A Q&A With Christophe Robin Ambassador and Colourist Monique McMahon

RY: What is the one Christophe Robin item you think every woman should own? 

MM: Every woman needs the Christophe Robin Cleansing Mask with Lemon. This incredible 3-in-1 treatment transforms the hair, leaving it with a youthful, elastic texture. All hair should feel like this. It creates the perfect canvas to showcase beautiful colour and conditioner.

RY: Prickly Pear Oil is quite the unique ingredient. Can you tell us about its properties and why it has been so central to the Christophe Robin range? 

MM: Prickly Pear Seed Oil is an incredibly powerful natural oil that’s extracted from the seeds of the prickly pear fruit. Only a tiny amount comes from each seed, making it a very rare commodity! It’s been treasured by Moroccan women for years; they use it for all their beauty rituals.

Christophe discovered the oil on one of his regular trips to Morocco and is passionate about using it in his hair products. Its hydrating properties make it a must for all hair types, especially coloured and sensitive locks that have a tendency towards dryness. It really soaks into the hair follicles, smoothing and adding vibrant shine.

RY: Anyone with coloured hair can reap the benefits of the Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care range. Can you tell us a little about these products and how they work? 

MM: As a colourist, the Shade Variation range is one of my most favourite, and just flies off my shelves. Each product is 3-in-1; Shade Variation products are firstly conditioners that use almond oils. They’re also toners that draw on natural earthen products like iris extract (purple), carrot (copper) and liquorice (ash brown) to subdue and prolong colour within the hair. Finally, they’re intense masks enriched with Buritti oils to nourish and hydrate, leaving the hair with incredible shine!

RY: ‘French girl’ beauty is definitely a growing trend. As Christophe Robin is a Parisian brand, do you have any tips or must-have products for achieving this effortless vibe with your hair? 

MM: French girl hair is all about the natural look, and the only way to get your hair to air dry naturally without frizz is by starting from the beginning. Avoid products with artificial ingredients and silicones as they only offer short term results. Next, head to your favourite salon and ask for an assessment so the right products can be recommended to you, from pre-shampoos to treatments, leave-in protectants and more.

RY: Do you have any predictions for upcoming hair trends? 

MM: Trend alert — it’s the French girl bob, so get ready to make the cut, ladies! It sits perfectly at chin length to show off the neckline, and is softly textured at the front so you can flick it from side to side. And, brunettes — stand up, it’s your time to shine! Lana Del Rey’s current colour is exactly what we mean. Blondes are always trending, but this season, it’s more about face-framing — gentle light and shadow peeking through at the hair’s natural partings.

RY: Do you have a personal favourite product in the range? What is it and why? 

MM: My personal favourite Christophe Robin product is the Shade Variation Care in Warm Chestnut. I use this as a conditioner to stop my brunette from going dull, and I also use it as a treatment that keeps colour from fading in general. My other ‘can’t live without’ is the Christophe Robin Moisturising Hair Cream, which is enriched with sandalwood. It stops frizz and hydrates at the same time, but feels practically weightless. I use it on wet and dry hair every day — it’s like a BB cream for the hair that brightens, smooths and protects.

Read more: The Sea Salt Hair Scrub Everyone’s Talking About