The $1.3 billion shampoo and $796 million conditioner categories are rising ever so slowly as marketers strive to answer every possible hair care need. Shampoos grew 1.5% while conditioners rose 1.1% for the year ended Oct. 6, according to Information Resources Inc., Chicago. These figures exclude Wal-Mart sales.

What are consumers buying these days? Well, shampoos and conditioners that add volume and moisture are doing quite well. At the same time, consumers want hair color in a variety of shades. Still, they want it all at an affordable price.

Procter & Gamble, the mass market hair care leader after the acquisition of Clairol in November of 2001, studies the market carefully to develop, reevaluate and extend its many hair care brands. The company recently reduced its Aussie prices by 14% to meet a lower-priced need. The Vidal Sassoon (VS) brand is also being reevaluated for its poor performance in North America, and will be withdrawn from distribution in the early part of 2003. Head & Shoulders continues to be No. 1 in the anti-dandruff category, especially with its new look and conditioners that were launched in 2001.

“P&G is looking across all the different brand segments in terms of different needs, pricing and getting our portfolio strong,” said Maria Burquest, spokesperson for P&G. “We want to make sure we have the right mix.”

And finding the right mix is important for the increasingly diverse U.S. population. “The rep-pop (representative population) is no longer the rep-pop,” insisted Ms. Burquest. “There are so many consumers out there with different needs and desires-it’s not one-size-fits-all any more.”

So this year has seen many new additions that largely focus on updated technology to achieve various looks, such as volume, curls and long-lasting hair color.

Height and Lift
Volume is a key term in the industry right now as fashion has pointed to heightened hairdos. The newly reformulated and repackaged Pert Plus 2-in-1 shampoos are said to clean and condition hair without leaving residue, resulting in light and lively hair. There has been a stigma for some time that 2-in-1 products weight hair down. “We have definitely shown that is not the case,” insisted P&G’s Ms. Burquest. “Pert does not cause buildup.”

Pert Plus shampoo is the No. 10 brand in the U.S., according to IRI. P&G executive also reduced prices of the four sizes by 17% to encourage new buyers and keep existing ones. Pert Plus is available in five versions: shampoo plus medium (normal hair), light (fine or oily hair) and deep (dry hair) conditioners, anti-dandruff and no-tears.

In salons this fall, John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) launched Extra-Body Daily Boost, a volumizing root-lifting styling product using panthenol and natural ingredients with a precision sprayer. It is the latest addition to the Extra Body System, which includes Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Daily shampoo, Daily rinse, Body Sculpting gel and foam.

Sebastian International’s citrus-scented Shaper line added a Volume Boost shampoo and Volume Boost conditioner to make hair soft, volumized and manageable.

Schwarzkopf & Dep’s L.A. Looks brand introduced shampoos and conditioners featuring Flexan, a styling polymer that gently washes away buildup by bonding to styling residue and promotes volume. The products also contain hair strengthening compounds with thermal protection, anti-static, humidity-resistant and fortifying properties. The four L.A. Looks shampoos and conditioners include Shine Enhancing, Moisturizing, Volumizing and 2-in-1 Sport.

The lifting qualities of lemongrass are used in MOP’s new items.

Volume, Naturally
Fine and limp hair is no more with Modern Organic Products’ (MOP) new Lemongrass conditioner and Lemongrass lift. Joining the original Lemongrass shampoo, these products condition and style lifeless hair with certified organic lemongrass extract, which slows the scalp’s production of oil and increases volume and luster, and promotes the growing organic ingredients trend.

“Hair is soft right now and volume and texture have become important again,” insisted Matthew Williams, artistic director, MOP. “The airy texture to hair is looser and less strict than previous years, but not so fussy that you wouldn’t want to touch it.”

Other ingredients in the conditioner include chamomile, calendula, blackberry, grapeseed, ginkgo and soybean extracts, as well as wheat protein, wheat germ, cider vinegar, castor oil and honey. Lemongrass Lift, a product that protects the hair against chemical services and heat styling, contains chitosan and organic extracts.

Let it Shine, Let it Shine
With lifeless hair comes dull shine. Goldwell has reformulated its Definition line of shampoos and treatments with aloe, almond, avocado and lemon plant milks to repair, protect and enhance shine in four categories: Color & Highlights, Permed & Curly, Dry & Porous and Shine & Vitality.

