The Tamesis
I don’t usually get stressed out by celebrity beauty brand launches (sorry, I’m tired of it!), but when Beyoncé and her mom Miss Tina’s hair-care creation, Cécred, debuted in February 2024, it piqued my interest. Its Essentials Collection is a smart launch pad for brands that cater to all hair types—a collection of eight wash-day essentials powered by patent-pending bio-fermented keratin, which is bioidentical to the keratin found in human hair and works to strengthen damaged strands. Some of my personal favorite clarifying shampoos, deep conditioners, and protein treatments are a reminder that a clean scalp sets the tone for healthy hair. I figured if it was good enough for Bay, then it was certainly good enough for me.
I’m again pleased with its second iteration (Protection Collection, launching in August 2025), which takes a different approach. The range attempts to detoxify the hair and scalp with five hair-refreshing solutions housed in stylish royal blue bottles that are easy to put on and off. I find its Detangling Spray is great for removing knot-free braids and stitches, while its Scalp Refreshing Spray cleans very effectively without water. However, as much as I admire both collections, I’m still craving a Beyoncé-approved salve for my everyday look. So imagine my surprise when I learned that Cécred’s Act III: Style Collection was now available for purchase.
The Cécred team believes styling is a natural and necessary extension. “We’ve built a foundation of health with our Foundation and Protect lines, and now with styling, we can make sure the way we finish our hair supports everything that came before it,” says Beyoncé’s hairstylist Neil Farina. He went on to explain that during development, performance and protection were top of mind – and it certainly “executed”. Turns out, the collection was instrumental in the superstar’s perfect hair for his famous Cowboy Carter tour.
“There’s nothing better than facing bad weather on tour,” Farina said Fashion Laughed. Whether it’s sweat, extreme humidity, wind, rapid changes, multiple styles in one night, or redesigning the same part over and over again, products must meet a standard of excellence. “If it can’t stand up to movement and humidity and still look incredible under the lights in front of everyone, then it hasn’t worked. This tour was the best test because we were exposed to almost every element and we saw it all. I have to say, the hair is still looking good through it all.”
What I appreciate most about this range is that it prioritizes the longevity of your hairstyle without compromising the health of your hair. Dr. Kari Williams, trichologist and director of education at Cécred, says that after identifying styling as where most people get hurt (think: heat, tugging, pulling, slicking, etc.), the team tried to support and protect the structure of the hair fiber with built-in protection for five styling goals: volume, definition, hold, smoothness, longevity. From there, they found six stylers that are enriched with the brand’s StemShield Complex, which provides 450 degrees Fahrenheit heat and humidity protection. Scientifically speaking, this complex enhances the hold of the hair fiber without compromising the integrity of the curl.
The premise is simple—protect your hair while you straighten it for a bouncy blowout or style it into a grabbed ponytail—but in practice, it’s easier said than done. “Maintaining movement while providing strong protection and style longevity is the most technically complex part,” says Dr. Williams, since greater retention and moisture resistance often require heavy ingredients. However, each of the six stylers is extremely light.
For my first taste of the collection, I met with the Cécred team and asked to combine Cécred’s signature large-volume airbrushing with their sleek silk glaze style. After shampoo and conditioner, Heat Shield Spray is non-negotiable. I liken it to a traditional heat protectant dispensed in an ultra-fine non-stick spray. I’m not much of a mousse game, so I was interested to see how the volumizing mousse held up (it’s Farinah’s favorite product in the range, touchable, flexible hold, and doesn’t collapse). “You can use it to create voluminous curls, coils, diffused curls and more. I use it for everything from Beyoncé Bowl curls to Cécred voluminous curls.” The secret is to apply it to wet hair and then use a round brush to create tension while blow-drying; this way, your hair will better hold its curls and curls.
