I SS U E 3 R A N DCO.COM / E DU E DU CAT I O N • COM M U N I T Y • E V E N TS
Joey: For boosted volume with defined texture, spray HALFPIPE into hair with head upside down. Tousling hair as you spray is key to this look. Once hair is dry, shake.
Sophie: Spray CANDY STRIPE onto wet hair. Coil with fingers and cradle each section into a diffuser on low speed and medium heat. Once dry, shake loose.
Styling by: Howard McLaren, R+Co Co-Founder, using HALFPIPE Dry Wax Finishing Spray and CANDY STRIPE Protect + Prep Detangling Spray.
TH E C ULTUR E OF H AI R DRESS ING @randco
@randcobleu
@randcopro
@randcolor
@randco
OFF THE RECORD FIVE MEMBERS OF THE R+COLOR COLLECTIVE ON WHAT THEY’RE WATCHING, WHAT’S SHAPED THEM, AND WHAT KEEPS THEM GOING ON AND OFF THE FLOOR. JAY WESLEY OLSON @jaywesleyolson
As an educator, colorist and salon owner with more than 20 years in the industry, Jay Wesley Olson has built a career and 6-figure following from his talent shared from the chair, the stage and global brand platforms.
JENNA PERRY
What are you binging on TV?
Something few people know about you:
Jay: I watch a lot of Bluey with my kids. When my wife and I actually get 5 minutes alone, it’s reruns of Sex and the City. Marwa: I started watching The Pitt and I’m obsessed with it because sometimes I feel like I’m a doctor—it’s a hidden talent I have: I always know what’s wrong with everyone. Jenna: Love Is Blind. Cameron: I’m on my fourth repeat of Heated Rivalry. And I’m watching Love Story on FX about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. I am beyond inspired by the fashion and the hair. Bobby: Family Guy.
Marwa: I can do the moonwalk. Bobby: One of my hobbies is cycling. Jenna: I’m a dancer.
@jennaperryhair
Ever experienced a pinch-me moment?
Jenna Perry is known for her fashion-defining, modern approach to hair color, with work seen across leading editorial titles and on some of the most influential names in culture.
Jay: When my wife said she would marry me, that’s when I knew I might have a little something special. Marwa: When I was featured in Elle magazine with one of my clients, Maren Morris, for our collaborations. Jenna: I knew it was a big moment when the beauty editor of Vogue reached out to highlight my salon. Bobby: There is always going to be so much more I can do, but every once in a while I get a glimmer of ‘Wow, look at what I’ve accomplished.’ Cameron: When I was in cosmetology school I participated in a regional competition and failed. I didn’t place, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t make my way into the finals, so I scrapped everything and created something that ended up winning the student competition.
BOBBY MICHAEL @thebobbymichael
Bobby Michael is known for his artistry and technical mastery, with work spanning fashion, music and top editorial titles, including brands like Versace and Anna Sui, and as a regular at New York Fashion Week.
MARWA BASHIR @marwabashirhair
Marwa Bashir is known for her effortless, bespoke approach to hair, with work spanning music, editorial and red carpet, and a client list that includes some of country music’s most recognizable names.
CAMERON KEPFORD
@cameronkepford Cameron Kepford is a colorist, stylist, extensionist and salon owner known for his high-energy approach to beauty that spans hair, creative direction and visual storytelling.
You care for everyone else, how do you care for yourself? Jay: I need to stay around as long as I possibly can for my family so I’m cautious about what I’m ingesting. Marwa: I do a lot of nature hikes. I love to journal, get massages, and try to meditate. Jenna: I love a spa. I’m a huge spa girl. Bobby: I recently started seeing a chiropractor, which really helps. To take care of my mind, I go to therapy weekly and set aside quiet time to rest. Cameron: Wellness is a huge priority. I read Outlive and it really shifted my perspective, thinking about what I want to be able to do in my 50s, 60s, 70s.
If hair wasn’t the path… Marwa: I would be a wedding planner because I used to be obsessed with the movie The Wedding Planner. Bobby: Real estate. I feel like I can sell anything to anyone. Cameron: My dream would be to design a pop tour with all the pyros and lights, bringing all the elements together for the audience.
What were you like growing up? Jay: I was a bad student forced to be good. I didn’t care much about anything, but I knew that in order to get anywhere, I was going to have to put in some effort. Marwa: I used to tell people I wanted to grow up to be Prince. He had insanely cool outfits and was a combination of both beautiful and masculine.
