Salon-Finish, Consciously Crafted: Mela & Kera’s Plant-Powered Hair Reset (Win!)

Toss the trade-off between performance and clean beauty—Mela & Kera promises both. Made in Canada and EU-compliant, the luxe line blends salon-grade, science-backed actives with potent botanicals like Rose of Jericho, Green Caviar and Moringa Oil to deliver that “just-left-the-salon” finish without parabens, sulphates, or animal ingredients. In this Q&A, Marc Abesdris, co-founder and SVP of Sales at Mela & Kera, takes us through the brand’s sustainability-first approach and product philosophy, with pro tips and formulation insight from Nicolette Cammalleri (Director of Education & Product Development and founder of Colette Studio Toronto). —Noa Nichol

Your brand blends salon science with clean, plant-powered ingredients, what’s the one hero ingredient you’re most obsessed with right now and why does it steal the spotlight?

Right now, we’re all about the Rose of Jericho. It’s a fascinating desert plant that can look completely lifeless for years, then spring back to full bloom the second it feels moisture again. There’s something so powerful about that story of revival, which is what really inspired our approach to hair health. Every Mela & Kera formula is built around that same idea, using our proprietary hydrating complex to help hair bounce back, feel softer, shinier and full of life again. For me, Rose of Jericho really sums up what Mela & Kera stands for: resilience, renewal, and restoring hair to its most beautiful natural state.

Mela & Kera promises “weightless hydration” — how do you deliver serious moisture without ever weighing hair down?

Weightless hydration is all about balance. It starts with Rose of Jericho, this incredible plant that springs back to life with just a bit of moisture. That inspired our proprietary hydrating complex, which works inside the hair rather than just sitting on top of it. It pulls in moisture, smooths, softens, and keeps hair strong without leaving any heaviness behind. The result is hair that feels naturally healthy, silky and full of movement

Tell us about Balayage Exceptionnel — what makes it the go-to for colour-treated hair compared with a standard colour shampoo/conditioner?

Balayage Exceptionnel was made for color-treated hair, and what makes it stand out is how it keeps color vibrant while actually improving the health of your hair. A lot of color shampoos and conditioners can leave hair feeling dry or dull, but this one does the opposite. It uses gentle, color-safe cleansers, nourishing botanicals, and our proprietary hydrating complex to help lock in color, add shine and prevent fading. It also smooths and strengthens, bringing out the depth and glow of balayage and highlights. The result is soft, luminous hair that looks freshly done all day long.

Wave Foundation and Blowout Crème feel like salon secrets in a bottle — what’s your at-home pro tip for getting that salon-quality texture without a round brush?

That’s a question I usually defer to the experts — in our case, Nicolette Cammalleri, Mela & Kera’s Director of Education & Product Development and Founder of Colette Studio Toronto.

According to Nicolette: “While I’ll always be loyal to a round brush, there is a way to achieve that polished, professional texture at home without one. Start with Blowout Crème on damp hair — it works beautifully as a leave-in to smooth frizz, control flyaways, and create a soft, touchable finish. Once the hair is dry, apply Balayage Exceptionnel Smooth Ends to seal the cuticle, add shine, and enhance that silky, salon-quality texture. You can use your hands or a wide-tooth comb to shape and refine the finish. It’s a quick, no-fuss way to get that ‘just-left-the-salon’ look, even on your busiest mornings.”

You’ve emphasized EU-compliance and avoiding 1,328 irritants — how do those standards change formulation choices and consumer trust?

Mela & Kera was created with the idea that salon products should be both high-performing and genuinely clean. From day one, we’ve followed Europe’s strict cosmetic standards as our guide, making sure every formula delivers results without compromise. We use gentle cleansers, plant-based actives, and nourishing proteins to hydrate, strengthen, and add shine, all while avoiding anything that could harm the hair or your health. Every product is color-safe, keratin-safe, extension safe and free from parabens, sulfates, and other harsh chemicals. The result is hair that looks vibrant and healthy, with color that stays luminous and soft.

Sustainability is a big promise — can you walk us through one unexpected eco-friendly decision you made that your customers would be surprised to learn about?

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for us, it’s something we think about in every decision we make. One thing that surprises people is that our bottles are made with 30% post-consumer recycled plastic. It might seem like a small detail, but it helps keep plastics out of landfills and gives them a second life without compromising quality. We’ve also invested in carbon offsets to balance out our production and shipping, supporting projects that actively reduce greenhouse gases. Every choice comes back to the same goal: creating healthy hair in a way that’s healthier for the planet too.

For someone switching to Mela & Kera from drugstore brands, what three products should they try first to stage an instant hair glow-up?

We’d kick things off with three Mela & Kera essentials. Start with the Touche Velours Shampoo to gently cleanse and restore hydration while keeping hair velvety soft with incredible shine (think of it as a reset for your hair). Follow with the Touche Velours Conditioner, packed with plant-powered actives that bring back softness, strength and bounce and finish things off with the Balayage Exceptionnel Smooth Ends to lock down the cuticle and tame flyaways and leave hair feeling effortlessly silky. Together, these three give you a visible, touchable hair glow-up, making your strands look and feel salon finished every single day.

Haircare and yoga both demand ritual — do you have a personal self-care routine (or go-to playlist) you swear by after a long day selling and testing products? 

My morning always starts with Mela & Kera Touche Velours, it’s become my non-negotiable ritual. After a long day, I like to unwind by picking up my guitar or sitting behind the drums, which I’ve been playing for over 30 years. It’s the perfect way to unplug in a world full of distractions. When I need to move and get a sweat session in, the gym or a basketball hoop is where you’ll find me. And, of course, nothing beats my daily dose of dopamine and oxytocin from time with my family.

Many readers live with textured or treated hair — what’s one myth about caring for textured, colour-treated hair you’d love to bust today?

That’s one I tend to hand over to our resident hair expert:

Nicolette explains: “One of the biggest myths is that you should wash colour-treated or textured hair less often to protect it. In reality, it’s not about washing less, it’s about what you use to replenish what colour and hair lightening services remove. Especially with blonding or lightening, the pigment-removal process can leave the hair more porous and dehydrated. Using the right hydrating, reparative formulas, like Balayage Exceptionnel, helps replenish moisture and rebuild the hair’s natural structure.”

Looking ahead to holiday gifting and pro salon kits — what limited edition or hero-product combo would you recommend for someone who wants to give the gift of “just-left-the-salon” hair?

For this one, I’d defer to Nicolette again, she’s our go-to when it comes to perfect pairings and professional styling results.

In Nicolette’s words: “For the holidays, I’d recommend pairing the Balayage Exceptionnel Shampoo & Conditioner with Blowout Crème and Wave Foundation. Together, they create the perfect ‘salon at home’ experience, cleansing and nourishing the hair while adding hydration, shine, and that smooth, professional finish. It’s an easy, luxurious gift for anyone who loves that fresh, effortless salon look (or for yourself when you want your best hair day, every day).”

Win! A $321 Mela & Kera Prize Pack!

Congrats Sandy A. of Shediac Bridge, NB, who will receive a $321 Mela & Kera Prize Pack! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.