Kristin Ess Just Launched a Fragrance-Free Hair-Care Collection Inspired by Skin Care
Kristin Ess is a damn good hairstylist, but really, she's in the problem-solving business. Need a barrette? She's got you covered. Dealing with a dry, flaky scalp? She has an entire product line to address it. And now, if you're one of the very many people who love hair care but can't stand overly perfumed hair products, Ess's new Fragrance Free collection is here to help.
This month, Ess is bringing a line of seven fragrance-free shampoo, conditioner, styling products, and hair treatments to Target. "Fragrance can be really polarizing," Ess tells Allure. She has four fragrance offerings in her existing lineup, but when fans started asking for an option without scent, she realized there was a gaping hole in the industry where fragrance-free products should be.
"I wanted to create something for people like me, because I'm very sensitive. I have certain hair products that trigger a migraine for me."
In her other collections, Ess has made sure to look out for all the various hair types — "curly hair, straight hair, wavy hair, frizzy hair," she says. "It's not only about hair type. There are other needs that have to be counted."
"I'm always taking cues from skin care," Ess says. She noticed an uptick in clean skin-care brands introducing products without fragrance — perhaps the same trend that inspired fans to start clamoring for it in hair care — and wanted hair products to offer the same type of consideration. "The skin-care industry is so much more advanced, it tends to be more innovative. I enjoy bringing my labs a challenge and doing our own version of that with hair care."
In addition to the lack of fragrance, Ess switched up the package for this line. Every product comes in a transparent bottle because she “wants people to see what their products look like." She's also hoping the (very chic) clear packaging will help the products feel gender neutral, and will work for co-habitators who like to share hair care. The product lineup — all of which is under $15 — goes like this: Soft Shine Grooming Cream, Detangling Tonic, Daily Cleaning Shampoo, Shine Enhancing Conditioner, Texturizing Paste, Deep Treatment Mask, and Dry Shampoo Powder.
The dry shampoo is one of Ess's favorites in the new range, partially because it was so hard to get right. "I'm really particular about the finish of dry shampoo. I'd go so far as to say maybe my lab hates me," she jokes. It took lots of back and forth, but the outcome was a powder dry shampoo (hence, aerosol free!) that has the same finish as her current dry shampoo. "It just feels so velvety and soft."
Feast your eyes (and not your noses) on the full collection, below.
The Kristin Ess Fragrance Free Collection launches December 29 exclusively at Target. Ess clearly listens to her fans' needs — so after you thank her for this collection, let's all start brainstorming what problem she should solve next.
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Originally Appeared on Allure
