Understanding NEXXUS: A Professional Hair Care Brand
Yes, NEXXUS is considered one of the leading professional hair care brands, alongside renowned names like Pureology and Redken. Known for its salon-quality products, NEXXUS offers a comprehensive range of haircare essentials, including shampoos, conditioners, and treatments, all formulated with high-quality ingredients to address diverse hair concerns.
Founding and History
NEXXUS was founded in 1955, predating both Redken and Pureology. The brand was established by Alberto-Culver, a company that also owns other well-known brands such as VO5, St. Ives, TRESemmé, and others. In contrast, Pureology launched in 2001 and was acquired by L'Oréal in 2007, a company that has a history in professional hair care dating back to 1909. Redken was founded in 1960 and was also acquired by L'Oréal in 1993.
A Backstory and Evolution
NEXXUS, named after Jheri Redding, a renowned scientist, cosmetologist, and inventor, played a pivotal role in the early days of professional hair care. Jheri Redding is also acknowledged as a co-founder of Redken, which he started with Paula Kent in 1960. Additionally, Redding created another commercial line of products called Jhirmack. NEXXUS was sold to Unilever in 2004, leading to potential changes in product formulations and formulas after the patent expiration.
Current Status and Usage
While NEXXUS was once a professional salon product, the ownership by a larger corporation could have implications for its formulation and accessibility. Unfortunately, NEXXUS is not typically found in professional salon locations like state beauty supply or cosmetoprof. In contrast, it can be found in more accessible retail locations such as Walmart and dollar stores. This availability does not necessarily indicate its professional quality, as higher quality brands such as NEXXUS are usually reserved for professional use.
However, this does not diminish the effectiveness of professional-quality hair care. Like the larger corporations, owning multiple brands can sometimes blur the lines between what is considered professional and not. Many these days, the same companies own both professional and drugstore brands, utilizing the smaller names to dictate market positioning.
Regardless of the brand, the most important factor is the suitability of the product for your specific hair type and concerns. As a professional, I have used a variety of drugstore products that have consistently worked for me. It's crucial to prioritize personal preference and effectiveness over brand recognition when it comes to hair care.