If there’s one thing we know to be true, it’s that Beyoncé is always working on something new. Naturally, this sentiment also applies to her hair care company, Cécred. Since launching last February, the brand has steadily expanded from its initial lineup of seven products, releasing viral favorites like the Restoring Hair & Edge Drops along the way.

Now, Cécred is gearing up to drop its newest assortment, the Protection Collection, on August 25. Ahead, learn more about the products in the line and my first-hand experience with each one. 

The Products

Beyoncé has worn every protective style under the sun—from wigs to braids—and is obviously no stranger to hair coloring either, having been blonde for decades. Her experiences directly shaped this collection, allowing the brand to bring a fresh perspective to the protection category.

“We knew that consumers in protective styles and extensions often rely on home-mixed hair remedies, oftentimes without validated but also high-performance solutions,” director of education Dr. Kari Williams tells Byrdie. “These approaches might offer a temporary fix, but over time, they can weaken the scalp and hair health, causing damage, breakage, and shedding. We wanted to change that narrative with the new Protection Collection. Our goal was to create products that prioritize performance and efficacy, while staying true to trusted and safe ingredients, so consumers no longer have to choose between safety and results.”

The five-piece collection includes everything you need to approach the prep, maintenance, and takedown process of protective styles. There’s the Detoxifying Shampoo, Scalp Refreshing Spray, Oil Ritual, Detangling Spray, and Hair & Scalp Balm. 

Of course, each product is uniquely formulated; however, there’s a proprietary “PhytoFerment” (a blend of scalp-nourishing ingredients) found across the entire collection. “Merging wisdom and science is the backbone of our research and development strategy, so with this collection, we drew from Herbalism, but through a scientific lens by looking at the biochemical properties of plant remedies,” senior vice president of product development Robyn Watkins says. “We took that wisdom to the lab and created our latest innovation, PhytoFerment. We developed this balanced bioferment with the overall intention to help soothe, nourish, and balance the scalp while preventing dryness, style-related itchiness, and tension. It is derived from fermented purple willow bark, tea tree, rosemary, goldenrod, and so much more.”

As with the Foundation Collection, this new assortment features a signature fragrance as well. Dubbed “nocturne spice,” the scent has addictive notes of pink pepper, vanilla, cardamom spice, tonka bean, and oud.

My Review 

Ahead of the launch of the Protection Collection, I was able to enjoy a salon appointment with Dr. Williams. Having spent the summer in protective styles and doing a bit more heat styling than usual, my hair and scalp have been in need of some extra love and care. That said, Dr. Williams gave me the full Cécred experience—using each of the five products on my hair. 

She started with the Detangling Spray—which contains slippery elm, ceramides, honey, and aloe vera leaf juice—and it instantly added more slip and softness to my hair. Then, we moved on to the Detoxifying Shampoo, a blue-violet formula that enhances the vibrancy of your hair while also removing all traces of buildup. With menthol being a hero ingredient, this shampoo creates a deep cooling sensation on the scalp (which feels really nice). After two rounds of shampooing, my hair felt squeaky clean, but not in a stripped way—instead, my curls felt like they were in their purest, most balanced state.

After cleansing, Dr. Williams applied the Oil Ritual. Hot oil treatments are a Black haircare staple, so I was excited to see Cécred’s take—and it didn’t disappoint. Let’s get into the ingredients first: the Oil Ritual is infused with 21 oils (like manuka), honey, peppermint, and menthol for that cooling effect. You can use it at room temperature or heat it to enhance its benefits—we opted for the latter to combat the dryness I was experiencing, and I sat under a hooded dryer for 15 minutes. Once the oil was thoroughly rinsed out, my hair was noticeably softer, shinier, and smoother.

Before it was time to move on to styling, Dr. Williams misted my scalp with the Scalp Refreshing Spray for extra measure. I was especially intrigued by this particular product for a few reasons—first and foremost, the packaging. Unlike typical spray bottles, this one features a custom nozzle that makes it easy to apply the product to your scalp, whether you’re wearing a weave or braids. The Scalp Refreshing Spray is packed with honey, ceramide, peppermint, and menthol, so it also offers a rejuvenating and soothing sensorial experience. In between wash days, I definitely see myself reaching for this often to dissolve buildup and revive my scalp quickly.

To finish, Dr. Williams used the Moisture-Sealing Lotion from the brand’s Foundation Collection to define and moisturize my curls. She finished with the new Hair & Scalp Balm, one of the most versatile products in this new collection. Inspired by back-in-the-day hair greases, the brand claims 10 different usage cases—from moisturizing your dry scalp to smoothing frizz to blending leave-out. We used this to tame flyaways around my hairline and further boost shine. I’m impressed by how lightweight and non-greasy this formula is, considering it’s a balm-to-oil salve. 

