You may be thinking “how and why would I ever put smelly garlic in my hair?” It may be the best topping for bread and a tasty addition to nearly any recipe, but this pungent plant is not usually associated with hair care. However, it has been used for many years as a home remedy for cold symptoms, fighting off infections, and more recently, for longer, thicker, stronger hair. So what is it about garlic that has attracted the attention of the hair industry?

Garlic, found in our LOCK IT IN & STACKED Shampoos, is loaded with hair-improving vitamins, minerals, and elements such as sulfur, selenium, copper, and calcium. Vitamins C, B2, and B1 work to increase circulation in your scalp which promotes healthy hair growth, therefore helping to prevent hair loss. Sulfur is especially important for stronger hair growth since it acts as a building block for keratin, the nutrient which makes your hair and nails grow. Additionally, selenium loads up your hair with Vitamin E which effectively prevents breakage , keeping more of your hair where it should be – on your head!  Copper is another prominent element found in garlic and it can actually prevent the growth of defective, unhealthy hair, improving the overall health of your strands. And we can’t forget about calcium, which helps to improve the structural component of your hair.

 As if all that isn’t enough, in 2007 scientists performed a double blind study on people suffering from alopecia (a condition that causes hair loss). One group received a betamethasone cream, typically used to treat swelling, itching, and skin irritation, and one group was given a gel containing betamethasone and 5% garlic. The group using the garlic gel saw an average of 1.5cm² reduction in areas that were balding, as opposed to the other group which only saw a 0.4cm² reduction. Although there still needs to be more research done on garlic for treating baldness, it’s been found that the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of the plant have proven to be beneficial.

And that’s not all the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the extract are good for. They also work to reduce buildup on the scalp, prevent dandruff, and fight off bacteria that can lead to unhealthy hair.

So while you won’t smell that familiar garlic-y odor in our shampoos, that’s the only thing missing from our LOCK IT IN and STACKED Shampoos – which we think everyone is ok with. You won’t walk around smelling like an Italian restaurant, but your hair will show the results of this wondrous extract.

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Hair & Photo by Kayce Babinski @beautybybabinski

With flu season still in full effect, you’ve probably had to sip some tea to ease your pain – and it probably contained either echinacea or chamomile! Well, the extracts from these healing, herbal plants are also used in both our LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting and our STACKED Volumizing Shampoos. So why did we include these herbs in our products? Sit down, make a tea, and read on!

Echinacea, also known as the purple coneflower, has long been used as a natural remedy for its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and immune-boosting properties, dating back to the Native Americans over 400 years ago. Now, these aren’t really concerns people have when it comes to their hair, so why put it in shampoos? The herb’s antimicrobial properties actually work to prevent dandruff and scalp irritation, and its high concentration of vitamin C actually protects the collagen in your hair from breaking down. The extract also aids in increasing the blood circulation to the scalp, stimulating hair follicles and promoting growth.

Chamomile, another popular home-remedy herb, has been used for as many as 2000 years to treat anxiety and insomnia (hence its use in night-time teas.) But there’s much more to this sweet smelling plant. Like echinacea, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can sooth dry or irritated scalps and prevent dandruff. Furthermore, compounds contained in this plant have been known to treat oily hair, invigorate hair growth, strengthen hair roots, and hydrate dry/brittle hair. And for the blondes out there – chamomile has long been used to brighten up those sunny strands and boost shine.

The chemists for Paul Joseph Professional used these unlikely extracts for the above reasons and more. For our LOCK IT IN Shampoo for color-treated hair, they prevent hair breakage and re-hydrate chemically damaged locks, increase vibrancy (especially for blondes), and ensure healthy hair renewal. For our STACKED Volumizing Shampoo, they stimulate new hair growth, prevent breakage, strengthen hair follicles, and protect against scalp irritation or damage from UV rays, smoke and pollution. Who knew that such pretty flowered plants had such powers?