L’Oréal’s new FreshVive line is specially formulated for frequent hair washing and eliminates stripping and buildup. Featuring a Citrus CR complex, FreshVive keeps hair fresh, clean and healthy-looking all day, executives said. The line includes FreshVive Clean Shine shampoo, conditioner and 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner.

Smoothing and Moisturizing
Another common hair problem is unruly flyaways that are often caused by damage. Australian company Fudge introduced Unleaded Everyday Shampoo 1 and Conditioner 1. The shampoo uses panthenol to seal split ends and make hair more manageable. The Unleaded Everyday Conditioner 1 contains a blend of protein-based ingredients to strengthen and moisturize hair and reduce static flyaways. The shampoo has a light sherbet scent.

This month, Sebastian launched three new Raw hair products under the Xtah line: Raw Sensuality Hydration shampoo, Raw Sensuality Hydration conditioner and Loose Locks styling lotion. The shampoo and conditioner hydrate, nourish and replenish the hair. Infused with an orange blossom scent, both contain botanical essences; the conditioner has panthenol, hydrolyzed algae extract, jojoba and sweet almond oils and the shampoo features panthenol, hydrolyzed wheat and olive oil. Xtah Loose Locks separates the hair with a flexible, sexy and “undone” look.

Sexy Hair Concepts, Chatsworth, CA, introduced its new Healthy Sexy Hair Moisture collection, including Healthy Sexy Hair Soymilk Moisture shampoo, Soy Potion Miraculous leave-in treatment and Soy Gelatine Firm Holding gel. The shampoo infuses hydrating ingredients soy protein, jojoba oil, chamomile extract, avocado oil and hydrolyzed wheat protein to the hair with a peach fragrance. It makes hair soft, shiny and manageable, according to executives.

Zotos International’s Innovative Styling Options (ISO) brand added ISO Prescriptive, a sub-line of products described as “the prescription for beautiful hair.” The products impart conditioning and manageability to hair and encourage styling using Tri-Active technology, a blend of vitamins, proteins, moisturizers and positive charges to strengthen and hydrate hair and boost shine. Products include Daily Balancing Cleanse gentle shampoo, Reviving Cleanse moisturizing shampoo, Purifying Cleanse deep cleansing shampoo, Daily Nourishing Condition light crème conditioner, Recovery Condition intensive treatment and Stress Defense spray-on leave-in protection. ISO Prescriptive also offers eight styling and finishing products.

Along the same lines, the ISO Multiplicity line introduced Moisture Hydrating shampoo and conditioner. The hair care and styling line, designed to cater to every hair care need, offers ultra-hydrating products to treat dry, damaged or color-treated hair infusing the hair with NMF (natural moisturizing factor) to create a moisture barrier.

Pool water can be extremely damaging to hair. That’s why Sausalito, CA-based California North launched Sea Blast shampoo. This pH-balanced product restores lost moisture to hair with sea kelp, algae, chamomile, nettle, henna, rosemary, comfrey, sage, aloe and wheat and soy proteins. The companion Watermint conditioner infuses the hair with herbs, aloe, kelp, proteins and peppermint oil to condition the scalp and improve the look and feel of hair.

Redken’s Fresh Curl line tames the frizzing of curly hair.

Curly Swirly
In the spring, Redken introduced Fresh Curls, a line specifically formulated for the special needs of curly hair, such as control in humid environments. Forty-five percent of women in the U.S. and 27% of women in Europe reportedly have wavy or curly hair. And the catwalks have recently starred naturally curly-haired models.

“One of the newest primary requirements is taking care of naturally curly hair,” said Karen Fuss-Zipp, vice president of U.S. marketing, Redken. “The problem with curly hair is that it tends to be frizzy, so we made sure Fresh Curl defines, moisturizes and de-frizzes to make hair look healthy.”

The comprehensive line includes a shampoo, conditioner, Spin Control curl-defining leave-in treatment and Curl Boost scrunching spray gel. Fresh Curls features the interbond conditioning system, a technology that delivers definition, control and moisturization to curly, frizzy hair using coconut oil, calcium and honey. Other ingredients include protein, cationic polymers and silicones.

