Haircare is entering an exciting new chapter. Gone are the days when we cared about keeping our hair clean or styled only. Today, exciting innovations elevate every step of your routine. Today’s products go beyond the basics, offering protection from the sun, fighting humidity, enhancing natural textures, and supporting sustainability.

From multitasking solutions that save time to climate adaptive tools that tackle frizz in any weather. Haircare is becoming more innovative, sleeker, and efficient. Luxurious finishing mists, soft crunch free curls, and frizz free locks mark the start only.

This new wave of haircare brings breakthroughs in textured hair, the rise of hair perfumes, and solutions designed to meet modern challenges. It offers a perfect blend of science, sustainability, and style, redefining what we can incorporate into our everyday routine. Read on to learn more! 

Innovation at every strand

Haircare is experiencing a profound transformation, driven by consumer demand for more innovative, multifunctional products that adapt to modern routines. This shift reflects a more profound cultural moment where beauty meets purpose, and form blends seamlessly with function. From climate adaptive styling sprays to textured hair mousses that deliver crunch free hold, the future of haircare looks bold, intelligent, and user focused.

The heart of this movement forms a demand for efficiency without compromise. According to a 2024 survey by The Benchmarking Company, 51% of women prioritize hair health in styling products, 46% seek options that enhance natural curls, and 57% want UV protection built into their routines. These numbers underscore a rising expectation: Every product should do more. Whether this relates to leave-in stylers fortified with keratin or next-gen mousses that hydrate as they volumize. Multitasking haircare has become a luxury for everyone, a true baseline.

Haircare meets climate reality.

In an era of rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns, haircare is evolving to combat environmental challenges. Humidity hacks have left the niche and become essential. Brands like Ouidad are setting benchmarks with their Heat and Humidity Gel, while tools like Shark’s dual-ionic stylers use advanced technology to eliminate frizz and protect hair health.

Sustainability, too, has become a must. Consumers increasingly demand products that align with their environmental values. Innovations like Faba TONIQ, a curl holding ingredient derived from hummus production, show how brands can merge efficacy with eco-consciousness. The future of haircare caters to the individual, and beyond that, it’s addressing the planet, one strand at a time.

The textured hair renaissance

Textured haircare is having a moment, and one long overdue. Products designed for curls and coils have transitioned from niche markets and become significant growth drivers across the board. Sleep friendly styling sprays and heatless curl kits dominate conversations, with Gen Z at the forefront of this shift. According to The Harris Poll, 50% of Gen Z consumers shower at night. This shift has created a demand for overnight stylers like Curlsmith’s damp-hair formulas, which reduce tangles while enhancing curl definition.

The resurgence of hair mousse reflects this textured hair renaissance with a modern twist. Gone are the days of crunchy, stiff finishes. Today’s formulas are designed for soft, natural volume, aligning with the broader “lazy beauty” ethos. The textured haircare boom means you are expressing inclusivity and self-expression.

Scent as a haircare signature

Hair perfume is emerging as the latest frontier in beauty, transforming everyday routines into sensory rituals. With a 22% year-over-year increase in Google searches for hair mists, this category is rapidly gaining traction. Brands like Sachajuan and Maison Francis Kurkdjian are leading the trend with hair scenting products that provide benefits like moisture and shine. While still a luxury at $85, Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s scented hair mist offers a more budget friendly option than the $335 price tag of Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum. Meanwhile, no wash solutions like Round Lab’s Pine Calming Cica cater to those embracing less frequent shampooing. These innovations speak to a broader cultural shift: haircare must offer function and enhance the everyday.

The haircare horizon

Next-gen haircare exemplifies innovation with purpose, offering climate smart multitaskers, textured hair solutions, and scent enhancing stylers. This evolving category goes beyond solving hair concerns to anticipate needs, elevate routines, and reflect modern values. Symrise has long been at the intersection of science, sustainability, and self-expression, using its expertise in haircare to shape a stylish and forward-thinking future. Have you tried any of the above haircare products or practices? Comment below!

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Games wide open

Are you excited about the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics? Explore the games and discover how fashion and beauty tap into the athletic scene! Paris will host the Summer Olympics for the third time from July 26 to August 11, spanning 17 cities across metropolitan France and Tahiti. Teahupo’o, on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, will host two days of surfing, 9,765 miles from Paris. The motto, “Games Wide Open” (French: Ouvrons grand les Jeux), represents the goal of delivering more inclusive and educational games. New sports exclusive to Paris include breaking (or break dancing), skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing. An estimated 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will participate, with equal men and women competing!

An Olympic-sized opportunity for brands

Curious about how your favorite brands plan to participate? The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games offer unique opportunities for brands to connect with global audiences. For example, global banking company Citi’s Paris 2024 marketing hinges on Paralympians, highlighting their positive impact on communities. Citi sponsors 24 athletes, including U.S. sprinter long jumper Scout Bassett and wheelchair tennis player Diede de Groot of the Netherlands. Paratriathlon gold medalist Lauren Steadman of Great Britain gets also sponsored. Additionally, wheelchair basketball player Trevon Jenifer, a member of the 2024 U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball National Team, is part of Citi’s roster.

Fashion unites all

Luxury brands based in Paris, like LVMH, are making waves with their landmark Olympics deal. They’ve increased attention to what athletes wear for non-sporting moments, such as the opening ceremony. For the first time, they sponsor athletes, including fencing champion Enzo Lefort and gymnast Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos.