What travel destination is on your bucket list? Marwa: Egypt, that’s where my family’s roots are. Jenna: Japan. Cameron: My kids really want to go to Egypt, but I think Australia is next.
Last thing you put into ChatGPT: Marwa: I don’t use ChatGPT because it told me once that I was a Scorpio, and I’m a Sagittarius. Cameron: I used it to check the ingredients in miso lime vinaigrette to see if it was vegan because sometimes they put honey in it. Jenna: I used it to build out an agenda for a meeting.
Favorite tattoo: Jay: My first one. I got it with a fake ID from a woman drinking a Budweiser and smoking a cigarette. It was a kanji symbol that supposedly meant warrior. It’s covered now, but still my favorite. Marwa: My little fruit tattoos. They’re fun, random and don’t really have a meaning. Bobby: The owl tattoo I got for my grandmother.
Client truths: Marwa: Usually the thing clients think they want, but actually don’t, is bangs. Jenna: When you can tell they’re inspired by the person in a photo, which is great, but isn’t always realistic for that client or their hair. Cameron: That really high-contrast money piece, super stark in the front with nothing in the back. In the future, we’ll look back and wish we added more diffusion. Bobby: Over-processed hair that looks like it’s been chewed on is a red flag. It means you’ve seen someone that hasn’t been kind to your hair ... or that you’re indecisive.
Walk-up song: Jay: Triumph by Wu-Tang Clan. The horns, the lyrics, that’s the feeling I’d want walking on stage.
Dinner with anyone: Marwa: Salvador Dalí. I would love to figure out how he became so inspired. Cameron: Britney Spears in 2007. I’d want to see if I could pivot where life went.
Superpower: Bobby: Teleportation. I want to live in the mountains, work in the city, vacation wherever I want, and see my family all the time.
Signature shade flex: Jenna: HYPERMATIC TWENTY-FOUR K: you can even use in your blondes. If you do just a shot of it in an over-processed blonde, it’s going to be so gorgeous in every formula.
R+COLOR IS HITTIN’ THE ROAD!
The R+COLOR Collective: On Tour is heading across the country—bringing fresh formulations, inspiring placement, and next-level technique straight to you. Explore all tour stops at
randco.com/edu.
LET’S GO!
VP OF R+COLOR DEVELOPMENT RICHY KANDASAMY ON RIPPING MAGAZINES, BUILDING MOODBOARDS, AND REVEALING WHAT’S ALREADY THERE. For Richy Kandasamy, inspiration starts in the stacks—pulled out of magazines from different countries, eras and points of view. When an image, word, color or typography catches him, he tears it out and builds a moodboard. Richy prefers the tangible paper magazines, opposed to digital tools like Pinterest, because his moodboards aren’t about searching out imagery and chasing inspiration through search terms, it’s about revealing what’s already there. The things he’s drawn to without realizing it. The ideas he keeps circling. The perspective he hasn’t fully claimed yet. “With magazines, you don’t choose your inspiration, it finds you,” he says. Richy brings this same exercise into education. Students are asked to tear anything that pulls them in. No rules, no overthinking. Because what looks random at first begins to organically organize itself, revealing threads and a point of view.
AWARD SEASON. EVERY SEASON.
t The edi
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“With social media and Pinterest, there’s value in scrolling but it happens so fast, you end up always chasing,” Richy says. “With a magazine, I stop. I stay with it. With this exercise, it’s not just what you see, it’s how long you stay with it.” That pause is the point. Printed pages become something permanent, something you return to. Over time, the same image reveals something new. Patterns emerge. Instinct sharpens. He regularly does the exercise himself for inspiration, for work, for personal projects, even for his family. Not with a plan, but with a willingness to follow whatever shows up. “Every time, the results reveal something different,” Richy says. “Not just about what you want to create, but about who you are when you create it.”
“I've never seen anything like this. The biggest breakthrough in the bunch, by far.”
ALLURE “No other spray has transformed my sweaty post-gym hair into a blowout-worthy voluminous ’do.” COSMOPOLITAN
2026 Holy Grail Beauty Award Winner COSMOPOLITAN
“One of the best purple shampoo-and-conditioner duos in the game.”
WHO WHAT WEAR
Beauty & Wellness Awards Winner GLAMOUR
“I always keep one in my rotation… a game changer for a reworkable hold while also soaking up oil.”
