Davines vs. Kevin Murphy: Which Brand Is Right for Your Hair?
We get this question a lot. A client stands at the front desk after their appointment, looking at the shelves, and asks: should I use the Davines or the Kevin Murphy? Both are professional. Both are salon-grade. Both are brands our team uses in the chair every single day. So what's the difference — and how do you know which one is actually right for you?
Here's how our stylists think about it.
The philosophy behind each brand
Davines is Italian. It was built in Parma in 1983, originally as a research lab for pharmaceutical-grade cosmetics before pivoting to professional hair care. That heritage shows in the formulas: precise, science-backed, and built around the idea that what's good for the hair and what's good for the planet don't have to be in conflict. Every Davines product is carbon-neutral, the packaging is designed for minimal waste, and the ingredient sourcing is tied to a global network of sustainable farms. If you care about where your products come from and how they're made, Davines is hard to beat.
KEVIN.MURPHY is Australian. It was built around a skincare-for-hair philosophy — the idea that the scalp and strand deserve the same level of active ingredient attention that good skincare gives skin. The formulas are concentrated, which means you genuinely use less per application. They're cruelty-free, and the packaging is made from recycled ocean plastic. The brand has a strong point of view on performance: every product is designed to deliver results that hold up through a full day in the real world, not just in the chair on appointment day.
Both brands share a commitment to sustainability and professional performance. Where they differ is in how they achieve it — and that difference matters when you're choosing a daily routine.
Who tends to love Davines
Davines has the widest range of our two flagship brands, which makes it the easier recommendation for clients who aren't sure where to start. The Essential Haircare line — MOMO, NOUNOU, VOLU, LOVE, MINU, MELU, DEDE, SOLU — covers almost every hair concern with a dedicated system. Each line is named and designed for a specific need, which makes it relatively easy to find your fit.
Our stylists reach for Davines most often for:
- Dry or dehydrated hair — MOMO (moisture) and NOUNOU (nourishing repair) are two of the most consistently effective formulas we carry for hair that needs feeding back to health.
- Colour-treated hair — the ALCHEMIC system for colour-enhancing maintenance, MINU for colour protection, and Heart of Glass for blondes are all colourist favourites.
- Fine hair that needs volume — VOLU is lightweight enough to actually lift fine hair without coating it, which is rarer than it sounds.
- Clients who want a full, cohesive routine — Davines systems are designed to work together. Shampoo, conditioner, treatment, and leave-in from the same line build on each other.
- Sustainability-first shoppers — Davines has one of the most rigorously documented sustainability programmes in professional beauty.
The OI collection sits outside the Essential line and deserves a mention on its own. Powered by Roucou oil, it's one of the most universally flattering collections we carry — softness, shine, and manageability across a wide range of hair types. If you want to try Davines without committing to a full system, OI is where most of our stylists start.
Who tends to love Kevin Murphy
KEVIN.MURPHY tends to resonate strongly with clients who want targeted, results-focused products and don't need the full routine to come from one brand. The wash and rinse systems are built around specific concerns — SMOOTH.AGAIN for frizz and unruly texture, PLUMPING.WASH for fine hair that needs body, YOUNG.AGAIN for dry and mature hair, BLONDE.ANGEL for toning and brassiness control — and the formulas are concentrated enough that a little goes further than you'd expect.
Our stylists reach for KEVIN.MURPHY most often for:
- Frizz on thick or resistant hair — SMOOTH.AGAIN is one of the most effective frizz systems we carry, particularly for hair that doesn't respond well to lighter formulas.
- Fine hair that needs real body — PLUMPING.WASH and BODY.BUILDER are a combination our stylists use constantly for volume that actually lasts.
- Toning blonde hair — BLONDE.ANGEL is a cult product for a reason. It tones without drying and conditions while it works.
- Styling performance — the KEVIN.MURPHY styling range is exceptional. SESSION.SPRAY for flexible long-lasting hold, EASY.RIDER for frizz-free definition, MOTION.LOTION for curl support. These are the products our team picks up to finish a service and make it last.
- Clients who want concentrated formulas — the skincare-for-hair approach means the active ingredients are more concentrated. Less product per wash, better results over time.
Can you mix them?
Yes — and our stylists do it all the time. There's no rule that says your shampoo and conditioner have to come from the same brand as your styling products. What matters is that the products work for your specific hair needs, not that they match on the shelf.
A common combination we recommend: Davines MOMO shampoo and conditioner for moisture, with KEVIN.MURPHY EASY.RIDER for frizz control and finish. Or Davines VOLU for fine hair daily washing, with KEVIN.MURPHY BODY.BUILDER to set the blowout. The brands are compatible — they're both professional-grade, both formulated without harsh strippers, and both designed to support hair health over time rather than just cosmetic surface results.
The honest answer
If you're starting fresh and want one brand to build a complete routine around, Davines gives you more options and a clearer system. If you have a specific hair concern — particularly frizz, fine hair, or toning — KEVIN.MURPHY often has the more targeted solution.
The best way to know for sure is to ask your Moda stylist at your next appointment. They know your hair, they've seen how it behaves, and they can tell you exactly which products they used on you and why. Everything they reach for in the chair is available in the shop — and we carry both brands in full.
