This edition of Haircare Face-Off! features two non-aerosol sprays which claim to offer firm hold. One is found in exclusive upscale salons, the other can be found in virtually every salon from Anchorage to Zimbabwe. Can the budget-priced spray compete with its higher-priced counterpart, or will the higher price tag equate into better quality? Let's find out.
Here are this week's combatants:
Bumble and bumble is a brand so exclusive that they don't even need to capitalize the second B in their name. One of the top-selling products from this manufacturer is Extra Strength Holding Spray, a must-have product for most of the world's runway and editorial hairstylists.
In an industry where new haircare products come on the market nearly every day, Matrix Biolage Finishing Spritz has been around for over a decade, a testament to Biolage's loyal fans. Biolage Finishing Spritz is beloved by old ladies who want hurricane-proof hold, but can it please this stylist's discerning clientele?
The rules are simple. Each product will be rated 1-10 on its performance, ingredients, sensory appeal, and value. Let the battle begin!
Performance: The name of the game is hold, so I'm not looking for a product that leaves the hair feeling natural, I'm looking for stiff-as-a-board results. That's why I decided to use these sprays on styles which demand long-lasting hold: updos and formal styles. Both products delivered the goods, but neither spray dried as quickly as I would have liked (but that's to be expected with non-aerosol sprays). The Bumble and bumble spray seemed to dry a little faster and hold a little better and even added a respectable amount of shine, but the Biolage spray was more reliable, its nozzle didn't clog up like its rival. However, when it came time to shampoo the hair, I discovered that the Bumble and bumble spray washed out with only one shampoo. Most of the Biolage clients needed two. A valiant effort by Biolage, but this round goes to Bumble and bumble. (Bumble and bumble:9 Biolage:6)
Ingredients: Biolage products are known for containing botanical ingredients, so it was no surprise to see extracts of hops and hibiscus listed as ingredients. Biolage Finishing Spritz also contains sunscreen to protect the hair from sun damage. Bumble and bumble Extra Strength Holding Spray's ingredients read like a chemistry textbook, containing heavy-duty ingredients like vinyl copolymers and acrylamides, but the product does contain pro-vitamin B5. The lack of sunscreen and use of fewer beneficial ingredients gives this round to Biolage. (Biolage:8 Bumble and bumble:5)
Sensory Appeal: Biolage Finishing Spritz comes in a slender bottle that is easy to hold, with a reliable nozzle. The packaging looks a little dated, however, and I couldn't get past the definite "old lady smell". Bumble and bumble's packaging is visually more appealing, but the shape of the bottle isn't as practical and the nozzle is prone to clogging. Since the shape and design of the bottles cancel each other other out, the deciding factor was fragrance. (Bumble and bumble:8 Biolage:6)
Value: Bumble and bumble Extra Strength Holding Spray is sold in an 8-ounce size, and retails for 21.00 on bumbleandbumble.com, which translates into $2.63 per ounce. Biolage Finishing Spritz is available in a 13.5-ounce bottle and retails for 19.49 in most salons, which is $1.44 per ounce. Biolage wins this round easily. (Biolage:9 Bumble and bumble:6)
And the winner is....
Upset alert! In this David-against-Goliath battle, the underdog proved victorious. Even though the Bumble and bumble spray provided better results, the results weren't enough to overcome Biolage's use of botanical ingredients. Biolage was able to deliver respectable results at a budget price, which ultimately won the day. Since top session stylists care more about results and less about value, Bumble and bumble will continue to reign supreme on the catwalk. But when it comes to everyday style, Biolage proves to be the smarter choice. (Final Score: Matrix Biolage Finishing Spritz-29, Bumble and bumble Extra Strength Holding Spray-28)
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