GQ MAGAZINE
2026 Hair Awards Winner “It smells like a sultry luxury perfume you’d find at Saks.”
HARPER’S BAZAAR
INSTYLE
“R+COLOR makes my hair look vibrant and shiny as hell, and it’s free of many of the potentially harmful ingredients “This hair oil feels found in most dyes and it’s virtually weightless… housed in sustainable packaging. Basically, it's better while adding an for you, your hair and the extra layer of environment too.” heat protection.” COSMOPOLITAN MARIE CLAIRE
Color by: Richy Kandasamy, VP of R+COLOR Development, and Renee Valerie Radoiu, VP of R+COLOR Education R+COLOR formula: 30g HYPERMATIC 10 Minute Demi-Permanent Liquid Hair Color GC8 (TWENTY-FOUR K) + 30g G9 (MIDAS) + 60g MOMENTUM 5 Volume Liquid Developer
HYPERMATIC 10 Minute Demi-Permanent Liquid Hair Color in shade GC8 (TWENTY-FOUR K) channels R+COLOR Collective member Jenna Perry’s signature shade.
Vegan • Gluten-Free • Cruelty-Free • Leaping Bunny Certified • PPD-Free • Resorcinol-Free Formaldehyde-Free • Paraben-Free • Silicone-Free • Fragrance-Free • Sustainable Packaging
Nearly 10 years after RODEO STAR’s launch, R+Co brought the story back to where it began: the arena. Our team headed to Florida’s Westgate River Ranch for a day with Daniella Petrucci, Professional Ranch Bronc Rider Women’s Championship Team USA, currently ranking #1 in the 2026 season, who stepped into the frame surrounded by horses, wind and sunlit dust.
“
A real rodeo day starts long before the crowd arrives…It’s miles of travel, dusty arenas, and long hours waiting for your name to be called. RODEO STAR actually held up through all of it.
”
— Daniella Petrucci, Professional Ranch Bronc Rider, Women’s Championship Team USA
Once the name landed, R+Co co-founder Howard McLaren knew exactly where to look for the image that would bring the concept to life. Howard had been friends with his long-time client, photographer Lisa Eisner, since the mid-1990s. Lisa had published Rodeo Girl, a docu-style photography book capturing rodeo queens and cowgirls across the American West, revealing the world behind the spectacle: rhinestone jackets, immaculate hair and makeup, horses waiting in dusty arenas, and world-class athletes preparing to step into the spotlight. “I asked Lisa and she agreed to let us use the cover image of Rodeo Girl on the bottle,” Howard says. “It all just clicked. Simple and accurate on design and product coming together.”
“I love RODEO STAR for clients who want weightless lift. I run it through the roots and fringe to create the perfect curtain bang, and for volume and bounce with no heaviness.” —Laura Johnson, Fringe Salon Spa, Rice Lake, Wisconsin “I run a ping-pong-ball size on fine hair, then blow dry for serious volume. I also love using it as a root boost through the mids, and pair it with a blow-dry cream on the ends for a beautiful, bouncy blowout.” —Lynn Osborne, Coastal Roots Hair Salon, Chesapeake, Virginia
When R+Co began developing a mousse-textured thickening foam, the focus was on volume that lifts, expands and moves—the kind of hair that commands attention without feeling stiff or sticky. Around the time it was being developed, the R+Co community was riding the wave of big-hair obsession sparked by the wildly popular DALLAS family of products. Stylists and clients loved the lifted roots, the body, the fullness. Big hair became the moment. So when it came time to name this new volumizing foam, the visual reference came quickly: rodeo queens. In the rodeo world, hair carries its own kind of presence: polished but powerful, glam yet athletic. Hair is as much a part of the spectacle as the crown, sash or horse beneath them. The kind of volume that reads from across the arena and holds its shape under stadium lights, wind, dust and the pressure of the competition. The name naturally followed: RODEO STAR.