Perms are another way to achieve that naturally curly look. Goldwell has launched its 2003 perm technique book, “Dynamic Styles,” created by top German hair stylist Joe Lorenz. The guide demonstrates four new texturizing techniques using Goldwell’s Colorance Acid Color and Goldwell texturizers to create “Color Perming.” The four styles include Curly Temptation (long spiral curls), Swingin’ Delight (mid-length face-framed hair), Summer Breeze (short hair with square sections) and New Romance (loop-twisted short hair).

The moisturizing Xtah Shaper line replenishes damaged hair.

Slather It On
For severely damaged hair, many companies offer leave-in treatments that permeate the hair shaft and repair damage. Lamaur, a Zotos International division, recently launched Bone Marrow Deep Penetrating treatment, a conditioning product that reconstructs and strengthens all hair types using hydrolyzed collagen, panthenol and lecithin. Executives said Bone Marrow helps stop and prevent breakage while adding body to fine, limp hair.

Ouidad’s Botanical Boost spray-on conditioner recently received Allure magazine’s “best stay-in-leave-in conditioner” award. The lightweight conditioner combines amino acids, vitamins and botanical extracts to moisturize dry and brittle hair. It also boosts flexibility and elasticity. Botanical Boost can be used on wet or dry hair to refresh curls, tame frizz and enhance shine, according to executives.

Redken’s All Soft Addictive Hair Transformer uses nano-spheres of avocado and jojoba oil to detangle, soften and condition hair without greasiness. “The nanoemulsion technology adds moisture to hair without weighing it down,” explained Karen Fuss-Zipp, vice president of U.S. marketing, Redken. Executives said it also contains wheat protein and lecithin to promote fullness.

Sexy Hair Concepts’ Soy Potion Miraculous Leave-in treatment is a reparative treatment for dry and chemically-treated hair that delivers protection in a lightweight gel. It contains vitamins A and E, nourishing oils and a mango-ginger scent. The firm holding gel is alcohol- and flake-free and strengthens the hair with soy and wheat proteins as well as lemongrass, ginger, orchid and peach extracts.

Burn, Baby, Burn
A major culprit for damaged hair is heated styling tools, such as hairdryers and flat irons. Kenra recently introduced Intensive Emollient treatment, a blend of mango, olive and cocoa emollients and silk proteins to replenish lost lipids and strengthen weak strands. The Intensive Emollient treatment also contains microencapsulated jojoba oil.

Pantene ProV’s new Daily Moisture Renewal shampoo and conditioner for dry/damaged hair contain a pro-vitamin formula that repairs damage and seals in moisture to provide 10 times more protection against future damage, executives said. P&G reported 73% of women said they have damaged hair and 41% think their hair is dry. And nearly half said winter is when their hair is most dry.

“Pantene approached consumer needs differently a few years ago and focused on end-benefits, or what consumers wanted their hair to do,” explained Ms. Burquest of P&G. “But there is still a segment of consumers who are really hungering for that intense moisturization.”

Maintaining Color
Moisturization is also critical to maintaining hair color, as well as UV protection. To help maintain both color and shine, Redken launched Color Extend Injection Color-Charged conditioners. This uses the company’s interbond conditioning system and a patented chromatic direct dye technology to promote long-lasting color. Six shades are available: Platinum Toner, Blonde Cast, Copper/Gold, Red and Copper.

“The Color Extend line makes sure consumers keep the integrity and maintain color received at the salon,” said Redken’s Ms. Fuss-Zipp. “It really freshens color up.”

Quantum Reds, a new collection of products to reduce red color fading, is new from Zotos International. The products use the Equalizer 4 Color Protection complex which is formulated to replenish, refresh, brighten and protect all shades of colored red hair. Quantum Reds includes a Daily Color Replenishing shampoo, conditioner and two-phase color protector (colors and conditions).

EC Mode has launched Revitalizing shampoo to combat oxidation on colored, permed or chemically straightened hair. Nine botanical extracts such as yarrow and burdock as well as vitamins C and E help to increase the longevity of color and perms, prevent breakage and counteract the effects of hard water. Executives suggested it be used in combination with EC Mode’s Brilliant Detangling conditioner to promote healthy hair and scalp.

