Kristin Ess Is Launching 11 New Hair-Care Products at Target for Spring 2018
Hair fanatics who are already having trouble deciding which 2018 hair launches they should pick up first are going to be really, really mad at me, because I'm about to spill the tea on another set of must-try products. And by mad, I mean, you will thank me later, so you're welcome in advance. Hairstylist Kristin Ess is launching some additions to her eponymous hair-care line, and it's maje. For Spring 2018, the brand is rolling out not one, not three, but 11 brand-spanking-new products exclusively onto Target shelves, expanding their choices to touch on a wider variety of hair needs.
"I was so excited to embody all hair types, all hair textures, and really get it right on each one," Ess told me when we chatted over the phone. "We've taken our time with the second collection because each [product] lends itself so much to a different hair type, and you really have to get that right."
Of course, when I heard the brand that currently has one of my favorite co-washes (seriously, if you haven't tried it, get on it now because it is a blessing to my 4a curls,) was coming out with home hot newness, I started making room in my hair product caddy. And now, I can confirm that what Ess has whipped up for us this time is as amazing as you think it is.
We can start off simply with the brand's new Signature Hair Water, which is basically a mist that, yes, includes water, but has some good-for-your-hair boosters like castor oil, and of course an amazing scent. It releases a super fine mist that will get your hair as damp or wet as you want it to be. I've been using it to refresh my curls in the morning and, well, clearly, it's been doing me right.
Blondes and silver foxes, Ess hasn't forgotten about you — there's also a purple shampoo and conditioner for those looking to maintain their light color. If you're one of those types who likes to keep heat styling to a minimum, Ess has a new Sea Salt Air Dry Spray as well as a Weightless Shine Air Dry Crème, which digital editor Sarah Kinonen tried on her straight hair before hopping out of the door to come to work in NYC's not-so-balmy 30-degree weather. "When I got to work, I noticed my hair was smoother and slightly straighter than my typical texture." While the change in her hair wasn't extremely drastic, "it definitely helped tame beanie static," which, in this season, is a major plus.
Perhaps the most fun product Ess is offering is the Rose Gold Temporary Tint, an in-shower watercolor spray that will give your hair the millennial pink hue you always wanted without having to make a major commitment (which millennials hate!). It's a product Ess is extremely excited about, though you do need to have blonde or pre-lightened hair in order for it to show up on your strands. "Let's say you have brown hair [with] blonde highlights, or you have blonde hair in general. If for the weekend, you wanted your hair [to be] a pink tone, but you didn't want it to be there for work on Monday — that's what I made this for," she said.
Kinonen sprayed the tint onto her damp hair after washing it, then let it sit on her strands for at least two minutes before following with conditioner. "Once my hair was dry, I noticed the rose gold-hued mist picked up on my highlights and gave my hair a bit of a rose gold tint. While it was indeed a subtle change, most people noticed it right away! It's definitely a fun change-up from my blonde highlights." In two shampoos, the color was gone. If you're looking for an even quicker fix, spray it on wet hair as the color will wash out faster.
Blowout fans will love the Style Assist Blow Dry Mist, which promises to cut down on your blow-drying time — perfect if you're lazy or you simply don't have the extra seconds to spare. "A lot of people have asked me for a heat protectant or something to help with blow-drying. That was probably the most requested thing since day one — a fragrance and a blow-dry spray of some sort. If you're going to blow your hair out, this stuff is like, insane. You just spray [it on]. Your brushes don't get stuck in your hair, it's so smooth, [and] it cuts down your drying time. It's all the things that you could ever want if you're going to do the work of doing a blow-dry."
Ess is also launching its sulfate-free Extra Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner, both of which I used myself. They didn't strip my curls of moisture and won't be leaving my shower until they're all gone. (Apologies to my roommates, we're already fighting over shower space.) I've also been polishing my edges with Ess's new Intense Shine Pomade + Edge Control, which has yet to flake or cake on me.
And my curly brethren and sistren (and themtren!) — Ess hasn't forgotten about y'all. One of the products she is most excited about is the Anytime Anywhere Recovery Balm, a solid stick packed with castor and coconut oils that acts as a leave-in or a pre-poo for when your hair needs a little extra boost. Ess likens it to a sheet mask for your hair. "Every single girl with curly, textured, wavy, or thick hair will need [this]," she says. Of course, I had to be the judge of that, and yes, I can confirm: you need it.
I smoothed some onto my rough ends after warming it up with my fingers and put that part of my hair in a half-up topknot, leaving the rest of my hair loose. My bun stayed quite moisturized that day. I used it again as a pre-poo (though I didn't use it overnight, which, for me is a shocker), and it did help soften up my hair, preparing it for a good (and much-needed) shampooing. If you do choose to use it overnight, the balm comes with a little bun cap to make sure the product doesn't get everywhere. "Let's say, for example, if you have curly hair or your ends [are] just feeling like they need some love, you can put it on, put [your hair] in a little bun and [cover it] — it's almost like a mini shower cap. You just put it over the bun and you can sleep in it without getting stuff on your pillow."
By now, I know you're probably itching to get your hands on everything Ess has cooked up and, I'm happy to let you know that you don't have to wait much longer.
The products (priced between $10 and $14) will be available exclusively at Target and Target.com starting Sunday, January 21, so you can start your week off right with some new additions to your hair stash.
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