this is not the worst thing you could be spending your money on and you may end up worshiping it. Maybe you are more like Madame Deneuve than me.
The cleansing mask is available on Robin's online store, 51,00 € for ml and 36,00 € for the 250 ml.
http://www.e-boutique.christophe-robin.com/en/intense-care/32-creme-lavante-au-citron.html
Sephora aficionados note: most of his products are also available at Sephora for a tiny bit less (e.g., 35,50 € instead of 36 €), and if you have a Sephora Gold card, you can get up to 20% off the regular price.
Bonvivante rating: ★☆☆☆☆ As cold as Deneuve’s icy stare.
Cover Photo from Grazia Australia
