Cécred haircare review: What works, what doesn’t and what to buy from Beyoncé’s hair brand

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When Beyoncé’s Cécred broke into the haircare market in 2024, it was met with major intrigue. Yes, her mum, Tina Knowles, is a hairstylist and salon owner, so she absolutely knows her stuff when it comes to caring for and styling hair. But it’s long been questioned whether Queen Bey exclusively wears wigs when she performs, so fans don’t really know if or how she looks after her own hair – let alone whether she knows about formulating products.

The Cécred team silenced critics at launch, knocking it out of the (ivy) park with its line-up and, for what it’s worth, the brand’s marketing rarely features Beyoncé at all. From the sell-out Edge Drops to the innovative Oil Ritual, there’s something for every hair type and concern, and the formulations are, for the most part, seriously efficacious. The biggest drawback? The price. It’s not ludicrous, but it’s not high-street either – a full wash-day routine will set you back over £150. So if you’re interested in the range, you’ll want to know what’s actually worth it.

Here’s our full breakdown of the collections, our favourites, and what we wouldn’t repurchase – including the brand-new styling collection we tried ahead of launch…

The selection that started it all, this collection contains the basics needed for a successful wash day, with cleansers, conditioners and oils. The standout is the viral Restoring Edge and Hair Drops, which launched slightly later than the initial range. Fans have reported real, tangible hair growth with consistent use, especially where edges have been compromised by weaves and wigs.

For me, the Clarifying Shampoo and Salt Scrub is incredible. I’m not usually a fan of salt scrubs – I find getting the grains out of my hair fiddly – but this one rinses out easily and cleanses thoroughly. The Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner are solid and genuinely hydrating, thanks to hyaluronic acid and the moisturising Phyto-Collagen Complex. Still, there’s no denying that £50 for a wash-and-condition duo is steep. The one product I didn’t get on with is the Protein Ritual – partly because my hair doesn’t need extra protein, but also because I’m not a fan of mixing up my own treatments. I’d rather leave that to the pros.

This collection is full of hits. It’s designed to care for hair that is in, or has just been in, protective styles like braids, wigs and weaves, with ingredients such as ceramides to calm itchy, irritated scalps.

The Scalp Refresh Spray is like a cold drink of water for braided scalps: invigorating, while also cleansing the hair and scalp without disturbing your style. The product I reach for most on wash days, though, is the Detangling Spray. The slip it creates when brushing through sections is seriously impressive; word on the street is that fairy knots and tangles have been noticeably quieter since this launched.

The latest launch from the brand is also its most anticipated. The Styling Collection is all about the finish, whether you’re doing twist-outs, blow-dries or a silk press. In the US, the range also includes a hairspray that’s not yet available overseas.

My favourite, as someone who is a ‘straight natural’ is the Heat-Activated Silk Glaze. It delivers true silk-press results. I follow the ‘How to Use’ steps exactly and get consistently sleek, straight finishes. The key is applying it to damp hair – otherwise, things can feel a little stiff.

The Thermal Shield Mist is also great across hair types for heat protection. It’s lightweight, so it won’t weigh down fine or thin hair.

Deeply hydrating, lightweight and beautifully scented, here’s how the range performed on my type 3C/4A curls.

I’ve been testing Cécred’s Foundation Collection for the past year, and I’m always impressed by how deeply moisturising it is. So far, I’ve tested the Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, Moisturising Deep Conditioner, Restoring Hair & Edge Drops and Nourishing Hair Oil, plus the Hair Detangling Spray from the Protection Collection and the Thermal Shield Mist and Heat Activated Silk Glaze from the Styling Collection.

The shampoo and conditioner are rich and juicy. They sink into my hair and leave my scalp clean and fresh. I left the deep conditioner on for about 20 minutes under a plastic cap so it could really soak in. It rinses out easily and never weighs down my fine strands. Together they’re the perfect base for a blowout at home.

The Detangling Spray is a standout. It’s moisturising without feeling heavy, and it tames my flyaways when I need a slick-back before my next wash day. It smooths and adds shine with no tackiness. I love that the spray bottle means I don’t have to rewet my hair to style it.

It also revives day-two curls: I spritz, smooth in some of the Silk Glaze, diffuse on a cooler setting and finish with the Nourishing Hair Oil and Edge Drops. The Edge Drops are a light pink, watery formula. I’ve only just started testing them, but they aren’t sticky or tacky and they sink quickly into my hair and scalp.

The heat protectants were the real game-changers. I’ve been looking for a two-part system: I spritz the Thermal Shield Mist on my natural curls before blowing them out, then use the Silk Glaze before straightening for a glossy finish.

To set and sleep in a fresh blowout, I run a small amount of Nourishing Hair Oil through my hair to prevent frizz and static, then wrap it in heatless curlers and a bonnet. The glossy result explains the glaze’s name. I always finish with a tiny drop of oil along my crown and parting, where London humidity hits first and my hair starts to revert.

Then there’s the scent. Cécred’s signature Temple Oud fragrance runs through the Foundation and Styling collections, with notes of oud, Australian sandalwood, warm musk, night-blooming jasmine, Haitian vetiver and violet leaves.

To me, it smells like a gorgeous, milky perfume. My partner loves it, and layered with my own fragrances it makes a signature scent that gets compliments around the office. On me it lasts a full week, and I love that it lingers as I walk.

I’m a big fan of Cécred and genuinely recommend it to friends and family all the time. When it comes to celebrity brands, I always ask: would I like this if it launched without the celebrity backing? Do the formulas speak for themselves? In this case, for the most part, they do.

Like any brand, there are a few misses for me, but overall the quality and effectiveness are strong.

Keeks has worked in the hair industry for 13 years, creating and writing hair content alongside leading experts. She also completed her Level 1 hairdressing training in 2024 to deepen her industry knowledge.

Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old.  She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo’s Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.    

Kara Kia is the Ecommerce Editor for Women’s Lifestyle at Hearst UK, leading Cosmopolitan UK’s digital shopping strategy across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. With over eight years of experience as a journalist and editor, Kara specialises in skincare, makeup, haircare and helping women find their personal style — trying and testing every product she recommends. A trusted voice in fashion and beauty ecommerce, Kara’s most-read guides include the best wedding dresses under £1000, the best affordable jewellery brands, the best Korean skincare products, and the best products for curly hair. She also covers major shopping events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day for Cosmopolitan, Red and Prima. Kara previously held the role of contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar UK; before joining Hearst, she was Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER’s Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and wrote for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine. An experienced interviewer, she has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles and Tyla about life, work and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and formerly based in Toronto, Kara now lives in London. Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kia

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