RODEO STAR Thickening Style Foam ELLE Magazine Best Hair Thickening Product “We tested cult favorites, consulted with several hair experts and dermatologists, and combed through customer reviews. With just a few pumps of R+Co’s RODEO STAR Thickening Style Foam, you can define curls, tame frizz, and add volume. The formula is crafted with vitamin E, fruit extracts, and aloe leaf for added nourishment.” — ELLE Additional honors: • Health Magazine Beauty Award • ¡Hola! Best in Beauty Awards • BELLA Beauty Awards – Best Tressed
“If you’re tired of flat hair, RODEO STAR will lift you up in more ways than one. It’s soft enough to run a brush through but strong enough to hold a style. I love to cocktail it with HIGH DIVE Moisture + Shine Creme for moisture. Blow dry and yeehaw!” —Tabitha Winninger, The Collective Wyo, Powell, Wyoming “RODEO STAR is the friend you bring when you want to live bigger, louder, prouder. She's there for the big buckle. She's the star of the show. She’s the moment.” —Shelah Coleman, Outspoken Headquarters, Graham, Washington “In the South, a woman never leaves without her hair fixed. For any special event, RODEO STAR is my go-to base for a round-brush blowout—it holds through an entire event.” —Jacquie Hodges, Fusion Salon, Forest, Virginia
“If I have a client in for a highlight touch-up, with previously lightened ends I want to brighten, I love using ELECTRONICA Crème Lightener. After she’s done processing, as I remove the foils I apply ELECTRONICA with 5-vol developer through the ends. In just 5–10 minutes before the shampoo, it does just enough to brighten dulled ends without being aggressive.” “I love HYPERMATIC 10 CARES MILLS Minute Demi-Permanent @COLORBYCARES Liquid for a high-shine, R+COLOR National Educator long-lasting finish for my clients who refuse to schedule a glossing service. Just use 2 parts clear and a capful of VV10 at the bowl to mimic a violet shampoo that’s perfectly silky.” “Struggling with locking in your foils around GIA MOSCATO your face frame? I love applying BUMPER Hair @GIA_MOSCATO Color Barrier Creme around the face frame R+COLOR National Educator when I'm trying to get foils locked in around the face. It just holds that foil in tight.” KENZIE TAYLOR @MACKS.LIVEDHAIR R+COLOR National Educator
“Have you ever had a client come in with color spray on their outgrowth? I love using VANISHING ACT Hair Color Remover wipes. Just open up the pack and massage the wipe directly on the affected areas, and it’ll remove the color spray super easily so you’re ready to color.” ERIC MOON @ERICMOONHAIR R+COLOR National Educator “I love to mix together OMNIPRESENT Liqui-Creme Permanent and STAR SIGN Demi-Permanent Creme to create a hybrid effect. This is perfect for the client who isn’t afraid to show a little sparkle, but still wants more coverage than just a straight demi. Mixing these two together will give you a soft, balanced gray blend with beautiful shine.” SAEID HOMAYOUNI @SAEIDHOMAYOUNI R+COLOR Educator
“I love applying DRAMEDY instant brow tint at the bowl while I’m waiting for my client’s PRO TREATMENT to process. In just 5 minutes, I maximize my client’s time and elevate their experience.” BECKY GRACE KNIGHT @BECKYGRACECOLOURIST R+COLOR National Educator
“I love to use FIRST DANCE Pre-Color Treatment to elevate my wet balayage services, rather than just using water. FIRST DANCE not only hydrates and nourishes the hair, it also evens-out its porosity.” JACQUELINE GILMOUR @STYLED.BY.JACQUELINE R+COLOR National Educator
“Both OMNIPRESENT Liqui-Creme Permanent and STAR SIGN Demi-Permanent Creme Hair Color have 100% gray coverage, but what I choose is based on my client’s maintenance. If my client likes to come in every 3-6weeks, I’ll choose OMNIPRESENT. Otherwise, I’ll choose STAR SIGN for a softer line of demarcation if they like to stretch their appointments to 6-10 weeks.” NATHAN KNOWLES @NATHANTPRESCOTT R+COLOR National Educator
“CHAIRLIFT Powder Lightener is one of my favorite products because it’s infused with coconut oil, which nourishes and strengthens hair while boosting shine. When applying, think cake frosting: You want to see more product than hair fiber for ideal saturation.” JARED JAIME @JAREDJAIME1983 R+COLOR Global Educator
“After pre-lightening hair, use the suds from the shampoo lather as a neutral backdrop to judge the true tone. It’s like holding something bright white next to your teeth—you don’t notice the yellow until you do. That contrast makes all the difference when choosing toner.” RICHY KANDASAMY @RICHYKANDA VP of R+COLOR Development
“To create a more customized gray blending, consider playing with your mixing ratio. Drop your mixing ratio of STAR SIGN Demi-Permanent to 1:1 to create a stronger deposit through the sides and back. Adjust your mixing ratio to 1:2 for the face frame to create softness around the face. The tonal value will stay the same but the deposit around the face will be softer which means even easier grow out.” LIZ WRIGHT @THELIZWRIGHT R+COLOR Global Educator
“Have you ever rinsed out your color, returned to the chair, and it doesn’t look the same? As soon as you rinse, use AFTER EFFECTS Post Color Treatment and let it sit for one minute. It locks in color and stops the oxidation process. That way, the color that you had in your head and heart to deliver to your client will be there when you get back to the chair.”
