Heads Up: Hot New Hair Care Products

By Brad Jamieson

hile Gwyneth Paltrow makes her favourite London salon open exclusively for her after-hours so she can be prepped in privacy, the average consumer (with no fan base to speak of) occasionally wants something to make him or her feel, well… a tiny bit special.

That’s why Charles Worthington came out with a specialized Colour-Vibrance Shampoo, made specially for colour treated hair. And Klorane has introduced its Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo aimed at consumers on the run, with no time to wash their hair.

Today’s hair care product line is rife with examples of demanding consumers’ immense need for respect and privilege. The more access we have to outstanding products and services, the more we want exclusivity and status of a more specialized form.

Predicted trends for ‘06 range from high quality conditioning shampoos (to lessen the need for conditioners altogether), niche products (intense treatment for grey hair, colour-treated hair, etc) to a more quick-and-easy breed, all of which are hitting shelves in increasingly large numbers.

The Big Movers and Why

John Allan's Ocean Daily Nourishing Shampoo
John Allan's Ocean Daily Nourishing Shampoo won't revive or resuscitate hair, but it is a very good conditioning shampoo that contains next to no holding agents. The distinctive Ocean shampoo contains mostly natural ingredients - sage, lavender, detangling agents, panthenol, aloe juice, anti-static/film-forming agents, wheat protein, more silicones, and preservatives - and gives off a great beachy fragrance. The Ocean Daily Nourishing Shampoo will work well for all hair types except fine or thin, and it doesn't weigh down thick, coarse hair.

Smart Fixx H2O Styling Strips
As trends show, less can be more. So, after reporting on everything from breath strips to sachet shampoo, we were not completely surprised by Charles Worthington’s Smart Fixx H2O Styling Strips. Smart Fixx consist of sheets of water-activated gel strips for instant control. Dissolving instantly in warm water, one strip creates gel for medium-length hair. Just hold a strip in palm, add a splash of warm water and rub palms together to activate gel. Great for use in tiny washing basins while traveling.

Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Extract
You slept in. Your hair is dirty and you don’t have the time to wash. Klorane Dry Shampoo is quick and practical for busy people who, for lack of time, can’t wash their hair. The shampoo is based on protective oat extract, cyclodextrins and natural polysaccharides to clean the hair without washing. The hair regains volume and lightness within minutes and is easy to use. Shake and evenly spray a small quantity of powder on the hair. When brushed out, Klorane Oat Extract takes all these impurities with it, and you are left with soft, clean hair.

Down Under Natural's Fruit Kicks
Down Under Natural's has been exceedingly busy with their hair-care division of late. Evidence of this can be seen in the Fruit Kicks line. Safeguard hair from environmental damage with this pomegranate-based restorative shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo contains a fragrance blend of pomegranate and sweet grapefruit with added vitamins for moisture retention and smoother texture. This natural formulation restores a healthy looking shine to dry/damaged hair. Adds volume and body, strengthens and conditions, restores moisture balance, provides heat-activated protection for improved shine and softness and protects against pollutants and discolouration.

TRESemmé Instant Heat Tamer
Talk about selling to a niche market, TRESemmé has made an art of the subject. TRESemmé has developed a new niche with their Instant Heat Tamer, a leave-in conditioner based on positively charged polymers or emollients that bind to negative/damaged parts of the hair. Because it is heat activated, it melts these polymers or emollients to coat the hair that protects it from damage. Instant Heat Tamer contains vitamins and UV absorbers to improve hair condition. The trigger-spray pump adds dispensing ease by covering more hair in less time, reducing finger fatigue, especially for long hair.

Charles Worthington London Colour Bright
Made for colour-treated hair, Charles Worthington’s results Colour Bright Colour-Vibrance Shampoo, gently washes away residue without stripping hair of essential moisture. Infusing hair with essential pro-vitamin and treatment ingredients, the Colour Vibrance Conditioner gently detangles and instantly re-hydrates hair. It also has sunflower seed extract, a natural antioxidant that protects hair from UV light, locking in colour to prevent fading and maintain that just coloured look longer. It is only a very subtle addition but worth checking out if you have colour treated hair.

VO5 Nourishing Oasis: Energize & Volumize
An enriched shampoo with a revitalizing effect on all types of hair. By blending tangy citrus and energy-boosting Vitamin C with its volumizing technology, Energize & Volumize offers fine hair the body and boost it needs. With the added citrus and vitamin C, Energize & Volumize revives and nourishes dry, stressed hair. VO5 Nourishing Oasis is enriched with vitamins, natural plant extracts & essential fatty acids. The citrus and vitamin restores natural shine and health to your hair, along with revitalizing effects on the roots of the hair.