The Louis Vuitton ambassadors competing in the Olympics represent various sports and countries. Victor Wembanyama, the NBA Rookie of the Year, and Antoine Dupont, the French rugby team captain, are ambassadors from France. Spain’s tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz has also become an ambassador. Notably, France’s Pauline Déroulède, a wheelchair tennis player, will act as an ambassador for Dior, highlighting the brand’s support for athletes in all sports.

Brands are connecting with fans through their innovative uniforms. Lululemon will be dressing the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams, focusing on adaptive styles like a Seated-Fit Carpenter Pant and Packable Rain Poncho. Design details include braille, magnetic zipper closures, pull-on loops, and sensory touch guides.

The North Face has crafted Olympic climbing kits for the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Austria, showcasing bold graphic designs. On the other hand, Berluti has taken a sustainable approach to designing the French Olympic team’s opening ceremony uniforms. Their tuxedos, with a patina-effect shawl collar in French flag colors, reflect national pride and a commitment to sustainable craftsmanship.

Indie brands make this fashion’s biggest Olympics ever

With skateboarding debuting, Brazilian brand Cariuma partners with the Olympics for the first time, outfitting three countries with footwear and apparel. Premium active swimwear brand Left on Friday makes an Olympic debut with bikinis, cover-ups, and accessories for Canada’s women’s beach volleyball team. The brand admits the opportunity provides them with excellent product testing for future non-Olympian offerings! Swedish J. Lindeberg will make uniforms for the U.S. men’s and women’s golf teams. Paris-based streetwear designer Stephane Ashpool has been designing for the French Olympic team.

Beauty finds opportunity in women’s sports

What about beauty brands? Olympic gold medalist gymnasts Suni Lee and Jade Carey have picked up beauty sponsorships on social media. Lee is partnering with L’Oréal, and Carey is working with Dove. Mielle, owned by P&G, will offer services for athletes with textured hair in P&G’s salon, with a special event featuring basketball player A’ja Wilson. Dental Clinic from Oral-B will provide athletes access to general and emergency dental services with high-performance Oral-B toothbrushes, toothpaste, and oral care education. The P&G Everyday Champions Welcome Kit includes a Paris-themed reusable bag with products from Oral-B, Head & Shoulders, Aussie, Safeguard, and Febreze to support athletes’ health and hygiene during Paris 2024.

Symrise, which provides key ingredients to the beauty industry and beyond, welcomes the Olympics and celebrates inclusivity on its Instagram page. Weigh in on exciting brand activations, and comment below on your plan to participate!

#symrise #symrisecosmeticingredients #alwaysinspiringmore #globalbeauty #olympics2024 #winningingredients

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The blame might partly go to Beyoncé and Taylor Swift

Step into a realm of glimmering fascination. Have you joined the Renaissance or Eras Tours squad this past summer? If you let it pass, you have missed the spectacle of two performers draped in many metallic fashions. From “silver bodysuit” and “silver corset,” Google searches for these mesmerizing ensembles have surged by 426 percent and 699 percent, respectively, ignited by the luminance of Queen Bey’s Stockholm appearance. With her performance, Swift’s tour has ignited the stage, and has made the sales of metallic boots and sequin soared in the wake of her tour. 

More than just a nod to the past (Jane Birkin in ‘70s Paco Rabanne), a futuristic wave stands poised to engulf us. As the 25th Anniversary of the visionary film The Fifth Element shimmers in our recent memory, the delayed release of  Dune: Part Two sparks anticipation until 2024. Both designers and enthusiasts are riding the rising tide of metallic inspiration.

A metallic moment at men’s spring ’24 collections & fall ‘23 Paris couture 

Surprisingly, the recent Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 shows featured a strong metallics theme. International fashion trade paper WWD featured a cover with Paris-based duo EgonLab’s one-of-a-kind sculptural piece of wearable metallic hardware. Similarly, hot brand Ami Alexandre Mattiussi showed metallic silver jeans in their coed runway presentation. J.W. Anderson at Loewe featured draped metallic tops and glittering sequins. Speaking of sequins, Gucci went full-on disco ball in a silver sequin set that appeared to be a jumpsuit. During Couture, Schiaparelli designer Daniel Roseberry (always one to appreciate sculptured metallics) joined the trend with his shining show. Dior brought ethereal goddess looks and silver threads to Paris. In addition to some significant glimmering chandelier earrings, Valentino featured stunning silver capes fit for modern superheroes!

Shine into the holidays and new year ahead

Wondering how you can achieve some metallic touches on a more budget-friendly level? If you want a BeyHive-worthy bodysuit, look at the SKIMS Metallic Swim Cycle Suit (perfect alone or tucked into jeans, pants, or a skirt). Silver metallic jeans offer another option, so consider this Diesel version a star attraction. Try adding an instant dose of glamor with some shiny accessories. A classic with a hint of futurism, Issey Miyake’s Bao Bao Silver Tote becomes a worthwhile investment. Designer Robert Lee Morris’ sculptural jewelry trends with references to Daniel Roseberry’s work at Schiaparelli. While you can score vintage Morris finds on eBay and Amazon, Karine Sultan’s sculptural metalwork brings a similar feel in a cuff that artfully catches the light. Try a pair of versatile and striking silver loop earrings from one of the original modernist designer brands, Paco Rabanne. 

Whether you prefer reflective Reformation slingbacks or Sam Edelman Vance boots, wedges, and architectural heels are trending for a finishing footnote. The final touch? Silver eyeliner, which consumer beauty trends firm SPATE notes, have grown 25.3% in searches. The most budget-friendly choice and a great gift, HAUS LABS Optic Intensity Eco Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Titanium Shimmer.

With plenty of ways to shine now into the new year, let us know how you plan to light up the holiday season!

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