“Looking for a formula to keep your blondes brightest and shiniest you've seen? I love using STELLAR Demi-Permanent Liquid LOOKING GLASS with 5 volume. It’s clear, so it's going to allow the lift and pigment in the hair to really shine through without any deepening.” CARISSA LAWLOR @CARISSALAWLOR R+COLOR National Educator
LISA BROWN @LISABROWNBEAUTY R+COLOR National Educator
RENEE VALERIE RADOIU @RENEE.VALERIE VP of R+COLOR Education
“As an artist, it’s important to give yourself a little bit of freedom with your mixing ratio—especially with lightener. Find the consistency you like. Don’t go bananas, but make sure it feels right in your hands and supports your best application.”
“For guests with gray hair who want their hair to be dimensional and light, I use STAR SIGN Demi-Permanent Crème mixed in 1-to-1 or 1-to-1.5 with 5-vol developer to ensure an even result. I do an allover application in a level lighter than their natural, darker tone to create soft, dimensional color that looks like we spent hours but it only took 10 minutes to process.”
JAY WESLEY OLSON @JAYWESLEYOLSON R+COLOR Collective Member
ANNA EVANS-BAYER @ANNA.SISU R+COLOR National Educator
“My newer hack with HALF TRUTH Semi-Permanent? Adding a tiny drop of red to my green mix. Red calms green’s brightness and adds depth, thanks to color theory. HALF TRUTH’s creamy texture makes custom colors a breeze—and for vivid lovers, it’s creative freedom.” NITA LON @BYNITAPITA R+COLOR Regional Educator
“I use LOOKING GLASS from HALF TRUTH Semi-Permanent as a clear glaze and treatment on the hair to create shine without depositing color. It’s an easy refresh that features Hair Therapy Complex for health and volume, Bondtech to improve the overall integrity of the hair, and Scalp Therapy Complex to protect, soothe and heal the scalp.” MARIAH RIGOS @BURNING_BEAUTY_M.R R+COLOR Regional Educator
“Your consultation is the most important aspect of any color service. It will set you up for success or set you up for drama. It helps you understand where you’re starting from, where you’re going, and how you’ll shape that journey in between.”
“When building my kit for a house-call, I bring multiples of each R+COLOR tone, and extra that is a level lighter and darker just in case they want a change. I also always keep color handy for my regulars in my kit, labeled in their own bag, so I can be prepared for a last-minute call.” MARWA BASHIR @MARWABASHIRHAIR R+COLOR Collective Member
”I love to use STAR SIGN Demi-Permanent Crème for root tapping with 5 volume so I don't get any lift. I use a level 9 to create natural gold depth at the root to soften and make it look more lived-in.” CELESTE MORRIS @CELESTEMORRISCOLOUR R+COLOR National Educator
HYDRATION
MOISTURE + DEEP REPAIR PRO TREATMENT
16x
MORE HYDRATION *
2x
MORE FRIZZ CONTROL *
AWA RD -W INNING PRO T R E ATM E NTS @randco
@randcobleu
@randcopro *Based on clinical testing performed on damaged hair.
@randcolor
@randco
CASE STUDY Every scissor here is Mizutani, they're the Rolls-Royce of scissors. I've been using one since 2020 and, even with cutting mannequins, have never had to sharpen them. This case keeps everything protected and calibrated. HIT THE MARK On set, you can use DART for so many things, and because it's so small I can carry it anywhere. It's a good friend when I'm on photoshoots. STILL CATCHING SUN CATCHER Leave-In is the first R+Co product I ever tried. I use it for everything and on everyone, including myself. And it smells incredible. AIRPLANE MODE I never connect to the internet when I'm on a plane, that's my alone time. I either watch movies or listen to music. ORLANDO BLOOMS Whenever I go to Disney, I’m always checking the pin boards, trading, seeing what’s out there. WALL-E is my favorite Disney movie, so finding this limited-edition pin felt special. It's really hard to get, they call it a super chaser.
IT’S IN THE
To keep up with Joel’s travels and transformations, follow @joeltorresstyle
FORD GIVETH I love Tom Ford, and I always want to smell good. I learned that from my mom; she was always spraying on a lot of perfume.
BAG
GETTING WARMER I was looking for glasses with a little bit of personality. I saw these frames and they were awesome, but the lenses were clear. I couldn’t stop thinking about them, so I went back and had them made with a warmer tint—something with a little color.
R+CO GLOBAL ARTIST JOEL TORRES LIVES IN TRANSIT— CONSTANTLY MOVING BETWEEN CITIES, SETS, SALONS AND STAGES. HIS KIT IS BUILT TO KEEP UP.