Post-salon visit, I’ve received numerous compliments on how healthy my hair looks, and I wholeheartedly agree. As I prepare for my next protective style, I feel confident that my hair is in its best possible shape, and I’m excited to continue to incorporate these five products into my maintenance routine. All in all, Cécred, you’ve outdone yourself once again.

When we all got cozy during lockdown the biggest trend in beauty was skincare. Everyone was taking really, really good care of their skin. I was the only one doing a full beat of makeup while walking around the house in PJs. I dunno, it just made the chaos feel normal at the time. But yeah, everyone became super fixated on face and sheet masks, moisturizers, eye creams, etc…etc..! Self care was buying everything and anything for your skin (and your body!). We all dealt with that time in our own way.

I’ve always been a skincare lover but when the pandemic hit I became super fixated on haircare. I dunno where it came from but within the second week of lockdown I was suddenly Miss Haircare. This from a girl with really long, unruly, wavy hair that she typically slicks back and wears in a bun to keep out of her face. Like, I’m really over here doing the very least with my hair during a normal work week but during the pandemic hell, I was Jesus Christ Superstar doing all sorts of things. Crown braids, elaborate buns, my foyer was the runway for my many new hair looks. What a time to be alive.

Recently, I’ve had a lot more time on my hands so I’ve been playing with different hair care products and trying out different things with my hair. I started following a few hair stylists and artists as well. James in particular belongs on my fixation list because he does some fire looks on Thai actors. Bas and Tonliew’s hair is my roman empire and James is responsible for that goodness. Bas’ hair is just always so damn good though! There is not a day this man doesn’t have good hair. Thank you, James! We love you for doing all the gorgeous hair now, please come do mine!?

Also, I’m still going to try really hard to convince myself to not cut all of mine off one day and just get the pixie cut I’ve been dreaming about. It’ll never happen but ya know, a girl can dream. Should I cut it? It’s currently down to my butt so I do need to get some of it clipped off. Maybe I can go all Carol Brady with a little flip mullet? I’m kidding. Let’s not get too crazy.

And by the way, I was today year’s old when I realized that Lisa Price is back with Carol’s Daughter. Who knew this? Because I didn’t. P.S. Why are the formulas still not as good as they once were? Le sigh! But actually, it’s still part of my list. It isn’t as good as it was but I’m still very much a Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla! It makes the list today because it still smells pretty good (wish I could say the same for Hair Milk!). It’s been a while but I started using this again recently and I forgot how much I loved the Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner Spray! It makes my hair so super soft!

Here’s some other stuff I’m putting in my hair!

And the hair care I’m obsessed with currently is….! Adwoa beauty! Love, love, love everything I’ve tried from this brand! But my two favs are the Melonberry Vitamin C Frizz-Fighting Hair Gel which is a god sent in humid weather. It’s a soft, watery gel that absorbs into hair so easily. It doesn’t leave hair stiff or crunchy yet it manages to hold it in place and tames frizz while keeping hair soft! What magic is this!? A must have if you’re a gel user. Melonberry Hair Milk Leave-In Conditioner is one of my favs from Adwoa. This is a great leave-in. Detangles, softens, and keeps hair frizz-free. My hair soaks this up! If you have drier hair this is a star to treat it.

Listen, I don’t want to be the girl that cheats and sure, I love my Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask but, sometimes you gotta love on something new! Who’s my other lover? Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask! Take my $42! Just take it (or snag a mini for $22)! This is some sort of wizardry! I dunno what is happening when I use this but my hair goes from Hermione Year 1 to Hermione I’m going to the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum. It makes my hair incredibly shiny but also, really super smooth and sleek looking like a wet seal. Good stuff!

You know me I’m a lazy girl when it comes to hair sometimes! Slicking it back is my soup de jour hair style. I love Briogeo’s new Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Hair Styling Sleek Stick! Awesome one for just sliding through hair to make it easy to slick back your hair and go. It isn’t sticky or waxy and it leaves hair soft yet still manages to hold it in place. Best part, it doesn’t build up and washes clean away at the end the day!

This isn’t really new but it’s become suck a stable in my hair routine that it’s worth loving on again! I’m talking about dae’s Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream! First off it makes your hair smell so good! Sort of sweet and fresh! Very pretty. But also, smoothes hair and hydrates like a boss! This is way better than using a gel which can leave behind a good deal of residue.

What’s your currently hair care fixation? Tell me about it.