In the March issue of Vogue, we celebrate a fresh new generation of beauty innovators who are bringing game-changing hair technology straight to our showers just in time for spring. Searching for a modern take on texturizer? Look no further than Jen Atkin’s cult-y new Ouai line—a collectsion of shampoos, wave sprays, and hair oils that takes a cue from the extraordinary insouciance of the French girl mane. Trying to keep your hair looking as young as your skin? StriVectin’s star formulas tackle 10 signs of aging, including breakage and dullness. And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Here, eight standout companies that are breaking the beauty mold with their novel offerings, from a must-have volcanic ash cleanser to an online hair-loss consultation service.
Photo: Courtesy of harklinikken.com1/8Harklinikken
Founder and head scientist Lars Skjoth has been privately treating European royals and high-profile celebrities for hair loss for more than 20 years at his Danish clinic, utilizing his signature blend, the Extract, made with proprietary ingredients that contain no artificial colors, perfumes, petrochemicals, or parabens. With the launch of his new online consultation service (starting at a democratic $49), Skjoth teams up with Dr. Panos Vasiloudes to assess potential clients remotely through Skype-powered videos and a promise that they won’t waste your time. The team only accepts candidates whom they believe will see results, which typically amounts to a 30 percent increase in hair mass minimum, often with a 40 to 60 percent increase in mass over four to nine months.
Harklinikken Hair Extract, $78
harklinikken.com
Photo: Courtesy of oribe.com2/8Oribe
The Cuban-born editorial hair legend adds a wow factor to his already cultish line this spring, with his new The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo. Formulated with volcanic ash to gently polish away dirt and buildup, the product’s unique meringue-like texture gives it surprising versatility, according to Oribe Hair Care global ambassador James Pecis: When mixed with water, it transforms into a “beautiful, rich lather,” he says. “But in a rush, you can lather up on dry hair, scrub, and then rinse out.”
Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo, $44
oribe.com
Photo: Courtesy of tedgibson.com3/8Ted Gibson
After phasing out his original self-titled hair-care line four years ago, Gibson—whose red carpet clients include Lupita Nyong’o and Jessica Chastain—introduces a “more sophisticated” styling range this month. Called Starring and formulated with conditioning meteorite dust, the five-piece collectsion promotes volume and hold, but the headliner is the Beautifullest Powerball Styler, which, in a category-crossing twist, enlists a perfume-style rollerball for targeted delivery to the roots. In a word: “Foolproof,” Gibson says.
Ted Gibson Starring Beautifullest Powerball Styler, $62
For information: tedgibson.com
Photo: Courtesy of rossanoferretti.com4/8Rossano Ferretti Parma
A jet-set favorite with salons across the globe, the Italian stylist notably formulated his first-ever product offering, Rossano Ferretti Parma, with as much devotion to high-quality botanicals as to cutting-edge technologies—telling for a man who has advised powerhouse hair-care brands focused on quantity. The future of beauty lies at that intersection of science-backed naturals and luxury, he insists of the best way to craft hair that’s “healthier, stronger, softer, and shinier.”
Rossano Ferretti Parma Nourishing Regime, $77
rossanoferretti.com
Photo: Courtesy of theouai.com5/8Ouai
Jen Atkin, the Angeleno power stylist, deals in lived-in, textured hair, as seen on her high-wattage clients (Kendall Jenner, Chrissy Teigen). Her debut product range—called Ouai, after the French slang for “yes”—hones in on that effortless aesthetic. Atkin’s bold move? Bypassing big retailers. Introduced on Instagram, standouts like the salt-free Wave-Spray launched via her own site last month. “People really appreciate authenticity,” she explains.
Ouai Wave Spray, $26
theouai.com
Photo: Courtesy of shophairstory.com6/8Hairstory
Bumble and Bumble founder Michael Gordon helped create many of the brand’s ahead-of-the-curve products. His latest company, Hairstory, contributed to the co-washing boom with its Purely Perfect Cleansing Creme, which launched in 2013. Now rechristened New Wash with a silkier feel, the no-lather shampoo anchors Hairstory’s edited trio of no-fuss styling aids (for tamed air-drying, polished blowouts, and piece-y texture). Turns out, Gordon’s knack for shaking up the industry is grounded in simplicity. “I embraced this idea of less is more,” he sums up.
Hairstory New Wash, $40
shophairstory.com
Photo: Courtesy of qvc.com7/8Orlando Pita Play
Known for his editorial prowess and red carpet clients like Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Aniston, hairstylist Orlando Pita launches his new line, Orlando Pita Play. The eight-piece collectsion of volumizing products is designed to nourish hair with anti-aging ingredients that give an allover silky feel—a welcome departure from the brittle, sticky effect of old-school bodifying formulas. The Great Inflate Air Whipped Styling Foam is a modern riff on mousse, which swaps drying alcohol for a water-based blend of rice and soy proteins that conditions and adds shine.
Orlando Pita Play The Great Inflate Air Whipped Styling Foam, $28
qvc.com
Photo: Courtesy of Sephora8/8StriVectin Hair
Already pros on the science of skin, StriVectin has a new line that addresses 10 signs of aging hair, which it defines as thinning, wiriness, dryness, grays, dullness, breakage, split ends, frizz, lackluster texture, and brittleness. “Fullness, volume, shine, and brilliant color are often most associated with young hair,” says consulting hairstylist Ashley Streicher (whose clients include Lily James and Emily Blunt) of restoring strands to their healthiest state.
StriVectin Hair Ultimate Restore Densifying Foaming Treatment, $44
sephora.com