HOLD YOUR HORSES I love using DALLAS when I want more structure, texture and hold. Sometimes I don't want to get my hands into products, and I love how it sprays. OH, SNAP! The Fuji X100VI is the most hyped camera for a reason. It's very powerful and you can customize the filters. For example, you can have the look of a Kodak Portra 800 as you shoot. Plus, I like the look a lot when I wear it on my chest with a strap : )
TIMELESS FLEX This watch is timeless and goes with everything, but it's more symbolic for me. I don't wear it often but when I do, it's a reminder to myself that “I did it.” TEXAS HOLD’EM I've been wearing hats with a brim for about 10 years. I bought this Stetson in Texas and it’s the one I wear most often. I like it because it has a little airplane on it.
PUT THE LOTION IN THE BASKET CANDY STRIPE is a heat protectant and detangler, but I love to use it as a cutting lotion. There's nothing better. LISTEN UP
NO KEEPING E T A G . E R HE DAY: R OF THE @RANDCOLO HTS IP T E H T D S IG N S A IS IN DON’T M @RANDCOPRO F INSPO, PRO O W E S O L O L D FO Y U ES . UR DAIL FOR YO ORITE TECHNIQ AND FAV
Scan to listen to the full interview with R+Co Global Artist Joel Torres on R+Co Talk Radio, or visit randco.com/radio.
WORD
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Styled by: Garren, R+Co BLEU founder Essential Air Dry/Blow Dry Creme: To air-dry, evenly distribute a generous amount through damp hair. To blow-dry, emulsify a quarter-size amount between hands and apply to damp hair. Style as desired. Ultra Dry Texture Spray: Build the perfect amount of control for full-on texture, shine and volume. Shake well before using and apply on finished, styled hair.
H I G H P E R F O R M A N C E . S U S TA I N A B L E L U X U RY. C O N S C I O U S LY C R E AT E D .
R A N D CO B L E U .CO M • @ R A N D CO B L E U
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THE BLEU PRINT
DESIGNED WITH INTENT R+CO BLEU WAS BUILT TO RAISE THE BAR FOR LUXURY HAIRCARE, PAIRING HIGH-PERFORMANCE FORMULAS WITH AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
ROOTED IN COUTURE
M AT E R I A L S M AT T E R
R+Co BLEU’s rich, jewel-toned palette and opalescent finish were inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s couture collections in the early 1970s, which used luxurious textures and tone-on-tone color to create depth and richness.
The packaging and sustainability story behind R+Co BLEU begins with the materials themselves. Bottles and jars are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR)—materials recovered and repurposed rather than produced from new plastic. Using PCR significantly reduces the demand for virgin plastic and the fossil fuels required to produce it. In fact, manufacturing R+Co BLEU bottles uses 88% less energy, dramatically lowering the carbon footprint of the packaging.
nstead of one uniform shade, R+Co BLEU uses distinct jewel-toned Instead color families, helping define each category of product while still creating a cohesive visual identity on the shelf.
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For R+Co BLEU founder Garren, whose career has long bridged hair and fashion, that reference point felt natural.
Other components were designed with the same thinking. Tubes are made from renewable sugarcane bioresin, a plant-based material with a 50% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional plastic.
Hair products don’t just function behind the chair—they live on salon stations, shower shelves, in editorial kits, backstage at red carpets and fashion shows, and on bathroom vanities. The packaging needed to feel elevated enough to belong in all of those spaces. The result is a line where color, form and texture work together, creating packaging that feels rooted in fashion while remaining practical for everyday use.
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R+Co BLEU canisters use 100% recycled aluminum, reducing the need for new raw materials while dramatically lowering emissions. The result is a 93% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional aluminum production. Even the outer cartons were carefully considered. They’re produced using 100% recycled paper at an EPA Green Partner Facility, where renewable energy sources—including wind, solar, and hydro—offset 25% of the manufacturing energy.
BLUE: ESSENTIALS GREEN: REPAIR PURPLE: VOLUME
100% RECYCLED ALUMINUM
RED: COLOR CARE
LOWER IMPACT
PINK: TEXTURE YELLOW: BRIGHTENING
ENERGY OFFSET
RENEWABLE SUGARCANE BIORESIN
100% RECYCLED PAPER, PRODUCED USING RENEWABLE ENERGY
ENGINEERED FOR THE LAST DROP
THE AUDIBLE CLICK
R+Co BLEU packaging was engineered to make every drop of the formula accessible, an important detail that reflects the level of thought behind the entire line.
