31. What makes a hair product "professional"?

Small Town Stylist

Some hairstylists are going to hate this, but I don't think we need to be demonizing all drugstore products or praising all "professional" products. In my experience and research there are good and bad products at the drug store just as there are good and bad products in the pro stores, but so often stylists repeat misinformation about certain ingredients without getting a better understanding of the science and chemistry behind those ingredients. It's not your fault, some brands rely more on flashy marketing instead of educating stylists. But in this episode I'm breakdown some of the reasons why I think we have been led astray as stylists, how I vet the products I use and recommend, and sharing some of my favorite resources for product research and hair science below 👇🏻

Wong M. Sulfate-Free Shampoo? The Science. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. May 14, 2023. Accessed December 2, 2024 https://labmuffin.com/sulfate-free-shampoo-science/

Wong M. The Science of Hair Products: Shampoo and Conditioner. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. August 15, 2022. Accessed December 2, 2024 https://labmuffin.com/the-science-of-hair-products-shampoo-and-conditioner-with-video/

Wong M. Amodimethicone: The Science of My Favourite Hair Ingredient. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. April 12, 2024. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://labmuffin.com/amodimethicone-my-new-favourite-hair-ingredient/

Wong M. Can you test heat protectants with fire? The Science. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. February 19, 2024. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://labmuffin.com/can-you-test-heat-protectants-with-fire-the-science/

https://askmags.com/what-to-know-about-shampoo-ingredients/

https://askmags.com/to-sulfate-or-not-to-sulfate-2/

https://askmags.com/surfactants-and-silicones-by-perry-romanowski-2/

https://askmags.com/oils-which-ones-soak-in-vs-coat-the-hair/