With almost three-quarters of Australians purchasing shampoo at least once every six months (according to Roy Morgan research), hair care continues to be a top grooming priority for readers. But this category has moved far beyond the basic shampoo, rinse and repeat cycle, with a plethora of care, styling products and tools on offer.
To find out where the industry is headed next, BEAUTYDIRECTORY takes a look at three of the leading trends in hair care and styling.
Trend 1: Natural and organic
We’ve seen natural ingredients have a huge impact in skincare, body care and even makeup, and now it’s time for haircare to enjoy the same attention. Euromonitor reports that natural and plant-inspired ingredients are “strong in hair care” and are “set to attract more customers”. The market research company also notes that consumers are becoming suspicious of certain additives so are taking extra precautions when looking for a new product.
David Alfonso and Christopher Zent, the co-founders of men’s hair styling brand Hanz de Fuko, understand the drive for cleaner ingredients. “We concern ourselves with what we feed our souls,” they write. “That’s why we made products with natural and organic ingredients. At the end of the day, we want to look back at what we accomplished instead of worrying about the labels.”
Inspired by the the streets of Venice, California, the salon-only brand is free of parabens and sulfates, and includes a range of clays, waxes and pomades to create a variety of hairstyles that will last all day.
Visit the Hanz de Fuko brand listing here.
Trend 2: At-home hair colour
Whether it’s for a simple touch-up between salon appointments or for a more dramatic change, women are increasingly turning to hair-colour solutions that they can perform in comfort of their own homes. According to studies conducted by Roy Morgan, one in five Australians take a DIY approach to hair colour, at least part of the time. Meanwhile, global research predicts that the hair colour market will grow at a rate of 9 per cent per annum for the next two years. And with home hair-colour options easier and more effective than ever, it’s easy to see why this trend is gathering steam.
Made in Italy, Solfine Crema Colour is a new-generation at-home hair colour that offers salon-quality results, including superior coverage of grey hair. Available in 38 shades, the formula has a lower percentage of ammonia, which keeps the hair healthy and the colour more vibrant for longer. It also contains coconut oil to hydrate, protect and nourish the hair and scalp alike, and helping it to tap into the growing naturals trend.
Visit the Solfine brand listing here.
Trend 3: A global outlook
One of the biggest trends on the runways this year has been a celebration of individual style – one size or look no longer fits all! As an extension of this, designers and brands are scouring the globe for a new, fresh and unique approach to beauty.
Hairstylist Fernando Romero was ahead of the curve on this trend. Born and raised in Acapulco, Mexico, he worked throughout North America – notably for Vidal Sassoon – before founding his company after a trip to Japan. It was while visiting Japanese hair salons that he discovered a treatment that was achieving success in retexturising coarse and wiry Asian hair.
From this starting point, Romero was inspired to develop his own range of haircare tools that emit natural negative ions into the hair, helping to seal the cuticle more effectively and eliminate frizz. The edit of brushes, hairdryers and straightening irons includes the hero Bio Ionic Onepass Straightening Iron, which uses silicone speed strips for faster straightening and increased shine.
Visit the Bio Ionic brand listing here.