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Another obsessive detail that received devoted attention during development: the cap. R+Co BLEU closures are engineered to produce a subtle audible click when they close. That sound confirms the cap is fully sealed, but it also contributes to the overall sensory experience of the product.
Many conventional cosmetic bottles leave a noticeable amount of product trapped inside, especially toward the end of the bottle’s life. R+Co BLEU bottles were carefully designed to minimize that waste, allowing the maximum amount of the product to be accessed. CLICK COMPONENT
T H E B I G G E R I M PA C T
Packaging engineers refer to this as “product evacuation”—how efficiently a bottle releases what’s inside—but the thinking behind it is straightforward: less product left behind, less product wasted. Achieving that required careful attention to the structure of the bottle and the way the product flows toward the opening as it’s used. The result is a bottle designed to work the way people actually use it, including how the shampoo and conditioner bottles can be stored inverted on their cap, keeping the formula naturally positioned near the opening so it’s ready to dispense, even when the bottle is nearly empty.
R+Co BLEU helped accelerate some of those conversations, demonstrating that thoughtful design and sustainability can evolve together.
SUSTAINABILITY ICONS APPEAR LARGER ON CARTONS THAN THE R+CO BLEU LOGO ITSELF.
BACKSIDE
As demand grows for sustainable packaging across the beauty industry, manufacturers are developing better recycled plastics, new bio-based materials and more efficient production methods.
FRONTSIDE
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Creating R+Co BLEU packaging required working with suppliers who specialize in recycled and renewable materials, and encouraging them to push even further.
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The weight of the cap, the resistance as it turns, and the click when it closes were all tested and refined to feel deliberate in the hand. It’s a small moment, but one that reinforces the feeling of quality and luxury every time the bottle is used.
LOWER CO2
he design that almost was—and the one that defined everything. How a near-miss, a car ride through the mountains and sharp instinct built the visual identity of R+Co. The beauty industry has never been short on product, but it has often lacked personality. When R+Co entered the scene, it arrived with a different point of view: one that looked, sounded and felt more like culture than commerce. From the beginning, R+Co was built to be experienced, not just used. Visually, it reads like a stack of art books, each product a distinct image, mood or reference. The names feel cinematic, sometimes irreverent, always intentional. The brand carries a soundtrack, a point of view, a sense that everything, from packaging to performance, belongs to the same world. Yet, the brand almost looked entirely different. Early packaging concepts leaned safe: generic, overly polished and indistinct. They didn’t reflect the edge or cultural fluency the brand needed. CEO Tev Finger felt it immediately, gut-level. He brought the designs to his “directive committee”—a mix of trusted voices in his circle, along with Howard McLaren, Todd Hildum, Dan Langer, Amanda Wall and others. The feedback was consistent: this orange-pink design wasn’t it. At the time, Amanda had just joined on as an art director for shoots. But, as the target demographic for the brand, she knew instinctively that the existing packaging direction didn’t speak to her as a consumer. So she threw her hat in the ring to redesign the visual identity for the brand. The creative pivot began on the flight home to Los Angeles from that design meeting. Sitting next to Howard, the two began brainstorming fun, personality-driven names based strictly on the function of each product. The next day, while driving toward Pasadena and looking out at the beautiful Los Angeles mountains, Amanda had a realization: if the product names tell a functional story, an image should be on the packaging to visualize it. The idea was simple but sharp: treat every product like a standalone image, something you’d stop on, share and remember, while unifying the system with a stark white rectangle in the center. It anticipated a shift that was just beginning at the time: beauty as visual culture, built for a social media feed. Right in time for Cosmoprof North America, Amanda and Howard drove from LA to Las Vegas with a car full of paper-wrapped prototypes to debut the look. When they presented them, the reaction was immediate. Placed next to the original designs, the difference was undeniable. Within hours, salon owners weren’t just responding, they were asking when they could have it. That framework still defines R+Co today. Ideas often begin with a memory, song or movie reference, then evolve through conversation. What emerged wasn’t a single breakthrough moment, but a series of decisions—trusting instinct over convention, building visually, thinking culturally, and staying close to the salons the brand was made for.
CHIFFON
Styling Mousse The blouse is Amanda’s but the name comes from chiffon cake: light, airy, springy. That texture– soft, buoyant, effortless–is exactly what the mousse delivers. The cake dates back to 1920s Los Angeles, created by Harry Baker.
DEATH VALLEY Dry Shampoo
ROCKAWAY Salt Spray Not the beach–the song. Named after Rockaway Beach by the Ramones.