Color Protect, a three-part hair care system from JPMS, contains sunflower extract to combat the fading effects of UV radiation. Color Protect includes a Daily shampoo with vegetable-based conditioners, Daily conditioner with wheat proteins and amino acids and Locking spray with silicone and panthenol to lock in color and shine. All Color Protect products use JPMS’ activated moisturizing and shine blend of Hawaiian awapuhi, chamomile, henna, rosemary, aloe vera and jojoba moisturizers.

Matrix’s Biolage Earth Tones Color Refreshing conditioners promise fresh-from-the-salon hair color. Executives said the unique botanical complex provides intense conditioning, recharging shine while rich pigments, inspired by nature, refresh the color. Earth Tones also contains shine-enhancing molecules, botanical extracts and cationic conditioning complex. Earth Tones are available in salons in five shades: Violet (cool blonde tones on light- to medium-blonde hair), Light Gold (gold tones on light-blonde to light-brown hair), Copper (warm copper tones on light- to medium-red and brown hair), True Red (red tones on medium- to dark-red and brown hair) and Natural Brown (natural brown tones on medium- to dark-brown hair).

Goodbye to Sulfates
PureOlogy, Irvine, CA, extended its color-protective hair care lineup with VolumeShampoo and VolumeConditioner using a volumizing blend, heliogenol, vitamins C and E and silica. Executives said this is the first sulfate-free, less irritating shampoo that protects color and volumizes hair. All PureOlogy products contain a “Longer-Lasting Colour Guarantee.” The conditioner has high levels of the volumizing blend to weightlessly detangle the hair, executives said.

PureOlogy executives estimate 65% of the population has fine hair, but do not use satisfactory products. “The problem is they use they type of products that dry and strip color in order to get volume,” insisted Jim Markham, chief executive officer and co-founder of PureOlogy Research LLC, Irvine, CA.

Soy milk restores hair in Sexy Hair Concept’s latest additions.

PureOlogy also launched ColourMax, a daily sealant spray that restructures and protects temporary hair color from UVA/UVB rays, oxidation and styling five times longer than normal. Executives said hair is 50% more vulnerable when wet, and ColourMax prevents combing snags. The product features a blend of rose, geranium and sandalwood and no animal byproducts. “Consumers are ingredient junkies,” asserted Mr. Markham. “They are more aware and concerned.”

But that’s not all that is changing. PureOlogy executives view hair color as the wave of the future, including products that help to preserve vibrant hair color. “Hair coloring is probably in its infancy and will be here for a long time,” Mr. Markham insisted. “There will be more of it, more men using it and the explosion will continue.”

Real Men Wear Color
Combe Inc.’s Just for Men recently partnered with Maxim magazine to launch Maxim Magazine Haircare, a line of four contemporary hair colors (Bleach Blond, Sandstorm, Black Jack and Red Rum), a strong-hold gel and a 2-in-1 shampoo. Just for Men is the No. 5 best-selling hair coloring brand in the U.S. with sales of $68 million for the year ended Oct. 6, IRI reported. The new hair colors are versatile, and can create highlights, tips or full-head color. Executives insist young men are looking for just these options to create personal, fashionable styles.

Blondes are one of the hottest commodities right now, for men and women, dark to platinum, according to Mark Wofford, manager of evaluation services, Combe Inc. But each fall and winter there is a strong trend in reds and auburns. However, “the difference this year is men and women are going for pieces, tips and chunks,” he said.

The young male population is especially interested in highlights. Maxim Magazine haircolor comes with a patent-pending application tool to easily apply highlights. And due to fitness magazines and TV, grooming has been brought to the forefront of men’s minds.

“There is no longer a stigma about men coloring their hair,” insisted Mr. Wofford. “And as the graying of America continues, we will see more and more men coloring their hair.”

John Paul Mitchell Systems’ the color introduced Male Service, a new color kit that gives stylists the tools to create the color men want, such as cooler, natural tones. The kit offers a sampler of tones, a guide and tools.

Quantum Reds uses the Equalizer 4 complex to protect red color.