New Product Reviews for Winter 2001
Around this time of year, many manufacturers release new products. Some of them may be a few months away from appearing on salon retail shelves and some are already being sold in salons. I've got the bottom line on all of the newest products right here. I put these products to use in the salon on real clients, sometimes long before they become available to the public. The products reviewed here are from manufacturers with credible reputations; brands that you can expect to find in most salons, in most cities across the country. As a precautionary note, you should never purchase professional-only products from places like the grocery store or drug store. Only salons are authorized to sell these products, and the only way the product is guaranteed is if it is purchased in a salon. I get asked sometimes, "How come I see Paul Mitchell or Sebastian or Nexxus products in my local grocery store?" This is due to a highly enethical act called diversion, which often includes product tampering. Occasionally an unscrupulous stylist or manager will sell professional products to unauthorized retailers, who sometimes dilute the product while simultaneously jacking up the price. The end result is that you are cheated, and professionals like me are cheated. So never purchase professional-only products from anywhere other than a salon.
Now, getting on with the reviews, we have a new line of products by Matrix, the Matrix Biolage Fortifying System. These products contain ceramides, which are said to repair weak spots in the hair. This line is geared towards those with fragile, weak, and over-stressed hair. Matrix boasts "90% less breakage in just ten days" by using this new Cerafusion technology. Overall, a good addition to the always-popular Biolage line. Whether or not the promise of 90% less breakage is true remains to be seen, since that would be a difficult claim to monitor in the salon.
Matrix has also added products to its Vavoom line as well. Morph Cream Wax, which I like to use to finish off a hairstyle, and the newest product to enter the already over-crowded shine product arena, Beam Shine Gloss. I like shiny hair as much as the next person, but come on already...there entirely too many shine products out there.
American Crew recently unveiled its Classic Gray line, a three-part system for men who want to enhance the appearance of their gray hair. These products are violet in color, which helps eliminate unflattering yellow tones in gray hair. I have been an avid user of American Crew products for years, and I can attest to their superior quality. They make a full range of hair, skin, and body care products for men (try their shave cream, it's sensational!).
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