Kenra Texturizing Taffy vs. TIGI Bedhead Manipulator

These sticky stylers are ideal for creating a wide variety of hairstyles, from textured and choppy layered looks to short and sassy pixies. They're also terrific for many men's styles as well. This Face-Off pits two leading taffy-like products against each other in what should be an exciting battle, since I have used both of these products extensively for several years but have never judged them in a head-to-head battle...until now.

As always, each product will be judged on a 1-10 scale in the following categories: performance, ingredients, sensory appeal and packaging, and value. Now let's take a look at the competitors.

Kenra's Texturizing Taffy is a mainstay in their Platinum series of products. As one of the oldest manufacturers of professional haircare products, Kenra has experience on its side. Platinum Texturizing Taffy is designed to offer flexible styling without stiffness, providing a pliable hold that does not dry stiff or crunchy.

TIGI's Manipulator is one of history's best-selling styling products and is also one of the mainstays of their Bedhead line of products. This legendary fiber-forming cream can be applied to damp or dry hair for a wide variety of textured styles. Like Kenra's Texturizing Taffy, TIGI Bedhead Manipulator also provides style without stiffness. Both products provide a matte finish.

Buckle up, folks, this should be a terrific battle!

Performance: Both products performed as advertised, but neither product is ideal for super-fine hair. TIGI Manipulator tackled men's hair as easily as women's hair, but the Kenra product didn't seem to excel when it came to men's styling. Manipulator is definitely the more unisex of the products, and it provides a little more "stickiness" than Kenra Texturizing Taffy. In the end, I decided that Manipulator was a better match for highly-textured cuts and styles, whereas the Kenra product was best-suited for less extreme and more conservative styles. Close round, but Manipulator's edge in strength and its ability to style men's hair with ease gives TIGI an early lead. (TIGI:10 Kenra:9)

Ingredients: TIGI Manipulator contains nothing in the way of natural botanical ingredients (propylene glycol, ozokerite, PVP/VA copolymer, petrolatum, oleth-20, mineral oil, oleth-3, oleth-5, PEG-150 pentaerithritol tetrastearate), but it also doesn't contain anything that would present any health concerns. Kenra Texturizing Taffy contains the same main ingredients, but also contains phosphates and parabens, which aren't the greatest things in the world. (TIGI:7 Kenra:5)

Sensory Appeal: TIGI Manipulator has a pleasant fruity fragrance that still manages to be unisex. Kenra Texturizing Taffy has a very 'perfumey' smell. However, the packaging of the Kenra product is some of the best-designed packaging I've ever seen on a haircare product. Very elegant and refined, you'll probably want to keep the container long after the product inside runs out. But Kenra does lose a point on fragrance. (Kenra:9 TIGI:8)

Value: According to the Kenra website, the suggested salon retail price for Texturizing Taffy is $21.00, but I've seen it sell for as low as 12.00 online. Texturizing Taffy comes in a 2-ounce size, which translates into 10.50 per ounce when purchased in a salon. TIGI Manipulator also comes in a 2-ounce size, and prices vary between 5.00 and 20.00. The low-priced Manipulator seems to be sold in very old packaging, which suggests that it has been sitting on a warehouse shelf for several years, so I'd be very cautious when buying any container of Manipulator for under 10.00. Overall, both products are similar in price, so this round is a draw. (TIGI:8 Kenra:8)

And the winner is....

TIGI Bedhead Manipulator, in a very close competition. Ultimately, Manipulator pulled ahead because of its unisex appeal and slightly stronger hold, but both products are high-quality styling taffies that have their place in the beauty world. Manipulator is best for younger clients with edgier styles, and Texturizing Taffy is better-suited for mature women who still want to look modern and stylish. (Final Score: TIGI Bedhead Manipulator-33 Kenra Platinum Texturizing Taffy-31)

Aquage Finishing Spray vs. Kenra Volume Spray

Two popular hair sprays enter the arena this week: Kenra Volume Spray and Aquage Finishing Spray, but only one will be declared the winner. These two products will be scored on a 1-10 scale on a variety of criteria: performance, packaging, ingredients, and value.

Now, let's take a look at this week's face-off opponents.

Kenra Volume Spray is a quick-drying firm hold finishing spray that has been awarded top honors by the leading salon industry website behindthechair.com, winning a "Stylist Choice Award" in 2006, making it a favorite hairspray among professional stylists.

Aquage Finishing Spray delivers a quick-drying formula that locks in style and resists humidity. This product is also a favorite hairspray among stylists and salon clients.

Let the battle begin!

Performance: Both sprays seemed to dry in the same amount of time, but neither spray dried as quickly as other finishing sprays made by Nexxus, Matrix, or Sebastian. However, both the Aquage and Kenra sprays performed their job as advertised and clients left the salon with beautiful hair. After a few days I noticed that the Kenra spray has a slightly stronger hold than the Aquage. Unfortunately, after about a the nozzle on the Kenra Volume Spray had become clogged and gunked up, while the Aquage Finishing Spray continued to perform flawlessly. Overall, I have to give this round to Aquage. (Aquage Finishing Spray: 9, Kenra Volume Spray: 8)


Packaging: Both are attractively designed, with Kenra Volume Spray in a sleek silver can and Aquage Finishing Spray in a metallic blue can. Both fit comfortably in the hand. However, Kenra's packaging will appeal more to the over-50 crowd, while the Aquage can looks trendy and modern. While the aesthetic appeal of the can alone is no indication of quality, the Aquage can is slightly more attractive and the nozzle doesn't clog as easily as the Kenra. (Aquage Finishing Spray: 10, Kenra Volume Spray: 9)


Ingredients: Neither of these products will appeal to those interested in organic haircare. The Kenra spray contains octylacrylamide and butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer- ingredients that coat the hair in a plastic-like resin. The Aquage spray contains a decent amount of natural ingredients. The Kenra spray is also highly-perfumed, which can be overpowering. Aquage wins this round. Kenra loses points for being stinky and chock full of chemicals. (Aquage Finishing Spray: 10, Kenra Volume Spray: 7) 

Value: Both products are affordable in comparison to other salon brands and both products are sold in 10 ounce cans, making price comparison easy. The retail price for Kenra Volume Spray is around 12.00, while the Aquage Finishing Spray usually sells for around 15.00. Kenra wins this round. (Kenra Volume Spray: 10, Aquage Finishing Spray: 9)
 
And the winner of this week's face-off is...


Aquage Finishing Spray. Although both sprays are decent products which deliver reliable results, Aquage Finishing Spray pulled ahead on the scorecard when it came down to the ingredients. As a stylist I would recommend the Aquage to younger clients seeking for a fair amount of hold that won't leave the hair crunchy. The Kenra Volume Spray is a better choice for those with fine or thining hair who are looking for a stronger hold that can hold up in all weather conditions. Final score: Aquage Finishing Spray- 38, Kenra Volume Spray- 34