Brocato Swell Volume Full Body Serum vs. Bumble and bumble Styling Creme

Welcome to another exciting edition of Haircare Face-Off!, the only online beauty battle in which two similar products, tested on actual salon clients, square off in a fierce head-to-head competition. This battle features two products which claim to thicken the hair, but which one is best for pumping up the volume? That's what we intend to find out. Let's take a closer look at the competitors.

Bumble and bumble's Styling Creme is one of the most versatile products available; it can be used to add body to the hair, and it can also be used to create slick looks or to define curls. Named one of InStyle's Best Beauty Buys in 2011, this cream is a favorite among top stylists, celebrities, and those who demand top performance. Brocato's Swell Volume Full Body Serum is part of the product line created by legendary stylist Sam Brocato, whose name has been among the hairdressing elite since he opened his first salon in 1976.

Both products have been created and tested by some of the top stylists in the industry, but only one thickener can be victorious. This will be accomplished by rating each product on a 1-10 scale in each of the following categories: performance, ingredients, sensory appeal, and value.

Let the battle begin!

Performance: Brocato's Swell Volume serum promises "huge, big, over-the-top results" thanks to hybrid proteins and specific particle size clays (whatever the hell that means). While this product did manage to add volume to the hair of one of my finest-haired clients, the results weren't any more spectacular than many other salon-quality thickening products. After two weeks of using this product I was content with the results, but I can't report seeing any results which could be described as "huge, big, or over-the-top". One thing that did catch my attention, however, was the warning on the label: Do not use or store near heat, and do not smoke until hair is completely dry. Geez, is this a hair balm or a hair bomb?

On the other hand, Bumble and bumble Styling Creme delivered better volumizing results on all types of hair, from stick-straight to wavy and curly. Unlike the Brocato serum, this product didn't leave any residue, stickiness, or gunkiness on my hands or on the hair. Best of all, I didn't have to be afraid of the product causing an explosion. Even if the Brocato Swell Volume Full Body Serum delivered "over-the-top" results (which it didn't), I'd be reluctant to purchase any haircare product which could explode when exposed to heat...especially if that product was designed to be used before blowdrying. Styling Creme wins the opening round with ease. (Bumble and bumble: 10 Brocato: 2)

Ingredients: The Brocato serum contains a few beneficial ingredients such as keratin amino acids and sunflower seed extract, but these ingredients appear in further down the list than most of the other ingredients. The main ingredients, after water, are butylene glycol (which is used as an industrial solvent), cyclopentasiloxane (which isn't as scary as it sounds; it's an emollient found in many cosmetics), and alcohol. Bumble and bumble Styling Creme ingredients may vary depending on the age of the product; the Styling Creme was re-formulated in 2007 in order to comply with new California Environmental Protection Agency regulations. While the "new" Styling Creme isn't quite as miraculous as the old formula (at least in my opinion), it's still one of the best creams on the market. Styling Creme's key ingredients are amodimethicone (an emollient), benzophenone-4 (a sunscreen), and glycerin. (Bumble and bumble: 7 Brocato: 4)

Sensory Appeal: While I prefer the fragrance of the Brocato serum, neither product's fragrance is anything to write home about. They both smell like, well, haircare products. Styling Creme has a silkier texture and seems to absorb into the hair, while Swell Volume Full Body Serum tends to leave the hands feeling slightly greasy. The packaging of both products is attractive, and will appeal to more discerning clients. I prefer the slender shape of the Brocato bottle, which is easier to hold and dispense than the short squat bottle of Bumble and bumble Styling Creme. This round is too close to call. (Brocato: 8 Bumble and bumble: 8)

Value: Bumble and bumble Styling Creme, in the 8 ounce bottle, retails for 25.00, which equates into 3.12 per ounce. Brocato Swell Volume Full Body Serum, in the 8.5-ounce size, has a salon retail price of 17.95, or roughly one dollar less per ounce. (Brocato: 8 Bumble and bumble: 7)

And the winner is....

Bumble and bumble Styling Creme. This battle was close when it came to sensory appeal and value, but when it came down to performance and ingredients, it was no competition. Science has endowed us with a virtually endless supply of chemicals, many of which are not flammable. Why a haircare line started by one of the world's most prolific stylists decided to create a product which can double as an explosive is beyond me. (Final Score: Bumble and bumble- 32 Brocato- 22)

Matrix Biolage Finishing Spritz vs. Bumble and bumble Extra Strength Holding Spray

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)       

Phyto Fiber Paste vs. Bumble and Bumble SumoTech

This face-off can be found exclusively on the Yahoo! Contributor Network:


http://voices.yahoo.com/haircare-faceoff-phyto-fiber-paste-7615382.html?cat=69