Kevin Murphy in Vancouver

There are a lot of broken promises. In the world of hair styling products. There is a lot of total bullshit, and we are brainwashed to think that if you spend $40 versus $2 on shampoo, you are somehow going to have healthier, more beautiful hair. And that a simple product is going to enough to transform your hair from a big lump of poo on your head, to a mane of glossy waves. The fact of the matter is, what you use on your hair and scalp IS important, but at the end of the day, you are still washing these products down the drain. I believe in value. And so when the lovely ladies at West Coast Beauty introduced me to Kevin Murphy in the fall of 2008, my romance with hair products was rekindled. Amazing! A line of products designed for MY kind of hairdresser, my kind of person and something that actually has VALUE. I spent a few weeks trying them out, and can honestly say - these people are smart. They have marketed the line of products to impress the hairdresser, and to win over the day- to-day user. Clever, clean lined, minimalist packaging made of recycled materials - CHECK. Natural ingredients, essential oils, plant extracts, sulfate free and *silicone free - CHECK. Smells AMAZING, like best products smells ever, but not at all perfumey or overpowering - CHECK. It’s perfect, scarily perfect.

The line has a shampoo and conditioner for 3 different hair types. They also have a lovely shampoo called Maxi Wash that will remove any old product residue, such as silicone that is in almost 99% of hair products that are on the market right now. I have tried almost all the stylers, my favorites being Anti Gravity ( mega volume and manageability and lavender-y loveliness) , Hair Resort (a beachy texture product), Easy Rider ( a anti-frizz crème that works miracles), Motion Lotion (for curls ) and my newest favorite- Gritty Business (dirty clean hair that smells like Nag Champa). There is a lot more, but those are tops for me. It doesn’t weigh the hair down like other products, but are also quite concentrated.

I went to an informative styling/finishing Kevin Murphy event. It was packed and everyone seemed young and interested. The main presenter was David Glover, who I have never heard of. He was charming and shared a few interesting techniques, my favorite being the sewn updo. Imagine a beautiful loose chignon with no bobby pins! Sounds like a comfortable solution for brides?! I felt like I actually learned something, and have been testing out all the new techniques. I totally agree with Kevin Murphy’s philosophies on natural texture, movement and a more modern undone look to hair. We have become far too dependant on flat irons, waves, curls and beach texture is still the most current (and laughably easy to achieve) style.

You can pick up some Kevin Murphy products from Maude Salon on 4th avenue in Vancouver (604-730-9933) and check out the website http://www.kevinmurphy.com.au/ You can see pod casts from Kevin Murphy, and Kevin Murphy lovers from all over the world.













(* still up for debate)