TELEVISION
MOTORCYCLE
Perfect Hair Shampoo + Conditioner
Flexible Gel
When we were testing it, everyone kept saying the same thing: it’s perfect. The name stuck. TELEVISION is about that camera-ready, polished finish–the kind you expect to see on screen.
That image? Creative Director Amanda Wall’s leather jacket. She threw it on the floor. Howard McLaren shot it. It became the packaging.
Howard and Amanda drove there to capture the image. The name is literal: the driest place in America. Also a nod to Zabriskie Point, a 1970 film by Michelangelo Antonioni.
DALLAS Thickening Spray Even though everything is bigger in Texas (including the hair), DALLAS was named after the iconic TV soap opera, not the city.
AIRCRAFT Pomade Mousse
BADLANDS Dry Shampoo Paste The landscape is real, but the name comes from the 1973 film Badlands starring Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen.
The original formula came together in a coffee mug at the Ace Hotel. Mixed with an electric cocktail stirrer until the texture felt right.
DART
Pomade Stick Howard wanted it slim enough to slip into a pocket–and precise enough to create comb marks for a sharper, more tailored finish on short hair.
NE W C HROM ATHE R AP Y 5-POINT PROTECTION HE AT • UV • HUMI DI T Y HA RD WATE R • B RE A KAGE
89%
reduction in breakage and 450°F heat and UV protection *
P R I M A RY C O L O R : A C O M P L E T E SYST E M F O R B R I L L I A N T C O L O R
R A N D CO B L E U .CO M • @ R A N D CO B L E U *Based on testing performed on hair severely damaged when using the regimen consisting of Primary Color Shampoo, Conditioner, and Ultra Protection Spray.
At Excursion II, we br ought it back a few decades—big hair, bi personalities, and ev gger eryone went all out on “commit to the bi t.” The looks didn’t hold back, powered by a custom 1980s throw VICIOUS Strong Ho back of ld Flexible Hairspray , re imagined for the nigh scaled into an oversiz t and ed inflatable for the party. Can you find Tev?
SCAN TO FEEL THE BEAT!
THE EXCURSION EFFECT FROM FOUNDATION TO MOMENTUM Excursion was designed to be a layered experience. Excursion I sets the foundation: the systems, structure and clarity around what your business could become. Excursion II is where it starts to move.
“This is the most valuable information I’ve had in 35 years as a hairstylist and 30 years as a salon owner.”
At the launch of the first Excursion II in Key Largo, Florida, Excursion I graduates who had already taken that first step came back to go further—to refine, implement and lead at a higher level.
“I’ve never felt more support from a brand. From the leadership team, to the support team, to other salon owners—it feels like we’re all in this together.”
ed by Luxury Brand Partners CEO Tev Led Finger and the R+Co leadership team, Excursion II is designed to meet owners where they are now, not where they started. The conversations are deeper. The work is more specific. And the outcome is extraordinary.
- Gerhardt Ackerman, Anchor and Frame
- Alan Randall, The Space & The Salon “Excursion I and II changed how I view myself as a leader. It’s enhanced not just my business, but every aspect of my life.” - Helen Wegener, Willow Hair
“We didn’t know what we needed or what we were looking to learn, but we came away with so many ideas and feel so inspired to elevate our business.” - Shea Lovrovich, Union Salon “What previously looked like years of building now feels reachable within the next year. I’m excited to see the ripple effect this will have on my team.”
“Leadership can be lonely, and Excursion gives you the resources and connections to not feel alone.” - McKenzie Eddy, Craft Hair Studio “Excursion II is real, well thought-out, relevant information that’s actionable at the same time. Networking with other high-performing salon owners is incredibly valuable.”
- Jill Reed, Raw Hair Society
- Corbin Shullanberger, The Foundry
“I’m leaving Excursion II bursting with new energy to take home to my team, with so many usable ideas to help my salon grow and thrive.”
“Excursion II was such a great experience. The growth our salon has had since Excursion I has been amazing, and Excursion II will take us to the next level.”
- Melissa Beal, Charbon Salon
- Sharon Majano, Lotus Boutique Salon
“We grew 17% last year after implementing what we learned from Excursion I. I’m forever grateful for Excursion and the opportunity to connect with peers and keep growing.” - Juliann Upton, Mesh Hair Studio
THE PATH FORWARD Most education gives you ideas. Excursion gives you a path—and then pushes you to follow it. Because there’s a difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Excursion I creates the clarity and foundation. Excursion II builds action, refinement and real momentum. Get dates and details at randco.com/excursion.