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Hair & Photo by Kayce Babinsky @beautybybabinsky
Model Kaitlyn Smith @kshakawaves 

What’s better than a crisp, cold lemonade on a summer day? Well you might be surprised to learn that the ingredients of this thirst quencher are good for more than a refreshing beverage! The benefits of sugarcane and lemon extracts for your hair are impressive enough on their own – but together they combine to create shine so bright that even the sun will be envious.

So how does it work? For starters, both are rich in vitamins and minerals which are then absorbed into the scalp and follicles, nourishing from within. Just like we feed the rest of our body with nutrients, the hair relies on a healthy foundation to promote hair growth, repair damage from heat/chemical treatments, and rebuild the strands inside and out. Healthy hair is also much better at preventing further damage, saving you time and money in the long run. It’s certainly an "UPGRADE!” (more on that later…)

Now that we know you need to “feed” your hair, it makes sense that (like every living being on this planet) it needs moisture to thrive. This is where sugarcane extract comes in. With a high moisture content, the use of this ingredient will rehydrate and condition your scalp and hair, leading to lustrous results without weighing down your strands like chemical-based conditioners can. In fact, by drawing moisture into each strand, you’ll end up with the appearance of fuller, shinier, bouncier hair.

While sugarcane is pretty awesome, lemon extract is equally remarkable. We all know vitamin C is an important part of any diet (and in fighting off these winter colds), but it can also reduce hair loss by strengthening and tightening your follicles. The extract also contains anti-fungal properties which help to curb dandruff – because who is going to notice your pretty hair when you have snowflakes on your shoulders?

It’s for all of the above reasons and more that we used these two natural and extraordinary ingredients in our UPGRADE Quick-Blow Dry Spray. The final product is a fresh-scented, lightweight spray designed to tame frizz, create a glossy finish, and condition dry or damaged hair. You can now achieve a salon-quality blow out in the comfort of your own home – and in 30% less time! So not only have you saved money by skipping a visit to your stylist, you now have time to enjoy life – perhaps to whip up a nice glass of lemonade on a sunny day…

Hair by: Kim Bruno @kimmykimster 
Photo by: Kim Bruno @kimmykimster 

During these particularly harsh months of winter (lookin’ at you -15 degrees), we’re all searching for an excuse to bring the sunny summer vibes into our lives. Our hair and skin take a real beating from all the cold, dry air, leaving us thirsty for nutrients and moisture. That’s where our (not-so) secret ingredient comes in – sunflower seed extract! Contained in our intensive leave-in treatment, aptly named INTENSITY, the benefits of this vitamin-and-mineral-packed extract are numerous.

Sunflower seed extracts and oils have been used for years as a healthier alternative to standard cooking oil, but its hair and skin benefits have only recently been explored. Naturally, anything that is safe enough to consume SHOULD be safe for external use – and it certainly is! The natural properties of the oil make it highly absorbent, not only into the skin/scalp, but the hair strand itself. It is especially rich in Vitamin E, which is an essential vitamin for hair health and growth.

While hair health starts from within, it’s that light-catching shine we’re all looking for. That’s why INTENSITY utilizes the conditioning features of the extract to create a lustrous shine that’s never greasy and won’t weigh your hair down. The oil also works to detangle, control frizz, and tame fly-aways to create manageable style. Furthermore, it’s going to absorb and protect against UV rays and other harmful free-radicals such as smoke and pollution.

But health is KEY! On top of all the vitamins (A, B, C and E) and minerals (iron, potassium and calcium), sunflower seed extract also contains high levels of Omega 9 acid. Where have you heard of that before? It’s often used as a supplement to control cholesterol or balance blood sugar (although you should always check with your physician before taking any supplements!) But what does it do for your hair? According to dermatologists, it has super-hydrating effects which can protect against chemical/heat damage and prevent brittle hair. It can even aid in healthy hair growth.

So in conclusion… Not only is sunflower seed oil/extract an excellent addition to a balanced diet, it’s also safe enough, absorbent enough, and beneficial enough to be an incredible and conditioning hair product ingredient. INTENSITY Leave-in Treatment, when used as a part of your regular hair care routine, will go that extra mile to create shiny, healthy, touchable locks. Lucky for you... we have plenty to go around!